I have the honor of running Groom My Friend with my incredible Husband Alex. We set out to create a salon during Covid that would bring exceptional service, education, and solutions to our communities' pets. We never realized what our company grow into. I now am completing my Masters in Grooming which will be recognized by the National Dog Groomers Association of America and the American Kennel Club. I am a certified Opawz Color Expert and Global Educator. I am a member of the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists and have certified in all coat types of grooming. I compete Nationally as a Creative Dog Groomer in the Open Level and in Entry for Breed Profile Trims. I assist at Dog Confirmation shows to further my education and understand breed preservation and went to college for Veterinary Technology. I worked at a Veterinary Clinic for 4 years and have been grooming for over 20 years with experience in retail management. In September 2024, I attended the China Inernational Grooming Show where I was recognized as a Global Ambassador for Grooming and for promoting education in our industry. I teach continuing education to groomers from across the nation and I can say I blessed with the Best in our communities! When I am not pursuing my passion of Grooming, I am coaching youth sports in our communities. I play Hockey on a Women's Team in Minneapolis and pursue my passion for the outdoors.

With over 11 years in the Pet Industry, my role is mostly focused on supporting my beautiful wife and talented team at Groom My Friend. As a small business owner, I wear many hats in our company. I build salon table tops, complete renovation projects, fix equipment, network with other companies, guide the operations of our business, assemble booths at grooming shows, assist my wife in grooming competitions, and am a bather extraordinaire. There is nothing more satisfying that a good Deshed blow out with our Deshed Package. I love to laugh, so I am a comedy connoisseur and enjoy podcasts, live shows, and streaming live performances. I enjoy supporting my kiddos at their activities. I am very blessed to work and raise our family in this community.

I am a dedicated Pet Stylist with over 10 years of experience. I specialize in grooming all breeds with a particular love for Pomeranians, double coated breeds, and senior pets. I am passionate about ongoing education and hold certifications in Fear Free Grooming, Pet First Aid and CPR, as well as various breed and temperament qualifications. I have also been taking lessons on hand stripping specifically Cairn Terriers for almost two years. My primary goal is to make the relationship that each pet has with me, the grooming process, a fun and enjoyable one. It is an essential part of each pets’ life. From puppy all the way through their senior years. I am a proud owner of three German Shorthaired Pointers and a Miniature Schnauzer, which means my life is full of energy and laughter! After a day of work, I always enjoy doing home and snuggling up with them on the couch to watch a movie, or maybe load them all up in the car and go on an adventure together. I look forward to many more years in the grooming field and the opportunity to get many new pets along the way.

Hey everyone! I'm Nina and lead our Big Lake location. I attended a PetSmart Academy where I obtained my Professional PetStylist Certificate and have been grooming dogs for 8 years. I specialize in dogs new to grooming like puppies, aging dogs, and dogs with anxiety. My favorite service to provide is our Nail Polish ones. I love giving a pop of color to a client's nails and drawing designs on them. I always go the extra mile to give my clients that "wow" factory. Outside of work, you can find me creating content for social media. I love spending quality time with my husband and son. If you want to follow me on social media, follow NinaPaw_fect

Hello! My name is Nichole Heino and I am a Co-Manager here at Groom My Friend. I really enjoy grooming Golden Retrievers and Doodles, but rescues will always have my heart. I work with an amazing organization called Rescue Network. I help rescues feel comfortable with grooming and love seeing them find their forever homes. My favorite package is our Deshed Package, the way you can transform a dog with just a bath is truly amazing. When I'm not grooming, I really enjoy going on adventures with my kids, collecting plants, and baking. I'm Certified in Canine CPR/First Aid as well as Skin/Coat Assessment. Thank you so much for taking the time to read about me. I look forward to meeting you and your pet!

I’m a dedicated mom of four boys and the proud owner of two baby Shih-tzus. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris, I’ve built a fulfilling career as a freelance graphic designer while also working as a Pet Stylist for over 12 years. My journey in grooming began with an internship under master groomer Anna Hawks, and I’m currently pursuing my master’s in grooming. I have a passion for helping dogs with anxiety and behavioral challenges, and I practice Fear-Free Grooming techniques to ensure a positive experience to all pets. Skilled in grooming both cats and dogs, I also specialize in hand stripping wired coats. My love for animals drives everything I do, and I strive to create a calm and comfortable environment for every pet I groom. I also add a special creative touch with hand made bows, bandanas, and a cute picture for my clients.

PetStylist

Hey guys! I'm Victoria and I am a Part-Time PetStylist and Full Time Mom to an almost 9 year old and a 5 month old! Besides traveling ad spending with my family, I enjoy traveling to grooming conventions, grooming competitions, and continuing my education. I enjoy learning about new equipment, techniques, and products! I strive for bettering the condition of skin and coat to help your 4 legged companion to be their best self! Some of my favorite breeds to work with are Yorkies, Springer Spaniels, and Doodles! I have quite a few certifications, one of which is Canine CPR. I also have a Canine Massage certificate that I incorporate into my bathing techniques! Hope to see you soon!

PetStylist

I am a dog groomer with 4 years of experience. By negotiating my ability to learn as I go, I can find room for improvement. I graduated from a charter school in Brooklyn Park, ending my senior year as captain of the girls’ varsity volleyball team. I decided to continue my passion for volleyball by playing indoor and outdoor grass volleyball. I have a 10 year chihuahua mix named Tiny and we love going on adventures together! I also am into creative arts and crafts, which inspired me to continue pet grooming with my love of animals.

My favorite dog breed is Border Collies. My hobbies include going to the gym, coaching youth hockey (Go Eagles!), and watching classic horror movies with my wife. I am a proud husband to my wife Kat and an even more proud father of two sets of twins, ages 4 to 6. We have 2 rescue cat's Milo and Marley. Our newest addition is a black Labsky named Mickey. I hope to bring a pawsitive experience to all those who bring in their fur babies to our shop. Groom My Friend is more than a job for me it's a second family, and I want anyone who walks through our doors to feel as welcome as they would in my own home.

Hi! My name is Kelli Hayes. I love having variety in my day and grooming all kinds of dogs, but some of my favorites are Pomeranians, Schnauzers, and Australian Shepherds. As you have gathered, I LOVE doing blended hand scissor haircuts. You can book a hand scissor in ou system as a High Maintanance Haircut. I am a dog mom to an allergy baby, so my favorite package to do is Sensitive Friend. I love helping your fur babies not only look their best, but feel their best too. I graduated from Penn Foster University, certified in Canine CPR/First Aid, and Skin & Coat Assessments. In my free time I enjoy taking my fur babies out to explore, updating my house with my husband, baking, and spending time with family. Thank you for taking the time to read about me, and tell your puppies they are purebred good boys or girls for me! You can follow me on Instagram as Kellis.kanines

Hi! My name is Ariel. I love curling up with a book and my pup sleeping next to me. My favorite dog breeds to groom are Bernese Mountain Dogs, Terriers, and Poodles. I groom because I love giving pets fun new looks. Especially with our Color My Friend Package that uses pet safe dye to give dogs a cute pop of color. I am certified PetStylist and have complete continuing education yearly to learn more about pet grooming!

Professional Bather

Professional Bather

With four years of experience as a dog groomer, I specialize in caring for anxiety prone and senior dogs. I ensure they feel comfortable and safe during grooming. I also groom cats, bringing a gentle touch to every appointment. At home, Im the proud owner of a spirited dog named Loki and a three-legged cat named Linda, whom are the loves of my life. In my downtime, I enjoy diving into video games and fantasy novels, which inspire my creative approach to grooming.

My name is Kayla, I'm a Professional PetStylist! I love animals, reading, and podcasts! My favorite past time is being with my family and friends. Their support has pushed me to thrive in doing what I love to do. My favorite thing about grooming pets would have to be the joy and gratitude you receive from different pet parents. It's a very rewarding feeling. I love the creative freedom and learning about new techniques and products everyday. I couldn't see myself doing anything different. Some of my favorite breeds to groom would be Doodles (of any kind), Australian Shepherds, and Pomeranians. My favorite add-on service we provide would have to be our Deshed Package. Just seeing the before and after some of our thick coated clients afterward is truly satisfying!