Natalie Giles, CFMG | Certified Feline Master Groomer Spotlight
Natalie Giles, CFMG
Tustin, California
Backyard Paws
How long have you been grooming cats, and what led you to pursue CFMG certification?
I first learned how to groom cats around 2014 while working at a corporate grooming salon. My wonderful boss at the time showed me the basics, and for a while after that I was the only cat groomer at that location.
Back then, I only knew the bare minimum of cat grooming, which included a bath, maybe a fluff dry, and sometimes a necessary lion cut. I had absolutely no idea there was another world of cat grooming out there, one that included face trims, blowouts, and crispy lines!
After I went out on my own, I did housecall grooming. Since I live in Southern California, It’s the perfect climate for grooming outdoors, so my focus was solely on dogs because I was working out of the back hatch of my SUV. It was when I purchased my mobile grooming trailer that the idea crossed my mind about grooming cats again.
As I expanded on business knowledge, I found out about the National Cat Groomers while listening to one of my favorite YouTube channels, The Savvy Groomer. When I learned how lucrative cat grooming could be, especially as a mobile groomer, I knew I wanted that CFMG title and I was ready to do whatever it took to get there.
What changed the most for you after becoming certified?
After becoming certified, I had the confidence to take on new cat clients and my cat grooming services took off right away. I used everything I learned through my certification.
I like educating my new clients about what’s best for their cat based on its coat condition and temperament, and my confidence continues to show through my work by making their cats beautiful and keeping their stress level down.
My cat clients always tell me how happy their cat is after their beauty day. After watching them transform from that first grooming visit, by keeping them on a routine schedule, I’m seeing how great they look all the time.
Word of mouth is picking up and I love seeing my name recommended as the cat groomer in my area.
What is one grooming or handling technique that made the biggest difference for you?
The handling technique that has made the biggest difference for me and my business has quickly become my favorite, and that is lap grooming.
My current setup is not yet equipped with a Catty Shack Vac system, so I have perfected lap drying. I’ve figured out so many creative holds, and I use a variety of thick and thin towels depending on each cat. I definitely enjoy coming up with new ways to hold their bodies, and they usually love laying sprawled across my lap or held like a baby.
This ultimately ends up being how cats turn out so beautiful, because a good fluff dry and comb out gives them that flawless look.
What is one business shift that significantly improved your cat grooming services?
I’m currently working on becoming cat exclusive, and one of my main focuses has been on my pricing strategy. Mobile grooming in general is a more expensive service than a traditional storefront setting, and being certified and turning out great work demands even higher pricing.
Many people are looking for an expert, and some even have no one else as an option. By charging more for my services, I can focus more on my quality and care for each cat versus the quantity of cats I groom per day.
Since being certified and now having even more cat grooming experience, it has given me more ideas and business goals. It feels really special becoming an expert in such a niche industry.
What would you say to a groomer who is on the fence about investing in proper cat grooming education?
I would definitely tell anyone considering grooming cats to get a copy of the Complete Cat Groomer Training Syllaus because it is filled with everything you’ll need to know about professional (and successful) cat grooming.
After you work through that, get hands-on instruction from an NCGI instructor before handling any cat, especially if you are new at handling cats. Knowing their anatomy, how their bodies move (especially compared to dogs), and being able to read their temperament is so important.
You don’t want to get into a situation where there is a moment of escalation and you panic because you don’t know what to do.
During private instruction you’ll get some good practice and be able to ask your instructor any questions you might have, and then take that valuable knowledge back home with you to practice.
I had such a great experience during PPI (personalized private instruction) and also during the pop-up school. I highly suggest it to everyone interested in the professional world of cat grooming.
Certified Feline Master Groomers don’t guess. They groom with intention, education, and confidence.
Get the program that gave Gianna the knowledge and tools to become such a fabulous cat groomer. 👉 Complete Cat Groomer Training Syllabus
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