Pet Groomer | Barber

GLORIA DANIELS PET GROOMER

FOURWAYS VETERINARY CLINIC/PARLOUR

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THIS PATH? I chose pet grooming as a career because I am passionate about working with people and animals. I’ve loved animals since I was a child.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE UNUSUAL CAREER, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO I not only groom cats and dogs in our parlour, but also rabbits and occasionally guinea pigs!

PURRFECT PET PARLOUR

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I trained with Alison at The Dog’s Whiskers, based in Valyland Centre. It’s the most popular dog parlour in Fish Hoek, so the training was top notch.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Hectic! The first animal comes in at 8:30am. I wash or brush them and then they go into a cage to dry, while I get started with the next one. After an hour, depending on the size of the pet, I would finish off the first one and let the customer know their fur baby (or some people bring in more than one at a time) is ready for collection. I get an average of six pets coming in per day. The day ends with cleaning up the “office” and equipment, ready for the next day.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PET GROOMER? I love what I do! It brings me so much pleasure when the fur babies walk out of the parlour looking all clean and polished, and their parents are happy with the new look. I find my work therapeutic, if you can call it that.

YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PART? When people see a photo on the internet of a pet grooming style and ask if I can replicate it with a different breed. Most people don’t understand that dogs don’t all have the same hair texture. A Poodle’s hairstyle will not look the same on their Yorkie, for example. I have to explain to them that it’s not possible, and some people get disappointed.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Not all customers will be happy with the outcome, even though I have delivered my best. Some pets need short cuts due to their fur being heavily matted or due to skin disease. Styling can only occur after treatment and regrowth of a healthy coat.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I was recommended by a customer to new clients that were from England. I felt privileged to apply my skills on a foreign breed, and they were satisfied with the result. I delivered on the challenge with flying colours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I would love to own and run my own parlour one day.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience is actually even more important than formal training. I’ve been doing this for 15 years now, and still get dogs that test my experience and skills.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It requires a lot of care and patience. You must be an animal lover and a cheerful person. Dogs are very sensitive and can respond to how you are feeling, and sometimes, they will act on it.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Fun, challenging and good-business.

RABBI IMAD BARBER

HEADLINES BARBER & SPA

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A BARBER? I chose this career because it is my passion – I love making people look and feel great. I also love travelling, and I can do this job anywhere around the world.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE UNUSUAL CAREER, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO I do full male grooming. I cut, style, hot towel shave, shave, wax and massage men’s facial and head hair.

FULL GROOM AHEAD

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I studied and trained in Morocco at the Institute Parisien. I am fully trained in all aspects of barbering.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB I get to work at 8:30am. I count the float for the day, make sure there is enough change in the till, check all my equipment, sanitise all equipment and work stations. Then I get myself ready for the clients, who start coming in at about 9:00am. I do cuts, faders, shave beards and hair, hot towel, facial massages and so on. I make sure to do my very best on each and every client, so they leave the salon happy and confident to conquer the day. The shop closes at 6pm. I do the cash up, making sure the money balances, then I make sure the salon is locked up before I head home.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I am a people person; I love meeting new people every day. I am from Morocco, so my English is not too good, but I practice with my clients every day and am improving quickly.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BARBER? I don’t like it when my clients are not happy with the end results of my work. One of the reasons I chose this field is because I love making people look and feel their best.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? The biggest hurdle for me has been the cultural differences. I have had to adapt to South African culture. But after being here for three years, I now feel settled in.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? The highlight of my career has been the travelling. I have worked in Morocco, Dubai and now South Africa. My ultimate dream destination is Miami, Florida, in the US.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? My future goal is to open my very own barbershop in Miami.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Yes, experience is just as important as formal training. In fact, some people only learn on the job, without any formal training.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? For this type of work, you need to be a people person. You also need to be dedicated and patient. Barbering is a job where you are constantly learning, so you need to love learning new things every day.

ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Open your mind! And work hard.