March 6, 2017

Meet Kai Ocean of Seusspup Pet Grooming in Glendale

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kai Ocean.

Kai, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been fond of animals, and was fortunate to grow up in a household with a large variety of pets, from the usual cats and dogs, to the more exotic variety including hedgehogs, chickens, and horses. As a young adult, I found I had an aptitude for working with animals, and volunteered my time working with children and horses for a beginners riding course. Many of my first paid jobs included working with dogs, in the daycare and boarding setting, as well as walking and training field. After a brief hiatus from the animal world, in which I enlisted in the United States Army, I returned to work in the dog care industry, managing a doggy daycare in downtown LA.

Having worked in most areas of the dog care industry, from retail/nutrition counseling, as both a handler and manager for dog daycare/boarding, and a contracted off leash dog walker, grooming seemed the natural next step in my journey. Originally I had intended on learning to groom as a means to pay for veterinary school, but once I started grooming I was hooked.

Grooming provided an outlet for many of the things I wanted in a lifetime career; creativity, working with animals, health and wellness care and education, as well as building relationships with both pets and owners alike.

I found out soon after beginning to groom the myriad of opportunities that being a groomer presents. I get to be a lifelong friend to my pet and human clients, I can help timid and shy dogs gain confidence, and teach puppies and kittens how to be groomed. I am able to help orphan dogs get ready for their forever NEW? Homes. I am able to help dogs in desperate need of a mercy grooming. I am able to be a resource for helpful information for my customers. I began to work with a small dog rescue, grooming dogs that recently were taken from shelters, helping them look more appealing to prospective families.

After Grooming for roughly four years, at two prominent shops in the greater LA area, I started to realize that I wanted a shop of my own. I felt that I could create a shop that dogs would want to come to, and be comfortable and happy for the grooming process. Just such an opportunity presented itself in the summer of 2015 at The Hounds Club in Glendale. Through my connections in the pet care world, I heard that the owner of the new boarding and daycare facility had space for a grooming shop and was looking for someone to come in and start an independent grooming business attached to the daycare.

Shortly after meeting, Clay, the owner of The Hounds Club, I moved into what is now the Seusspup Pet Grooming shop, with only a bathtub, single folding table and an exercise pen, and the business was born. I started by grooming two days a week at Seusspup while retaining my full time position at another grooming salon. As business grew, I added more days at Seusspup while reducing my time at my full time job until in March of 2016 I quit my job, started full time at my shop, and haven’t looked back since.

Nearly two years after opening, our shop is thriving! With a staff of two full time groomers, an amazing salon assistant, and a custom built premium salon, we are able to have anywhere from 75 to 125 dogs and cats come through our doors on a weekly basis.

Has it been a smooth road?
Thankfully the road to success has been a relatively smooth one. It has taken a fair amount of very long days, and a lot of hard work. As a disabled veteran, some days are more difficult than others, but when you absolutely love what you do, it is easy to put in the time, effort and love needed to make a business thrive, and operate smoothly.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Seusspup Pet Grooming – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Seusspup Pet grooming, is a unique pet grooming establishment, focused on creating a low stress, nurturing, calming grooming experience for all the pets that we care for. I believe that environment and energy is key to a low stress grooming session for each pet. I’ve created a home-like atmosphere with open topped stalls, instead of crates, filled with squashy dog beds and fluffy blankets and toys to help keep pets at ease during their visit. I also keep appointments limited each day to make sure that the grooming room doesn’t become overcrowded, too noisy and stressful for the pets in our care. Each pet receives it’s grooming with consideration to the comfort and needs of that individual pet, allowing ample time for those with special needs such as puppies/kittens, new rescues, seniors, or fearful /anxious pets.

I specialize in pets that other groomers can’t or aren’t willing to groom. I strongly believe that even the most difficult to groom dog or cat can, with patience and continuity, learn to be groomed, if not come to love grooming.

On the other end of the grooming spectrum, I also specialize in creative grooming, including fur coloring, carving, and accessorizing pets to give them a little extra flair and personality.

I am most proud of my business for being a company that I would like to work for. I strive to keep my employees happy, and morale high, because I understand that when you are happy at work, you are able to produce your best work. I am proud to be in a position where I can nurture an attitude of both personal growth, and family. We at Seusspup are a family, helping other families keep their furry loved ones happy, healthy, and always looking their best.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles is an amazing place to live, and I am in love with the history and diverse culture of this place. I’m least fond of the traffic.

Pricing: