How We Care for Our Team
The perception of dog grooming is often dismissed as a vanity-driven pursuit or an unnecessary chore. Some see what we do as simply ‘washing dogs and cutting dog hair,’ completely disregarding the years of dedication, education, and discipline of groomers. To us, dog grooming is an expressive art, which highlights the beauty of these incredible creatures—our best friends. This complex, technical skill requires an understanding of anatomy in order to highlight the structure of each breed while supporting skin and coat. Le Pawsh is the pure representation of the respect and love for this craft and for dogs—a grooming salon created by a groomer for groomers and love of dogs. We recognize where Le Pawsh’s pricing compares against some other grooming businesses, and while we understand that budgetary constraints may deter some from booking an appointment with our salon, we want to take a moment to explore the reasoning behind our prices and what you are supporting every time you treat your companion with a Le Pawsh spa day.
Products & Tools
The bathing and drying products used on our canine guests are the best in the industry, created by brands that understand the science behind hair follicles, skin layers, and skin oils, and how they work together as an essential protective barrier for our companions. Not only do these products clean without stripping natural oils, but they also promote better fluff throughout the coat, creating the foundation for the beautifully crafted haircuts we are known for.
The tools we use, shears, clippers, blades, etc, are far from cheap, require constant upkeep, and are essential for the experience we provide. These items help translate the vision of every haircut into the regal look your pup dons when leaving our salon. Each Styliste has their own set of tools, which requires sharpening and servicing every couple of months to ensure that every haircut is perfect. Sharp tools are absolutely essential for creating a superior look and a healthier cut, allowing for the best growth and comfort of each dog.
Le Pawsh provides all products, covers essential shear sharpening, and provides a quarterly tool allowance to ensure everyone’s equipment is in the sharpest working order.
Pay
Traditional grooming salon models pay employees a 50/50 commission rate. While this has some advantages, it creates a quantity-over-quality environment for grooming and is the antithesis of how Le Pawsh operates. First, we recognize the mental and physical stress that grooming places on the body. Second, instead of encouraging our team to groom as many dogs as possible, we limit the number our schedules can accommodate, ensuring each dog receives the proper treatment we are known for. Lastly, we recognize that our team treats this profession as a career, and we aim to make it worthwhile in an ever-evolving world.
Le Pawsh confidently compensates team members more per hour than any other hourly grooming salon in the area, while regularly offering opportunities for bonuses and raises.
Healthcare
As previously mentioned, dog grooming can take a costly toll on the body and mind. Groomers are responsible for managing countless dogs, creatures with little to no self-preservation skills, most of which choose to relentlessly throw their weight around either at the end of a leash or during service. Dogs range from a feisty sub-6-pound dog to a massive 150+ pounds, and many must be lifted into tubs and onto tables. The repetitive nature of brushing, combing, scissoring, and shaving dogs is felt in the arms and hands, and that is not even mentioning hair splinters and the risk of breathing in hair.
Le Pawsh provides healthcare and dental to all full-time team members.
401k
In a world where nothing is certain or guaranteed, we want to help our people as much as we can to set them up for their futures by providing all team members with a 401(k) and a matching contribution rate.
Maternity Leave
Le Pawsh provides eight weeks of PTO maternity leave, in addition to what is provided by the state of California.
Education
Under Shelby’s tutelage, all team prospects are vetted and re-trained from the ground up to ensure that there are no gaps in their knowledge. At Le Pawsh, we require a desire to grow and an understanding that there is always room for improvement. Once onboard, our team members are trained in pet CPR and complete comprehensive grooming certifications through International Professional Groomers Inc. and the American Kennel Club Salon S.A.F.E. programs.
Recognizing that the grooming industry is constantly evolving, we ensure our team stays on top of the latest trends and techniques by attending seminars and trade show events. All our team members are encouraged to learn as much as possible about not only grooming but also all facets of the pet industry. If a seminar or grooming competition interests them, they can attend.
Le Pawsh covers all mandatory additional education, such as pet CPR, IPG certifications, and AKC certifications, as well as optional seminars, grooming events, and competitions.
Since the conception of Le Pawsh, we dreamed to be in a position where we can provide our team, not only everything they deserve to perform their best, but also everything that comes with a true career. Throughout our journey, our ideals have remained consistent: elevate the perception of dog grooming as an art form, parade the beauty of our canine companions, and promote healthier dogs, inside and out. We strive to make our humble salon the final stop on thier dog-grooming career journey. We do this by treating our team as our team and providing them with support, education, and future planning. All of this plays directly into the product they craft for every dog that enters Le Pawsh.
Our commitment to our team means that as Le Pawsh grows, so will our ability to give back to them.
- Shelby & Brandon
