Jo Wallace on Community, Learning and Finding Your Path

In this episode, Bill Betts is joined by Jo Wallace, a passionate pet groomer, trainer, and advocate for lifelong learning in the grooming industry.

Jo reflects on her time at the Pet Pro Expo, sharing why events like these are so valuable – not just for learning new business strategies like lead generation and storytelling, but also for the community and connection they provide. She speaks about how one speaker in particular – Fanny – really stood out, and how storytelling can play a powerful role in building a strong business.

Jo also shares her personal journey – from volunteering at an animal rescue in Costa Rica, to leaving corporate life behind and retraining as a pet groomer. She explains how her background in HR and training now feeds into her grooming career, especially as she starts to offer more education and support to other groomers.

She’s also diving deeper into the world of cat grooming, and shares some helpful advice around the differences between cats and dogs – including how understanding feline behaviour is key to successful (and safe) cat grooms.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about the next steps in your business or are looking to get inspired, this episode will leave you feeling motivated and connected to the wider grooming world.

💬 Key Takeaways

• Pet Pro Expo created real connection. Jo shares how networking with other professionals helped her grow.
• Understanding cats is essential. Grooming cats isn’t the same as dogs – you need to know feline behaviour.
• Industry events are more than talks. They give you the space to think about the future of your business.
• Jo’s journey is inspiring. From animal rescue work in Costa Rica to becoming a groomer and trainer, she brings a unique perspective.
• Keep learning. Jo reminds us that education, reflection, and peer support are key to long-term success.
• Community makes a difference. You don’t have to grow your business alone – sharing ideas helps everyone.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn!

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here: https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500, where listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions!

And of course, if you feel like you could benefit from Bill's business programs for the Pet Grooming industry, visit our website: https://petpassiontoprofit.com/