I never thought I would land where I have.

I began my career in 2011 as a bather at a corporate grooming salon. I remember seeing the fancy tables, the equipment that all the groomers had and watched in awe as they turn a messy, dirty dog into something that sparkles, no matter what breed or condition, these groomers found a way to make every dog shine in their own way, all while mindful of the dog’s health and comfort. As a dog lover myself, I was suddenly in love with all things grooming. I spent hours after work making bows for my clients, buying stickers for their report cards and I even saved puppy hairs for the parents!

I took my time after I completed my academy training to get myself comfortable with the process of grooming. Ensuring the dogs stayed safe and as comfortable as possible. Fast forward about 9 months into my career, we relocated from Louisville, Kentucky to Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Only a short time into my grooming journey, I was blossoming into a fantastic dog groomer! I was recognized by corporate management for outstanding safety multiple times. I was awarded employee of the month four times, and consistently achieved a high grooming sales quota. I truly love helping people, and dogs. It comes so naturally for me and I was happy to share my knowledge with anyone willing to listen.

As some stories go, there were people who didn’t like my passion, possibly intimidated by it. I ended up transferring to a different location across town and starting my clientele over. As defeating as it sounds, I always had confidence that if I could get my hands on the dog – I would retain a client. After being treated badly at the previous salon, I lost a lot of passion, and felt burnt out. I needed a change of scenery career wise. I still loved grooming, but corporate retail grooming was wearing on me. I stayed with corporate grooming because my husband and I wanted to purchase a home.

We purchased our home a year later, and the next year, I was hired at a boutique style grooming salon. I was so excited for a new fresh start! Sadly, a few months into this new venture would prove more traitorous than my previous corporate grooming experience. I made more money, I was far more overworked and underappreciated. Average 10 dogs a day, 5-6 days a week, constant rotation. I had no control over my schedule. I expressed my discomfort with the owner and the review wasn’t a good one. I resigned three weeks later. I took a month off to look at other options and interviewed around town. I didn’t find anywhere I felt comfortable. I ended up back in corporate retail grooming.

In the meantime, looking at other options. I accepted a job in life insurance. Through ignorance and lack of wisdom, I listened to my new boss, and quit my corporate job, cold turkey. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant, only to be let go from this position right after Hurricane Irma.

Since I left corporate grooming, I was able to service some clients who didn’t mind me grooming from my home. Being jobless and with a child on the way, I started accepting referrals from my clients. I was hired at another office for life insurance and worked there through the duration of my pregnancy, while grooming part time from home. When our baby was born in 2018, my husband and I agreed that daycare wasn’t an option for our family. The cost of the program alone was too much to afford monthly. I would need to work a full time and a part time job just to make the payment to daycare. We were creative and I started leaning into my grooming. This time, from my living room! I started small, just a folding table and an old dryer, a few appointments a week and a small $500 a month goal!

Now, I have my own grooming studio, my dream equipment, wonderful, loyal clients! Full control of my schedule and I can say no when necessary. This is just the beginning of my potential! Everything I could ever dream of is within reach. I plan to continue my education with dogs, I would love to certify as a Master Groomer and maybe participate in Competitive Grooming one day! I work a fraction of the time I would be working for someone else, and I still get to care for my family, my clients, and their dogs. It’s been over a decade since I started this journey and I have only incredible blessings from hard work, honesty and consistency!

I’m Annette, I am the owner and dog groomer at FURstylesByAnnette, a dog grooming studio, in Saint Petersburg, Florida  I enjoy fostering puppies, visiting our Florida springs, kayaking, and biking, any adventure is fair game! I have two border collie beagle mixes, Munkie and Bambam. They were born in 2008 and have been with us their whole lives, they are also litermates.

I hold certificates in Dog Bathing, Dog Grooming, Salon Health and Safety, Pet First Aid and CPR, Canine Special Needs Handling, Canine Massage and Poodle scissoring. I started my career in 2011 as a bather in a corporate grooming salon. I worked through the academy they offer and worked for them for about 6 years before starting to work for myself in 2017.

I’ve always had a passion for animals and wanted to work with them. The first dog I shaved down, I was 8 years old and used my stepdad’s beard trimmers. His name was Max, and he was a little terrier mix. I felt bad for him because he was always matted. I remember thinking how he didn’t deserve it and although I had no idea what I was doing, we bunkered down in the bathroom, and I shaved those matts off! All the while, not having a clue that dog grooming was an industry! Fast forward nearly 15 years, I injured my back while working food service in 2008, and after that my biggest focus was “I want to work with animals.” I met a neighbor walking her Boxer when we lived in Louisville, Kentucky. I asked her why she was wearing rain boots. She explained she was a dog groomer, and they were hiring bathers! I applied that night, and got a phone call the next day. I was in grooming school within 6 weeks.

I’ve spent my career caring for dogs, not just cutting their nails and brushing their fur. When I talk to a client about their dog, I listen. I listen to the details, I take what they share with me to help them find solutions for their dog, whether it’s a hair maintenance issue, a food concern, behavioral help, we talk. It’s important for me to have good communication skills because dogs can’t talk. They can’t tell me if they’re hurt, or something is bothering them. It’s also not right for me to ignore signs of pain or discomfort. My purpose is to help them through this experience called grooming and trying to ensure we keep them as happy and healthy as long as we can.

I offer exclusive one on one dog grooming. I want to know you and your dog, this ensures great communication, and a team effort with a professional to help keep your dog healthy. I use human and pet safe products, because ingredients matter. Everything I do is by appointment only. My grooms are done straight through. I recommend scheduling 4 to 6 weeks for services, because going past 8 weeks for services will leave you with an unmaintained dog! I offer bathing services, de-shed treatments, full body hand trimming, haircuts. All my services include nail filing, toothbrush, and ear cleaning, shampoo, and conditioner.

I am committed to doing what is right for my clients and their dog, safety comes first for everyone. I will do my best to help my clients with their dog journey the best I can. I believe that trust is key when it comes to those we love. As a groomer, I need you to trust me with your dog, I also need to build trust with your dog. This takes time and patience. I’m thankful to have great knowledge of dogs and great resources to help you through your journey with your dog. Teaching your dog grooming or starting a relationship with a groomer from puppy stage will ensure a lifetime of happy grooming experiences. It’s important the dog knows that grooming is part of their normal life. I believe grooming training and behavioral training is vital and necessary for a successful dog journey.

I believe being opened minded and creative with my business vision influenced my career as a dog groomer. I looked at things that didn’t make me feel good in other salons and grooming businesses, I focused on how the dogs were handled, how the dogs and their parents responded to those situations. I changed what did not serve positive purpose. In the time I’ve been working for myself, I have had times where I needed to adjust how I handled incoming clients and how much I booked myself. I sometimes take on too much then get exhausted and burnt out. This fatigue comes from expecting too much from myself. I had to learn to take a step back, make time for my family and myself. Especially after our daughter was stillborn at 41 weeks gestation in February 2022 and I had to recover from a life-threatening infection. I had to let go of the things I couldn’t control. There was nothing I could do, except support my clients from afar and hope they would return when I was able to work again. I was out of grooming for about four months. I was surprised when most everyone returned, minus a few who moved away. I’m thankful I had a friend who is a groomer across town who took on some of my clients to help them while I was down.

I realize that life is a journey, not a destination. We are constantly evolving and changing. We go through phases to bring forth the light of your soul and so we can show the world through love and kindness. We try to understand who we are, but fail to remember there is no destination, just this moment we are in now. Everything beyond that is subjective and only matters when we are there. I know through my tragedies, I could have let depression and grief consume me, I kept looking for the light, I kept moving, kept thinking. I woke up every day and got out of bed, I made that same bed and did my very best to keep on.

My family, my clients and their dogs all count on me. Giving up isn’t part of my journey, even at the darkest moments. I will continue, especially knowing my family would not want me to give up.

Thank you for reading my story!

Thank you to all my wonderful clients who have supported me since day one! My dreams are possible because of you!