Speakers

Owner and professional pet stylist Cassandra is certified in pet CPR and first aid. She frequently attends trade shows, seminars and classes to improve her grooming skills and knowledge. She has been grooming for 10 years. She is passionate about her successful mobile grooming business and helping others achieve their goals in understanding the business side of grooming.

 She has 4 dogs; a Newfoundland, two Great Danes, and a Boston Terrier. She also has two cats, two parrots, and a lot of fish!

Nick Sklar is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for grooming tools and the art of sharpening. Raised amidst the whirling sharpening wheel, he has acquired over two decades of hands-on experience in the realm of grooming equipment and its dedicated users. Nick’s expertise lies in meticulous equipment selection and the art of nurturing their longevity.

As the former General Manager of Sales and Operations at Whitman’s Sharpening for just about a decade, Nick engaged in comprehensive research collaborations with renowned scissor companies, cementing his reputation as a go-to expert in the field. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in product design for esteemed brands like Chris Christensen and Whitman’s products, contributing to their success through his invaluable insights and assistance. 

Misty Gieczys has competed internationally for Creative Grooming and in breed profile competitions. She has multiple international best in shows. Was on the US model dog team that won gold in Taiwan. She has been featured on American and French news broadcasts. She has also been on Inside Edition, Animal Planet, The List, the front page of the Wall Street Journal online, Orlando Sentinel, Out n About Columbus, and featured in documentaries. Misty and her colored dogs have been in a few local commercials for the Pet EXPO and Pet Palace. She also teaches at the Columbus Pet Expo. She is also the face of the Sav-Ur-Fur ad campaign in Groomer To Groomer. She is featured in an ad for Double K in Groomer to Groomer and Grooming Business for winning 2nd in their Rags to Riches contest in 2013.  Black Dog Marketing has done a webinar series that featured Misty as their expert in the pet grooming industry.

Misty started at Petsmart as a dog trainer and after 2 years started grooming in 2005. She then went to run the grooming program at Pet Palace where she worked at all 3 locations and established their grooming business.

She has attended Nash Academy for specialized dog grooming training and continues to take continuing education classes throughout the year. 

She is a Pet Tech CPR & First Aid Instructor. 

She owns one standard show poodle, Zeus, two show Kerry Blue Terriers, Ateryu and Anubis.

Treat your pet to a day at the spa with our luxurious spa services, including a relaxing bath, massage, and aromatherapy. Your pet will feel refreshed and rejuvenated!

Mackensie Murphy, a second-generation dog groomer, with 17 years of experience has been a trailblazer in competitive grooming since 2011. She quickly rose to prominence winning Best In Show First Timer and Up and Coming Groomer of the Year in 2011. she became a 7-time Liz Paul Memorial Best Scissored Poodle award winner and has graced the cover of Groomer to Groomer Magazine numerous times. Mackensie achieved the $10,000 Tom Mcgloughlin Super Jackpot in 2021 and was crowned Intergroom World Champion in 2023 and 2024. Mackensie is also renowned for her educational contributions, winning Webinar of the Year for her American Cocker Show Trim in 2023 and her private coaching program “The Grooming Mentor”. She is featured Barkleigh educator, and holds various ambassadorial roles with leading grooming brands. 

Mackensie's contributions to each Groomteam USA travel team have been instrumental in securing gold, silver, and bronze medals at the World Grooming Tournament in 2015, 2017, and 2022 

As a key member of Groomteam USA from 2011 to 2024, she secured medals at the World Grooming Tournaments and earned Groomer of the Year titles in 2022 and 2023. 

Mackensie is unwavering in her commitment to sharing her passion for animals by educating groomers worldwide as an international speaker and judge. 

Madeline has been a dog groomer since age 16, and at 21, opened her own successful salon.  Driven by a passion for animals, they actively compete in grooming competitions and show dogs.   Madeline is a passionate groomer who's been pampering pets since 16! At 21, she opened her own thriving salon.  Totally obsessed with animals (they're basically her personality!), she loves competing in grooming competitions and dog shows. Dedicated to education and continuous growth, Madeline is eager to share her expertise. She believes in lifelong learning within the ever-evolving world of pet grooming.

Catherine (Cat) Opson, owner of Estrella Pet Grooming & award-winning groomer, has been caring for pets in Southern Orange County for over 29 years. She has successfully owned and operated EPG since July of 2000. Cat graduated from the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology and is a licensed cosmetologist in California. While regularly attending industry trade shows, Cat teaches classes to fellow groomers, and competes in competitions at the national level against other top groomers from across the world. She has earned several best in show titles and best all around Groomer. She climbed the ranks to achieve "top ten" status and membership on the coveted Groom Team USA many times. She also earned a spot on the 5 person "travel team" that went on to win a Gold medal for team USA at the world grooming competition in Belgium in 2017. Cat was also awarded a silver medal for her standard poodle grooming in the individual portion of the world championship.   Cat is nationally and internationally known for her beautiful creative grooming designs. She skillfully sculpts and colors her dog's hair into bright, living canvases that proudly display her artwork. She has received national acclaim for her clever Creative Street and Simpsons designs.  Cat was featured with her creatively colored dogs on Jimmy Kimmel Live in October 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. She was nominated in 2012 and 2013 for Creative Groomer of the Year, winning the title in 2013. She has also been featured on the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine with her 1st place design, Jurassic Bark.   Cat has also been honored to have been featured in several documentaries including "Well Groomed" and the Netflix series "Dogs", along with several other television programs including Preposterous Pets (Animal Planet), To Tell the Truth (ABC), & Drunk History (Comedy Central).   In addition to grooming competitions, Cat has enjoyed success at AKC dog shows as an owner handler and has finished multiple champions and grand champions in the competitive AKC show ring. She's been asked to travel to the world renowned Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to handle dogs for friends in the show world, exhibited her own dog at the big show, and in 2025 was awarded the chance to visit the largest dog show in the UK Crufts.   Cat resides in Southern CA, and her passion for pets, the industry, and her community are unsurpassed.

Irina “Pina” Pinkusevich found her calling as a dog groomer after immigrating from Ukraine in 1989 and working part-time as a bather. She honed her skills at some of New York’s finest grooming salons before stepping into the competitive grooming scene in 2006. Pina quickly made a name for herself, winning prestigious titles like Best In Show, Best All Around Groomer, the Lynne Carver Award (twice), and the Liz Paul Memorial Award. She also triumphed at the Winner’s Circle Jackpot in 2011 and earned the World Dog Show’s World Champion Award. From 2008 to 2013, Pina was a proud member of GroomTeam USA, competing internationally and helping her team win a Silver and two Gold medals.

Beyond her achievements in grooming, Pina is celebrated as a judge, instructor, and speaker. In 2014, she was honored with the Cardinal Crystal Award for Judge of the Year and the Barkleigh Honors Award for Up & Coming Speaker of the Year. As a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) with the National Dog Groomers of America, she also served as a Certifier for many years.

Pina’s passion for education brings her around the world for conferences, seminars, and workshops, including the PM Mastery Series with Ann Martin. In 2021, she launched Niira to provide top-notch, affordable grooming tools. Her journey with Groom Haüs began at its inception, and in 2024, she officially joined as Education Director and co-owner.

Pina is also deeply involved with Kiyara Poodles, Kerryfield Kennels, and Krizma Kennels, where she has bred and co-owned numerous champion Poodles and Kerry Blue Terriers. Her dedication to excellence and education has made her a beloved, well-known, and respected figure in the grooming community for good reason.

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