Story & Lesson Highlights with Priscilla Garcia of Fullerton, CA

We recently had the chance to connect with Priscilla Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Priscilla, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
As a small business owner, we go through a roller coaster of emotions. There are days where days and months feel heavy whereas others you feel the amazing energy.

Personally, I think many of us secretly struggle with imposter syndrome, learning to separate work-life balance, and most importantly, mental health.

When speaking to other business owners, I feel as if we all struggle with this…

Personally, there are days where I feel as if I have imposter syndrome. The days where burnout is felt the most, is when this is felt at the maximum. I wake up doubting myself, and second guessing my decisions as a business owner. I have remind myself that I am capable by showing up for myself and pushing limits and knowing that there’s always support out there…

The small business community is more than a support group, its a group where comfort is found. Where you seek advise from others going through similar situations and weighing the pros and cons.

To the community of small businesses, reminder that you’re the back bone of our community. Watching everyone grow and sharing similar struggles shows that we’re not alone and that we support one another, even if our businesses our similar or completely different….

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Priscilla Garcia and I am the proud owner of Fresh Paws Mobile Spa, servicing the OC and major parts of LA county.

As part of the team, our stylists and myself strive to provide excellent service to clients’ doorsteps, and helping create relationships with their furry companions. We intake dogs with behavioral issues, gray backgrounds, etc and give them the chance, and build trust to help them be confident when it comes to the aspect of grooming.

We try and serve the community where and when we can. We are at the front line prior to visiting the vet and we try to give our helping hands when needed. Some of our proudest moments from rescue dogs is when they come to us for a fresh start and immediately get adopted. It takes a village and we’re extremely proud to be a part of that village.

People ask the backstory of our origins. I didn’t know what pet grooming was nor solely what was dog grooming until my mom(@Leosmobilpetgrooming) introduced me one year prior to the pandemic. I was layed-off 2020, and needed a career change. I had already started helping my mom groom dogs during the weekend in her garage,so I gave it a shot and fell in love with pet grooming. We fully launched June 2020 and started Leo’s Mobile Pet Grooming.

Fast forward to September 2021, I had ventured out and October 2021, Fresh Paws Mobile spa rose. My husband and I poured our savings into our first unit. It was one of the biggest leaps, but worth every second (love you esposo!). Comes September 2023, and we add on our second unit and hire our first mobile dog groomer(shout out to Melissa for always being the MVP!).

Every groomer is different and works in their own ways. For us, we love to get to know our clients, see what works best for them and help them grow. Because we take on clients from major grooming corporations, rescues, or simply dogs who’ve had bad grooming experiences, we love setting goals and watching clients accomplish and concur their grooming sessions.

Our 2026 goals, is to reinvest in our team and Fresh Paws Mobile Spa. What I mean by this is, getting my team’s feedback and offering classes to where they want to continue improving and growing. As someone who previously worked a corporate job and saw how employees were treated, I made a promise to myself that I’d try and give back to my team as much as I can.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me about great work ethics is my mom. As far as I can remember, my mom had businesses. When she first migrated here from Argentina with my older sister(@prettykitty_petaccessories), she found work as a seamstress(that’s what she did in Argentina), and opened her Bridal Shop, where she made custom bridal dresses, tailoring, alterations, etc. I remember living in the back and running around the dresses, looking at the details put into these beautiful pieces.

As a pre-teen/teenager, my mother had an event planning business. My sister, grandma, and I would go and decorate event spaces every weekend. During the week, we’d wash, fold, and prep for the following week. My mother would offer services like floral arrangements, cakes linens, snack bar, servers(mostly myself), and balloon arches. During this time, she,also, had a driving school in the city of Compton.

So, my mom taught me the most about having a great work ethic, and I thank her for giving the work ethic I have today to keep going daily.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
One kind thing that I would say to my younger self is success comes in different forms.

Growing up in a Latin/Hispanic household, as a daughter, we had high expectations from our parents. We were always told to go to college, finish college, get a good job, start a family, buy a house, the whole 9-yards.
I went to two colleges(Culinary & business school), and graduated from both. At the time, it was what my parentals wanted me to do, but found myself, feeling like there was more from a 9 to 5 to offer to life. Growing up, I imagined having a business, but never a pet grooming business.

I did not become a business owner until I turned 29 years old. I finally felt that I was on my own timeline and felt like I was/am on my own path. The moment I felt successful and rich in life was when I created employment for myself and found my support system(my clients turned friends, my small business friends, my sister/close cousins, and my husband).

So, to my younger self, everything fell into place, you are your own timeline…

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
As a pet groomer, everyone loves and takes care of their pets. WRONG!!! When I first started, I had a perception that everyone loves their pets and does everything for them. I’ve groomed dogs where they were severely matted, tied to a pole (full of ticks), neglected, and more. It makes you rethink that some people should not own dogs. Some people can’t afford basic needs and try to do and much and they can for their pets. Some people have dogs just because and truly do not care. You see the ugly side of it pet ownership.

And, lastly, as a business owner, people think because we own a business, that it’s a walk in the park. What people fail to know is that there is more to owning a business. Entrepreneurship isn’t for the weak. We’re constantly working and trying to stay afloat, personally and work wise. We pay several taxes, manage a team, try to respond to inquirers, we wear multiple hats. It’s a cycle that doesn’t end. This is painted glamorous, but the truth is, sometimes hiring someone to help with simple tasks can be challenging.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew that I had 10 years left of my life, I’d start living. The past two years have been solely on grief, reminiscing, forgiving, and reflection.

I’ve learned that in situations beyond your control, the only choice is to let go and keep moving forward. When they say time is a thief, it truly is.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to grieve. Grief comes in waves- sometimes quiet, sometimes overwhelming. It can be joyful, it can be your worst enemy, and it can be many things all at once.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to take chances, because most of the time, we’re afraid of the gray areas, but the unknown is what makes us stronger.

Start living for yourself…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freshpawsmobilespallc.com/
• Instagram: @Freshpawsmobilespa
• Facebook: @Freshpawsmobilespa
• Yelp: Fresh Paws Mobile Spa
• Other: Tik Tok:@Freshpawsmobilespa