Meet Angie De Santiago | Owner /dog & cat stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angie De Santiago and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angie, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I come from a small agricultural town in Northern California with a deep family legacy in the ranching industry. Growing up on my family’s ranch, I learned responsibility early on by caring for various animals like chickens, horses, cows, and numerous dogs. Guided by my grandpa and uncles, I was tasked with grooming, feeding, and providing overall animal care from a young age. Through my upbringing, I understood the value of hard work and balanced several different jobs throughout my teenage years to support my family. After eight years as a dispatcher for a cable company, I sought a more fulfilling career that aligned with my passion for animals. Transitioning to a veterinary office, I discovered grooming and quickly developed a keen interest in the field. I dedicated myself to learning everything about grooming and even did volunteer grooming at animal shelters to refine my skills. Graduating early from grooming school, I drew inspiration from my family’s entrepreneurial spirit to establish my own grooming business after 15 years in the industry.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business stands out by offering personalized care tailored to each pet’s breed, coat, and size, with dedicated appointment times to minimize wait times. I prioritize building personal connections with customers and make an effort to get to know their pets’ needs and temperament. I take pride in handling anxious pets, transforming their grooming experience into a positive one. We strive to create a calming environment for our pet customers, including designated ‘cat only’ appointments to ensure our feline clients are not disturbed by other dogs in the salon. We also provide educational grooming tips to our clients, aiming to make each visit a positive experience for both pets and their owners
Groomer 19 Pet Salon also is proud to be the only grooming shop in San Diego to feature the deep cleansing ‘Thera Clean’ bath system. Developed in Japan, ‘Thera Clean’ Microbubbles penetrate deep into the pores, effectively cleaning out dirt, debris, and excess oils that regular bathing may not reach. It greatly improves skin health which can benefit pets with sensitive skin, allergies, shedding issues, and even skunk odor problems. It also acts as a relaxing, jacuzzi bath for your pup and can help reduce their anxiety associated with grooming. I fully stand behind this FDA-approved bath system, which personally saved my dog from her severe environmental skin allergies. Within just four months of regular “Thera Clean” baths, her red, itchy, and uncomfortable skin allergies cleared up significantly.
I faced significant challenges, both financially and emotionally, on my journey. During tough times, I leaned on my grooming mentors for invaluable business advice, receiving unwavering support and encouragement. Transitioning to managing a staff as a business owner was also daunting, having been accustomed to solely managing my own work. I strive to emulate the leadership qualities of my mentors, aiming to cultivate a team of trustworthy individuals who share a passion for animals and contribute to the salon’s success. Owning my own business has taught me the importance of customer understanding. While my affinity for animals has always been natural, becoming a business owner required developing strong interpersonal skills to ensure customer satisfaction
I want the world to know that at Groomer 19 Pet Salon, we are dedicated to prioritizing the well-being and needs of your pets. Your pet will always be treated like family here and our goal is to ensure every pet and their owner feels happy and comfortable with their groom experience. I look forward to seeing your fur babies soon!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite things to do
In San Diego are go to festivals go out to my favorite restaurants from Born and Raised to Rustic Root visit the beaches then visit Lafayette and hang out at the pool, there is plenty to do in San Diego you can’t ever get bored

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe much of my success as a groomer to the support of friends and family, with special recognition for Kim Granche and Lore Killerman, whom I worked alongside at a doggie daycare/grooming salon. They exemplified the essence of a thriving, woman-owned business. Their mentorship taught me crucial business principles, client-building strategies, and exemplary leadership that I aspire to instill in my team at my business.
I also want to give credit to my partner, Jesse DeSantiago, whose enthusiasm for joining me in this business venture. His dedication to getting the shop ready for business and contributing innovative ideas has been invaluable. His commitment to excellent customer service in our bustling shop complements my focus on our beloved paw customers.

Website: https://Groomer19friends.com

Instagram: @groomer19

Facebook: Groomer19