We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nyle Grigsby a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nyle, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I feel like our entire story is risk based. We knew how to groom and had some experience in mobile grooming but had no idea how to start out own business. I just remember Josie calling me fed up with who we worked for, that day I registered our business online. We didn’t have a plan but that was the first step. We bought a used, cheap cargo trailer and hid it in our backyard. We worked on it every day while still working for another company. Eventually we took the leap and started our own business! I’ll always remember our first client, it was humiliating we went from these fancy vans to this small trailer. But it was our, and that’s all that mattered. We really found out that people hire US, not the business. They want us grooming their animal, they don’t care what our setup looks like, or if we were plugging into their home for power before we could afford a generator. It was scary, and a lot of things went wrong. The generator stopped working, we had to call and figure out how to fix it ourselves. The water tank would freeze solid, we had to learn how to defrost it and prevent that overnight. Water would leak from anywhere and everywhere and we had to patch that up. We worked really hard from a few dogs a week to now having a wait list.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Nyle:
I dropped out of college during my senior year at Mizzou, where I was studying psychology. My parents thought I was crazy—but deep down, I knew it wasn’t the path for me. I went to college because it was expected of me; it’s what my older brother did. I still remember lying on the floor of my tiny apartment thinking, “Wow, I have to get a full-time job now.”

So, I applied to a local pet store in Overland Park, KS, and started working full-time in retail. I’d always wanted a dog, so I adopted my first one from a pound in Lee’s Summit—an Australian Shepherd named Hoshi (“star” in Japanese). I didn’t know a thing about dogs or grooming back then, but I learned a lot on the job about dog nutrition and how to care for them properly.

One day, I saw a flyer posted by my manager saying they were looking to train new grooming staff. If they thought your personality and animal skills were a good fit, they’d consider you. I’d never thought about grooming before—we never had dogs growing up—but I needed to make more money, especially now that I was a college dropout.

I applied and was lucky to be accepted. The company even paid for my grooming school, which can cost upwards of $10,000. It took nearly a year to earn my certificate and start grooming solo. That’s also where I met my partner, Josie—she was my coach. We worked together for a while before moving to a mobile grooming company. We really enjoyed it and, to our surprise, eventually decided to start our own business.

We saved up to buy a home, I traded in my car for a truck, and we began the long process of building our brand. We upgraded to a grooming trailer that I ran while Josie worked at a traditional salon. Eventually, we saved enough for a down payment on a grooming van. We drove to Illinois to pick it up, and that’s when Josie joined the van full-time. Now, we’re booked out for months and have a waitlist.

What really sets us apart is our commitment to ethical grooming. Josie and I have both witnessed abuse in this industry—and we won’t stand for it. I’d rather send your dog home half-shaved than hurt them just to finish the job. Of course, we strive for both safety and style, but in those rare moments when it’s one or the other, we choose comfort over vanity every time.

Looking back, I wish I could tell my younger self everything would be okay. I was terrified to tell my parents I was dropping out, but I’ve always known I’m resilient. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m grateful my parents continued to support me, even when they were scared too.

I love my job, and I love my clients. I can’t imagine doing anything else. As long as my body lets me, I’ll be grooming.

Josie:
I got into grooming right after high school in 2014—completely by accident. I was waiting to hear back from a factory job I’d applied to when I started as a bather at a corporate grooming salon. By the time the factory called me for an interview, I already knew I didn’t want to do anything else. I went on to grooming school, came back in early 2015, and started learning under a talented mentor who taught me so much. From there, I moved into private salons, gained experience from fellow groomers, and kept learning every step of the way.

Since then, I’ve attended multiple grooming expos out of state and taken all kinds of seminars—from mastering the perfect bichon head and hand stripping wire coats, to pet CPR, skin and coat health, senior pet care, and working with difficult pets. I’ve had animals my entire life—dogs, cats, goats, rats, birds—you name it. I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals somehow, I just didn’t realize grooming was the path until I stumbled into it. Now, I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s more than a job to me—it’s what I love.

Some of my favorite parts of grooming are the little things: seeing dogs light up when they recognize my van pulling up, the excited tails in the window, the soft relief on a matted dog’s face when the tangles come off, or helping an old dog feel clean and comfortable in their golden years. It’s those moments that remind me why I do this. I’ve built real bonds with so many pets and their owners—some have even become close friends. That trust means everything to me.

I think what sets me apart is my calm, patient approach—especially with senior pets or those with special needs or behavioral quirks. I love getting to know each animal’s personality and working at their pace. Grooming should never be scary or stressful. I use kind, respectful handling, positive praise, treats, and a whole lot of patience to make sure each pet feels safe and cared for. They remember how they’re treated, and I want every pet to feel good about our time together.

I’m proud of how far our business has come. From the tiny DIY grooming trailer we built ourselves to now operating out of a professional trailer and van, it’s been a wild ride. We’ve faced a lot, but we’ve built something we believe in—something rooted in love, ethics, and resilience. Our client list has grown faster than we imagined, and we’re honestly so thankful for the amazing people and pets who trust us to care for them.

All Paws Grooming is more than a business—it’s a reflection of everything I love and believe in. Grooming is my passion.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

We will always say word of mouth is the best advertisement. If your clients like you and your work, they will want to tell others!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Josie and I have had months where we write down what we can and can’t afford. What bills do we have to be late on. What groceries do we need or just want? We joke that we make great money but near all of it goes right back into it. It is disheartening sometimes but I’d rather work for myself and make my own rules/schedule.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allpawsgrooming.net
• Facebook: All Paws Grooming KC
• Other: Because we have a wait list we prefer people schedule on our booking site. This will add you to the waitlist.