Prosperity Groomer: Welcome Blog

Welcome to the Prosperity Groomer Blog: Your Go-To Resource for Expert Pet Grooming Tips and Care!

Hello and Welcome to Prosperity Groomer! I’m so excited to have you here with me on this beloved journey into pet grooming. My hope is that this blog not only provides extensive knowledge about pet care, grooming, and tips but also helps you feel more confident in caring for your furry loved ones.

Who I Am

Hello! My name is Joanna Higgins, and I’m the proud owner of Charming Pets LLC, which is made possible by the incredible support of my husband, Chuck Higgins. I’m also a very blessed mother to nine beautiful children, and my faith is at the center of everything I do, with God always guiding me along the way. Throughout my life, I’ve always felt a deep calling to help others, and over the years, that led me to various life events, decisions, experiences, and challenges that have ultimately brought me where I am today!

For 14 years, I worked as a certified Doula, offering support, education, and emotional guidance to expecting mothers. Little did I know that this experience- helping women through such a vulnerable and beautiful time in their lives- would later connect with my passion for dog grooming. In those years of nurturing new life, I discovered how much healing can occur when providing a calm, safe space for others. What started as a desire to help mothers soon evolved into a deep love for helping pets feel secure and cared for too.

It was interesting how things began to shift in a new direction. Having dealt with anxiety my whole life, it hadn't always been easy to separate work from the constant rush of nerves in my day-to-day life. I never thought I'd see the day when my work, my healing from anxiety, and my desire to care for others would beautifully intertwine. However, God has a wonderful way of orchestrating blessings into our lives.

And here's how it started.

My Journey into Grooming

As with many things in life, my path into pet grooming started in a somewhat unexpected way—during the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite already having a large family, I felt strongly that we needed to adopt a dog. This wasn’t met with much consideration by my husband, as he didn’t think I was being serious. However, his dismissal hit harder than I had expected. After taking some time to reflect on my feelings, I finally decided to express how much it had really bothered me. Once my husband realized how deeply my heart was pulled toward adopting, we took the necessary steps to welcome a sweet pup into our loving family and home.

Although the dog we had originally been looking into had been placed in a different home, we couldn’t be happier or more content with our precious Newfypoo (Newfoundland-Poodle mix). This wonderful little lady was named Eloise. Her coat definitely needed upkeep, and unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many groomers weren’t accepting new clients or couldn’t stay open. This caused a lot of grief, as I knew my sweet girl needed grooming, and options were slim to none. After running out of choices, Chuck suggested I learn to do it myself. At first, this seemed like a reasonable suggestion, but learning to do something like that felt like no easy feat. Still, that’s where the opportunity began to unfold.

"She takes her relaxation very seriously!"

My Trials

I want to be transparent with you, I was anxious and almost held myself back from learning this new skill. There were so many elements to consider, so many different breeds and coat types to understand. I worried that my dyslexia would prevent me from retaining the information, and I got in my head about it all. But instead of letting fear hold me back, I surrounded myself with faith—faith in God, faith in myself—and took the leap into deep study!

I poured hours into learning about different dog breeds, coats, and grooming techniques. It was daunting at times—would I be able to complete the necessary studies and get certified? But I kept pushing through, diving deeper into my studies and allowing my passion to guide me through the anxiety. As I studied extensively—through classes, books, and hands-on practice—I fell more in love with the art and science of dog grooming. The bond I developed with animals grew, and I knew I wanted to help others create that same connection with their pets.

Why Make a Blog?

You may be wondering, why did I start this blog? The answer is simple: I want to teach, educate, and share. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many clients, and one thing I often hear is,

"I’ve been to other groomers, but they never taught me this."

It’s a reminder that grooming is about more than just the session itself—it’s about fostering a deeper connection between pets and their owners. Through these conversations, I realized there was a gap: pet owners often want to know more, but there simply isn't enough time during grooming appointments to dive into the details.

That’s where this blog comes in.

My goal is to create a space where pet owners can learn at their own pace—whether they’re new to grooming or have been doing it for years. I want to explore a variety of topics, from basic grooming techniques to breed-specific needs, and share tips that can help improve their pets’ health and happiness. It’s my hope that through this blog, I can offer insights that will not only make grooming easier but also strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.

Pet grooming appointments are often fast-paced, and as much as I love talking with my clients, there’s only so much we can cover in a limited amount of time. This blog gives me the opportunity to slow down, share my knowledge in a thoughtful and thorough way, and go beyond the basics. I want to take the time to break down the finer details of grooming—whether it’s tackling a tricky coat type or offering advice on general pet care. I believe that by giving pet owners the tools they need, we can all work together to keep our furry friends happy, healthy, and looking their best.

My Role Models & Inspiration

Throughout my grooming career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors who have shaped my approach to grooming in ways that I could never have imagined.

Here are just a few of the role models who have inspired me along the way.

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins: Jennifer is an expert in breed-specific grooming and has been an invaluable resource in my journey. Her attention to detail, particularly when it comes to understanding the specific grooming needs of various breeds, has deepened my knowledge. Learning about different coat textures, grooming techniques, and tools to use for each breed has allowed me to refine my skills and offer better care for my clients’ dogs. Jennifer’s emphasis on continuing education and never stopping the pursuit of knowledge has inspired me to keep pushing the boundaries of my learning as well. 

Linda Easton: Linda is a true leader in the grooming industry. She has a wealth of knowledge, particularly in the areas of behavior, coat types, and grooming techniques. Her approach to handling dogs with anxiety and fear-based behavior has been transformative for me. She’s taught me how to better understand the psychology of dogs, which in turn has helped me provide a more compassionate and calm grooming experience for my clients. Linda’s passion for creating a Fear-free grooming environment aligns closely with my own values and has had a lasting impact on the way I approach each dog that comes through my door.    

While I didn’t attend a formal grooming academy, the mentorship and guidance from these incredible individuals, along with my self-driven education, has given me a broad base of knowledge that I’m excited to share with you.

Looking Ahead

I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come and to have you on this journey with me! This blog isn’t just a place to read and learn—it's a space where we can connect, share ideas, and grow together as a dog-loving community.

I want this to be a place where you feel comfortable asking questions, sharing your experiences, and offering feedback. Your input matters and I truly believe that by learning from each other, we can all become better pet parents and groomers.

So, please don’t hesitate to comment, ask questions, or share your thoughts on anything we discuss here. Let’s make this a supportive space where we can all grow in our knowledge and love for dogs. I can’t wait to see where this community takes us, and I’m truly looking forward to sharing insights, tips, and inspiration with you in the weeks to come.

Here’s to the journey ahead, and to the joy of learning and growing together!

Thank you!