Melissa spent eight years working in a corporate office role. It was steady, but she knew it wasn’t where she wanted to stay.

“I just didn’t enjoy working in an office. I knew it wasn’t what I wanted long term.”

After leaving that job, she worked in a doggy daycare, and that experience shifted something for her. Being hands-on with dogs, rather than sitting behind a desk, felt right.

“That’s when grooming felt like the next step.”

The training routine suited her. The 9:30 to 2 structure felt manageable, and even though she wasn’t juggling childcare, she could see how it would work for people who were.

“It just feels realistic.”

In the beginning, confidence was her biggest hurdle.

“At the start, I had no confidence at all. I couldn’t even cut nails properly.”

Learning alongside other students helped. Everyone was at different stages, and although it was easy to compare herself at first, over time she began focusing on her own progress.

“You do sometimes panic if someone finishes before you, but you learn from each other.”

The turning point came during a groom on a dog called Cali.

“It was the first time I’d properly done a face, and it just felt like it had all come together.”

Understanding the routine of a groom – what comes first, what comes next – made everything feel calmer and more organised. From there, her confidence grew steadily rather than all at once.

Now she feels capable handling dogs and making decisions independently.

“I feel so much more confident now.”

Looking ahead, she’s exploring mobile grooming, as she doesn’t have space at home. At the same time, she knows she has options, including working in a salon environment.

“That takes the pressure off.”

For Melissa, this has been about choosing something that feels more aligned with who she is – and building confidence step by step until it felt natural.