I originally only shared this story in my stories, but was so moved by everyone who reached out to me saying they can relate that I decided to share this vulnerable moment for anyone who doubts the power of pets and the animal-human connection. This is a testimony! 🙌🏾
CrimSon is truly the four-legged love of my life. He turned one of the most emotional and vulnerable moments I’ve had in a long time to a reminder of how blessed I am to have a companion that’s so in-tune with exactly what I need. I’m so blessed to experience his unconditional love😭🥹🤞🏾
Also, shout out to the criers like myself! You are not alone! Life can be hard and without finding a way to release our emotions, it can paralyze us psychologically. Crying is a strength, never a weakness. It allows us to release grief and make space for joy — a feeling we all deserve.
Lastly, I’m so grateful that I have a community here that allows me to feel comfortable sharing my trials and triumphs. There’s no shame in sharing both the good and bad. I want to be a relatable presence rather than someone who worries about optics and only shows the ups while hiding the downs. That’s not life and I hope that you know that it is okay to not be okay. And if you need a reminder, I am here 🫶🏽
[VD: Tia, a Black woman with blonde braids and wearing a pink robe, talks to camera]
I didn’t intend to post anything today but y’all internet fur-nephew needs a prayer and some forgiveness after his shenanigans this morning SMH. We’re only 11 days into the new year and he’s already on the naughty list for trying to eat and rip up my bible!😩
Please leave your prayers for him in the comments and let’s hope that he will use these next 355 days to learn from his naughty actions and get right🤞🏾🙌🏾
[VD: CrimSon, a brown cavapoo, sits on the carpet while his dog mom reprimands him for trying to rip up and eat her bible.]
A JUNETEENTH message to the pet community and beyond 🖤💚❤️ #juneteenth #petinstagram
Episode 13 is here with the one of the best dressed and talented groomers in the game, Ashley aka @groomingextraordinaire. Ashley is a master stylist, mentor, educator, model, and the true definition of Black excellence! In this episode we discussed:
- developing and mastering her skills in China using the Asian grooming technique
- the lack of diversity and struggles of being Black in grooming
- people wanting to not pay groomers what they’re worth and the harm negative energy brings to the community
- never settling and always wanting to give your all to your craft
- her plans once she sells her grooming salon
and so much more! Ashley is a go-getter with aspirations and the vision to make it all happen because she’s dedicated to her mission. She wants to be a powerful voice in the community and build a legacy. Ashley is even planning to open her own nonprofits and work with the criminal justice system to set up pet programs in the jail and prison facilities. I am in awe and honored that I got a chance to chop it up with a Black woman putting the pet industry on the map. We love her and know you will too (even more) after this interview!🤎
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #groomerlife #doggroomers #blackgroomer #blackwomenrock
Episode 12 is here with the owner of one of the most popular grooming salons in NYC, Melissa of @thebarkshoppe. With over a decade of experience, Melissa is a wealth of knowledge about the trials and tribulations of building a business — especially as a Black woman in an industry with very little diversity. @thebarkshoppe provides grooming, boarding, daycare, and even has a product line (check out their website). The Bark Shoppe is essentially a one-stop-shop to properly care for our pups, making it extremely attractive and convenient for the average pet parent. In this episode we discussed:
- emptying her savings and opening The Bark Shoppe within 90 days
- the importance of organic growth, word of mouth, and quality work
- the plight of the Black founder
- investing in human capital and building a reliable team
- the role diversity plays in the grooming industry
- how we focus on the negative rather than celebrating our positives and the wins
- how to manage people and how it plays a vital role in your business’ success
- building a community of future groomers
and so much more! Melissa is an open book — she talked work the good, bad, ugly, and great of her experience thus far. Whether you’re in the grooming business or not, listening to this conversation will motivate anyone to take that leap of faith in pursuing their dreams. Melissa told us that it took 10 years to build a start up. Can you imagine what she’ll do in the next 10? The groomers that will learn her unrelenting worth ethic and be witness to her devotion to her craft…man LISTEN. Black women are the backbone of society for a reason and Melissa’s story is proof! 🙌🏾
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #thebarkshoppe #groomerlife #doggroomers #blackgroomer #nycgroomer #blackwomanowned #blackwomanownedbusiness
Episode 11 is here with one of my favorite dog dads, Damon Smith aka Mr. Hey Now! @mrheynowandej has been on the scene long before becoming a dog dad, but the world has grown an even greater appreciation for him through the bond he’s developed with his puppy, EJ. Coming from humble beginnings, Damon has created a life for himself and puppy that has us all on awe. From EJ getting her nails done to the fly outfits she has on daily, Damon and EJ are the dynamic duo we never knew we needed! In this episode we discussed:
- how a promise to his mother to take care of her dog changed his life
- growing up in the streets of St. Louis as a Black man
- how the responsibility of a pet keeps him out of trouble
- the stereotypes of pet ownership and how he’s broken down those barriers
- his dream of purchasing an RV and traveling the country with EJ
- owning his own shop and creating merchandise
- how he doesn’t consider himself a content creator and how he’s just blessed that his life with EJ resonates with the rest of the world
and so much more! Let’s not forget to mention that he’s an author and artist (his music is 🔥🔥🔥). “I Got My Dog in the Boof” is one of my favorites, so be sure to Google “Mr. Hey Now” and tap in. Please listen up as he spits game and teaches us all so much through the testimony of his story. Damon aka “Mr. Hey Now” is always striving to win and we’re grateful to witness his evolution — grateful to see a Black man taking the pet industry by storm without having to fold. He’s just been himself and that’s been more than enough 🤎✨
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackexcellence #mrheynow #dogdad #blackcreators
Episode 10 is here and it is featuring Calvin Tucker aka @blacknoah1. To be honest, I don’t even want to give a long recap of what we discussed because I wouldn’t be able to do our conversation justice. Calvin is so amazing all around; every person who comes in contact with him is in awe of his passion and mission. His life changed on November 15, 2015 when he rescued his cat, Henry — and he has made it his life goal to rescue and find GOOD homes for as many animals as he can. He doesn’t take off a day. As you’ll hear him say, “I’m out here 365 days a year, 366 in a leap year.”
Calvin needs a Ted Talk because he is an inspiration and the true definition of Black excellence. This convo is a must listen, especially for those like myself who aren’t as knowledgeable about the animal rescue space. It is worth every minute of your time, I promise 🤞🏾🙌🏾✨
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #animalrescuer #tnr #catdad #animalrescue #trapneuterreturn
Episode 9 is here and it is featuring Jerri of @sailorjerrithedogtrainer! As a Black woman in the dog training world, Jerri has built her brand on teaching dog parents how to train their dogs. She believes in creating a realistic lifestyle approach for anyone who seeks to take their dog everywhere they go. In this episode, we discussed:
- Jerri spending her life around animals, but growing a special affinity to dogs
- how she gravitated to the training and behavioral lifestyle
- her experiences with diversity in the training world
- the importance of dog training being approachable and AFFORDABLE
- how pet ownership expenses often exclude people of color
- how talking about diversity should not be limited to people of color
and so much more! Jerri’s humble beginnings and years of experience have turned her into a wealth of knowledge about how important it is to create a realistic training lifestyle that fits the modern day dog parent’s everyday life. There is no cookie cutter way to train our dogs and Jerri’s approach makes training feel relatable and fun. Listen up!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainerlife #dogbehavior #blackcreators
Episode 8 is here and it is featuring @theblackcowgirl, founder of @saddleupandread! As a Black woman in the equestrian space, Caitlin is a trailblazer who has set the bar high through her work. In this episode, we discussed:
- Caitlin’s love of horses and other animals since childhood
- @saddleupandread, Caitlin’s nonprofit that encourages children to read by using horses as an incentive
- growing up around Black equestrians
- the acceptance of Black equestrians with different hairstyles
- how to support Black equestrians
- going on a spiritual journey with her new horse
and so much more! Caitlin is about doing the work and using her love of horses to inspire greatness, which is obvious — especially through her nonprofit. Her energy is so inviting, I’m so glad we got a chance to chat!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackcowgirls #equestrianrider #equestrianworld #horseownership #blackequestrian
Episode 7 is here and it is featuring @dezmineann, the creator of @bootypoppinponies! As a Black woman in the equestrian space, Dez has created her own lane through her love of ponies and horses. In this episode, we discussed:
- how Dez got into the equestrian space
- how using scientific-based training is important
- the lack of diversity in the equestrian world
- discovering the Black equestrian network
- being outspoken in a space where we’re often quiet
- putting the welfare of horses first
and so much more! Dez is so dope and brings a unique and poppin’ perspective to the equestrian and pet space. She’s such a vibe! ✨
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #equestrianworld #blackequestrian #horsetrainer #horsetraining #horseloversofinstagram #blackcreators
Episode 6 is here and it is featuring @sirdariusbrown, CEO of Beaux & Paws and a pet shelter advocate! Sir Darius has accomplished so much within the pet space at such a young age and his ability to understand the importance of advocating for pets is admirable 🙌🏾 We discussed:
- the motivation behind creating Beaux and Paws
- how Hurricane Harvey inspired him to get into pet advocacy
- his passion in donating bow ties to animal shelters and how they’ve helped dogs get adopted
- what he’s learned being a young entrepreneur
- how lack of knowledge about pet advocacy plays a role in diversity within the pet space
and so much more! I cannot thank Sir Darius enough for imparting so much wisdom on us about pet advocacy. His story is so inspirational, especially to young people wanting to make a different in the pet industry. Kudos to him being a visionary and role model!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #petadoption #animalshelter #beauxandpaws #dogbowtie #petadvocate #sirdariusbrown #dogshelter #teenpreneur #blackpetbusiness
Episode 5 is here and it is featuring Chaz of @sirdogwood, a Black woman-owned online store with curated modern by emerging brands worldwide! We discussed:
- why she created @sirdogwood
- the lack of representation in the pet industry
- biases in pet adoption and it’s connection to race and diversity
- the importance of supporting other Black-owned brands and businesses
and so much more! Chaz provided a unique perspective from the retail space and reaffirmed how important it is to support our own!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackexcellence #dogclothing #dogapparel #blackpetbusiness
Episode 5 is here and it is featuring Chaz of @sirdogwood, a Black woman-owned online store with curated modern by emerging brands worldwide! We discussed:
- why she created @sirdogwood
- the lack of representation in the pet industry
- biases in pet adoption and it’s connection to race and diversity
- the importance of supporting other Black-owned brands and businesses
and so much more! Chaz provided a unique perspective from the retail space and reaffirmed how important it is to support our own!
*SAVE | *SHARE | *FOLLOW @crimsonthecavapoo for more valuable content and interviews!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackexcellence✊🏾 #sirdogwood #dogclothing #dogapparel #blackpetbusiness
Episode 4 is here and it is featuring one of my favorite people that I’ve met in the industry, Brian Taylor aka @dogfatherofharlem. He’s the owner of @harlemdoggiedayspa and recently celebrated his 10 year grooming anniversary! But don’t get it twisted, his knowledge goes far beyond grooming and he shared so much game during our conversation. We discussed:
- how he got started as a groomer
- the importance of content creation and adding value to the pet community
- giving back to our communities
- omnipresence and how it can impact your social media
- using LinkedIn to make connections in the industry
- the importance of print media and how you can use it to gain exposure
- his accomplishments beyond grooming
- future plans
and so much more! Again I say, Brian spit GAME! Do not sleep on this chat because the knowledge he imparted is of benefit to all of us trying to make a lane in this industry. Thanks B!😉
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackexcellence #blackpetbusiness #blackbusinessowner #blackdogdad #blackcreators
I know y’all have been waiting for this replay, so here it is! Episode 3 of our “Black Excellence in the Pet Industry” series featured Noah of @miloandnoah (& Moose). We discussed:
- how he got started as a creator
- mental health in the Black community
- being transparent and vulnerable and how that can impact the lives of others
- coming out of our comfort zone
- the importance of inclusion and diversity as a Black creator in the pet industry
- showing the relationship between owner and pet rather than just pet
and so much more! I can’t thank Noah enough for his time and wisdom. We will definitely be chatting again so stay tuned! 😉
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackexcellence #miloandnoah #dogdad #blackcreators
Episode 2 of our “Black Excellence in the Pet Industry” series featured Ron Holloway of @woofbowl, a food truck for dogs! We discussed:
- humble beginnings
- life as an entrepreneur
- the joy of doing something you love and understanding the impact you’ve made in other people’s lives
- the importance of inclusion and the lack of diversity in the pet industry
- future plans
and so much more! Thank you again to Ron for providing invaluable and impactful insight to the conversation of diversity. He dropped so much game that we all need to hear. Can’t wait to chat again!
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimandculture #woofbowl #foodtruckfordogs #dogtreats #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #petindustry #blackownedandoperated #blackownedfoodtrucks #blackexcellence #blackownedpetbusiness
If you missed last week’s IG Live with @roxy_remitv then check out this replay. He kicked off our “Black Excellence in the Pet Industry” series and dropped so much game! We discussed everything from the role our dogs have played with our mental health, diversity in the pet space, the true tea on *another platform’s* creator fund ☕️🙃, and ways to grow our accounts through engagement and analytics. Josh has such an inspiring story and I am honored he shared his journey with us. It is worth watching our entire chat🤎
Let’s ignore the fact I was choking on water at the end and could barely speak 😩. This was live and s#%* happens! 😭
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#crimandculture #crimsonthecavapoo #joshbutler #joshbutlertv #dogdad #petindustry #blackcreators #diversityandinclusion #bhm2022 #bhm #blackexcellence
If you are a dog parent of a doodle or any other breed who suffers from eye allergies, excessive discharge, or tears stains — PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO IN ITS ENTIRETY.
I’m very particular about recommending products, treats, or anything else that our dogs regularly use because I want to ensure that my opinion is authentic and I’ve given myself (and Crim of course 😂) enough time to make a valid assessment.
If you’ve been following us for a while then you know CrimSon suffers from allergies that have caused him to develop eye discharge that’s lead to tear stains. I ordered random wipes on Amazon months ago and wasn’t really impressed nor saw a big difference in the accumulation of discharge or the appearance of his tear stains. When @greatpetofficial came out with their Great Eyes wipes, I was immediately interested in trying after already being a fan of their cleansing wipes — and once again, they did not disappoint! Crim’s tear stains have visibly lightened and I’ve even discovered that I can cut each wipe in half, meaning that this container can last us MONTHS.
All in all, I’m impressed so far and will keep y’all up-to-date on our quest for no tear stains! I definitely recommend this product for my dog parents going through the struggle. We don’t have to anymore 😂🙌🏾
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#crimsonthecavapoo #crimofthecrop #greatpetexpert #greatpetliving #dogsofinstagram #tearstains #tearstainremover #dogfriendly #dogallergies #cleaneyes #doggrooming #groomingtips #petgrooming #puppygrooming #doodlelife
Watching Crim run and play and be in his element is one of my many forms of “therapy” — especially because the world can often seem so cold and cruel, except for when seeing it through the eyes of a dog 🐶❤️After hearing of Virgil Abloh’s passing, my heart has been heavy. We’re losing beautiful Black souls left and right — souls that have left such an indelible mark on the culture and more importantly, on the world 🕊