Meet Jess Rona of Jess Rona Grooming in Hollywood Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Rona.

Jess, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started as a dog bather when I was 19 at Petsmart in Reseda to make extra money to buy a car. I always dreamed of being an actress, so I never thought dog grooming would become a career. Over years and years, I slowly started learning grooming basics like nail trims, tidy ups, and some breed standard cuts.

Throughout my 20’s, I worked as a dog walker, receptionist at a grooming salon, groomer, doggy daycare attendant, hostess, & waitress. To make a lonnnnnnng story fit into a paragraph, I moved to NYC, stopped grooming dogs completely, started doing improv like a maniac, decided I didn’t want to wait tables anymore, moved back to LA and dove in hardcore to grooming dogs. I competed and placed in grooming competitions, studied AKC standards and worked on balance an structure while doing improv shows at night. I found a cool house for rent in the hills and set up a little grooming studio in the garage so I could groom dogs to pay rent while going out on auditions.

I was a little antsy and kinda depressed working in my garage all day, so I started making these slo-mo videos of dogs blowing in the wind to music. It was so fun for me; I just did it to send to my clients. They ended up going viral, and people loved them. I was shocked, and I am still shocked that my two worlds are colliding: comedy and dog grooming. I got to direct a music video for Tegan and Sara, a few commercials, I made a book that combines dogs and comedy, and a million other amazing opportunities have come my way. It’s the coolest, and I’m so so so grateful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I struggled so much in the first year to get clients. I would go to the dog park and pass out flyers, tell my friends to bring their dogs over, I just needed dogs to groom. It was always a challenge convincing clients that they could trust me to do an amazing job on their dog, I would always have to work on proving myself.

I had to learn quickly that I’m not just an artist anymore, but a business owner. It was really tough at first, but once Instagram took off, I was given a new set of challenges: too many clients, and how to grow and maintain successful grooming business while taking on other projects. It’s a good challenge to have!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jess Rona Grooming – what should we know?
Jess Rona Grooming is a dog grooming business. I would say I specialize in bringing out the most gorgeous version of each individual dog while showing the world that dog grooming is an art. I want to change the way people look at dog grooming. Just like human hairstylists did, I want to be a pioneer for this industry.

I’m most proud of the Instagram I’m known for where I make funny videos of dogs blowing in the wind in slo-mo to eclectic music. What sets me apart from others is the care, time and artistry we (me and my team) put into every dog that comes over. Every dog gets an argan oil face mask, deep conditioning, and I take my sweet time with their styling.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I LOVE THIS QUESTION. Yes! Absolutely. My assistant Jay has been with me since (almost) the beginning. I couldn’t do what I do without him. He bathes and preps the dogs, and keeps the energy in the room calm.

I also have another amazing groomer/employee that works with me named Christine who helps me keep track of all the crazy random ideas I have and is getting so good at grooming.

My old school clients who believed in me before anyone else did and let me groom their dogs in the kitchen of my old apartment including the one and only Jackie Johnson (host of the popular podcast Natch Beaut) and her dog Chooch – who’s the cover of my book.

I also grew up in a home with my mom being an entrepreneur, so I saw first hand what running a business is like, and she showed me what real work ethic is. Also getting fired from my old grooming shop was the best thing that ever happened to my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: JessRonaGrooming.com
• Instagram: @JessRonaGrooming
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessRonaGrooming/

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