2025 Seminar Speakers - T.O. Grooming Show: Seminars, Competitions, and Vendors

MEET THE SEMINAR SPEAKERS

Jodi Murphy

Jodi Murphy is a National Certified Master Groomer. She has been a member of the prestigious Groom Team USA for four years ranking within the top four groomers in the country. Jodi was awarded Best American Groomer in 2005 and 2006 for her multiple wins in the grooming contest ring. She captured the World Championship title in the prestigious Oster Invitational Tournament of Champions . Jodi stamped the International contest ring with gold medals in Barcelona, Spain as well as Milan, Italy competing against the top groomers from around the globe. After achieving her goals in the contest ring she became a world renowned industry leader travelling abroad educating groomers. Jodi has produced over 100 educational videos that are used in grooming schools throughout the USA and abroad. She has a passion for teaching and is a true educator in this industry. Her videos are available to watch on her popular streaming site. She is also the author of the Award Winning grooming book, Dog Grooming Simplified. Jodi offers a wide range of products for groomers including her popular apparel line which she designed and manufactures, amongst other signature products. She has a worldwide presence in the grooming industry and has recently launched an online Distance Learning Program. Drawing decades of experience with Sporting dogs, Jodi is the inventor of the Award Winning Coat Tender®, the ultimate carding tool that took over 12 years to come to fruition. The Coat Tender is in demand worldwide.

Lisa Hart

Lisa Hart is an award winning groomer with over 20 years experience in grooming and working with dogs in kennels and rescue. She specializes in Asian fusion styles and was named Asian fusion groomer of the year in 2019 and Best Asian style groomer in Europe in 2024. She was also named social media influencer of the year 2023. She was also nominated as Foreign speaker of the year at the prestigious Barkleigh awards in 2023 and 2024. She regularly competes in Asian classes and has multiple placings up to champion level and RBIS. She has recently started Judging and speaking internationally, Lisa is passionate about teaching and further education and has had the honor to work in multiple European countries as well as in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

Nathan Austin - Sponsored by Andis

Nathan Austin is an internationally recognized teacher, judge, and award-winning dog groomer with nearly 20 years of experience. He is an Andis global educator, Utsumi shear artist, and an NDGAA and AKC certifier. Nathan is the first recipient of the AKC Master Groomer of the Year (2023) and has won prestigious awards such as Best All Around Groomer (2022) and Best in Show at Groom Expo West (2024). He co-hosts the award-winning Another Grooming Podcast with his wife Kathlena, Juan, and Kat. Nathan also co-owns A Cut Above Grooming Salon, a hub of education, innovation, and compassionate care for dogs and their owners.

Kathlena Austin

Kathlena (Katie) Austin is an internationally acclaimed teacher and judge. Following her husband Nathan’s 2023 win, Kathlena became the AKC Master Groomer of the Year in 2024, creating a back-to-back victory that speaks to their shared love for the craft and unbreakable bond. She is an open-level competitor, vice president of the San Francisco Bay Scottish Terrier Club, and is developing a Scottie breeding program while showing in AKC conformation events. Kathlena co-hosts the award-winning Another Grooming Podcast bringing humor, expertise, and inspiration to their global audience. She also co-owns A Cut Above Grooming Salon, where she and Nathan foster a culture of education, skill, and compassionate grooming.

Chantel Hunt

In 2011, after working in the field of Biotechnology for twelve years I fell in love with a toy poodle named Maggie and my passion for dog grooming was revealed. I took a course on dog grooming at the local college and opened deTails Dog Grooming later that year. With more knowledge came an interest to compete, so I started down that path in 2014. In 2017 I completed my Master Groomer with NDGAA and then CPPS here in Canada. I have been in the Top 10 for Groom Team Canada for several years. My small business has grown from a small home based business into two locations. I always focus on education since learning never stops. I am currently a level three certified dermatological groomer working on my level four. Skin and coat health has always fascinated me and has really changed a great deal about my grooming practice.

Heather Boyd

Heather Boyd is the owner and founder of Doggie Detailing. Established in 2010, Heather’s passion for Pet Grooming started when she acquired her first Standard Poodle pup in 2008.
Shall we say, the rest is history?
“As many of you may know, my business started in my basement, grooming dogs for friends and family as a hobby. The business quickly grew into a larger operation taking over an upstairs space in my home, with new plumbing and major electrical upgrades to accommodate dryers etc.
My first Employee was hired in 2013 and by November 2014 I achieved my first 2 Grooming Certifications with International Professional Groomers Inc as a Certified Salon Professional, and Certified Professional Groomer.
As demand for Grooming services grew, so did the business.
July 1st, 2016, I took a massive leap of faith and moved into a newly renovated grooming space inside Global Pet Foods Trenton. At this time, I also hired 2 more Groomers.
After 1 year at Global Pet Foods, Doggie Detailing had already outgrown the space. On July 1st of 2017, Doggie Detailing moved to it’s current location at 391 Dundas St West where it currently employs 12 Employees.
My passion for animals started at a young age. I spent a lot of time at my Uncle’s dairy farm in Manitoba. I have very fond memories of playing with the barn kittens, helping milk the cows, feeding the calves, riding horses and running around with the dirty (and matted) farm dogs. I loved every minute of it!
My favorite breeds to groom are of course, Standard Poodles, and anything curly haired! I also have a passion for Sporting Breeds and hand stripping.
I started competitive grooming in 2012 and now only compete occasionally in Ontario shows. I’m am an Open level competitor.
I bought my first show dog, Navi, during Covid since there were no grooming competitions and I needed a new goal to work towards!! I have since entered the world of Conformation dog shows!
Learning show handling, show grooming and just the basics of how a dog show works is probably one of the most challenging things (and expensive , and time consuming) I’ve ever done!
I successfully showed Navi to her Grand Canadian Championship. Completely owner handled . After all her health testing etc we bred her and had our first litter in Jan of 2024. IvyStone Poodles was born! Literally! I kept a female from this litter and one of my puppy buyers also chose to show a male. Both puppies have since achieved their Canadian championship! I couldn’t be more thrilled!! Ivy, even ranked the #1 std poodle puppy in Ontario at the end of this year! Our second litter is due sometime in February 2025.
In my spare time (haha) I love to spend time with my family; I I have 4 amazing kids and two grandkids. I love to watch my 17 year old daughter play competitive volleyball!
I live in Trenton Ontario with my very supportive Husband of 25 years, Terry. We have 3 Poodles, Navi her daughter Ivy, and Otis. I also co-own a stunning white male standard poodle, Moon, with Priscilla Suddard and Allison Alexander.

Becky Misener

Becky is a Certified Master Groomer with IPG and CPPS, bringing 25 years of experience to the pet grooming industry. She began her career as a volunteer bather at the Vancouver SPCA, where she developed a passion for grooming. Committed to transparency, she fulfilled her vision in 2005 by designing a salon setup where grooming could be seen visible and transparent, offering pet owners peace of mind. For the past 20 years, Becky has successfully owned and operated a thriving grooming salon and recently expanded with a second location. She has competed and placed in grooming competitions in Canada and the US and has served as the past President of the Ontario Dog Groomers Association (ODGA), advocating for professionals in the industry. Becky believes that grooming is a lifelong journey of learning and improvement. With a passion for education, she enjoys sharing her experiences and helping fellow groomers refine their pricing strategies to create sustainable and profitable businesses.

Olivia Cicchini

“Olivia Cicchini – Employment Relations Expert & Presenter 

A licensed paralegal, Olivia has significant insight into legal, Human Resources, and employee management challenges faced by Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises. 

She utilizes her employment law expertise to create relevant and comprehensive content to help small business owners stay compliant with employment standards and health & safety legislation.  

Olivia’s incisive commentary regularly appears on radio, websites and in newspapers. Her views have been featured on CBC Radio, CTV News, CP24, and Toronto Sun.”