I'm Dara Forleo, and before we talk about standards, pricing, hiring, training, and business growth, I want to share why this podcast exists. In this special introduction, I share my journey in the grooming and pet care industry, the lessons I've learned as a business owner, and why I believe owners deserve practical support that respects what they've already built.
What Pet Brands Can Learn from Pop Culture, Media & Live Events with KJ Johll McGlinn
Marcy Lambert, Founder and Partner of Marcy's Pet Kitchen
Canine Mobility with Kate Titus and A Loyal Companion
Mike Harris and Andrea Dunadee-Harris of Pet Passages
Ivan Alvarez Paniagua, Founder of PawVibesZ.
Dr. Jennifer Edwards, Conscious Leadership Coach and founder of The CORE Element™ Leadership Framework.
Mary Tan, Chief Storyteller and Principal of Whisker Media
Nancy Hassel on Business Growth, Industry Blind Spots & What Pet Professionals Need Right Now
Kristina Michelle Weigand of Honest to Dog Grooming
Pietro Kabeya founder of FareVet
Chrissy Neumyer Smith of Creating Great Grooming Dogs
Inside this month’s Groomer’s Boardroom, we’re talking about team energy, that invisible pulse every salon owner feels the moment they walk in the door. Learn how to recognize burnout, shift your team’s mood, and lead with confidence.
This week inside the Wednesday Reset, we’re exploring something rare in our fast-paced industry: the power of the pause. In grooming, business, and life, we’re experts at “the push.” But growth doesn’t always come from more hustle; sometimes it comes from stepping back.
Take one intentional pause this week: between clients, between projects, or between moments.
Notice how your energy shifts when you allow yourself to breathe.
Then, join the conversation inside The Scholar Lounge as we reflect on what happens when we stop rushing past ourselves.
This episode, “Finding Your ‘Why’ Again,” is a gentle reminder that even the most passionate professionals can lose sight of their purpose when routine takes over. Dara shares a personal story about rediscovering pride and connection in her craft and invites you to do the same.
✨ Theme: How reconnecting with your purpose reignites pride in your craft.
💬 Reflection Prompt: What made you fall in love with pet care in the first place?
📝 Takeaway: Write a 3-sentence “Why I Do This” statement and post it where you’ll see it every day.
📣 Join the Discussion: Share your “why” inside the WPGA Scholar Lounge, let’s remind each other what keeps us going.
🎓 The Wednesday Reset is part of The WPGA’s ongoing commitment to education and reform in the pet-care industry. Because real professionalism starts with a supported, centered caregiver.
Stop running your grooming salon on memory and start leading with systems. In this Boardroom Boss training, Dara Forleo, founder of The Whole Pet Grooming Academy, a DOE-licensed grooming school in the U.S. for career groomers — teaches how to create onboarding and training systems that protect your brand, build consistency, and give you freedom as a leader. You’ll learn: How to document “the way your salon does things.” How to turn daily tasks into clear, teachable training steps. How to build a 30-day onboarding plan that runs smoothly without you. This lesson is part of the Groomer’s Boardroom Roof Phase: Leadership & Culture, guiding professional pet groomers and salon owners to grow with confidence, structure, and professionalism. 👉 Watch now and discover how to lead clearly.
This quick Wednesday Reset reminds pet professionals that boundaries are not barriers, they’re kindness. In just two minutes, Dara explains how honoring your limits protects your energy, elevates your professionalism, and supports a sustainable, long-term career in modern pet care.
Use this moment to pause, breathe, and choose one boundary that will make your week lighter.
Reset for Groomers During the Holiday Rush
This week is one of the busiest times of the year for grooming professionals. Between holiday appointments, last-minute requests, and stressed-out clients, it’s easy for groomers and salon owners to feel overwhelmed, drained, or stretched thin.
That’s exactly why I created this Wednesday Reset — a quick moment just for you to breathe, reconnect, and reset your mindset before diving back into the chaos of the grooming salon.
In this short vlog, we walk through:
A simple confidence reminder every groomer needs
A realistic moment of thankfulness for Thanksgiving week
A grounding breath to help calm your nervous system
Encouragement to help you finish the day strong
A reminder that your work matters — especially during the holiday grooming rush
Whether you're a grooming salon owner, a professional pet groomer, or a student working toward your certification, this calming reset is designed to support your mental wellbeing and help you navigate a demanding grooming schedule with more clarity and confidence.
Take three minutes to invest in yourself.
You deserve a moment of peace in the middle of a very busy week.
Feeling the holiday grooming rush already? Same. 😅
Welcome to this week’s Wednesday Reset, where we talk about one simple habit that can completely change the tone of your day:
🌟 Reset your morning… and you reset your mind.
December is chaotic for every pet professional , early mornings, nonstop appointments, and a coffee machine that somehow chooses today to malfunction.
So instead of letting the season set your mood, we’re taking back control with ONE intentional moment of calm each morning.
In this episode:
✔️ Why your morning shapes your entire workday
✔️ How to create a “holiday reset ritual” that actually sticks
✔️ The power of tiny routines in protecting your patience and professionalism
✔️ Why dancing with your dog absolutely counts as mental health support
(And yes… I apologize in advance for my questionable holiday dance moves 😂)
If you’re ready to feel more grounded, calmer, and a little more in control of December… you’re in the right place.
👇 Join the full conversation + weekly reflections inside the WPGA Scholar Lounge
This is where pet pros grow together personally and professionally.
✨ Let’s reset, breathe, laugh, and take on this week with grace.
Happy Wednesday Reset, friends.
👑 Hosted by Dara Forleo, Founder of The Whole Pet Grooming Academy & The Groomer’s Boardroom, Raising standards. Rewriting the narrative. One professional at a time. Join Here
If you’re feeling overwhelmed this season, you’re not alone. The holiday rush in pet care can leave even the most experienced professionals feeling scattered, tired, and mentally overloaded. In this episode of The Wednesday Reset, we’re talking about how to move from overwhelmed to organized, not with complicated systems or perfect plans, but with one simple reset you can use even on your busiest days. This short session is designed for pet care professionals who want clarity without pressure and professionalism without burnout. In this video, you’ll learn: • Why overwhelm isn’t a personal failure • How mental clutter (not time) is usually the real problem • A simple 3-minute reset you can do between clients • How small moments of organization create calm and confidence This reset isn’t about doing more, it’s about creating breathing room so you can show up steady, focused, and present in your work. ✨ Join the full conversation inside the WPGA Scholar Lounge, where pet care professionals come together for weekly resets, reflection, and support. You don’t need to handle this season perfectly. You just need a little clarity, and permission to simplify.
This isn’t just a new year. This is personal. In this 4-minute Wednesday Reset, we pause before the plans, the goals, and the pressure and talk about something quieter, but more powerful: Choosing forward with intention. This reflection is for pet care professionals who’ve already done the work of slowing down, paying attention, and reconnecting with themselves and are ready to move forward without rushing, burning out, or starting from zero. You’re not reinventing yourself. You’re stepping into what you already know. Take a breath. Watch when you’re ready. And choose what matters on purpose.
This Wednesday Reset is for every pet professional who’s ever felt the weight of the work, the intensity, the nonstop pace, and the emotional labor that no one really talks about. In this episode, we’re exploring something we all need more of: professional grace. Not the “just be positive” kind. The kind that lets you maintain standards, protect your energy, and stay sustainable in a career that demands physical, emotional, and leadership strength all at once. Inside this Reset, you’ll hear: The realities of the grooming grind (you’re not imagining it) Why feeling behind doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong What “professional grace” actually looks like A guided reflection to reconnect with your own humanity A simple practice to help you rebuild resilience this week Whether you’re a groomer, stylist, salon owner, or caregiver, this message is designed to help you breathe, reset, and remember that you deserve the same compassion you give the animals in your care.
👑 Hosted by Dara Forleo, Founder of The Whole Pet Grooming Academy & The Groomer’s Boardroom, Raising standards. Rewriting the narrative. One professional at a time. Join Here
Feeling behind doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It often means you’re comparing your real life to someone else’s highlight reel.
This Wednesday Reset helps professionals reframe progress, recognize seasons of growth, and move forward steadily without unnecessary pressure.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring stress, it’s about grounding yourself so you can keep showing up with clarity and care.
In this short Wednesday Reset, we explore how gratitude supports resilience, professional longevity, and emotional steadiness in demanding careers.
This reflection is designed for pet professionals and business owners who want to stay connected to their work without burning out.
Join The Scholar Lounge!
Professional presence isn’t about performing confidence or doing more, it’s about how you carry yourself into your work.
This Wednesday Reset focuses on tone, pacing, boundaries, and the quiet signals that build trust and credibility over time.
Designed for professionals and business owners who want to lead with calm, clarity, and intention.
Balance isn’t something you discover once life calms down, it’s something you build through daily choices, boundaries, and pacing.
This Wednesday Reset reframes balance as a leadership and sustainability skill, especially for professionals navigating full workloads and responsibility.
A practical reflection for those who want steadiness without perfection.
