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Melissa will be available to talk about her books as well as Learn2GroomDogs.com, how shop owners can grow their own groomers, and The Paragon School of Pet Grooming!

Stop by the booth to get your books personally autographed by Melissa Verplank!

August 11-14.

London born Colin Taylor has a long history of being an international super star in the world of professional pet grooming. Colin is certified by the United Kingdom City and Guild plus a Certified Master Groomer in the United States. He is a multiple GroomTeam USA team member. In 2007, Colin was a member of GroomTeam Scotland. In the United States, he has won Best Groomed Dog in Show at every major grooming show plus Best All Around Groomer. He's been awarded Best Scissored Dog in Show award countless times, including one of which was given by the famed poodle handler KAZ HOSAKA which Colin holds close to his heart. When he was an active competitor, his breed specialties were Bedlington Terriers, Poodles, Porties, and Mixed Breed styling. He is honored by the fact he has made the front cover of GROOMER TO GROOMER magazine 5 times.

At the age of 16, he began his grooming career in 1985 at the London Academy of Grooming. Just three months into the course, his instructor, Jill East, entered him in his first grooming contest with a hand stripped Cairn Terrier. To their amazement - Colin won the class! Thus began his long string of successful contest wins and placements over the next 25 years around the globe.

Upon graduation from the London Academy, Colin was offered a two year contract to work at the Hong Kong Doggie House for Mary Ng . He could not turn down this unique opportunity. At the age of 17, he left the UK. In Hong Kong he would learn much about life and even more about the grooming world, including how to scissor - and scissor fast.  The two years flew by.

At 19, Mr. Taylor returned to the UK. He taught at the grooming school where he originally trained. In 1989, the World Grooming Championship contest was held in Windsor UK. He entered the contest. After dazzling the crowd with his grooming talent, Colin went on to meet some of the United States' finest groomers - and his next international opportunity unfolded.

At the 1989 World Championship, Colin met respected business woman, Dina Perry. At the time, she owned Wag n Tails Mobile Grooming and The Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology, located in Lansing, Michigan. Dina took Colin under her wing. The next thing Colin knew, he was on a plane bound for Detroit. With only his scissors and a few Madonna posters packed, Colin did not know quite what to expect. What he did know, he was on his way to another country with his ever present desire to learn.

Colin spent the next eighteen years in the United States. He worked in some of the most prestigious grooming schools and salons across the country. He has styled dogs belonging to the actor Robin Williams and singer Bob Seger. He's groomed mountain lions and primates.  Colin has been featured on TV shows such as The Kelly & Company Show in Detroit and the Paul Mitchell Dog Shampoo program which was filmed in Pittsburgh.

In 2007, Colin returned to the UK to be closer to his family. His focus has been assisting and inspiring education in the pet grooming industry. His goal it to be an inspiration to other pet professionals so they can reach their goals like he has.

Currently, Colin travels throughout the UK and Europe giving seminars and private clinics. He even has India and China on his speaking schedule for 2012. Colin's personal speaking style is like an open book.  He loves to share his knowledge and experience. He holds nothing back. Colin never believes in keeping secrets. His professional advice always puts the dog first. He constantly states, "Never put a dog through pain or suffering just because you think it has to be perfect. The dog's well-being is more important." Also, "Practice makes perfect - practicing perfect makes perfect."

Colin Taylor is a well known all breed industry judge and speaker for grooming contests all over the world. His specialties are breed profile trimming, handling, hand scissoring, professional proficiency, and personal motivation. He loves to see people progress forward no matter their chosen path.

Final voting will be conducted soon  

via email survey to 32,000 groomers and vendors for her "Website" nomination.

The final vote for her "Speaker" nomination will be determined by the show producers of all of the major shows based on speaker reviews and comments.

Grooming a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel   

Misty Fowler, CMG  

The charming Cavalier is showing up regularly in grooming salons across the country. Don't just assume when you see a Cavalier come across your books that it's a simple bath and brush job! Sometimes there is a fair amount of work that goes into the grooming of this breed. Join Misty as she demonstrates the grooming and styling process on this dog. She'll discuss different coat types, tools that work well, and pet styling options for the Cavalier that help owners maintain their pooch.

In this video you will learn:   

• The different types of coat within the breed.
• Why it's important to use a combination of rakes and carding tools.
• Multiple ways to use different types of thinning shears.
• Options for trimming the "slipper foot."
• Great ways to alleviate ear issues on this breed.

Approximate running time: 38 minutes

 Click here to see the full video!      

Feline Grooming Demo #3  

Danelle German, CFMG, CFCG  

This is a continuation of the previous grooming demonstrations at the National Cat Groomers Institute of America. Join the students as they learn how to set a Lion Trim on this willing feline. Danelle walks students through setting the pattern on this cat. During the demo, she talks about how to work with the clippers to get super smooth results, what types of clippers to use, plus plenty of safety tips.

BONUS FEATURE: How to present a cat to its owner after it's been groomed for greatest impact.  

In this video you will learn:    

• Which clippers work the best for cat fur.
• How to set the collar line to get it perfect almost every time.
• Plenty of handling techniques to keep you safe.
• How and why to gain visibility first.
• How to think of a cat as a "cube."

Approximate running time: 18 minutes 

 Click here to see the full video! 

Great Britain Show Highlights   

Show Management 

The first 'Festival of Grooming' was held in Great Britain the weekend of July 16-17, 2011. It quickly turned into a sold out event! The Festival was held at The Belfry resort in the West Midlands. Presented by Groomers Ltd. and The English Groomers Group, the 'Festival of Grooming' offered an educational insight to the world of premier pet grooming. Networking opportunities to meet and mingle with industry insiders in a casual atmosphere were plentiful.

Over 250 grooming professionals experienced a fun filled weekend. Melissa Verplank was the keynote speaker for this event. She is an award winning pet stylist, multiple business owner, and author of Notes From the Grooming Table and Theory of Five.

Other presenters were grooming greats, Colin Taylor and Bill Browne-Cole. They inspired participants with their 'hands on' grooming demonstrations, featuring a Bedlington Terrier and a Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Premier stylists Sharon Pine-Haynes, Louisa Tandy, and Chrissie Warwick conducted enlightening demonstrations on 'Show Coats & Top Knots' and 'Creative Grooming."

Great food, a fabulous fashion show, and dancing into the wee hours of the night filled the evening. During the evening, 21 lucky winners walked away with bounties of valuable raffle prizes. Plus, every table had a beautiful center piece containing clippers and grooming products for that one lucky diner.

Positive response from show goers was overwhelming at the close of the show. Discussions for next year's event are already in progress. L2GD is proud to showcase highlights from this amazing event.

Approximate running time: 6 minutes

 Click here to see the full video!     

In this video you will learn:    

• How to prepare the coat for blanket drying for a flat finish.
• How to remove coat in select areas to accentuate the dog.
• Where to leave furnishings to define the throat.
• Lots of detailed tips on bulk thinning, top thinning, and carding the coat.
• Great ways to read and apply breed standards to any breed when styling the coat.

 Approximate running time: 59 minutes

 Click here to see the full video!     

Establishing Pricing and Times For Grooming 

Melissa Verplank, CMG    

How do you set pricing for your work or your salon? Melissa shares a single page system she developed based on years of experience. The system allows for consistency across the board for both small and large pets and is fair to both the groomer and client. From the simplest jobs to the most complex, for new groomers just starting out or seasoned pros, the system works. Melissa helps you understand how and why the process works and how you can create your own pricing system. As a bonus, you'll learn how to provide pricing estimates to new clients for any breed of dog or cat.   

In this video you will learn:    

• How to set up an alphabetical pricing guide to quote new clients.
• What 'really' establishes prices - it's not what you might think!
• How to break basic pet grooms out by time.
• How to set up your own single page pricing chart.
• How to set consistent pricing for any job, in any condition. and for any groomer or stylist.

 Approximate running time: 20 minutes

 Click here to see the full video!