3 weeks to watch recordings for Non-Members, 6 weeks for members.
Speakers
Anjie Coates
With a powerhouse career spanning 37 years, Anjie Coates is more than a master groomer—she is a master of the systems that make the pet industry work. Anjie’s journey from the grooming table to becoming a globally recognized educator is fueled by a singular passion: ensuring that pet professionals have the knowledge, safety, and profitability they deserve.
As a HELP Master Chief Instructor and a multi-certified industry expert (CMRG, ICMCG, CCE, PGC, CMPTI, PGCE), Anjie brings an unparalleled level of technical precision to the 2026 Summit. Her expertise bridges the gap between animal wellness and business survival.
Beyond the salon, Anjie is an award-winning author (Barkleigh Honors Book of the Year) and the founder of Coates Design, where she has spent over 30 years building digital infrastructure for the pet industry.
Mindy Dinwiddie
Starting out as a career woman, she worked in both Law Enforcement and the corporate world. After overcoming cancer in 2006, she decided she was going to do something that would truly make her happy. She quit her current job and began working under a local groomer to learn the tools of the trade. Now owning her own family run grooming business, she has worked hard for the high standards of comfort and care that they give all their canine clients. Every chance she gets, she still works to further her education of new techniques and tools. She also travels variously throughout the year to help in the education of others in different topics of grooming. These include Asian Fusion, Tools and Products of the Trade, and my most popular, Caring for Geriatric and/or Obese Dogs.
Chris Bear Anthony
Chris Anthony, weary from her travails in retail management and office work, found her calling when she discovered pet grooming. Her nearly 20-year journey in this career has led her through many opportunities, experiences,& life lessons, including grooming and managing in both small and corporate salons, and starting her own successful house call grooming business in New Jersey. Supplementing those life lessons by educating herself on the varying aspects of her career she always sought out innovations in pet care, education, grooming techniques, tools and products. Now her passion for grooming & education has added more in depth knowledge on scissors, scissoring techniques, ergonomics and self care to help preserve her own health and longevity in her chosen profession. She is the owner/groomer at Have Shears Will Travel, customer service/sales Vp at Evolution Shears. Chris is also honored to have co-founded the New Jersey Professional Pet Groomers Alliance and serves as its current Chairwoman.
Two days of education to help you future proof your business!
Schedule
Sunday February 22, 2026
9 AM PST Forensic Documentation & Advanced Safety
Moving beyond basic first aid, Anjie teaches "Forensic Grooming." This covers clinical-grade physical audits to identify pre-existing conditions and a "Chain of Custody" for incidents. You will learn exactly how to photograph and document every session to make your business legally defensible against false claims.
12 PM PST Crisis Management & The "Online Mob"
This intensive focuses on protecting your reputation. Anjie covers the "First 24-Hour" protocol for injuries or viral complaints. You will learn the legal difference between empathy and admission, how to draft "Shadow Posts" before you need them, and strategies to shut down an online mob before it destroys your brand.
3 PM PST The De-Escalation Toolkit
Using tactics derived from law enforcement, Anjie teaches how to handle the "Vulnerability Gap"—the moment a client's fear for their pet turns into aggression. You will get specific scripts for "Yellow Flag" moments to calm stressed owners and protect your staff’s boundaries without losing the customer.
Monday February 23, 2026
10 AM PST Non-Compete Alternatives & Client Protection
With non-compete laws changing, you must protect your business differently. Anjie teaches how to use Non-Solicitation and Trade Secret agreements legally. You will learn how to build "Brand Loyalty" so that clients stay with the business even if their favorite groomer moves on.
12 PM PST Cyber-Safety & Data Privacy
Your client database is your most valuable asset. This class covers the "Digital Defense" every pet pro needs. You will learn the "Lost Tablet" protocol, how to protect your booking software from AI-phishing scams, and the basic 2026 security audits required to keep your data safe and your business ready for a future sale.
3 PM PST Building an Absentee Manager
Learn how to train a manager to think and act like an owner. This session focuses on the "Freedom Architecture" of your business, including profit-sharing math, creating video-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the five key metrics you need to check once a week to ensure your business is healthy without you being there.
5 PM PST Replacing Burning Out With Joy: Rekindling Your Passion For Grooming
Burnout can sneak its way into any career, but it can stay out of our grooming salons!! In today's class, we’ll learn how to spot the creep of burnout before it settles in, impacting our business and personal lives. We’ll learn some simple techniques to take home and combat this menace. Worried that it might be too late and you’re in burnout's nasty clutches? Never fear! We’ve got your back and will help you rekindle your joy in grooming again!
