A Note from Natasha
I often get asked, “Why dog grooming”? Contrary to what many think, it is not because I am a dog lover. I actually am owned by a cat!
We chose grooming because I had the inside understanding of the business—and it was a great fit for our particular students. My mom was a dog groomer and owned and ran her business out of our home when I was growing up. I helped with the marketing, and saw firsthand how she was able to flex her schedule around our family.
In recent years, when she was struggling to find “any warm body” to work for her, I had a lightbulb moment. This field didn’t demand a high school diploma, nor did it limit those who may have other employment barriers, such as prior justice involvement. It does require someone who is willing to work, because luckily, the demand is there. Most salons, just like my mom’s, would book very far out in advance.
One of our larger corporate employment partners has shared with me they would take 40 groomers each year for the Kansas City area alone! Dog grooming is a high-growth industry, expected to expand 39% in Kansas City between 2021 and 2031 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). We have no fear of our graduates saturating the market.
Pawsperity has been fortunate because our program does work long-term for our graduates on so many levels. Dog grooming is a great industry for single moms and their families an excellent opportunity to transforming their lives.
