“Imagine within the me, that believes in you.” I say this regularly in my seminars and within the salon I co-own with Corina Stammworthy – The Laundromutt. It resonates with me as a result of many groomers, together with myself, say “I can’t do what they do, as a result of…” *Insert countless causes right here.* However there’s all the time somebody trying up at you saying the identical factor.
My title is Macie Pisa. As a second-generation groomer, I grew up saying there was no manner I used to be going to be a groomer. It appeared arduous, worrying and messy. I needed to be an inside decorator! I needed to reside in Seattle! I might be cool and artsy! Nicely, right here I’m in Buffalo, New York, doing precisely what I stated I wouldn’t. I find it irresistible, and I nonetheless get to be cool and artsy.
I started grooming in 2014 after working two years as a bather for an area salon in Buffalo. I lastly determined this was the place I needed to be. I used to be a cocky, know-it-all child (some would say I nonetheless am), and I give lots of credit score to the proprietor of that salon for sticking it out, instructing me and giving me a wonderful basis.
She was a form lady, all the time serving to her neighborhood and providing her salon and employees to the town shelter anytime they’d a canine in want. It was an important alternative for me, as I made a decision to take a kind of canines on as a foster in hopes I might take him to my very first grooming contest. We went on to compete at Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in September 2014. We positioned second in Entry, and I used to be hooked!
At PetQuest in 2015, I competed in Entry once more with my 9-month-old, black Customary Poodle pet, Vlad. We positioned first, and I used to be on my manner out of Entry! (There are three ranges in competitors grooming – Entry, Intermediate and Open, and it takes three first place wins to maneuver to the following degree.)
PetQuest was additionally the primary present Corina and I traveled to collectively, and it was the beginning of among the best years of my life. I made lifelong associates, discovered, traveled and had a blast. We caught to the East Coast exhibits and ate baggage of salad, cups of noodles, PBJs and stayed at some questionable resorts. I’m fairly positive we cut up tacos and margaritas after my placement at that present.
It’s costly to journey on a regular basis. Plus, Corina and I had a child salon at residence to maintain, however we had a lot enjoyable it was price it! That first 12 months we discovered how vital making associates and splitting the price of all of the bills was. By March of 2016, I had made my three first place wins, and I used to be in Intermediate. Then in September of 2016, I used to be nominated for Up-and-Coming Groomer of the Yr AND had made it into Open with the massive youngsters, able to earn some factors!
The New England Grooming Present was subsequent, and that’s the place I made a decision GroomTeam was going to be my aim. I hadn’t dared to suppose I used to be able to making it. However it was my first Open present, and I acquired my first factors, seven factors on my Bedlington Terrier.
Seven factors. It doesn’t seem to be a lot, however it put me on the scoreboard. What’s the scoreboard? It’s an inventory of each competitor that has earned factors in that calendar 12 months. It’s form of a giant deal, particularly the primary time you make it. And I used to be No. 20! I turned decided to get to the highest 10 – the minimize off for who will get their GroomTeam jacket and who doesn’t.
The subsequent 12 months was fascinating. When you find yourself within the decrease ranges, you hear in regards to the drama and the stress of Open, however it’s simple to remain out of it and preserve issues thrilling. At my first present of 2017 – my second ever present in Open – I used to be advised I had solely made it this far as a result of I used to be fairly and that I wasn’t prepared. It was a giant blow to my confidence and a impolite awakening of my new REAL world of aggressive canine grooming. I began to listen to extra criticism and develop into paranoid about my expertise. I began to marvel if this was actually for me. I finished having enjoyable and ended the 12 months with three factors and lots of frustration.
In 2018, I made a decision to take time for myself and took the 12 months off. However I didn’t cease grooming. I practiced, discovered and watched from the web as my associates did wonderful issues. I began to actually miss being on the market. I missed the frenzy, the stress, the joy; and I missed my associates! When competing, you make associates from everywhere in the nation, and also you see them fairly repeatedly at exhibits. It’s particular to have folks round you who perceive your drive and keenness for such a weird and area of interest sport. Sure, I stated it – SPORT!
I got here again in 2019, and I got here again robust. I used to be decided to make the highest 10! I wasn’t going to let different folks spoil my enjoyable. So, Corina and I packed up the canines and hit the competition circuit. We taught courses and began attempting to get extra time to benefit from the locations we visited. It was an important 12 months full of wonderful canines, and I ended the 12 months within the TOP FIVE! I had surpassed my aim and was going to obtain my jacket.
I had a lot enjoyable competing towards so many wonderful groomers and pushing myself to see how far I might get. It felt so good to show to myself and to the those who advised me I couldn’t that I completely might! In March of 2020, I acquired my workforce jacket and my official recognition as a member of GroomTeam USA.
Making it onto GroomTeam isn’t the tip all. It’s a relentless wrestle to remain on prime. Yearly everybody grows and improves, and the competitors will get more difficult. It’s nice encouragement to proceed studying.
However why? Why will we do it? Many rivals attempt to be on GroomTeam as a mark of validity as an teacher. We see it as a manner for folks to know that we all know what we’re speaking about.
It’s extra than simply that. There’s one thing wonderful about being the very best, about having proof that every one your arduous work was for one thing. That out of everybody in your nation who competed, you had been on the prime. You get to the highest 10, and then you definately begin to dream greater – you begin to understand there’s one other degree and you can be the very best on this planet.
And that’s the place they get you. The place you get sucked in without end. The place you’ll be able to by no means slack otherwise you’ll lose – not an precise sport, however the sport you play with your self the place you’ll be able to by no means fall behind. There’s all the time one other canine, one other breed, one other trim.
It’s not a straightforward aim, and it’s not a straightforward life; however we wouldn’t need it if it was simple.
