After the Cut with Krista

With her purple feather boa and boisterous personality to match, Krista proved from the get-go that while you might be able to take the groomer out of Vegas, you can’t take the Vegas out of the groomer. Though she left Sin City for Canada two years ago, Krista brought the glitz and glamour with her to the Dog House, and didn’t shy away from being the center of attention—or contention among some of her fellow competitors! Find out more about what inspired Krista to pursue her grooming career, her experience on the show, and what’s next on her plate. Hint: let’s hope she can belt out lullabies better than an opera!

Before entering the grooming world, you previously worked on Wall Street – what prompted the career change, and are there any aspects of your experience as a finance expert that have carried over to your new profession?

I spent almost ten years chained to my desk and, although I loved helping people in the financial sector, I knew it just wasn't my passion.  I often tell people that opening a pet boutique and spa is what happens when you watch too much Oprah!  Certainly, my professional experience has assisted me in creating a comprehensive business plan, managing employees, and providing excellent customer service, but it is hardly applicable to the more hands-on field of pet grooming.

You also spent some time in Vegas – what was life like there as a resident vs. a tourist, and what’s the dog scene like in Sin City?

Las Vegas is a lot more than one strip and when I transferred there in my previous career, I told my boss at the time, "I had found my village and my people."  As a tourist, I found Vegas to be go, go, go and, while I was certainly busy with my previous career there, as a resident, I kept a more livable pace.  Las Vegas is a wonderful place for families, with wonderful people coming together from all kinds of backgrounds and a niche for everyone.  Pet lovers there will find amazing luxury pet boutiques and beautiful dog parks for their four-legged friends.

You’ve since relocated from the United States to Canada—do you think dogs (or their owners) differ between the two countries, and if so, how?

I relocated over two years ago from Las Vegas to Alberta and I think animal lovers around the world share similar traits- we all consider our pets to be members of the family and we are all interested in their overall well being.  When I was in Las Vegas, I was merely a pet owner, spoiling her pets every free moment and in Alberta, I have spent my time here owning a boutique and spa, so I spend my free moments spoiling everyone's pets!  The big difference that I have noticed seems to be that a lot of the products that are more easily found across the United States are much more difficult to get here in Canada, thanks to customs and international shipping charges.

During your time on the show, you expressed strong feelings regarding the certification of groomers—can you talk a little bit about what his entails and why you’re so passionate about this matter?

I am a passionate proponent of state licensing for all pet groomers, just like hair stylists for people, but it appears we are a long way off from state licensing for now.  Until we can lobby for that change, I encourage all groomers- experienced or inexperienced- to become certified groomers in their field and to continue their education.  I consider pet styling to be a very respectable career and I can't fathom why anyone who is passionate about their career would not want to constantly grow in that field.

Do you have any dogs of your own?

Of course!  I have two Chihuahuas, Salsa & Gringo, a Yorkshire terrier named Gamble, and a retired show Persian cat named Snowy.  And, as of last week, we just adopted a new furbaby, Thanos, the Pomeranian puppy, who arrived all the way from Maine compliments of our good friend, Chicken Joe.  Thanos is the new love of my husband's life.

Tell us a little bit about Fabulous Furballs.

Ah yes, my day job!  When I opened Fabulous Furballs, I thought I'd open a little boutique that carried couture brands for my four legged friends, groom a few choice spoiled furballs, and spend my days painting poodle nails.  Instead, Fabulous Furballs has grown into the top luxury pet boutique in the Edmonton area, our spa is booked six weeks in advance, and I was honored to purchase the oldest grooming school in Canada a little over a year ago.

You’re also a grooming school administrator in the Edmonton area—what traits do you think are most essential for an aspiring groomer?

Unfortunately, I think a lot of animal lovers never consider turning their love of animals into a successful career and I always look for someone who has that internal love of animals combined with an excellent work ethic.  The majority of our students come to us frustrated with their desk job, sick of being away from their families in the oil industry, and looking to follow their passion.  It is my job as our school administrator to bring the best instructors together with the most passionate students and create grooming magic!

What was your experience like with the other groomers? Who did you connect with most, and did anyone rub you the wrong way?

The entire experience of being involved in the filming of a television show was eye opening and I have a new respect for how hard anyone in entertainment works to bring us the shows we love.  I was closest to Chicken Joe and Jessica, both of whom I maintain a close friendship with to this day.  I left the Dog House with my sense of humor in tact, a new appreciation for the talented groomers I work with on a daily basis, and an appreciation of each groomer in the houses' unique talents.  Each person chosen to be on the show had such a unique background and I learned something from each.

During your last Grooming Challenge, you were one of the few who had experience with the vacuum clipper yet you ended up getting clipped—what did you think of the judges’ decision and is there anything you would have done differently in hindsight?

It was such a compliment just to be selected to be on the show, given that I really had barely two years experience, and I hope that it inspires groomers with all ranges of experience to apply and work hard to achieve whatever their goals are.  I felt my final challenge was less about vacuum clipping and much more about de-matting a pelted dog in a very limited period of time.  I have been very spoiled in my career, never having to rush or perform under a limited period of time, so I certainly learned that timed competitions weren't my strong suit.  I felt the judges made the correct decision and I have the highest respect for all three, who are each very kind and talented in their own right.  Bill is such a talented groomer and I will certainly be cheering for him to take it home from here on forward!  It would have been a shame to see someone with such talent sent home when I really was home sick and ready to get back to my family.

What did you take away from your experience on the show? How has the response been in your community?

I took away a whole new appreciation for the amazingly talented Canadian groomers who I trained under and who continue to inspire me on a daily basis.  Starting my grooming career in Canada has been such a blessing because we have such amazingly skilled groomers that are so willing to give of their time and talents to educate and inspire new groomers.  The response in my community has been fabulous—our customers have enjoyed watching the show with me on a weekly basis at our viewing parties and they love the character that I play.  The entire experience has just been such fun!

What’s next for you in terms of your grooming career?

I am due with a baby girl this summer, so my grooming career is on hold for right now!  I spent this past week in a cat grooming seminar with the National Cat Groomer's Institute of America and I am working on perfecting the art of cat grooming to further appreciate what it is that my husband does on a daily basis.  I'm looking forward to getting on the road and competing in 2010, but right now my most important job is as a mommy.