CAST BIOS
CASSANDRA “The Spunky Chic”
Hometown: Akron, OH
Age: 25
Experience Level: 5 years
Cassandra is determined to prove that she is not just another pretty face. After walking into PetSmart and seeing the groomers at work, she knew right away that grooming was her destiny. Grooming has given her confidence, a sense of purpose and an appreciation of her life and animals’ lives too! Cassandra has learned many techniques and uses them all. Not only does she primp and pamper her clients, she also advises their owners on the proper nutrition for their dogs. Her clients range from Chihuahuas to Newfoundlands. She has numerous skills and considers herself “quietly competitive” with tons of energy to boot. Cassandra is a stylist at The Clipper Cottage in Akron, Ohio, and her dream is to win the ultimate prize and to one day have her own grooming shop.
DANIELLE “Groomer from the Yonkers”
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 25
Experience Level: 11 years
Danielle is a no-nonsense, Bronx/Yonkers dog groomer with style. She isn’t afraid to say it like it is, and with the extremely high-end clientele of Beverly Hills, she knows how to keep even the most discerning customer happy! She has a New York attitude and will fight to the end for the grand prize. She started grooming at the age of 10 and became a professional groomer when she was 14. Her career got a jump start after she got home from a two-week vacation and her long-haired Maltese was terribly matted. The groomer her parents initially took the dog to wanted to shave the dog, but Danielle wouldn’t hear of it, and when she came home she brushed out the dog and then took her precious pooch to the groomer to show off her work. She was immediately offered a job and since that day she has never looked back. She currently works at Sparky’s Pets in Beverly Hills, Calif.
HUBER “Groomer with a Heart”
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 42
Experience Level: 33 years
Huber started grooming at the age of eight with his grandfather, who was a show groomer and breeder. Huber has competed in over 100 dog shows before the age of 18 and is now retired from the show ring. He specialized in Poodles and Afghan Hounds. He now focuses completely on commercial grooming. Dogs are his passion, and he could not imagine doing anything else. He thinks in life one should have a crazy and light attitude but never an insane one. Huber has many celebrity clients but never “kisses and tells,” and as a matter of fact, at his shop every person gets the royal treatment of a celebrity. He has a very strong personality; he is sensitive and emotional but also very strong natured. Huber loves to laugh. He currently works his magic at Tailwashers in Hollywood, Calif.
JESSICA “The Girl Next Door”
Hometown: Jefferson, MA
Age: 22
Experience Level: 4 years
Jessica is young, fierce and works best under pressure. Although, she is often questioned about her youth and inexperience, she loves a challenge and lets her work speak for itself. Jessica has a bubbly personality and always speaks her mind, even if it sometimes gets her into trouble with other groomers. Jessica wears her emotions on her sleeve and is not afraid to let people see how she feels. She is a natural competitor, always at the top of her class and always the first to volunteer for new techniques. Currently, Jessica is a stylist at The Pampered Pet in Paxton, Mass. This fiery redhead is definitely in the grooming game to win!
JOE “Chicken Joe”
Hometown: Wells, ME
Age: 58
Experience Level: 50+ years
“Chicken Joe” was a doctor of poultry genetics (Chicken Doctor) for 10 years for Cobb Breeding International, the research company for large poultry companies like the Perdue Corporation. Involved in grooming since he was a child, he has shown several breeds of American Kennel Club (AKC) champions, including Hall-of-Fame Champion Borzoi, Afghans and pugs. Now that he is solely devoted to showing his 20 or so AKC champion pomeranians, Joe grooms the dogs of a very upscale clientele in his home shop. He specializes in the “Panda Pom,” black and white pomeranians that look just like little pandas and cause quite a stir at doggy fashion shows and grooming competitions. His clients clamor for his original styles and designs. Joe will go to great lengths to make his doggie clientele primped and pampered; he was once caught singing to his high-class pooches! Even though he considers himself “silly as hell,” he is impatient with “wealthy owners of beautiful, expensive dogs that never brush them.” He tells his clients exactly how he feels and shows no mercy! Growing up in the show world has made him a total perfectionist. His parents were AKC judges and always expected the best! A total original, Joe hopes that his unique style and pure skill will take him to the end!
KRISTA “Vegas Girl turned Groomer”
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta, CAN
Age: 28
Experience Level: 2 years
Krista comes from a Wall Street background as a finance expert in the mortgage industry, but she discovered her passion in grooming! As the owner of "Fabulous Furballs", she relocated from Las Vegas to Canada to pursue a career grooming the fabulous dogs and cats of Northern Alberta. In addition to grooming, Krista is a grooming school administrator, educating over 40 groomers per year in the Edmonton area. She brings the glitz and glam of Las Vegas to the Edmonton area with her own exclusive line of doggy couture clothing. While she is upbeat and enthusiastic, she is as competitive as they come and will not let anyone walk over her! She is out to prove that with only two years of experience, she can compete with the best.
LISA “Veteran Groomer”
Hometown: Genoa, IL
Age: 42
Experience Level: 30 years
Lisa is a veteran groomer with a long list of awards to brag about. With multiple Best in Shows, Best All Around and a six-year member of Groom Team USA, this energetic groomer is ready to compete at the drop of a hat. Lisa has a “terrier” personality; she is loyal, fun and loves to cause a bit trouble every now and then but never in a mean-spirited way. She “lives and breathes” dogs and the grooming competition world and has traveled to two different countries to compete with Groom Team USA. Lisa now conducts hands-on workshops and seminars across the country and abroad. She says she will be grooming until she is too old to hold a pair of sheers but will always continue to help her fellow groomers who want to improve their craft. Competition grooming will always be alive in Lisa's heart. Lisa is the proud owner of Primp My Pooch Mobile Dog and Cat Grooming, the most sought-after pet stylist in the Genoa, IL area.
MARCO “All Business”
Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA
Age: 25
Experience Level: 3 years
Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marco is all business. He has a degree in marketing from California State University, Long Beach and views grooming as a profitable venture. His goal is to have the most successful dog grooming business in the U.S. He believes that his people skills combined with his grooming skills will put him one step above the competition and that his business savvy will take him to the top. Marco started his dog grooming business, Bubbles Pet Spa, during college at the age of 22 with his brother, Marcelo, in Torrance and Manhattan Beach, Calif.
MICHEAL “Confident Groomer”
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Age: 39
Experience Level: 5 years
After years of working in the corporate world, Micheal realized his true calling was working with animals—in particular, grooming dogs. He is without a doubt a “dog lover before a dog groomer.” He is a perfectionist and demands that his employees do the quality of work that he would do. Micheal sacrificed his salary and reputation in the corporate world to follow his dream. It all paid off when he opened up his own shop last year called The Bark of the Town, Inc. His clients from his former employer followed him, and with their support he has built a successful business. Micheal is confident that he is one of best groomers in Chicago and knows that America will love him.
SHERRI “The PTA Mom”
Hometown: Medina, OH
Age: 28
Experience Level: 8 years
At first glance, Sherri appears like your typical Midwestern PTA mom. But she has everyone fooled! Her passions are dog grooming and dog massage. Sherri’s specialty is the average mutt, which she loves the most. Despite her farming community environment, Sherri is innovative and brings average “dirty dogs” to life! Sherri mixes her people personality with her competitive nature and can not wait to represent the typical mom on “Groomer Has It!”
VANESSA “The Animal Communicator”
Hometown: Long Grove, IL
Age: 27
Experience Level: 10 years
Vanessa discovered a year ago that she has an uncanny ability to “speak to and understand” dogs. She gets a “feeling” when they want treats, are impatient, have to go to the bathroom or just have something to say to her! She says she can understand dogs as if they are humans. Vanessa enjoys receiving compliments from her clients, and her passion for grooming lies in gaining those accolades. She opened her own kennel, grooming salon and tends to only very high-end clients outside of Chicago. She does everything she can to separate herself from the average groomer. With 10 years of experience under her belt, Vanessa is the owner of Dog Tag Resort and Spa in Fox Lake, Ill.
WILLIAM (a.k.a. Bill) “The Fashionista”
Hometown: Delray Beach, FL
Age: 41
Experience Level: 16 years
Bill has been grooming for 16 years and has enjoyed every second of it. For some, grooming is a job; for Bill, grooming is his ultimate calling. It gives him his “energy.” In addition to grooming, Bill breeds and shows top miniature poodles. Bill is frightened by the appearance of most groomers, so he keeps himself looking tailored and clean. He has a sparky personality, is fiercely competitive and carries a sarcastic sense of wit. This is a groomer who makes an impression wherever he goes – on both the animals and his clients!
