Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Jewkes.
Ashlee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started grooming when I lived in San Diego, while my husband was on deployment. This is where the passion started! I loved working with the dogs, making them look and feel like their best selves, and really building that relationship between groomer and dog. It was my California dream, and that is where the name Cali Dream Grooming began.
When my husband left the military we decided to move home to Utah. After moving home I started working as a veterinary assistant and a manager at K9 boarding and training facility while I tried to figure out if I was going to continue grooming in Utah.
But shortly after moving home we were hit with a big surprise! My husband and I were expecting… TWINS. We were excited, but nervous and ready to start our new adventure. Sadly my kids were born with a genetic muscle condition, and things were very hard. There were 6 month long hospital stays, so much medical equipment, and just trying to make ends meet with all the time we had to take off of work. We didn’t just have one to care for, we had two.
All of this happening was very hard on our mental and emotional health, and even more financially
.
We had to make a plan, and that’s when I decided I was going to bring Cali Dream Grooming to Utah! With the support of my family I reopened as a mobile groomer in a big ol purple bus!
Going back to grooming and having the flexibility to spend time with my family as needed and keep up with our bills was just what I needed to get my life back on track!
After opening my goal was to bring top quality care one on one and services, and being more than just a business. But also an owner who cared so much about my clients, their pets, and my employees.
I opened during Covid, and my business grew quickly with the need for mobile grooming.
I eventually brought on more groomers that shared the same passion, respect, and care that we strive for. I mentored them to the same high standards I start d with and this turned into the Cali Dream Team! I have been lucky to have such amazing set of groomers working for me and helping grow the business. It’s very important to me to provide a safe, comfortable, and friendly grooming environment and truly support my staff.
Mobile grooming got tricky with Utah weather, mechanical issues, and scheduling multiple people in one vehicle! That’s when we opened our brick and mortar salon, and my true dream was finally reached! My salon embodies everything we wanted, luxury, comfort, and a truly spa like experience.
We are all CPR and First Aid Certified, members of the UPPGA, and always encouraging further education opportunities! We are skilled in seniors, medically complex cases, and behavioral/aggressive dogs.
Your pets are our number one priority, and get a one on one experience. We go at their pace, and respect and work with them, not against them. With our all inclusive packages and top quality products we guarantee a top notch grooming experience for your pets!
Sassy or Sweet, Big or Small,
WE LOVE THEM ALL!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been smooth. Moving from another state, having medically complex twins, and falling into horrible loan scams after being taken advantage of by a contractor made it all so hard. But we are still making it, and have never strayed away from our high standards!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cali Dream Grooming?
We have been open in Utah for 6.5 years. We groom dogs and cats, and anything in between that fits in the salon! We have even groomed a pig!
We specialize in difficult cases. Whether that be a senior pet, a pet with medical complexities, or a pet that has behavioral or aggression issues. We pride ourselves in making sure every pet can have a safe groom, and help work them through the fear and anxiety and get them more comfortable with the whole process. One of our mottos is “We can work with that” – the dog wants to lay down? They spin in circles? They need extra cuddle breaks? They like an emotional support human? We can work with that!
I’m proud of all of the awards we have won over the last few years, with multiple Best Ofs and Groomer of the year! I have also been nominated of all the amazing Utah Groomers for Mentor of the Year, and Excellence in Safety and Professionalism!
We offer services for every type of dog and every pet gets the Cali Dream Experience.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel like since moving back to Utah my life has been a bit of bad luck roulette in my personal and business life. If something wrong could happen, it does. At this point I am always prepared for the worst.
But no matter how bad my luck has been, I have still made it through! It’s made me a stronger mom, stronger wife, stronger boss, and stronger person in general. The support from my family and friends is really what pushes me to be my best.
I am a firm believer in karma and know we have more good coming our way! My sweet twins Lily and Dante deserve it more than anyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Calidreamgrooming.dog
