BLOG.MELISSAVERPLANK.COM

Does your dog wear a tutu?

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:03:24 GMT

I am proud to announce the newest book in our collection is not a book at all. Well, not in the sense that it has a cover and pages. Let me explain. The newest book is an eBook and you can download a copy today to use on your favorite eReader, or to print in the comfort of your own home.

The eBook is called Why Dogs Shouldn't Wear Tutus, and it contains essential business information that will help you to thrive and your salon to grow. There are 115 tips and tricks that you can put to use right away.

I am proud of the work that went into this special new digital edition and I plan to publish more eBooks in the upcoming months. The eBook is regularly $14.95, but I have authorized the sale price of $9.95 and will also offer it for FREE with the purchase of any book or DVD in the shopping cart. CLICK HERE for details!

And please enjoy this sample page from the book. With plenty of business building gems and beautiful illustrations by Lisa Van Sweden, you are going to love this new eBook.

Independent Contractors or Employees – Which Should You Hire?

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:08:45 GMT

I'm just like most of you. My first business was a mobile van. I was extremely successful. Within less than a year I needed a second van. I needed someone to run that unit. I didn't want it complicated. I just needed help. I figured the easiest route to go was to find the person who could groom and send him or her out in a second rig. I didn't need to file all that mumbo-jumbo with the government. Heck, this person was going to run solo -- it was the perfect situation for an independent contractor. After all, everybody else was doing it!

Fast forward three years. I now had four rigs. I had hired an accountant. My accountant suggested I hire a CPA to do my taxes. Throughout the years I knew in my heart I was running close to the wire with my independent contractors. My father had been harping on me. My accountant was concerned. My new CPA really set me straight using a very effective tactic -- fear.

If you work with independent contractors within your grooming organization, do you really know the current tax laws? The IRS is very strict with its rulings concerning employees vs. independent contractors. Being naïve is no excuse. If you are ever caught, it will be the IRS that makes the ruling on whether you actually have an employee or an independent contractor.

There are a number of different ways to get caught. It might be an audit of your business or one of your workers files an unemployment claim, a disgruntled worker simply turns you in are a few of the common ways, but there are many more.

I know, I know. You can't afford to hire employees. All those taxes you have to take out of the employee's paycheck and all the taxes that you need to pay into the government both state and federal plus Social Security and Medicare for each employee. Whew - it's a paperwork and budget nightmare.

But trust me, if you have your workers misclassified, you can't afford not to have them as employees, if that's what they truly are. The IRS has no qualms about coming in, slapping you with heavy fines and penalties equal to the amount of all the back taxes owed PLUS all the interest on those back taxes. The IRS may turn you in to your state government as well. In one single sweep, your business and your livelihood can be destroyed.

Shortly after I switched from independent contractors to employees I started hearing real life horror stories from within our own industry. One of my personal idols virtually lost everything due to incorrectly filing with the IRS. They lost their business, their home, their personal relationship - everything. They confirmed the fear that placed into me by my CPA years before. The IRS will - and can - destroy your life if you do not play by their rules. The stories that were shared much later only reaffirmed I had made the right decision years before.

So here’s the scoop. The laws are complex, subjective, and inconsistently applied, but knowing the rules can keep you and your workers safe. So here they are, in a nutshell:

Under United States common law, a worker is an employee if the person for whom he or she works has the right to direct and control the way he or she works, both as to the final result and as to the details of when, where, how, and in which sequence the work is to be done. It is the IRS' view that the employer need not actually exercise control. It is sufficient that it has the right to do so.

Here's a list of 20 questions the IRS uses to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee. A ‘yes’ answer to any of the questions except #16 may indicate your worker is truly an employee. Take a look. Be honest with yourself -- you can't afford not to. (and yes did raise my grooming prices!)

IRS 20 Questions: Independent Contractor OR Employee

Is the worker required to comply with instructions about when, where and how the work is done?
Is the worker provided training that would enable him/her to perform a job in a particular method or manner?
Are the services provided by the worker an integral part of the business' operations?
Must the services be rendered personally?
Does the business hire, supervise, or pay assistants to help the worker on the job?
Is there a continuing relationship between the worker and the person for whom the services are performed?
Does the recipient of the services set the work schedule?
Is the worker required to devote his/her full time to the person he/she performs services for?
Is the work performed at the place of business of the company or at specific places set by the company?
Does the recipient of the services direct the sequence in which the work must be done?
Are regular oral or written reports required to be submitted by the worker?
Is the method of payment hourly, weekly, monthly (as opposed to commission or by the job?)
Are business and/or traveling expenses reimbursed?
Does the company furnish tools and materials used by the worker?
Has the worker failed to invest in equipment or facilities used to provide the services?
Does the arrangement put the person in a position or realizing either a profit or loss on the work?
Does the worker perform services exclusively for the company rather than working for a number of companies at the same time?
Does the worker in fact make his/her services regularly available to the general public?
Is the worker subject to dismissal for reasons other than non-performance of the contract specifications?
Can the worker terminate his/her relationship without incurring a liability for failure to complete the job?

Melissa Verplank Introduces the Paragon School of Pet Grooming's New Website!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:06:51 GMT

Beating the Butterflies

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:23:00 GMT

Beating the Butterflies

Eight ways to overcome anxiety and channel nervous energy to perform your best

Whether you are looking to certify, enter a grooming competition or other highly visible display, the seasoned pros seem to have total control over their situation: calm, cool, and collected in their thoughts.

Looks, however, can be deceiving. Beneath the surface of total control, even the most seasoned, show-savvy competitors get butterflies in their stomachs. They experience the same sort of show jitters and performance anxiety that plagues those who compete at lower levels. But seasoned stylists eventually learn to use those gut-churning sensations to their advantage. They productively channel their nervous energy rather that allow negative thoughts and feelings to overwhelm them and interfere with their performance.

Everyone gets nervous. It’s normal - even the elite in the pet styling world become nervous - but they learn to work with it. You have to train yourself to like the feeling and see it as an asset.

A Bundle of Nerves

Performance anxiety reveals itself in many forms: stomach misery, sweating, shortness of breath, fidgeting, tension throughout the body, chattiness, uncharacteristic silence. Some stylists are wracked with anxiety from the moment they wake up the day of the competition or certification, others get a burst of butterflies just before entering the stage.

No matter how or when performance anxiety occurs, it usually is fueled by the fear of failure. Many stylists place great pressure on themselves to do well. Others feel compelled to do everything in their power not to disappoint their employers, fellow staff members, or family members. Those who enter the contest arena or testing site with a client dog have the added responsibility to do a good job to please the owner. Some groomers are deathly afraid of embarrassing themselves in front of an audience.

To a certain degree, many people are predisposed to being overly anxious. It’s a part of their persona and temperament, just as some folks are normally laid-back or unflappable.

Actually there’s little difference physiologically between excitement and fear. While one person says, ‘Oh boy, here I go’ the next person is saying ‘Oh no, here it comes again.’ The feelings are much the same. The difference is that one is positive while the other is negative.

Those that work through anxiety may be nervous prior to performing, but they are able to set aside the negative feelings and focus on the skills they need when it’s time to compete or start testing. In contrast, stylists who can’t get past their nervousness extract less and less pleasure from competing or testing. Worse still, performance anxiety can crush confidence and divert attention for completing the familiar steps of an established trim, which reinforces the feeling of being unprepared.

Because dogs are highly attuned to our feelings, they can sense when something is amiss with a groomer’s emotions. Although some dogs are not rattled by what they sense from their handlers, others become increasingly anxious, especially when they are already distracted by the sights and sounds of unfamiliar surroundings.

1. Set Yourself Up To Succeed

Select a good dog you feel comfortable working with, choose a trim you are familiar with, and study high quality reference material.

2. Develop Proficiency and Skills Beyond What You’ll Test

You’ll be more likely to succeed when you start at lower level that’s less challenging than what you are accustomed to at home, whether that means choosing a simple trim to execute, a smaller dog to work on, or a better coat to scissor. Everything you do should be easier, not more difficult, when you’re in a show or testing atmosphere: that’s what builds confidence.

3. Simulate the Show or Testing Experience

Attend small clinics or go to a trade show or conformation dog show and hire a seasoned competitor to be your coach. Videotaping yourself adhering to the time restraints of typical grooming class is highly beneficial as well

4. Focus on the Task

To heighten awareness of the specific challenges that lie ahead, plan your trimming process on the dog. Dissect the time you have allotted for each area of the dog, visualize the finished profile you want to create - see the velvet scissor finish. Think through the entire haircut, don’t just start whacking off hair and hope for a positive outcome.

5. Accentuate the Positive

Negative thoughts take a toll on your mood as well as your confidence, and they can inadvertently slip you up at an inopportune moment. Concentrate on modifying your thoughts in a positive tone. Remind yourself to keep your shoulders relaxed, your hand smooth and steady, and move with your hips and knees when you are scissoring.

6. Rely on Imagery to Get You Through Tough Spots

Imagery is more powerful than internal dialog or self-statements when it comes to helping a person access his or her internal resources. For that perfectly scissored coat, think of crushed velvet. Or visualize a photo or a drawing of the perfect dog you want to create. Close your eyes and take deep breaths envisioning the image perfectly in your mind. Focus on a positive image rather than thinking about failure or a disaster.

7. Give Yourself Time to Regroup

When all your preparations are accomplished – your dog is bathed and fluffed, you’re dressed to step into the ring, your tools are in order – give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle of the competitive environment and take a few moments to gather your thoughts.

8. Turn it Into a Learning Experience

Everyone wants to win but facts are facts and the placements only go so high. When I would head to the ring, I always wanted to give my best performance, but I’d play a mind-game with myself too; I would say to myself “Melissa, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” The answer was always, “I could be out of the placements with my dog. I’ve dealt with a lot worse…” One of the best learning tools you’ll ever get is personal critiques from seasoned pros. The grooming tips you can pick up at a show are invaluable to your career as you gain grooming knowledge.

Feeling you can compete with confidence allows you to enjoy the experience. You may always have to work at managing your nerves, but as your self-assurance grows and you learn to channel your thoughts productively into your performance, your anxiety will dissipate. And when you’re done competing, you may even think, “That really wasn’t so bad after all.”

Get used to your anxiety. Don’t be rattled by the way it makes you feel. Embrace it and eventually you’ll discover how to use it to put your best foot forward in every competition.

Enhance Your Career!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:31:00 GMT

Pet Grooming Education

Professional pet grooming establishments continue to grow despite current gloomy market trends. It amazes me how busy compassionate groomers can be if they pay attention to details and to their client’s wishes. Some salons are so busy that they can’t even take on new clients. Some are having difficulties filling grooming positions because qualified new hires are in extremely short supply!

As people grow increasingly disillusioned with the corporate world and poor job security, they are drawn to starting a business where they rely solely on themselves. Dogs have moved out of the fields and barns, directly into our homes! A love for pets never goes out of style, and what people love, they take care of.

The consumer is becoming more and more aware of proper pet hygiene. If you want to earn the trust and spending power of the consumer, you must stay current with styling trends and equipment upgrades. There are some fabulous new educational tools at your finger tips – you just need to apply a little bit of effort to take advantage of all the resources.

Here are 10 ideas to get your mind working on ways to enhance your career.

Study and memorize breed standards. Know how to read the “Blue Print” of each breed and translate it into grooming language.
Attend dog shows and closely study individual breeds. Have a couple breeds you want to study closely and make a list of questions you want answered or verified PRIOR to hitting the show grounds. Take notes and make drawings.
Study anatomy, proportion, and angles. Understand how they relate to one another.
Get and read all trade publications: Groomer to Groomer, Pet Age, Family Dog by AKC, Grooming Business, and Pet Business.
Be active on-line with pet related web-sites, breed groups, and upper level enthusiasts within the pet industry
Attend every trade show, seminar or small clinic you can get to. (At least 4-6 each year for the first three years of your career and then 2 to 4 from that point on).
Study and work towards certification testing.
Enter the contest ring to test your skills and get critiques.
Find a mentor or friend to help inspire you.
Watch any breed videos established by well-respected organizations or professionals.

If you are an animal lover, there is no better time to make that leap of faith and turn a dream of working with pets into a reality! Do your research and take the plunge!! Some of the best new stylists are entering the field without any prior experience, and nothing to draw upon other than a passion for pets.

Always remember - when one door closes, another door opens! Learning is a never-ending journey. Learning inspires and keeps us all fresh. It is the lifeblood of any successful organization. As Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), a former British statesman and prime minister said, "The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”

Surviving the Holiday Rush!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:19:00 GMT

After working professionally in the pet care industry for over 27 years, the only time I worry about dealing with clients is the Christmas holiday season. The two weeks proceeding the actual day can be a chaotic mess. With Christmas shopping, decorating, baking, family gatherings, holiday socials to attend, and every regular client you have wanting to be booked as close to Christmas as possible . . . phew! December can be an exhausting month! But, wait! It doesn't have to be! Christmas organizing all year round will let you create that picture perfect holiday without as much stress.

Getting Organized & Ready

The Salon

Is it clean – really clean? Floors, walls, kennels?
Is the lighting up to snuff?
Are your laundry machines working properly?
Are the tubs draining properly?
What are the conditions of your pet dryers?
Are you blowing fuses on a regular basis in one outlet?
Does you computer need to be de-bugged for a glitch-free running machine?
Do you have a stock pile of all the office supplies you’ll need?
Are your blades and shears all sharp and ready to go?
Are your clippers operating smoothly?
What is your stock level of all your dispensable products? Shampoos, conditioners, colognes, flea foggers, cotton balls, ear cleaner, etc.
Are there plenty of towels on the shelves?

The Holiday Image

Are your holiday decorations fresh and up-to date for your salon? Keep it simple and easy… pick a simple theme and work with it.
Do you have your client’s gifts ready to go so they can easily be passed out while the client is having his/her pet groomed? Remember, expense isn’t the key, packaging is. Pay attention to the details.
Have fun with festive accessories. Head gear, costume jewelry. Anything that can bring a smile to someone else is a good thing.
Are all your holiday bows special and pre-tied? Are bandanas ready to be attached to the pet?

$$ Saving Tip: Buy all of your holiday items the day after the holiday to save up to 50% off the retail price: ribbon, fabric for bandanas, decorations, Christmas cards…

Do you have red and green nail polish that is actually usable? What about other colors?
Do you have plenty of air freshener to lend a sparkle to the air without being overpowering?
Music is everywhere – is your holiday collection handy or is there an ‘all Christmas’ station you can tune into?
Have you brought with you extra clothing or makeup to freshen up after work before heading out?
If you’re worried that you’ll be slow after the holiday season, do you have any grooming promotions for January and February that you can be handing out now?

Getting Through the Dogs

What are the pros and cons of working extra hours?
Should you take on new clients?
Make sure all of your regular clients have their holiday appointments before taking on new clients or ‘non- regulars.’
Hiring extra help – is there something you can easily delegate with some basic training that would free you up to deal with clients? Cleaning? Answering the phone? Taking out the trash?
Have you worked out a system to maximize the types of pets you take in per stylist?
Work out a drop off and pick up schedule that allows you to stay focused on grooming pets.
Stay calm, cool, and collected no matter what happens during the course of the day.
Set realistic time goals that push you, but stay on target. Use an egg timer if necessary or place a clock where you can’t miss it - no matter what.
Use every speed trick in the book from prepping – to bathing - to drying - to trimming.
When clients pick up their pets, are you offering a promotion to assist in rebooking 6 weeks down the road when it can traditionally be really slow?

Organization on a Personal Level

Do you have a master list of all the things you need to do for the holidays? Is it broken down into smaller do-able chunks? What about a Master gift list that’s simply updated year to year? Master Christmas card list? Weekly meal planner? Regular shopping tick sheet list? For great inspiration go to www.organizedchristmas.com
Are you a store, catalog, or Internet shopper? Are you prepared to have ALL your holiday gift shopping done by December 15? What about the wrapping?
As time gets closer, demands get greater and healthy meals go by the wayside... If you are in a city, do you have a full selection of menus at your fingertips? Who had great take-out that you quickly sweep in and grab on the way home or while at the shop? If you are a country dweller, is your freezer packed with great frozen meals that only require reheating whether homemade or store bought?
Does a messy house stress you out? Before it gets really busy, clean and organize the house or hire someone to help you… (or if you have kids, enlist in their help). Also, think about having carpets cleaned, windows washed, or dropping your heaping laundry off at a Laundromat, letting them do it for you.
Do you need a masseuse or chiropractor to help you stay loose and limber? If you do, book your appointment early.

After the Holiday?

Take the week off!

Enhance Your Career!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:05:00 GMT

Pet Grooming Education

Here are 10 ideas to get your mind working on ways to enhance your career.

Study and memorize breed standards. Know how to read the “Blue Print” of each breed and translate it into grooming language.
Attend dog shows and closely study individual breeds. Have a couple breeds you want to study closely and make a list of questions you want answered or verified PRIOR to hitting the show grounds. Take notes and make drawings.
Study anatomy, proportion, and angles. Understand how they relate to one another.
Get and read all trade publications: Groomer to Groomer, Pet Age, Family Dog by AKC, Grooming Business, and Pet Business.
Be active on-line with pet related web-sites, breed groups, and upper level enthusiasts within the pet industry
Attend every trade show, seminar or small clinic you can get to. (At least 4-6 each year for the first three years of your career and then 2 to 4 from that point on).
Study and work towards certification testing.
Enter the contest ring to test your skills and get critiques.
Find a mentor or friend to help inspire you.
Watch any breed videos established by well-respected organizations or professionals.

GroomExpo!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:43:00 GMT

Just Got Back From GroomExpo!

We’ve just returned from GroomExpo in Hershey Pennsylvania. What a great show!! The Barkleigh team did a super job hosting the event. The main room was full of booths, and the aisles were packed with pet professionals getting an up close look at all the products and tools we can use to assist us in our jobs. Plus, there were a wealth of great speakers sharing their vast knowledge. Over in the contest arena, there was some incredible grooming going on!! Wow – beautiful dogs in gorgeous trims!!

It was great fun getting to meet so many of you, and sharing with you what Learn2GroomDogs.com is all about. Joelle, our Marketing Coordinator and resident “geek gal,” manned the booth for the entire show. Back in the office, Joelle is the main person who keeps everything running smoothly – if you have any issues with viewing L2GD.com, Joelle is right there to assist you just in case our handy Q&A section on the L2GD site doesn’t answer your question.

While Joelle held down the fort at the show, I was off gathering fantastic Training Partners, scheduling shoots and listening to your ideas about what you’d love to see for content on the L2GD site. You gave us plenty of ideas that will keep us busy for quite a while!

Thank you!!

How Do I Found Out More About Paragon?

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:33:00 GMT

Hey Melissa –
How do I do I find out more about what you and the Paragon Team are creating in pet grooming education? I want to be the first to know!

Join the Advanced Notification E-Mail List-
Do you want to get in on the mailing list for advance notice to all our latest projects? Simply sign-up. It’s easy. Just fill out a quick little survey that will REALLY help us focus on creating the content in our newer projects to best fit your needs. Once you do that - boom – you’re on the Advanced Notification e-mail List!

Thanks,
~ Melissa

Please Click Here To Take A
Brief Survey / Join the List!

Learn2Groom Dogs.com Revolutionizes Pet Grooming Industry

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:29:00 GMT

Learn2GroomDogs.com

August 2010

The Pet Professional Streaming Video Library Available to You 24/7!
Launch Date Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Melissa Verplank has done it again!
We are so excited to introduce you to our newest venture, Learn2GroomDogs.com!

Grooming education just became easy and affordable
for anyone with a computer - LIKE YOU!

Those "in the know" are saying we are going to revolutionize the educational experience for the pet professional!

Learn2GroomDogs.com started as an idea to expand the training horizons of the highly respected Paragon School of Pet Grooming. We have dedicated our training efforts to reach as many pet professionals as possible, helping more groomers and stylists achieve their dreams.

Late this summer, we are launching Learn2GroomDogs.com with approximately 60 streaming videos. We are just now starting to line up our Training Partners from around the globe. Ten new videos will be added to the site after that date in order to keep the educational material fresh and exciting for our members.

Learn2GroomDogs.com aims to educate on all of these levels - from beginner to advanced - on both dogs and cats - and more! Our goal is to further the learning of the serious pet grooming enthusiast with technical grooming applications and business management training videos.

The successful creation of this site is the culmination of many months of effort. Our focus is specific, unedited streaming educational videos to be watched via the web 24/7. During our journey, we will listen to you - your wants and desires - in order to identify topics to be covered in upcoming videos.

With our progressive attitude in the pet grooming field, as well as our partnership with highly experienced trainers, we have the edge in knowing who has the ability to share the best educational information with you. Our Training Partners are simply the finest the industry has to offer - allowing you to be confident you are getting absolutely the best, up-to-date information on grooming styles, techniques, and business information.

Come see us at the booth at these upcoming shows. We're handing out FREE one month memberships as a gift to you. We can't wait for you to experience first hand how simple and amazing this website is to use! Simply enter your email address to be contacted on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 on the first day of availability!

               All American Grooming Show                  Groom Expo 2010

08/12/2010 - 08/15/2010                                9/9/2010 - 9/12/2010
Chicago, IL                                                   Hershey, PA
847-364-4547                                                (717) 691-3388
www.aagrmgshow.com                              info@barkleigh.com
                                                                       www.groomexpo.com

Can't make it to the shows? Simply go to www.Learn2GroomDogs.com and sign up for our FREE newsletter to find out more about the website!

Stay tuned for an upcoming list of our L2DG.com Training Partners!

Join Our Mailing List

Helping Our Global Community

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:31:00 GMT

Press Release

Local West Michigan Business Owner Announces Contributions to Assist with Oil Spill Disaster

Jenison, May 6, 2010: As the oil slick spreads in the Gulf of Mexico, communities worldwide have started showing support for one organization that is all ready to clean up the Gulf Coast with a free, low-tech solution: booms made of recycled hosiery and hair clippings.

Matter of Trust is an environmental non-profit organization that has helped clean up oil spills in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 1998 by reusing donated hair clippings from hair salons, barber shops, pet groomers and wool farmers. Stuffing this donated hair into donated nylon stockings, this organization creates highly absorbent booms to contain oil spills.

Local West Michigan businesses, The Paragon School of Pet Grooming, and Whiskers Resort and Pet Spa, both founded and owned by Melissa Verplank, will be assisting with disaster relief of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Working with Matter of Trust (matteroftrust.org), Paragon and Whiskers will be donating the hair trimmed from pets during the grooming process.

“Paragon will be acting as a collection center for at least the next 30 days and possibly beyond,” Verplank stated. “We’re thrilled to find such a worthwhile use for what is typically a waste by-product in the pet grooming process.”

Matter of Trust has already received donations from all 50 states and several other countries. Donations include hundreds of thousands of pounds of hair, and many washed nylon pantyhose stockings, which they'll accept even with small runs or tears.

If you would like to donate clean hair or stockings, please drop your donations off at the Paragon School of Pet Grooming, located in Jenison during business hours from 7:00 am-6:00 pm Monday – Friday, or at Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa on 29^th Street in Kentwood just south of Woodland Mall, Monday – Saturday from 7:00 am -8:00 pm. Individuals may also easily send in donations to Matter of Trust by going to their sign-up website link at www.excessaccess.com and watch an informative video clip at www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHuWyFVo62o

As I look out my window

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:46:00 GMT

As I look outside my office window, I find it hard to believe that we're going to be leaving in just a few weeks for the Atlanta Pet Fair. Up here in Michigan, were still buried in snow -- in fact, someone just took out our mailbox last night with the slippery roads. Marc and I always questioned this time of year whether will actually be able to get our ‘big rig’ out of a storage barn that she stored for the winter and get it loaded with all the products for the show. Many of you have seen our horse trailer in the parking lots of the show sites or at nearby RV campgrounds. For us it's a great way to travel, we drag our house with us and if we are not traveling with horses the rig doubles as a perfect cargo trailer!

So Marc and I are scrambling to get ready for the show. Marc's job is packing the rig and getting a road ready while I put the finishing touches and four brand-new lectures that I will be presenting prior to the Atlanta Pet on Thursday, March 4. I'm excited about these lectures, a couple of them I've wanted to create for years, while one of them I really questioned if I could even do it? And Stafford, the promoter and founder of the Atlanta, asked me last year to create a lecture in handling difficult dogs. Hmmm… I've got a problem with this, I don't deal with difficult dogs! But the more I thought about it, the more I realized there is a need for a lecture like this. Our hands are livelihood and their future. Over the years I've learned a few things about keeping my hands safe while still dealing with a wide variety of personality types with pets. For full description of my lectures, I got them listed at the bottom of this blog.

I will also be judging at the show and from the reports that we're getting, the competition ring is extremely full! I absolutely love to hear this because I personally think the greatest education you can give yourself is by stepping into the ring and having your work judged. There is no better place to get a full hands-on education than in the contest arena.

And Stafford and her phenomenal team put in a super show! The Atlanta Pet Fair is always extremely busy with lots of vendors, a wide array of speakers and a fabulous grooming competition. If you haven't already preregistered for the show, I highly encourage you to take the time to get to the show and be inspired - plus there's lots of show specials going on if you are looking to purchase for your salon or your career.

For Marc and myself, the Atlanta Pet Fair is always the kickoff to the show season for those of us on the East Coast and Midwest. We're looking forward to packing up that rig and starting our drive - it always amazes us as we leave the snow behind and drive south the wonderful transition of spring by the time we actually hit Atlanta.

Happy Trimming

Melissa

Ruff Times in the Economy? What Are the 4 R’s to Keeping Your Appointment Book Full? The secret is with maximizing your Referrals, Rebooking, & Retention Rate. One of the biggest differences between a salon that has a full appointment book and a salon that does not is the ability to retain clients. Melissa will illustrate the power of growing your client base through in-house marketing efforts.

I'm a Professional Pet Stylist Not a Professional Pet Wrestler! Let face it, throughout our careers we will constantly be faced with less than cooperative pets on our grooming tables. How do you win the trust and cooperation of a pet that doesn't enjoy the grooming process? In this presentation, Melissa will discuss a rating system that easily identifies the personality of pets and will share with you tips on how to manage a challenging pet while minimizing the frustration.

Life Is a Bowl of Popcorn Opportunities abound for those who look for them. Do you have the mindset, determination, and dedication to fill your personal bowl? With over 30 years in the professional pet care industry, Melissa has seen her share of ups and downs with her own career. In this presentation she will share with you many of her personal tactics that have allowed her to keep her bowl of popcorn extremely full.

What Does It Take to Become a Premier Stylist? The key to becoming a premier stylist is through a commitment of motivation and education. Top stylists are well-trained, keenly aware, and highly skilled. So where do you go to get the knowledge that can put you on top? There is a wealth of information available to help you learn how to produce top quality work with a little bit of effort. Knowledge is the key that unlocks the door. Melissa will guide you a wealth of avenues for continued education within our industry.

Press Release - Proprietary Schools: Allowed to Charge for Goods/Services Performed by Students

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:41:00 GMT

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28y2rrbu45d2z421yucrtnyz45%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2009-SB-0786

Jenison, Michigan - 1/21/2010 - Effective January 4, 2010, Enrolled Senate Bill No. 786 (P.A. 212 of 2009) was signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm. This bill amends P.A. 148, which governs proprietary schools.

In the spring of 2008, Michigan proprietary schools were informed the state would be enforcing an antiquated 1943 law that prohibited school owners from charging the public nominal fees for goods or services produced by the school's students. This law had not been enforced for almost twenty years. The majority proprietary school owners were totally unaware of its existence. Due to the change in the enforcement of a Michigan state law which placed constraints on the ability to generate revenue within the business, numerous schools were forced to abandon their hands-on training programs. “We vigorously struggled to have the law amended through State legislation. In the spring of 2009, we were granted a waiver to operate ‘as we have’ until the proposed bill was settled,” stated Melissa Verplank, founder of the Paragon School of Pet Grooming and author of the internationally acclaimed training guide, Notes From the Grooming Table. “We resumed our highly respected hands-on training program last summer but were still holding our breath. We are thrilled with Senate Bill No. 786 that was passed on January 4, 2010.”

Business conducted today is much different from the way it was conducted in 1943. Enforcement of this law would have had a devastating impact on many technical skills training programs throughout the state of Michigan. Today, technical training plays a vital role in training individuals to gain skillful work in our state. By amending this law with Senate Bill No. 786, it allows proprietary schools to provide training for a wide range of jobs, retaining people in the state of Michigan.

For more information on Senate Bill No. 786, go to: www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(nicrq355eijwca550beyrr55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2009-SB-0786

The Paragon School of Pet Grooming was licensed by the Michigan Department of Education in December, 1991. Its founder, Melissa Verplank, has over thirty years experience within the grooming industry. Ms. Verplank is a Certified Master Groomer, an international award winning pet stylist, a team member of GroomTeam USA and a former Coordinator for GroomTeam USA. Currently she is a grooming contest judge, lecturer, author, multiple business owner, and Founder of The Paragon School of Pet Grooming.

Holiday Tips

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Here in Michigan, the first snowfall of the season always seems to get us into the holiday spirit. Well, as of last night we had our first major snowfall - there's well over 8 inches of snow sitting on top of the birdfeeders outside my office window! Being involved with the pet industry for over 30 years, when I think about holidays, I think of that insane time just before Christmas hits. It always amazes me how much work we can produce within that last two weeks before Christmas. Over the years I figured out a few ways to help streamline the workload. Here are my top four tips to get through this festive season in good holiday cheer.

#1 - Organization is the key! Whether it be how you check pets in and out, how your workstation is set up or what order you bathe and dry your pets -- having a system in place that you follow religiously will allow you to confidently - and efficiently - get through your day. Make sure that all your supplies are in order and your tools are sharp. The last thing you want is to run out of shampoo, Kwik stop or have your favorite pair of shears suddenly turn up dull - making it impossible to get that beautiful finish on the coat. If you haven't already read my blog on productivity a few months back -- definitely scroll on down and take a peek!

#2 - Do as much as you can to prepare for the holiday ahead of time. By the time we get down to that last week before Christmas, the last thing you need to be thinking about is finding a gift for Aunt Catherine. Personally, I try to have all of my shopping, baking, and gift wrapping completed before December 15. ( OK – I said try… ) Our client gift packs are wrapped and ready to be handed out to the client as they check out. Special holiday bows are ready to adorn pets. Streamline and simplify. Anything that you can do ahead of time -- do so!

#3 - Take care of your best clients. During that last two weeks before the holiday, we really focus on our highly regular customers. We reserve the premiere dates just before Christmas for our best customers - those clients that come in every four weeks or less. Generally these customers are booked weeks/months in advance when we personally touch base with them and set up the dates they prefer. We start with our weekly clients and get them booked first and then move onto our biweekly customers. Next we move into our three-week clients followed by our four-week clients. We fill in any gaps with our five and six week clients. We contact all of our regulars to make sure they get the slots they want. Once we have all of our regulars taking care of, giving them the time they deserve, then we fill in the gaps with less frequent customers. For us, the last three days before Christmas is a breeze because we're dealing with only our best clients that come in constantly requiring a very limited amount of work to make their pets look amazing.

#4 - Stay energized. The one thing that happens at all salons is that your clients shower you with holiday treats. Although the holiday treats are yummy, too much of a good thing is not. If you don't have healthy choices at your fingertips so you can stay on top of your game, it's easy to fill up on all the sugary treats that surround us during the holidays. The week before Christmas we start doing potlucks with our team. I encourage folks to abide by a few rules so that we don't get totally bogged down after a heavy meal. #1: The food item needs to be healthy. #2: The serving should be small and easy to snatch and grab on the run. By grazing all day on healthy food choices, it keeps you and your team energized and never bogged down by a heavy meal. Plus, it’s fun to share recipes and even if you don’t cook – veggies and dip is always an easy out!

Have a wonderful - and prosperous - holiday season!
Happy Trimming,

Melissa

Groomania-Belgium

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:46:00 GMT

I just returned from Belgium where I was invited to speak and judge. Groomania is hosted by Kitty and Darren Cooke of Transgroom. I have known Kitty for almost 20 years as she was a top level international competitor at the same time I was out in the grooming contest ring. We have crossed paths many times and it's been years since I've seen her and her husband. When I got this international assignment I was thrilled not only to travel to Belgium but also to get reacquainted with old friends.

It's been a number of years since I have been involved with the European grooming scene. Some of the changes that I really noticed quickly was that all docking and cropping of the ears and tails has been banned. Poodles, Schnauzers, and Cockers all have natural, long tails. And dogs that we routinely think of with cropped ears are left natural. Another thing that I noticed was all of their setters have shaved ears, even though the rest of the feathering is long and natural as we find it here in the United States. And clipping a terrier – well, we won't even go there. In the European countries, it's almost unheard of to clip a coat that should be and hand stripped!

The educational show grooming competition lasted for two days. The event was held in a new facility that did a great job facilitating a great show. In one area there were six mini stages set up that were just large enough to accommodate a stylist and grooming table. At each of these mini stages was an industry expert conducting an up close and personal grooming demonstration, allowing the viewer to see clearly and ask questions about the techniques he demonstrated. Since Belgium is a multilingual country, the show hosts also provided translators at many of the stages so everybody could understand, whether they spoke English, Dutch, French, or German.

On Monday I conducted an all-day seminar at Transgroom company headquarters. Our group was small, which allowed us to get up close and personal - even all heading out to lunch together at a small local restaurant.

At one time I was traveling internationally on a regular basis with dog grooming. It was fun to get back over to Europe and compare the differences between American and European grooming. It was also wonderful to get reacquainted with old friends.

A number of years ago I was having dinner out with my family here in the states. I'll never forget when a longtime family friend who is a dentist came up to me and was inquiring about my latest travel adventures. I had just returned from one of my oversea jaunts. She just shook her head in disbelief and stated, “You're amazing. I spent years studying to become a doctor and look in people's mouths all day. You're a self-taught dog groomer and you travel the world!” You never know where this career can lead you.

Happy Trimming,

Melissa

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Become Your Own Magical Fairy

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:23:00 GMT

One my favorite quotes is by Brian Tracy in which he says the “Best way to predict your future is for you to create it.”

I'm not sure how all of you are faring during this economic downturn but I know during my long career, I certainly have had my shares of ups and downs -- regardless of what the current economy was doing. Personally, I find that when I make mistakes or get pushed into a corner, that's when I really push up my sleeves and analyze what I'm doing. It doesn’t matter whether it was mastering a particular grooming technique or working on a new business opportunity. No matter what the situation was, I always took full responsibility for my actions, knowing I was the only one that could change the outcome -- predicting the future.

I wish there was a magic fairy that could come in and wave her magic wand over my head -- but alas she never shows up. Whenever I face one of those personal speed bumps in my journey, I always assess my strengths and weaknesses. I isolate the tasks, seeking out the knowledge to improve upon my weaknesses. Is it easy? Normally not, but when you work hard at something you can look back and take full credit for the success.

Sometimes the weaknesses are small, like trying to improve upon smoothing out your clipper or scissor work. Maybe it's trying to figure out how to shave off five minutes of time from your personal best on the last haircut of a similar style. Or maybe your clientele has dropped off a bit due to the current economy. What services or marketing efforts can you improve upon to help bring your revenues back to where you would like them?

Keep your eyes open and learn from those that have gone before you, mastering the tasks that you're trying to improve. More than likely somebody has been sitting in a very similar situation -- seek them out and learn from them. It may come in the form of a magazine article, a chat group, a mentor, a book, or any number of ways – there are thousands. Always remember, “The best way to predict your future is for you to create it.” Seek out the knowledge you need and become your our personal magical fairy!

Happy Trimming,
Melissa

Summer is over

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:16:00 GMT

Well, we have just approached September and I feel that summer is drawing to a close. This was the first year that I allowed myself a little bit more free time to enjoy one of my passions -- horseback riding.

For me to take time away from work is extremely unusual. Earlier this summer I had a long time business friend ask if she could interview me for an upcoming Barkleigh Pet Boutique & Spa Magazine due out this fall. The column is called, “A Snapshot of Success.” Of course I said “yes” and Karla Addington-Smith sent me a dozen very challenging questions addressing the progress of my career.

Her questions were so in depth that the only way that I could organize the way to answer them was to create a timeline of my career starting from 1977 until now. Wow -- that exercise alone was an enlightening project! I created the draft for the outline from my home office while there was a flurry of activity by Teresa Dreese, my longtime manager at Paragon, who had to keep running into my office at the training facility to check the dates on trophies and plaques that I had won through the years. When we completed the project, for the first time I realized there was rarely a year that went by that I had not accomplished a major feat that allowed my career to continually move forward. I sat back and read the timeline. I had a hard time believing it was even mine!

I find when I'm so immersed in what I do, I rarely look up or take a breath -- I just keep moving forward. As I reviewed this unbelievable timeline, I took it as a signal for me to slow down and enjoy the summer. It was wonderful! Alas, fall is in the air. There are huge opportunities, many projects and businesses sitting before me that I'm anxious to immerse myself in once again.

Make sure you pick up the latest issue of Pet Boutique & Spa to read the story that Karla Addington-Smith wrote about me. The rest of the year I'm going to be busy traveling, much of it for work. To find out where I'm headed for the rest of the year plus the projects that we are working on, make sure you check out my calendar of events here on www.MelissaVerplank.com .

I feel refreshed and ready to push up my sleeves while I still maintain a little bit of extra time to spend on myself trying to find that perfect balance between work and pleasure. I hope everyone has had a great summer and found their personal balance between work and play.

Happy Trimming,
Melissa

Paragon Programs: New and Improved!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:44:00 GMT

I'm sure many of you have heard the buzz! The State of Michigan has given us the green light to re-open the hands-on training programs at The Paragon School of Pet Grooming! We learned of this decision as we were submitting our annual renewal -- but the renewal was for new programs that we've been working on all last year as we worked with the Michigan Proprietary School Unit and the ridiculous law stemming from 1943 that stated we could not collect revenue from goods and services produced by our students.

We are not out of the woods yet! The State has opted not to enforce the law until House Bill #5995 is settled by the legislature. This bill has gone through many revisions over the past 12 months. The current bill has been rewritten and we fully endorse its’ current form. It would allow us to continue our hands-on training programs. We all need to keep our fingers crossed that by the end of this year, the law will be changed. This would ensure the future of not only The Paragon School of Pet Grooming but all the other proprietary schools in the state of Michigan.

By having to shut down the hands-on training, it forced us to develop new training opportunities. We set our sights on creating The Paragon Distance Learning Programs that mirrored our first-rate hands-on programs that we had offered for 16 years. We have combined an entire series of step-by-step DVDs showcasing core grooming skills with comprehensive textbook materials, workbooks, review questions and online testing for these new programs. In addition, we have also created a new employee training program called the Paragon Salon Mentoring Program, which will allow salon owners to train their own staff using the Paragon Pet Styling System.

In addition to these larger training programs, the Paragon Skill Bundle Sets are available for grooming and styling skill enhancement. The DVDs were all shot on location at the Paragon School using real, every day dogs. The DVDs showcase not only myself but also my team of Certified Master Groomers and contest level stylists. As the saying goes, you're only as good as your trainers -- our trainers are some of the best!

Right now, not only are we releasing these new learning opportunities but we are also scrambling to reopen the doors at the Paragon School. After almost a year of being primarily mothballed, we've pushed up our sleeves and are in the process of giving the school a fresh facelift. Teresa, Karen and Nicole are still trying to get some sense of normalcy in their day-to-day activities amidst the sounds of hammers, saws and the smell of fresh paint. Meanwhile I'm busy with putting the final polish on a number of other new programs to be released later in the year.

I truly believe all things happen for a reason. The challenges of 2008 forced us to look at new avenues to help people enter the wonderful field of pet care. With everything that I create, my focus is always on quality, time efficiency and safety. I strip everything down into easy to understand terms that can be applied immediately.

Happy Trimming,

Melissa

Spring = Dirty Dogs!

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:07:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I love spring - I absolutely love it! The grass is growing and flowers are blooming everywhere. April showers brought May flowers and tons of dirty dogs into our grooming salons!

All winter we have seen mostly our regular trim dogs, now as the seasons change ,so do the mix of dogs. The phones have been ringing off the hook as shedding season starts and the summer shave downs begin for those of us in seasonal climates.

All my life I've been attracted to big furry huggable dogs; Collies, Shelties, Goldens, and of course my Bernese Mountain Dogs and Maremma Sheepdogs - all dogs that shed! I love these breeds. I guess that is why I have always found it so satisfying to groom these big guys and transform them from dirty dogs into clean and huggable pets. Over the years, I have learned many tricks to get them clean and smelling great. Using good products and techniques improves your efficiency and lets you turn out more clean dogs safely and with less effort on your part!

Here are 5 tips that I always used:

#1 - Always let the products and tools do the work for you.

#2 - Quickly go over the dog either before the bath or after the first shampooing with a high velocity dryer to help lift the dirt and debris away from the skin. This allows your shampoo to be more effective at getting the dog really clean.

#3 - Be generous with your shampoo.

#4 - Always follow the shampooing process with a high quality coat conditioner.

#5 - Use your most powerful high velocity dryer in the tub to blow out the second shampoo and the conditioning treatment to minimize your physical elbow grease.

Make sure you check out my new Salvage DVD on a heavy coated dog. On it you will see “Cache’” one of my white dogs. I let her go without a bath for three months last spring before we shot this DVD, right at the height of the mud and shedding season! If you don't think that was a challenge for me - think again!! We normally have her bathed and groomed every 2-3 weeks. She is a true farm dog who enjoys all the benefits of living on a farm, including running through the muck and playing in manure piles. Sure there are other breeds that might be more maintenance free, but I wouldn’t trade my fuzzy breeds for anything. They make me truly appreciate a clean and huggable dog and appreciated what clients look for too!

Happy Trimming!

Melissa

Memorial Day

Melissa Verplank's Blog — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:51:00 GMT

Hi Everybody! Marc and I are loading up the horses and getting ready for our annual Memorial Day trail ride. We head to a great spot north of our home in Michigan and spend the weekend getting saddle sores and smokey clothes from sitting around the campfire every night. Marc has mastered cooking over an open fire; his Dutch oven baking is the best!

This Memorial Day is extra meaningful for me because of what it represents. To me, Memorial Day is about giving thanks and honoring everyone that has given of themselves to protect our country. Our country is based on hard work and sacrifice and regardless of what the press says, America is still a great place! As a business owner I understand all of the hard work and sacrifice that goes into building a business. Throughout my career I have been blessed with many great employees who have sweated and sacrificed with me, through all the ups and downs of growing my businesses.

One of the most difficult sacrifices that I have had to live through was shutting down the “hands on” portion of my training programs last year at my school, The Paragon School of Pet Grooming. It had a major impact on me, my family, my employees, clients and students. But now, the sacrifices and hard work have paid off. The state of Michigan notified me a few weeks ago that they have backed off on their interpretation of a rule prohibiting certain types of schools from charging for work done by students. This is fantastic news! Not only can people now train for a new career in the pet industry and earn great money doing it, but we can also offer discounted grooming services to local pet owners in the community! With all the economic challenges out there, I feel fortunate that we can help the community in so many ways! Have a safe Memorial Day and thank a veteran!

Happy Trimming!

Melissa