Graduate Spotlight: Jess, Founder of Dawgy Stylez & Graduate of The Neon Dragon Dog Grooming Academy

Neon Dragon
Apr 25
3 min read

✂️ From Pom Problems to Pro Groomer

Jess’s grooming journey began with a fluffy rescue Pom named Theo. New to the challenges of maintaining a long coat, Jess set out to learn how to groom him herself. After a few less-than-stellar experiences in busy salons, she discovered The Neon Dragon Dog Grooming Academy through a Facebook post—and the rest is history.

“I was looking to become more confident in what I already knew and apply new techniques to real life clients,” Jess says. “I got the baths, brushing, and drying down, but haircuts were questionable at best.”

What Jess found at the Academy was a supportive, hands-on environment full of practical knowledge and encouragement. With guidance from our instructors, Carly and Nikki, she developed a strong grooming foundation and discovered a new level of confidence in her skills—especially when it came to creative grooming, her true passion.

Welcome to Dawgy Stylez

Located in the cozy lower level of her home, Dawgy Stylez is a boutique grooming space. Jess offers full-service grooming for dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments, including:

Boujiee Baths
Fluff-Off Desheds
Crew Cuts & Styled Pups
Full Colour & Creative Grooming Services

Jess specializes in working one-on-one with each dog, taking extra precautions to ensure a safe, low-stress environment. A custom dog-friendly ramp makes the salon accessible for all pups, and a secure side-yard entrance ensures no cross-traffic with her own dogs or other clients. For added convenience, Jess even offers a K9 Chauffeur Service and donates her grooming talents to local rescues to help dogs put their best paw forward for adoption.

“I firmly believe in humanity over vanity,” Jess says. “I have strict policies in place to ensure the well-being of every dog I groom.”

Lessons from the Academy

Jess says one of the biggest takeaways from The Neon Dragon Academy was learning how to streamline her grooming process: from creating a consistent routine to mastering supportive handling techniques for nail trims. The hands-on training helped her understand everything from flea protocols to tool handling—critical for someone running a solo operation.

“I loved the course. It was fun, informative, and very real. I learned way more than I expected to, and I was able to hit the ground running after graduation,” she says.

The Realities of Running Your Own Salon

Now running Dawgy Stylez full-time, Jess has faced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship head-on. While she loves being her own boss and working on her own schedule, she’s also had to learn tough lessons about boundaries, enforcing policies, and managing no-shows.

“The hardest part? Probably second-guessing myself. I also forget to post on social media which doesn’t help with visibility. But I’ve learned that setting firm boundaries and sticking to them is non-negotiable—especially when you’re working from home.”

Jess’s Advice to Future Groomers

“It’s more work than you think, and it’s very physically demanding. But if you’re patient, passionate, and willing to keep learning—you can absolutely do it. Invest in the right tools, get into a routine, and don’t be afraid to say no when something doesn’t feel right. And most importantly, always stick to your policies.”

Connect with Dawgy Stylez

Ready to give your dog the Dawgy Stylez treatment? Or just want to follow along as Jess makes magic with creative grooms and transformative desheds? Here’s where you can find her:

🌐 Website: dawgy-stylez-by-jess.square.site
📱 Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @dawgystylezbyjess
📅 Booking: Via website, text, or message

We are so proud to have Jess as part of The Neon Dragon grooming family. Her journey is proof that with a little courage and a lot of heart, you can turn your passion for dogs into a fulfilling and successful career.

Interested in joining our next class? Send us an email with the heading Academy Application to theneondragonltd@gmail.com and start your own transformation today.