Voices Behind the Paw-mic
Speakers & Master of Ceremonies Bios
Meet our expert speakers and hosts
Marcia Strong
Master of Ceremonies:
Marcia Strong, a Certified Master Groomer and award-winning professional, has been a leader in the pet grooming industry since 2009. With a strong foundation built under the mentorship of two renowned groomers, she transitioned from salon work to competitive grooming in 2010, earning multiple awards in Poodle and Mixed breed classes. Marcia’s expertise has also led her to groom dogs featured in international magazines and media productions.
Known for her social media presence, her viral TikTok channel, “I Like Dog More Than You,” has earned her three Barkleigh Honor Awards and brand sponsorships.
An active competitor, Marcia regularly showcases her skills with her Kerry Blue, Ayla, and Mini Poodle, Possum. Recently, she owns The Bark Side salon in Ontario. A small team oriented shop, focusing on one-on-one experiences that prioritize comfort and safety for both dogs and groomers.
Holly Baker
My name is Holly Baker and I have been in the pet industry for over 20 years. I started my career as a professional bather and later pursued becoming a veterinary technician. While attending college I graduated Grooming Academy as a Certified Pet Groomer. I have always been passionate for cat, rabbit, small animal, avian, and reptile grooming. After working at a veterinary clinic for 4 years and grooming at the same time, I decided to pursue my management career to help others. Fast forward another 15 years. I have achieved opening pet stores, running multi-million dollar stores, managed teams of 60 people, large management teams, and finally pursued my dream of owning my own salon. During covid, my husband and I opened our first salon, went up to four locations, and have changed directions to add mobile grooming. We now own three grooming salons and have added mobile grooming to our business. I am an open level Extreme Creative competitor and am now competing in breed profiles. I am finishing my masters in Grooming with both the AKC and NDGAA. I am also a member of ISCC. I am a certified OPAWZ Global Educator and Expert. I was invited as a judge to China's International Pet Show 2024 where I reviewed creative grooms and was recognized as a Global Educator and Ambassador. I have begun showing dogs in AKC and currently own 2 conformation dogs. I am passionate for agility, obedience, showing conformation, and competing with my dogs. I have lived a lot of life in my career and I'm so thrilled to share my experience with other professionals in our industry.
Class Descriptions:
Bringing creative grooming into an every day grooming salon.
Many groomers are interested in doing creative, but struggle with attracting clients who want these services. Some owners are hesitant to offer these services because of concerns of profitability, unfamiliar with what products are needed, but risk losing employees to other salons who welcome it. I will provide a detailed list of products and options they can bring back to their salons to hold great conversations around offering creative in the salons. Resources of how to promote, attract, and map out year round color services to clients. Creative grooming is a fantastic way to improve profits as well as encourage creativity to your team!
Color 101
Join Holly Baker, Opawz Global Educator, Global Creative Grooming Adsociation Member, Open Level Competitor, and Multi-Salon & Mobile owner for a lesson in color application and techniques. Coloring pet hair isn’t a guessing game. It’s a science and art. Learn different ways to apply color, designs, and add this fast growing service to your salon!
Victoria Perry
Owner & Operator- Victoria’s Luxury Dog Grooming | Director of Operations- Remi’s Retreat
The Pet Stylist behind Victoria’s Luxury Dog Grooming and Salon Operator of Remi’s Retreat, where I lead a team of two additionally talented stylists.
I specialize in curly-coated breeds, hand stripping, and custom, high-end styles tailored to each dog’s needs and lifestyle.
With over five years of experience, I’m proud to provide patient, pet-centered care that helps dogs not only look their best, but feel their best too!
When I’m not in the salon, you’ll often find me competing in grooming competitions or continuing my education. I regularly take online courses and travel to grooming conventions to attend in-person classes taught by the top professionals in the industry. Staying sharp with the latest techniques and tools allows me to bring fresh insight into every groom and every workshop I lead.
One of my favorite parts of this journey is teaching. Through workshops, I help pet parents feel more confident caring for their dog’s coat between appointments. Whether it’s mastering the bathing and brush-out routine or understanding breed-specific care, I believe grooming should be a collaborative experience between groomer, dog, and owner.
I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and helping groomers refine their techniques, expand their skills, and build grooming routines that elevate their work!
Class Descriptions:
The Foundations of Hand Stripping
Curious about hand stripping but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly class is designed for groomers who want to understand the fundamentals of hand stripping — from coat types and growth stages to proper techniques and tools. Victoria will walk you through the “why” behind the method, demonstrate how to get started safely and effectively, and share practical tips to help build your confidence.
Whether you’ve never stripped a coat before or just want a clearer foundation, this class will give you the tools and knowledge to begin incorporating hand stripping into your everyday grooming routine.
Before the Bows- A Kickstart to Grooming
Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure about how to properly care for a dog’s coat and hygiene? You’re not alone — and this class is here to change that.
Designed for anyone who wants a better understanding of grooming basics, this masterclass will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to handle essential coat and hygiene care. We’ll cover fundamentals like nail trimming, ear cleaning, line brushing, tool selection, and simple coat maintenance techniques that actually make a difference.
Whether you're a dedicated pet parent, an aspiring groomer, or simply want to better support your dog’s grooming routine, you’ll leave feeling empowered, informed, and ready to reduce stress—for both the dog and the groomer.
Melissa Jepson
Popular speaker and Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Speaker of the Year 2021 winner and Seminar Speaker of the Year Nominee 2022 Melissa Jepson has owned and operated the award winning grooming salon Pupscale Pet Salon in Montclair, California since 2013. As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals she believes deeply in creating a soothing, well rounded environment for all aspects of the grooming salon. She is thrilled to partner with Precision Sharp to offer high quality, American made products and also enjoys teaching webinars when she is not traveling at trade shows. Grooming for over two decades and developing a comprehensive knowledge base have made it possible to impart a fresh take with practical, day to day applications for her students. A life-long learner with the heart of a teacher and the soul of an artist, Melissa excels at communicating and is passionate about sharing knowledge with others.
Class Descriptions:
Grooming by Numbers
Do you struggle with getting lost in your haircuts sometimes? Remember painting by numbers? Now we have grooming by numbers! Join Melissa as she shows you how to pinpoint important areas on the dog so you can connect the dots to creating haircuts you love!
*this is a 1-2 hour completely demo class*
Salon Takeover
Running a salon, especially post Covid is certainly a challenge! To start, we will be addressing common pitfalls that can befall business owners and how to circumvent them so things run more smoothly. Overall, we will address a blueprint in efficiency that will help streamline operations and create good time management for day to day operations. Also, in a first of its kind move, Melissa will be addressing real life issues from attendees so we can walk through what we can do to immediately change our businesses for the better once we get home. This fun, interactive layout will be addressing real problems from fellow class attendees so we can all learn together how to better tackle complications that arise from business ownership.
*this is a 2-4 hour class based a lot on feedback from people taking the class-I’ll be posting ahead of time asking people wanting to take the class to provide me with numbers. It is my hope to teach this class over and over completely differently every time as I’m sure examples will be abundant so people can attend it multiple times and still learn from it*
Difficult Dog Certification Class:
In today’s increasingly litigious society, it’s more important than ever to understand how to safely handle as many different types of dogs as possible. So what do we do when we feel our safety is compromised? In this comprehensive four-hour class, Melissa will show you in real time how to quickly, compassionately, and efficiently handle the difficult behavioral problems we face every day. 4 hour class split into 2 sessions lecture & Demo
Sarah Heibel Ncmg
Sarah is a seasoned grooming professional with over 12 years of industry experience. Starting as a bather in a corporate salon, she diligently worked her way up to become an instructor, imparting her expertise to over 50+ associates. Driven by her passion for continuous learning, Sarah has traveled extensively to further her education, culminating in her achievement of the prestigious National Certified Master Groomer status through the NDGAA. In 2021, Sarah realized her entrepreneurial vision with the establishment of Wag With Swag, a thriving mobile salon known for its exceptional grooming services. Beyond her business endeavors, Sarah is deeply committed to supporting the local grooming community, advocating for collaboration and growth. When she's not tending to her clients or being a mom, you can find Sarah in the competition ring, showcasing her skills alongside her beloved poodle Vader and wire-haired dachshund Etta. With her dedication, expertise, and passion for her craft, Sarah continues to stove to make a positive impact in the grooming industry.
Class Descriptions:
Mastering Grooming Tools and Techniques:
Join us for an in-depth exploration of grooming tools and techniques in our Mastering Grooming Tools and Techniques class. Delve into the intricacies of selecting the right tools for the job, including brushes, combs, scissors, and a variety of grooming products.
Discover how to navigate different coat types and textures, and learn which tools are best suited for each type. From curly coats to smooth coats, gain valuable insights into the optimal tools and techniques to achieve exceptional grooming results.
Expand your skill set as we cover basic hand-stripping and carding techniques, essential for maintaining coat health and aesthetics.
Whether you're a seasoned groomer or just starting out, this class is designed to deepen your understanding of grooming tools and empower you to achieve grooming excellence. Join us and unlock the secrets to effective tool selection and utilization in the grooming process.
Kayleigh Bertrand
Canine Trainer & Behavioralist
I have been working in the pet industry for over 15 years in many aspects. I have been using positive training for companion dogs and working on behavior modification for 15 years in New York and Georgia along side other positive trainers. I have worked in and managed a few different boarding facilities, doggie daycares, and grooming facilities. I have 4 years experience working in and managing veterinary hospitals as well. In this time I have taken many classes and seminars to further my own knowledge on behavior, nutrition, and best practices to ensure I can bring the best to every pet and pet parent I work with. Currently I am the owner and operator of K-9 Kutters Pet Grooming in Derby, NY and the owner and trainer at K-9 Training Kamp.
Class Descriptions:
De-shed and Double coats Decoded:
Let's break down the mess of double coats and shedding season. Everything from identifying the condition of the coat to the finishing look we'll cover tools, products, and techniques. Complete with pictures, demonstrations and interactive learning you will be confident to take on that next hairy beast.
Why do they do that? Behaviors of dogs in daycare and boarding:
Dog communication and actions can leave us questioning why sometimes. We will talk about everything we see in kennels today as caregivers. Breaking down daycare from introductions to play styles and how to handle the wild and anxious dogs. Taking a deeper look at dogs in boarding from eating and sleep habits and what it looks like at different ages. Overall we will take a look at how to help our furry friends enjoy staying with us for the day or overnight.
Fueling Fido: A guide to Canine Nutrition
There is so much out there about what our dogs should or shouldn't eat it can be overwhelming. And there isn't a one fits all answer either. We will break it down to make it easier to make the right choice for your pup on food, treats and chews.
Paws off the Panic: Training for Groomer and Kennel Success
We always want to make our pups visit to the pet professionals as stress free as we can, but how. We will talk about what you can do at home to help prep them before their visit to a groomer or boarding stay. We will walk through what a typical visit entails and looks like for your pup too. Questions and problem solving encouraged!
Katie Labenski, NCMG
Katie opened her business, the Alden Pet Spa, in 2014 after spending several years working at the Rochester Institute of Dog Grooming and receiving certification. A Nationally Certified Master Groomer.Katie continues to value education in the grooming community. She has learned from many groomers over the years and feels that everyone should have a community of professionals they continue to learn from. This industry is constantly changing, and keeping up is essential to providing safe, competent care.
Class Descriptions:
Matt Removal 101: Shaving with Skill & Care
This class will feature a live demonstration on shaving a matted goldendoodle. With the right tools and knowledge, even the most pelted of dogs should be able to be safely groomed. We will discuss how to clearly, but respectfully communicate with the client, what blades and techniques are safest, and what different approaches there are to tackling the matted dog.
Mindy Dinwiddie
**Speaker & Judge Bio: Mindy Dinwiddie**
Mindy Dinwiddie is a seasoned educator, judge, and mentor with over 15 years in the grooming industry, dedicated to helping fellow groomers grow with purpose and confidence. Known for her precise scissoring and practical approach, Mindy leads with both heart and honesty. As a national educator and ambassador for Evolution Shears and All For Groomers, she travels across the country sharing hands-on knowledge in grooming technique, client handling, and business branding. Her no-fluff teaching style, paired with a genuine passion for uplifting others, has made her a trusted voice in the industry. Based in Michigan, Mindy shares her home with her service dog Luke, her beloved Shih Tzu Sammi, and a joyful household full of rescue pets.
Class Descriptions:
**Geriatric Grooming Certificate Class**
Providing comfort, safety, and dignity to our aging canine clients is more than a skill-it's a calling. This certificate class dives deep into the unique needs of senior dogs, covering everything from disease recognition and handling modifications to tools, table management, and client communication. Through real-world experience and case studies, attendees will gain actionable techniques to safely and compassionately groom geriatric dogs while protecting their own bodies and energy.
**Hot Mess to Marvelous**
When a matted, wild mess walks through your door, what walks out should be pure transformation. This class focuses on assessing severely neglected coats, prioritizing comfort and safety over vanity, and producing a functional, beautiful groom that restores pride to both pet and owner. With live demonstrations, product and tool guidance, and strategic decision- making frameworks, this class arms groomers with the mindset and methods to turn even the roughest cases into success stories.
**Marketing Your Brand**
A logo is not a brand. A brand is what people say about your business when you're not in the room. This business-focused course breaks down the essentials of branding, guiding groomers through selecting the right name, color psychology, font theory, and message alignment. We unpack branding missteps with real-world examples, then walk through how to build a brand that attracts your ideal clients. Whether you're just starting out or in a rebrand, this class is a must for anyone who wants their business to stand out in the marketplace.
Jessy Lake
Jessy Lake began her grooming career at a private salon in 2011. She quickly realized the benefits of advanced training and enrolled at the Rochester Institute of Dog Grooming in 2016. After a few years of working at other local salons and honing her skills, the perfect location became available, and Pups Styled By Jessy opened in 2022. Continuing education and top -notch care are what elevates her salon. Jessy is a member of the National Dog Groomers Association, working on her Master Groomer Certification, she is Fear Free Certified, CPR/ First Aide, along with other related certifications. Her salon has won BEST of 716 Pet Groomer 3 years in a row (2022, 2023, 2024)
You may recognize her for her super fluffy poodle and doodle trims, and flawless scissoring skills.
Jessy loves being part of her local grooming community.
When not grooming dogs and running her salon; Jessy can be found in the woods with her two poodles, Aro and Loti and her Catahoula, Ora.
Class Descriptions:
Class 1: "Leave them fluffy!" Elevating your poodle and doodle pet trims (1.5 hour)
Are you always hearing "Leave them fluffy" on a less maintained coat when it comes to your client's appointment?
Jessy will demonstrate on different poodle/doodle coat types her signature styles in her salon when it comes to those curly coated pups. Ears always tangled? Clients always leaving a collar on? I will show you ways to make your grooms more exciting and open your clients up to new manageable styles for their pups!
Class 2: (1 hour) Booked and Busy: Mastering Client Scheduling and Salon Policy
Are you tired of clients not rebooking, only to send you into a frenzy when they contact you and need an appointment now? Clients missing their appointments, and showing up late, only to not be paid for going to work? This class will help you refine your policies and keep your clients, stylists and business happy.
Ines McNeil - Pet Business Strategist & Consultant
B.S. Biology, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Chair, Association for Professional Dog Training
Owner/Operator of The Modern Dog Trainer
Bio: With over 15 years of experience in the pet industry, Ines McNeil has developed a remarkable ability to uncover growth opportunities others overlook. Her business expertise extends beyond pet professionals, having been trusted by major corporations across the US, including a Top 50 accounting firm and an enterprise IT company.
As 2025 Chair of the Association for Professional Dog Training International and founder of The Modern Dog Trainer, Ines transforms pet business owners' lives through precise analysis and strategic direction. Known for her calm authority and actionable guidance, she helps professionals design service-based businesses that reflect their strengths, attract ideal clients, and create long-term sustainability.
The Modern Dog Trainer offers comprehensive support services helping dog trainers worldwide achieve six-figure incomes without burnout—through specialized courses, consulting, ready-to-use templates, CRM software, and an AI-powered behavior plan platform. Locally, through Complete Canine Concierge, she provides discerning Buffalo dog owners with premium care and training solutions.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling to your next level, Ines brings the structure, systems, and strategic insights that help pet professionals do their best work—without sacrificing their personal lives. Her systematic approach consistently delivers exceptional results, emphasizing freedom, alignment, and high-impact growth beyond traditional one-to-one services.
Class Descriptions:
Class 1: Hidden Gold Mines: Maximizing Revenue Without Finding More Clients
Description: Stop chasing new clients and start maximizing the value of your existing relationships. In this revenue-focused presentation, Ines McNeil reveals practical strategies to increase your income through thoughtful service expansion, premium offerings, and passive income opportunities specifically designed for pet businesses. You'll learn how to identify underutilized assets in your current business model and transform them into profitable revenue streams that align with your core expertise and client needs.
Who is this for: Established pet professionals (groomers, daycare owners, trainers) who already have a solid client base but want to increase profitability without the stress of constant client acquisition. Ideal for business owners looking to work smarter rather than harder while providing enhanced value to their existing clients.
Class 2: Beyond Anxiety: Meeting Your Dog's Needs in the Modern World
Description: In this enlightening presentation, Ines McNeil explores how our rapidly changing lifestyles have created a disconnect between what our dogs need and what they experience day-to-day. You'll discover why anxiety has become increasingly common in companion dogs and learn practical strategies to identify and fulfill your dog's physical, mental, and emotional needs. Discover the root causes & potential solutions of anxious behaviors through thoughtful environmental and lifestyle modifications.
Who is this for: Dog owners who want to move beyond quick fixes and develop a deeper understanding of their dog's behavior. This talk is ideal for anyone whose dog exhibits signs of anxiety (destructive behaviors, excessive vocalization, inability to settle) or who simply wants to provide their dog with a more fulfilling, species-appropriate lifestyle.
Class 3: Beyond Treats: Creating Cooperative Canine Clients Through Advanced Handling
Description: Transform challenging grooming sessions into cooperative experiences that dogs actually enjoy. In this practical workshop, Ines McNeil moves beyond basic treat-based methods to reveal sophisticated handling techniques that address the root causes of grooming anxiety. You'll gain a deeper understanding of canine body language, discover powerful non-food reinforcers, and learn how to create a grooming environment that meets dogs' needs for control and predictability. These research-backed methods not only reduce stress for dogs but create loyal clients who enthusiastically refer others to your business.
Who this is for: Professional groomers seeking to elevate their handling skills beyond basic restraint and treat-giving. Ideal for those who work with anxious or reactive dogs, want to differentiate their services in a competitive market, or simply wish to provide a more humane and enjoyable experience for their canine clients.
Diane Betelak
Diane Betelak NCMG
Diane Betelak is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer and a Certifier for AKC/National Dog Groomers of America. She opened Heads and Tails Professional Dog Grooming in November 1982. Diane groomed competitively for several years and has many prestigious wins. She was a member of GroomTeam USA and qualified as the #1 Competitive Groomer in 1996. Diane traveled to Milan, Italy with GroomTeam USA and competed the her Standard Poodle Tazzmania in the World Grooming Competition in 1997. She won the poodle class and went on to win Best in Show which enabled the team to collect enough points win the Team Trophy.
Diane is now a grooming consultant for the Andis Co., a manufacturer of Grooming equipment, is a well-known speaker and judge at Pet grooming conventions through out the United States and Canada. She has just been elected to The Board of Directors of Groom Team USA and started in that position in January 2025.
Diane is the proud owner of a Standard Poodle, Danny K. She is active in the sport of Agility, FastCat and Dock Diving and has put multiple titles on her poodles over the past 40 years.
Class Descriptions:
Pro Prep: Secrets From Groom Team Star Diane Betelak
Want to get the best groom possible? Then this class is for you because prep work is the basis for all good grooms. Diane will go through how to bath and dry with the products and tools that are best suited for several different coat types. She will explain why you would use one product over another and which tools are going to help make that coat as easy as possible to style.
Snip like a Star: Scissoring Class With Groom Team Star Diane Betelak
This is a hands-on class so make sure you bring all the shears you use on a daily basis and a dog to use them on. Diane is going to show you how to find the best fit shears for your hand and how to use them with precision and control.
This class is limited so sign up early!
Chris Anthony
Weary from her travails in retail management and office work, found her calling when she discovered pet grooming. Her over 20-year journey in this career has led her through many opportunities, experiences, & life lessons, including grooming and managing in both small and corporate salons and starting her own successful house-call grooming business in New Jersey. Supplementing those life lessons by educating herself on the varying aspects of her career, she has always sought innovations in pet care, education, grooming techniques, tools, and products. Now her passion for grooming & education has added more in-depth knowledge of scissors, scissoring techniques, ergonomics, and self-care to help preserve her own health and long evity in her chosen profession. She is the owner/groomer at Have Shears Will Travel and customer service VP at Evolution Shears. Chris is also honored to have co-founded the New Jersey Professional Pet Groomers Alliance and serves as its current Chairwoman.
Class Descriptions:
From Corporate to private to the most brutal boss ever-me! (1 hr)
There are many options for employment for groomers to choose from, and pros & cons for each of them. These will be gone over in-depth & humor by someone who's worked for 2 big corporations and several small private shops and finally landed working for her toughest boss yet, herself. We will cover some of the many variables that make every corporate & private shop experience different, including external factors that may make a change necessary. What was a fit a few years ago may not fit now. Also touched on is the dreaded "IC", is it legal & right for you.
Whether you've got 20+ years under your belt or are just starting to think that this might be the career for you, this class will help you find the right fit for you.
Doodles, Doodles Everywhere! (1-hour non demo format)
Whether a doodle on your schedule makes you cry, or they're your bread & butter dog, groomer division over these breeds continues while pet numbers only increase. Join Chris for this one-hour class where we'll go over tips and tricks to up your doodle game and watch video
footage of 3 different doodles, all with different coat types and trims. We'll also discuss the client communication issues that may, in fact, be the real reason for the doodle "issues" in the grooming community.
Mixed breeds with style demo (1 hr)
No breed standard? No problem? Learn how to combine some basic anatomy and corrective grooming with super sleuth investigation skills to create a haircut that will suit the pet, the client and their lifestyle
