If you ow
n a cat, you may have experienced the pain of bathing your precious bundle of fur. In actual fact though, according to LaDean Gordon, owner of Purrocious Styles Feline Designs, most cats do not mind being bathed. In fact, many are very calm during the bathing process and seem to find it relaxing.
Cats hating water is just one of the age old myths LaDean is trying to dispel surrounding feline grooming, along with others such as cats groom themselves… in actual fact, cats lick themselves but can’t groom themselves for cleanliness.
LaDean established her feline grooming business in 2010 under the name LaDean Standard Grooming in Hawaii, and after moving to Newport News, she reopened as Purrocious Styles Feline Designs and became Feline Exclusive. This includes everything from bathing to lion clips, nail trims and soft paws.
In her own words, “there was an inadequacy in this service that needed to be filled. There are not enough businesses, especially grooming salons, that are dedicated to the unique needs of cats!”
Becoming a professional cat groomer is no easy feat. LaDean received her training from the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc and obtained her Certified Feline Master Groomer certification after passing a total of nine exams that include both in-depth written material and actual hands-on grooming. Cat grooming in Newport News has never seen the likes of them until now!
Education is an ongoing challenge, for both the public as well as veterinarians. She is using several approaches to overcoming this by educating on her Facebook page as well as in person at many events around the peninsula.
“In February, I will be doing a seminar on cat grooming at the World of Pets Expo in Hampton titled ‘Cat Grooming Dispelling the Myths,’ to help educate owners and possibly vets on the importance of professional grooming to help keep cats grease and mat free, as well as possibly even help keep them out of the surgical suit in need of having hairballs removed from their tummies,” she explained. “That happens more often then you might think from cats ingesting so much hair from licking themselves.”
She is finding success, with a number of veterinarians she has spoken with on the subject of feline grooming, trusting her professional skills and opinions and refering their patients to her for professional grooming.
The best part about owning her own business is making her own schedule, being her own boss, making her own policies, and so much more! As she puts it, “the freedom that comes with all the hard work and responsibility is well worth it to me.”
LaDean would love to one day be able to expand into a feline exclusive salon and resort, including daycare as well as boarding, grooming, healing touch therapy training as well as adding feline nutrition classes for her clients.
“A goal of mine is to create a Cat Cafe to facilitate Purr-therapy, where stressed out people can come in, read a book or work on their laptops and enjoy coffee and a bite to eat, all while decompressing and enjoying the company of adoptable cats from local shelters. Helping connect people with purrkids increases adoptions and decreases shelter occupancy.”
“My ultimate goal is to have an all inclusive business that would not only help felines maintain beautiful coats and healthy skin, but also encourage people to utilize one of the most profound things cats have to offer…solace, relaxation and purr-therapy. I have a LOT of ideas, it is just a matter of growing large enough to be able to attain them.” =^..^=
Her advice for any budding retailers is to “GO FOR IT! Small businesses are on the rise, and if you find your niche and love doing it, take your dream and run with it head on!”