The Speakers
Mary Oquendo is a Certified Master Pet Tech Instructor. One of 11 worldwide. Mary has been teaching pet first aid for over 2o years, as well as trains instructors to teach.
She is a peer recognized pet industry educator, coach, author, and speaker who helps grooming professionals build safer, healthier, and more sustainable businesses. With decades of hands-on experience in mobile grooming, holistic practices, emergency preparedness, and professional development, Mary blends real-world knowledge with practical systems that create lasting success.
Through coaching, workshops, and educational programs, she empowers pet professionals to grow beyond the grooming table—launching businesses, improving pet care, and making a meaningful impact in the industry.
Erin Huland got her start in grooming in 2004. She has run a successful grooming spa in her local community since 2013. In February of 2020, she began her journey in the competition ring. That same year, Erin became a grooming educator in the grooming industry and she later became an international creative grooming speaker and judge in 2025.
Her love of creative grooming inspired her to start The Creative Groomer, a creative grooming supply company, and the first subscription box geared towards creative groomers in the industry. She is the Secretary of the CPPGA (California Professional Pet Groomers Association). Erin is a model dog competitor and member of the North American Model Dog Team, and has had multiple placements (including BIS).
She is an award winning extreme creative grooming competitor. Erin has co-organized the first annual Creative Grooming Online Summit with Mary Oquendo in 2021.
Popular speaker and multiple Barkleigh Honors nominee and winner Melissa Jepson has owned and operated the award winning grooming salon Pupscale Pet Salon in Ontario, California since 2013.
As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals she believes deeply in creating a soothing, well rounded environment for all aspects of the grooming salon. Grooming for over two decades and developing a comprehensive knowledge base have made it possible to impart a fresh take with practical, day to day applications for her students.
A life-long learner with the heart of a teacher and the soul of an artist, Melissa excels at communicating and is passionate about sharing knowledge with others.
Denise Heroux has been a professional groomer since 1997 and a salon owner since 2014. She owns and operates three grooming locations in Ohio with a team of more than twenty, including a cat exclusive facility.
She began educating in the pet industry in 2006 and now speaks nationally on business ownership, staffing, employment compliance, pricing, and salon leadership. She is the founder of The Ambitious Groomer, a business education resource for pet industry owners that includes free pricing and startup calculators, a working library of business tools, and an active online community for grooming business owners.
She is the author of the Build It Right series and works directly with owners through business financial analysis, staffing game plans, and one to one consulting. Denise also serves as president of the Pet Stylist Relief Fund, which provides assistance to grooming professionals facing hardship.
She is a Barkleigh Honors recipient for Contribution to the Industry and has been nominated for Up and Coming Speaker and New Book of the Year.