From rising up in a dog-loving household to representing England on the world stage, Joanne Silk-Smith’s grooming journey is constructed on kindness, willpower and a continuing want to enhance. Proprietor of K9Transfurmations close to Chester, she shares how ardour, mentorship and self-belief have formed her profession.
Changing into a canine groomer wasn’t a part of a fastidiously mapped-out plan for Joanne Silk-Smith. The truth is, as she overtly admits, “it wasn’t one thing I got down to do as a lifelong dream — I truly fell into it by probability.” A serving to hand at Mike Wildman’s salon in Chester shortly changed into one thing way more significant. “It didn’t take lengthy for me to grasp how a lot I liked it,” she says — and the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past.
Canines, nevertheless, have at all times been central to Joanne’s life. With a mum who’s a canine groomer and exhibitor, and a nan who bred and confirmed miniature long-haired Dachshunds, she was immersed within the canine world from an early age. “I grew up surrounded by all kinds of breeds, from German Shepherds to Cockers and plenty of in between,” she explains. “You could possibly say canines are very a lot a part of my DNA.”
Like many profitable groomers, Joanne credit sturdy mentorship as a key affect in her improvement. “My greatest stand-out mentor must be Kirsty Hunt,” she says. A second throughout a Mastergroom class stays vivid in her reminiscence. Whereas combating a Bichon, she seemed as much as see certainly one of Kirsty’s Poodles mid-groom. “It genuinely stopped me in my tracks; I used to be fully in awe.” Since getting her personal Poodle, Kirsty’s encouragement and help have been invaluable. “Having a mentor who pushes you past your consolation zone whereas supplying you with the arrogance to attempt is value their weight in gold.”
On the coronary heart of Joanne’s enterprise, K9Transfurmations close to Chester, is a robust ethos of compassion and respect. “I concentrate on being type and compassionate to each my purchasers and their canines,” she says, “and I always remember that it’s a privilege to be trusted with making them appear and feel their greatest.” She works on a quality-over-quantity foundation, permitting time for every canine to obtain the care they deserve. Whereas agency about appointment insurance policies, Joanne believes this creates mutual respect and long-term loyalty. “On the finish of the day, our purchasers are the muse of all the pieces we do.”
Balancing salon life with aggressive grooming hasn’t at all times been simple. “There are weeks the place I’ll work six or seven days, significantly when a contest is developing,” she admits. Alongside the bodily and psychological calls for, there’s additionally household life to contemplate. Joanne is fast to acknowledge the help of her associate James and son Jackson, even whereas recognising the guilt that may include time away. “Their encouragement, mixed with my ardour for the craft and my willpower to be the perfect I may be, is what retains pushing me ahead.”
What retains Joanne impressed day-to-day is selection and development. She loves assembly new canines, particularly unfamiliar breeds, and nonetheless has a want record. “One thing a bit totally different like a Kerry Blue Terrier or a Chinese language Crested” is excessive on it. Finally, although, it’s self-improvement that drives her. “The one particular person I need to be higher than is myself.”
Her recommendation to fellow groomers is grounded and heartfelt: “Be type initially — to your self in addition to others. Keep humble.” She encourages making connections in what could be a surprisingly lonely career, listening fastidiously to suggestions, and by no means limiting your self with self-doubt. “Progress begins the second you problem these doubts and permit your self the area to attempt.”
Joanne’s personal journey is a testomony to that mindset. She is the Spaniel and Setter Crew Member for Groom Crew England for each the 2023/24 and present 2025/26 cycles, chosen via a rigorous two-year qualification interval. “Being chosen twice is one thing I’m very grateful for,” she says. On the final World Championships, the staff positioned sixth out of 23 international locations — “a tremendous expertise and a privilege.”
Trying forward, Joanne sees the business persevering with to boost its requirements and hopes purchasers more and more worth welfare and high quality over worth. Personally, she plans to continue learning, competing, and tackling new challenges — together with changing into a extra assured speaker. “Talking in entrance of individuals has at all times terrified me,” she admits, “however it’s one thing I’m decided to enhance.” Along with her drive and humility, there’s little doubt she is going to.
