Create That Program
You love the pet industry, but
But What If You Could Do Something With All That Knowledge Floating Around In Your Head
You Would Love To Share Your Knowledge, But
It would have been nice to short track this process from 12 years to a couple of months. And while I didn’t have one program to get me to the finish line, you do.
One program to fast track you from dream to reality.
Why Create That Program
Imagine ONE program that would cover:
Six training modules, six group calls, 3 one-on-one calls, workbooks to organize your journey, loads of checklists, and ME. An industry recognized (numerous Barkleigh Honor nominations and Cardinal Crystal Award) educator who knows exactly where you are now and where you want to be. Last year I made as much money as I did as a mobile dog groomer JUST TEACHING.
Who Am I?
I’m Mary Oquendo and I’ve been in the pet industry for over 20 years. I started out as bather, then started my own mobile grooming business. My foray into teaching began when Binngo, a 9 year old maltese with a known heart condition had a heart attack on my table and died. It was the most helpless I’ve felt in my life. But it prompted me to begin training on how to teach pet first aid to my fellow pet professionals.
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From there it just snowballed. I started teaching everywhere. From professional pet educational conferences to local pet grooming shops. Next thing you knew, I was writing for Groomer To Groomer magazine, three books, 2 podcasts, and coaching.
But then, I wanted more. I wanted to retire from the physical aspect of the pet industry. You know from the exhaustion and pain. I wanted to teach full time. So, I launched Pawsitive Educational Training back in 2011, I was hell bent on succeeding. I mean how could I not. I was offering a service that was needed.
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But I was told over and over again that I could not make a living teaching in the pet industry. And you know what, they were correct. That is, they were correct 12 years ago when I lacked most of the skills I needed to be successful. At one point I was beginning to believe they were right. And believe me I tried everything including zooming in Facebook groups, websites with private pages, cheap prices, the list goes on. Or so I thought tried everything.
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Then, I started to drop money, lot’s of it, on programs that were supposed to help me achieve my goals, that always seemed to fall short, but were always willing to add some additional coaching at a premium price to “help me understand” what was in their program. Then it was the tech programs $$, the copy programs $$, the branding programs $$. Need I go on.
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I was beginning to believe what everyone was telling me that I couldn’t earn a living in the pet industry just teaching. I was wasting money and time on programs that were not helping me. But I plugged at it and even though it took me years, here I am ready to shortcut your path to making a living teaching.
Let’s Take A Peek At The Program
Program Will Begin In February
Session 1
This session is all about getting started on the right foot. There is a great deal of work that goes into setting up any type of program. Just as you would not build a house on a shaky foundation, preparation and organization is key to your success.
Session 2
Your group coaching call.
Session 3
You will learn all the different styles of learning (auditory, visual, verbal, logical, and Kinesthetic) and how to incorporate them into your program to account for both neurotypical and neurodiverse students, as well as how to set up your students for success.
Session 4
Your group coaching call.
Session 5
It’s more than creating content for your programs. You need a way for your students to consume your material. You will get a better understanding of what technology you need and what will work for you.
Session 6
Your group coaching call.
Session 7
Let’s discuss setting your brand messaging. Even if you decide to outsource and hire a marketing or copy professional, this module will help you decide what your messaging is and who it reaches.
Session 8
Your group coaching call.
Session 9
This session is all about the tangibles. Those items that supplement and complement your educational material.Everything from powerpoints to manuals and everything in between. You’ll learn how to create and utilize:
Session 10
Your group coaching call.
Session 11
All about the business side of educational. Run this new opportunity for you as a business. One that makes money. Learn how to set pricing to accommodate your expenses and provide a living.
Session 12
Your group coaching call.
Plus 3 One On One Coaching Calls
Let’s take what you’ve learned and create YOUR first program.
The Sky’s The Limit
Maybe you want to change the face of the pet grooming industry by offering certified rabbit grooming programs, while teaching at large grooming venues such as Atlanta Pet Fair and Hershey like Anjie. Maybe create a Rabbit Grooming Book. Or how about being nominated for the Brian Stopa Congeniality Barkleigh Honors Award!
In January of 2019 I was fortunate enough to have begun my path to becoming a speaker at grooming trade shows. I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing. I was taking Mary Oquendo’s “Create a Program”. I learned not only how to put a class together, but how to deliver it in a polished fashion. I had no idea at the time how much my life would change over the next three years.
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After giving the class I had worked to prepare I realized that not only could I actually do this, I had the knowledge to do it. I began creating classes and giving them online during the days of COVID in 2020. I had 32 years of experience grooming, but the speaking realm was new to me. Each class I gave Mary helped me refine and polish not only the class, but my delivery as well.
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This year in March I gave two of my PGC approved courses at the Atlanta Pet Fair. The student evaluations were great, and I gave them with the confidence that I had gotten knowing that Mary had taught me everything I needed to know to be successful. I’ll be speaking at more upcoming trade shows this year, as well as online. And I’m getting ready to launch a Rabbit Grooming Certification program complete with a rabbit grooming book. If not for this program I never would have begun this journey. It was a goal that seemed out of reach, but with Mary’s help it went from a dream to an amazing reality.
Anjie Coates
Maybe you want to train the next generation of groomers and open up a grooming school in the Fall, specializing in training neurodiverse groomers like Stephenie.
I wanted to open up a grooming academy, but didn’t know where to even begin. With mary’s guidance, not only will I be opening my doors this fall, but she made me see that specializing in the neurodiverse community is where my gift lies.
Stephenie Calhoun
Maybe the sky is the limit and there’s no telling where Tami will end up doing as she now has the skills to take her where she wants to go. But you can already see her at the Teton Grooming Show and on Pawsitive Educational Training debuting her 5 hour Prep Program.
Mary’s Create That Program opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. As most of us that have been grooming very long know it is very hard on the body. I am a die hard groomer and can not imagine doing anything else. Over the years I have gone from 10-12 dogs a day to 5-6. I was beginning to worry about how I was going to continue in the industry I love.
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After completing Create that Progam I now feel confident that I can create online educational programs, write a grooming curriculum or put together any program that I choose (maybe even write a book!) . The methods and tools I learned and the support in creating that first program will ensure that I can continue on in the industry as long as I choose, as well as share my hard won knowledge with others. Mary is a great mentor and I feel confident I can do things that were terrifying and overwhelming just a short while ago.
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Had I tried to figure this out on my own it would have taken forever! Shortening the learning curve of expanding my grooming career into education was priceless!
Tami Vornbrock
Maybe you want to take the years of experience you have creating several successful grooming shops and create a program to help shop owners learn how to hire and keep happy employees like Denise. How about being nominated for Up And Coming Speaker Barkleigh Honors Award!
I contacted Mary with this “crazy” idea I kept having pop into my head. I am so glad that I did! Create That Program is a step by step guide that has helped me organize my thoughts and ideas in an extremely productive way. The details within the content are impeccable as is but then you add in Mary’s accountability and coaching. With her years of expertise and guidance I am achieving goals and that I never dreamed I could do! Create That Program was one of the best investments that I have made in my career! That “crazy” idea is now a reality and want to thank Mary for allowing me to see that I could.
Denise Heroux