The GroomPod

Susan Scott

Barbara Bird and Susy the Groomer chat about grooming.

  1. 2월 7일

    GroomPod 470 Honoring a legend, Stinky feet, Zymox, and Growing your business in 2026

    Welcome back to the virtual salon! In this heavy yet hopeful episode, Susy and Barbara take a moment to honor the life and legacy of a true industry giant, Chris Christensen. We reflect on how his innovations transformed the way we work at the grooming table and pay our respects to a man who changed the grooming world forever. Shifting gears to something a bit more... pungent, we dive deep into the science behind "Frito Feet". If you’ve ever wondered why your clients' dogs smell like corn chips, we’ve got the answers. We discuss the causes of this common (and smelly) condition and share our favorite professional management strategies, including the use of Zymox products to keep those paws fresh and healthy. Finally, we’re looking ahead with 2026 ways to get your business out there. Barbara and Susy share actionable marketing tips and networking secrets to help you stand out in a crowded market. From "shotgun approach" marketing to the power of a simple cookie, learn how to build deep community roots and keep your books full. In this episode, we discuss: A tribute to the late Chris Christensen and his impact on professional grooming. Understanding and managing the "corn chip" smell on dog paws. The role of Zymox in the salon.  Creative and effective marketing strategies to grow your grooming business in 2026. The importance of community networking and standing out from the pack. Don't forget to hit that like button, share with your fellow groomers, and visit us at the website! Happy grooming, everyone!

    51분
  2. 1월 12일

    Episode 468: Copolymers, Microbiomes, and the Future of Fragrance with Dave Campanella

    In this episode of The GroomPod, Susy the Groomer and Barbara Bird welcome back their most frequent guest, Dave Campanella from Best Shot, to discuss the cutting-edge trends shaping the grooming industry in 2026. We dive deep into Dave’s latest insights for Groomer to Groomer magazine, debunking old myths about silicone copolymers and exploring why these modern ingredients are actually "game changers" for coat protection and moisture retention. Barbara and Dave also discuss the influence of Korean Beauty on our industry, emphasizing a shift toward "skin-forward" grooming and multi-step treatments. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Truth About Silicones: Why modern copolymers are light, water-friendly, and essential for finishing dense coats. Microbiome Realities: Why "probiotic" shampoos might be more marketing than science, and why the method of application matters most. The Future of Fragrance: A look at "pet-friendly" scents and technology that actually eliminates odors rather than just masking them. The Power of Recirculating Systems: Why these systems are the "bomb" for superior conditioner deposition. Whether you are a mobile groomer like Susy or a salon owner, this episode will help you stop "working too hard" and start embracing the technology that makes grooming better in the tub. #TheGroomPod #GroomingScience #BestShot #BarbaraBird #DaveCampanella #PetGroomingTrends #DogMicrobiome #GroomerLife #GroomingEducation

    52분
  3. 2025. 12. 22.

    GroomPod 466 Groomer to Groomer December 2025

    Episode 466: Poodle Sauce, Pistachios, and the December Issue Welcome to the virtual salon! In this episode, Suzy and Barbara celebrate the start of their 12th year of The Groom Pod. To kick off the anniversary, the duo dives deep into the December 2025 issue of Groomer to Groomer magazine, sharing their unfiltered takes on everything from business advice to breed tutorials. In This Episode: The "Secret Sauce" Experiment: Suzy shares her latest "mad scientist" moment mixing Funky Poodle’s Hair Oil with water-based detanglers. Barbara weighs in on the science of emulsifiers and how to keep your mixtures from separating. The Pistachio Craze: Barbara falls for the TikTok-famous pistachio scent but has some serious reservations about the ingredient labels on the Pistachio Dream shampoo. Magazine Review: Measuring Success: A look at Amanda McGrath’s article on tracking holiday add-ons and the importance of "doing the math". The Boss vs. Leader Debate: Why small shops often struggle with the "friend vs. boss" boundary. Darryl’s Tips: Practical advice on making gradual grooming adjustments to manage client expectations and your own stress levels. AI in the Salon: The hosts discuss a new intake app that uses AI to generate visual representations of client requests. Is it the future of communication, or just more "fake" images to worry about? Technical Talk: Quick thoughts on the English Setter tutorial and the age-old debate: to whisk or not to whisk?. Sponsor Shoutouts:  Best Shot, ShowSeason, Precision Sharp, Groomore, and Stazko.

    49분
  4. 2025. 12. 13.

    GroomPod 465 What to do when they pass, Whiteners and Optical brightners

    🎧 The Groom Pod Episode 465: What to do when they pass, and Whiteners and optical brighteners Welcome to Episode 465 of The GroomPod! Join your host, Susy, a mobile groomer from Seattle, Washington, and her co-star, the curator of ingredients, Barbara Bird. This week, we are tackling two very serious, yet important, topics for every professional groomer: 🐾 When They Pass Away (00:01:08)Susy opens up about the emotional toll of grooming and the devastating loss of beloved long-time clients. We discuss one of the hardest questions in our industry: What do you do when a client's pet passes away? We cover: How to handle the grief and emotional side of pet loss. The importance of making that hard phone call to the owner. The essential, yet unpaid for, service we provide in validating a client's grief. High-emotion, low-cost gestures, like sending a framed photo or sharing a specific memory of their pet's quirks. Professional tributes, such as shelter donations or memorializing the pet with a service like Pet Perennials. The critical business step of immediately archiving the pet in your software to prevent sending a next-appointment reminder. ✨Bbird's Classroom: Whiteners and Optical Brighteners (00:32:00) Time to shake off the heavy stuff and dive into the science that makes white coats pop! Barbara takes us to school on how we achieve that "blinded by the light white". The Magic & Science: Learn the difference between dyes (like DNC blue colorant, the most common whitening agent ) and optical brighteners. Optical Brighteners: These chemicals, such as Disodium Diamino Stilbene Disulfonate (used by Best Shot), absorb one band of color and reflect back another, making colors pop and whites appear whiter—an optical illusion!. The Myth: Barbara busts the myth that optical brighteners deposit tiny particles of plastic on the coat. Best Practice: The real mechanism for a whiter dog is deep cleaning, often requiring a clarifying shampoo or one with stronger surfactants before using a whitening product. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Best Shot, ShowSeason, Precision Sharp, Groomore, and Stazko. #GroomPod #PetLossGrief #GroomerLife #DogGrooming #MobileGroomer #OpticalBrighteners #WhiteningShampoo #GroomerEducation #PetGroomer #BestShotPet #ShowSeason #Stazko

    52분
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Barbara Bird and Susy the Groomer chat about grooming.

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