Speakers
Elli Bultemeier
Elli found her passion for grooming over a decade ago when she started as a bather at PetSmart. Not long after training to be a groomer there, she moved to the private sector. She is an award-winning competition groomer, certified pet aesthetician, NCMG, and co-owner of Retro Stylist wear. In 2017, Elli started at Smoochie Pooch and currently wears many hats as she is currently a marketing development and regional manager, helping run a company with more than 7 locations and about 40 employees. She is passionate about helping the business grow and creating an employee first, compassionate work environment for her team.
Rachel Colant
Rachel Colant is an award-winning, second-generation dog groomer with over eleven years of experience. She put her stamp on the grooming industry as the go-to drop coat specialist and has become known for the cutest Yorkies in all the land. Her passion for education has led her to the coveted position of lead groomer at Jess Rona Grooming in Los Angeles where she oversees competition-level grooming on every dog, every day. Her ultimate goal is to continue to elevate the industry through education and her signature gentle grooming techniques.
Kat Early
Kat Early has been competing for over seven years and, in January 2022, joined the Whitman's Pro Team. Graduating with a Hon. BSc in Psychology, Kat has a passion for animal psychology and biology. As an undergrad, Kat got a job as a bather and, shortly after graduation, went to academy to start her grooming career. Kat ran a successful salon in Canada for five years before moving to Tallahassee, FL where she opened True North Grooming within an animal hospital. Kat's heart breed is Cocker Spaniels, both American and English, and she has a wide range of breed standard knowledge she uses practically in her salon with her everyday clients.
Blake Hernandez
Blake Hernandez is a NCMG and three-time Barkleigh Honors recipient. He is best known for his online persona and caterwauling lyrics that speak to our industry. Blake has brought innovation and current outside trends to the grooming industry from Personality Marketing to the FoxEye, a phone holding device for the everyday groomer or aspiring influencer. Blake runs Foxy Roxy's Pet Salon in San Diego, CA, in addition to competing in grooming contests and dog shows all over the country. He is the co-creator and founder of GroomSource, an app made for groomers' continued education, as well as creator and producer of many products with Foxy Roxy's Supply Co. Blake was also a feature groomer in Netflix's "DOGS" documentary and a contestant on ABC's Pooch Perfect Season 1.
Markie James
Markie James is a NC native, member of Foxy Roxy Pro Team, member of the NDGAA, and graduate of the CVCC Advertising and Graphic Design Program. She has been grooming for over 14 years and owns Bark Side Pet Grooming which has won numerous local awards for excellence and quality. Markie has competed in grooming competitions where she placed Best First Timer, Third Place at APF 2020, Honorable Mention at APF 2021, and Third Place at Safari Palmetto 2022. Recently, she had an article published in Groomer to Groomer Magazine.
Courtnie Lane Matthew
Courtnie was born and raised in South Dakota where her adopted grandmother was a breeder and groomer, teaching her how to groom since she was a little, which included putting her Poodles in MCC since the age of eight. Currently, Courtnie is a breeder of Afghans and Havanese, producing OH BIS winners, multiple group placers and a BISS winner. She also works as a professional groomer and comes to grooming shows with the Kika Group.
Kelsey Ann Sexton
Kelsey Ann Sexton is an award winning Nationally Certified Groomer with almost two decades of Professional Pet Grooming experience. She owns an award winning salon outside of Nashville, TN that focuses on customer relationships for routine grooming services. She's also a member of Foxy Roxy Supply Company's Pro Team. Kelsey was nominated for Barkleigh Honors Speaker of the Year in 2022 and has a passion for continued education in the Pet Grooming Industry.
Anna Stowell
Anna Stowell, widely known as "The Doodle Queen," is a 28-year-old entrepreneur and proud owner of Zoom Groom, a highly successful grooming salon in Hopkins, Minnesota. At the age of 14, alongside her mother, Anna's journey transformed a modest operation grooming dogs in the basement of a rental into a thriving enterprise. Driven by her determination and passion for animals, she embarked on a journey of self-education and skill acquisition. Her self-taught expertise allowed her to develop a unique approach to grooming, combining her inherent creativity and eye for detail with a deep understanding of animal behavior and needs. Today, Zoom Groom stands as a testament to Anna's unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. With a team of nine talented groomers, Anna continues to lead her salon to new heights of success.
Jessica Uzzetta
Jessica Uzzetta is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer with a passion for continuing education and bringing groomers together to better the industry as a whole. She has been competing in grooming competitions since 2012 and earned multiple first place and a Best in Show award, quickly reaching the highest level in three short years. She is a single mother of two beautiful girls who owns and operates two upscale pet salons and mobile grooming businesses in Wentzville, MO. She is passionate about her Poodles in showing, breeding, rescue and education. In addition to grooming, Jessica has also been an active Veterinary Technician for almost 20 years. Her passion for animals and education to her clients, peers and the public are shown every day.