Meet The Groomer: Deb Ryan

Deb Ryan will never forget the prudent words of advice her late stepfather spoke to her as a young girl: “If you are not happy with your life, you are the only one that can change it.” This is the mantra by which she has lived her entire life as she built herself a successful business and a winning reputation as one of the world’s top pet stylists. Deb was honored in the 2009 Cardinal Crystal Grooming Achievement Awards as the International Groomer of the Year. A highly decorated and educated professional stylist, Deb holds a City and Guilds Licentiateship Diploma in dog grooming from the London Institute (LCGI). She is also an IPG International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG), an IPG Certifier and a qualified workplace trainer and assessor who has been teaching grooming for more than 14 years.

Deb Ryan grew up in a small village in Staffordshire in the United Kingdom, where she was constantly in the presence of horses and dogs. After practicing as a veterinary nurse for four years, she decided to become an English Qualified Professional Stylist in 1990, and started her first grooming salon at the young age of 19. The schedule was perfect for her lifestyle, as she could still compete with her beloved horses while running her home grooming salon business. “I did not just want to have a job, I wanted to have a profession that I would love to be a part of,” says Deb.

Currently, Deb resides in Bargo, NSW Australia with her husband, two young sons, and her Welsh, Lakeland and Wire Fox Terriers, her Miniature Schnauzer and her Miniature Poodle. Having her wire terriers at home is quite advantageous, as they help keep her handstripping skills sharp while she practices on them several hours per week. She owns and operates a successful grooming salon as well as a highly respected grooming school in Bowral, NSW Australia. As if all that didn’t keep her busy enough, she also travels around Australia conducting informative seminars to help her fellow groomers succeed in the profession they all share a passion for. Deb knows that the phrase “practice makes perfect” are wise words to live by, as she practices her skill every day in her salon, because, she says, “all my four-legged clients deserve the best.”

As the Director of Dog Grooming International and Dog Grooming Australia, Deb keeps pretty busy. She is the author of DGI Grooming and Training Manuals that help both new and experienced groomers, and she also tutors at grooming schools to stylists who wish to better train their staff. In 2004, she used her grooming school training notes to develop Australian Nationally Recognized Grooming and Styling courses/ resources, helping Agri-Food Skill Australia (AFSA) develop the nationally recognized Grooming/Stylist training package. Deb is proud to declare that Dog Grooming Australia continuously works to create training resources that benefit not only her grooming school, but also help the grooming industry everywhere with Training Grooming Education Workshops and Seminars and online resource development. Because of her hard work and dedication to continuing education, Deb was awarded the PIAA “Kevin Pakes Perpetual Achievement Award” in 2008. In 2009, she was also awarded the Outstanding Innovation Award.

Deb believes the secret to her success is to stay truthful to herself and to others, and to respect her peers and clients. Deb humbly describes, “I am a pet stylist with the passion to help myself and others gain their dreams.” As for her career, she says “I believe to never stop learning and gain qualifications and certificates in grooming to better yourself and also show your clients that you are a professional with a professional business and attitude.” Her wise words of advice to groomers, whether new or experienced, are, “You have to be passionate about your work; always striving to give 110%. You are creating a sculpture that your clients are going to look at every day; this is great advertising for your business.” She recommends that if possible, seek formal training for your craft, take pride in your work and always continue your education by attending seminars and networking with fellow groomers. Most importantly, Deb speaks of the importance of maintaining a humble attitude. “NEVER think you are the best in the business, because if you are the best in the business it means you cannot get better and we can always improve. There is always someone that you look up to, so do not be afraid to ask for help. Keep this in mind because then you are always getting better.”