Today we’d like to introduce you to Shweta Shah.
Shweta, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in India and moved to the U.S in 2003 to pursue a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in New York. I have always loved the S.T.E.M field and wanted to be an engineer since I was about 14 years old. After graduating from Syracuse, I worked as an Engineer in the tech world for 10 years, enjoying every day and climbing the corporate ladder.
Somewhere along the way, after my husband and I adopted our yellow lab puppy, and began training him, the idea of being a dog trainer really excited me. I looked at it, as something more humane, more rewarding, besides being in my 9-5 job. So, I got certified as a pet trainer, and trained dogs part time for over 2 years.
It was then that I realized that my true passion lay in working with and helping pets and their families. Finally after 10 years I quit my very lucrative job in the tech world and got certified as a Professional Dog Groomer in San Diego,California. After working in several salons to better understand the business and hone my skills, I went onto opening my own mobile grooming company.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For me personally, it has been a pretty interesting and challenging journey. My background was very different and we had moved to San Diego, from Phoenix Arizona only 2 years before I decided to make the career switch.
All my contacts so far had been in the tech world. I had to start from ground zero, adding one client at a time, networking with everybody I could find in the dog world. Pets are extremely personal and very dear to all of us. It takes a long time for people to start trusting you, believing their best furry friends will be safe, and comfortable in your care.
I have also never run a business before. Going from a very steady paycheck to living and planning your work every day, took a lot of courage, patience and constant perseverance. I am learning and craving for more every single day!
Being a dog groomer and a business owner is not all fun and games, we clearly are not just playing with cute puppies all day, haha…. although that is a big perk of this job!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Yeller Pet Services – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company, The Yeller Pet Services, is a mobile pet grooming company. Unlike traditional groomers, we provide one on one service to every single client. Our fully custom mobile grooming van provides a private and inviting environment for every pet and we use only the finest products for all our treatments.
We recognize that no two pets are alike, and we provide individual care for every pet. Our client’s comfort and safety always come first. All of our services are offered on-site at our clients home or office. This takes away a lot of stress and anxiety that pets feel when they have to commute to the groomers or endure separation for hours.
I strongly believe that my previous background and years of engineering profession has taught me that clients always come first. I take a lot of time to get to know my clients and their families. I pride my self in excellent customer service, punctuality and open communication.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
I haven’t been in the grooming industry for very long, but I am constantly reading up on all things past and present, all things good and bad. The one thing that stands out the most, is that in general groomers don’t charge enough for their work and a lot of people don’t respect the work we do. It is a very hard job, trust me. You are on your feet all day, dealing with 4 legged creatures. People often compare us to the hairstylist and wonder why a dog haircut costs more than a human haircut.
Think about it, any dog (even a small one) has about 4 times the hair than most humans. Humans are not constantly moving around while getting their hair cut. Most humans aren’t afraid of things like dryers, clippers etc. A dogs groom almost always includes bath, haircut, nail trim, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning and a lot more. I have yet to meet a hair stylist that were to do all that for me :).
In short, it’s hard work, we are constantly training the pets to make the experience comfortable and stress-free for all. Most of us are in this because we truly enjoy being around animals. So the industry needs a shift (and I see it coming slowly) where we are respected more and compensated well and recognized for all the hard work that actually goes into it. It’s a very exciting time, there are constantly new seminars, trade shows, products that are coming out for the grooming world, so much to soak in!
Pricing:
- Basic bath package for small dogs starts at $60
- Basic tidy up package for small dogs starts at $70
- Basic haircut package for small dogs starts at $80
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theyellerpets.com
- Phone: 858-304-0893
- Email: theyellerpets@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyellerpets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyellerpets/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-yeller-pet-services-san-diego-8
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