Speakers
Chris Anthony
Chris Anthony, weary from her travails in retail management and office work, found her calling when she discovered pet grooming. Her near fifteen 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 always sought out innovations in pet care, education, grooming techniques, tools and products. Now her passion for grooming & education has added more in depth knowledge on scissors, scissoring techniques and ergonomics to help preserve her own health and longevity in her chosen profession.
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.
Mindy Dinwiddie
Mindy Dinwiddie owns Classy Canine in Litchfield, Michigan. She began grooming in 2007, having her own shop by 2008. She started in a back bedroom of her house, growing her business to a storefront. Her experiences include daycare, boarding and training. All while consistently furthering her education by attending expos, seminars and private lessons from top stylists in the industry, Mindy has been competing for three years. With a passion for learning and teaching, she began speaking in 2017 after having one of her grooms published in Doodle Modern Styles Special Edition. Mindy is also a Brand Ambassador for Evolution Shears.
Melissa Jepson
Melissa Jepson has owned the award-winning Pupscale Pet Salon in California since 2013. As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals, she believes in creating a soothing environment for all aspects of grooming. She is thrilled to partner with Precision Sharp to offer high-quality products and also enjoys teaching webinars through Pawsitive Educational Training when she isn't traveling. Nearly two decades of experience and a comprehensive knowledge base have made it possible to impart a fresh take with practical applications to her students which she hopes they'll use long after the seminar has ended.
Ashley LaVonne Pacini
Ashley LaVonne Pacini, owner of Ashley's Barks n' Bubbles in Port St Lucie, FL, has been in the grooming industry since the age of 14 as both a bather and a groomer. She graduated from Merryfield School of Pet Grooming, and became the youngest Nationally Certified Master Groomer with the NDGAA only 3 months later. Ashley is the winner of numerous grooming competition awards, including a Best in Show, winning 1st Place with a Kerry Blue Terrier at Hyponic IGC in South Korea, moving from Entry to Open Division's Top 15 in 2019, placed in the GroomTeam USA Top 10 in 2020 and was nominated for Barkleigh Honors "Up and Coming Groomer of the Year" award in 2018. She is currently on the World Team for Hyponic Americas.
Kelsey Ann Sexton
Kelsey Ann Sexton is an award winning Nationally Certified Master Groomer, International Speaker and Journalist with two decades of Professional Pet Grooming experience. She owns an award winning salon outside of Nashville, TN that focuses on customer relationships for routine pet grooming services. Kelsey was nominated for Barkleigh Honors Speaker of the Year in 2022 and 2023. She has a passion for continued education in the Pet Grooming Industry collaborating with several brands to help everyday pet groomers both seasoned and new.
Charles Swasho
Charles Swasho is a professional dog groomer with over two and a half years of experience. Prior to entering the grooming world, he pursued his passions for videography and photography. His journey took a transformative turn after attending his first grooming expo, where he was inspired by the artistry and creativity within the industry. This experience sparked a flood of ideas on how to combine his love for grooming with his background in visual arts. Since then, Charles has collaborated with various brands in the pet grooming industry that align with his vision and values. His unique approach has allowed him to showcase the beauty and creativity of dog grooming through captivating visuals. To follow his journey and see his work, you can find Charles on Instagram at @thesupremegroomer.
Stefanie Swasho
Stefanie Swasho has been a dedicated professional groomer since 2018, carving out a niche for herself as a renowned doodle specialist. With a passion for grooming that extends beyond the basics, Stefanie competes nationally in the freestyle division, showcasing her creativity and skill. Stefanie is committed to continuous learning and perfecting her craft, eagerly exploring new techniques and trends in the grooming industry. Her ultimate goal is to uplift others in the field by sharing her knowledge and experiences gained from her mentors. She strives to provide the best possible experience for her clients back home, ensuring they leave with not just a stylish groom but also a sense of confidence and satisfaction.