Meet Fabiola Zermeno | Owner and lead dog groomer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Fabiola Zermeno and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Fabiola, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
To truly understand where I am today, I have to start with my upbringing. I was raised by a single mom after my father passed away when I was five. My aunt, who was also a single mother, played a big role in my life as well. I grew up surrounded by strong, independent women who taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and kindness.
My mom worked incredibly hard to provide for us. She went back to school, earned her GED, and became a registered dental assistant—studying late into the night, sometimes falling asleep with textbooks on her lap. Watching her juggle school, full-time work, and raising two kids showed me that success requires dedication and self-discipline. She inspired me to educate myself, be honest, and lead with kindness.
Growing up, I struggled to find my path. I loved cooking and thought that might be my future, so I started working in restaurants—first as a host, then moving up to line cook. But over time, I realized that environment wasn’t for me. I faced some difficult situations, including toxic management and even harassment. One manager would shove me into the host stand if I didn’t seat tables quickly enough, and an executive chef once cornered me in a fridge trying to intimidate me after I gave my two weeks’ notice. Those experiences taught me a lot—not just about what I didn’t want, but also about the kind of leader I hoped to become someday.
Thankfully, a close friend encouraged me to leave that world behind and introduced me to pet grooming. I started in 2014 with no experience, just a willingness to learn—and it changed everything for me. I found a deep sense of purpose working with animals. Despite challenges in the industry—competitive environments, gatekeeping, and workplace drama—I kept going because the work itself was so rewarding. Dogs don’t lash out from malice; they’re usually scared. Building trust with them became incredibly meaningful.
After a decade in the grooming world, I realized I needed to create my own space. I wanted to start a salon that reflects the values I believe in: kindness, community, and a supportive learning environment. I’ve seen how some experienced groomers treat newcomers with disrespect, and I never want to be that kind of mentor. There’s enough room for everyone in this industry—everyone brings their own style and creativity. I want Fabiulous Grooming to be a place where groomers feel safe to grow and pets feel happy and confident, not scared.
I groom one dog at a time to give each pet my full attention. Just like people feel fresh and confident after a salon visit, I want pets to leave feeling great too. This isn’t just a job—it’s a craft, a connection, and a responsibility. Even though I’m 33, I feel like this is just the beginning. This is my decade to thrive, leave my mark, and help reshape the grooming industry into something more compassionate and empowering.
What should our readers know about your business?
The idea for my salon began while I was working for a large corporate grooming company. I remember thinking, “I can do this—but I’m not quite ready yet.” At the time, I didn’t have the financial means, and I knew I needed to refine my craft further. My vision was always to offer luxurious grooming services—from the way each dog is bathed to incorporating creative grooming, where a pet can be transformed into anything your imagination dreams up, using safe, vegan, pet-friendly dyes.
Before opening my own space, I wanted to feel fully confident in both my technique and my understanding of the business side of grooming. Once I felt I had the skills, I knew the next step was to build something of my own. But to answer your question—was it easy? Absolutely not.
The last two years have been some of the most challenging of my career. I started Fabiulous Grooming from my mom’s garage, slowly building a loyal clientele. A year later, I moved into the small studio space where my salon currently operates. It’s been built with literal blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of stress. There were moments I wanted to give up. But every time I thought about quitting, I reminded myself that I’d be giving up not only on my dream—but on the environment I’m trying to create for both pets and their humans.
These dogs aren’t just pets—they’re family. I’ve built relationships with clients who trust me deeply with their companions. That trust means everything to me.
After losing my own dog, who supported me through a severe depression, I was reminded just how profoundly animals can impact our lives. My parents and my dog were the reason I made it through that dark time. That experience fueled my mission even more: to create a space where pets are treated with love, patience, and care—because they deserve nothing less.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends come to town, I love to start the day by treating them to a velvety oat milk mocha at Café Moto – it’s rich, smooth, and the perfect balance of coffee and chocolate. If we’re up for adventure after that caffeine kick, we’ll head to Mission Bay for a morning paddleboarding session while the water is glassy and crowd-free; if water isn’t their thing, a springtime hike to catch the Southern California superbloom is a beautiful alternative, with vibrant wildflowers and great photo ops. For brunch, Draft at Belmont Park is a favorite spot thanks to its fantastic view of Mission Beach and a delicious Sunday spread. We usually toast the day with a mimosa or a spicy Bloody Mary and dig into their decadent French toast while watching the waves. After brunch, we might stroll along the boardwalk at Belmont Park and even hop on a ride or two for fun. If we decide to skip the amusement park, another great afternoon option is the San Diego Zoo — I never get tired of wandering its trails, learning about different animals, and watching kids enjoy the water play area and jungle gym. By dinnertime, we’re ready for something hearty, so I’ll take them to Huntress, a modern steakhouse downtown that serves one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. To cap off the night, the rooftop bar at the downtown Marriott offers a relaxed vibe and panoramic views overlooking Petco Park, making it perfect for unwinding with a cocktail. And if my friends prefer something sweet instead of drinks, we’ll end the evening with dessert – either at Hinar Dessert Bar & Café in East Village or at An’s Hatmakers on Adams Avenue, a gourmet ice cream shop. I love that they offer tastings so you can sample a few flavors and pick your favorite without any risk of regret. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a day exploring my favorite San Diego spots.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I know it might sound a little cheesy, but over the years, I’ve made many friends—yet only a few have truly stood the test of time. There are three people in particular who have consistently shown up for me when life got tough, and I’m incredibly grateful for them.
First, my friend Karina Duarte, the owner of Doggie Gone Grooming, has been a constant source of support and inspiration. Then there’s Israel Garcia, a talented photographer who actually shot the photos for this feature—his creativity and eye for detail are unmatched. And finally, Elena Perez, the owner of Pawpup Academy, who is not only an incredible dog trainer but also a truly genuine friend.
Each of them has been part of my life for more than seven years now, and I’ve heard it said that if a friendship lasts that long, it’s likely to last a lifetime. I believe that wholeheartedly.
Karina Duarte: Doggie gone grooming
https://www.instagram.com/doggiegonegrooming?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Israel Garcia: he’s actually the one that took my photos.
https://www.instagram.com/theisraelpage?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Elena Perez: pawpup academy
https://www.instagram.com/pawpupacademy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Website: https://groomer.io/schedule/fabiulous
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiulousgrooming?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Other: Email is fabiulousgrooming@gmail.com
Image Credits
Israel Garcia.
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
