Team Spotlight Series: Episode 1 - Meet Rebecca Thompson, Our Academy Manager

Welcome to the first instalment of our Teacher Spotlight Series!

At Groomarts, we’re proud to have a team with over three decades of combined experience, so you can rest assured you're learning from the best. But beyond the expertise, we want you to get to know the people who make it all happen. Let’s dive into their stories and discover what makes them not just great teachers, but great individuals too!

Kicking off the series with a bang, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Rebecca Thompson – our Academy Manager, Lead IQA, and Assessor.

With her exceptional organisational skills and extensive industry expertise, Rebecca is the backbone of our academy, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

As Academy Manager, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for excellence to Groomarts, making her an invaluable part of the team.

Now, let's dive a little deeper and get personal with a fun Q&A!!

Q: What do you love most about Groomarts? 

A: What I love most about Groomarts is that it is a place for like-minded people to change their lives. Students come to us because there is something with their career or their life that they are not happy with and they are looking for a fresh start. Seeing their skills grow, then post-course their businesses and hearing about how much happier they are is good for the heart. It is just a building full of people who are passionate about grooming dogs.

Q: What inspired you to join Groomarts?

A: When I joined Groomarts I had been grooming for 5 years and had managed salons for 3 of those. I was looking for a new challenge and at the time I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next, that's when I found the advert for a junior teacher at Groomarts. I was impressed with the website and facilities, and thought it could be rewarding to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of groomers.

Q: Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of? 

A: The first time I ever placed at a grooming competition. I got 2nd Place in Handstrip Open at The Great British Grooming Show, it was my first time competing with this type of dog and only my second ever competition. I hadn’t been happy with my groom so was very shocked when my name was called for placing, but that really gave me the bug to keep competing. 

Q: Tell us something about professional development journey? 

A: Professional Development is something which is really important to me and that I spend a lot of time (and money) on. I really enjoy competing, as well as attending seminars and workshops to learn lots of new techniques from lots of different people. I have also met so many lovely groomers from attending these events. In 2025 I am hoping to complete some 1-to-1 training in both Asian Fusion and Standard Poodle to really perfect these skills.

Q: What’s one of the strangest things that’s happened to you whilst working here?

A: There was once a man who came in with an eyepatch and told me there was 3 billion in gold bars buried under the academy. The building used to be a bank and the old vault is still there, but it is most certainly empty unfortunately! 

Q: What do you think is the most important skill that a successful professional need to have as a groomer? 

A: The most difficult skill to learn is handling of the dogs, because they are often wiggly and sometimes find the grooming process difficult. Some people take to this more naturally than others, but overall, you just need to be passionate about the industry and about the dogs, especially the ones who need a little more love. 

Q: What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt in your career?

A: The dogs are easy for me, a lot of the important lessons I’ve learnt are around people. How when a customer is rude to you it probably isn’t about you, and they likely have some other horrible things happening in their life. Approaching them with kindness and an open mind is always the best option. This is true both for pet owners as a groomer and students as a teacher.

Q: What would constitute a perfect day for you?

A: Waking up to sunshine and a cooked breakfast, then spending the day out somewhere pretty with my dogs and my husband, maybe with an ice cream somewhere too.

Q: What’s is your passion?

A: Is it too easy to say dogs? If so, then I would say maybe learning.

Q: What did you want to do as a job when you were younger?

A: When I was younger, I wanted to be a Vet, but as with many groomers I didn’t get the grades in school. I was considering becoming a Vet Nurse when I landed my first grooming job, but I never looked back.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

A: I have a really close circle of friends and we enjoy board games nights, wine and cheese, and concerts. Otherwise, you’ll find me still with dogs doing agility and obedience with my crazy Standard Poodle or hanging out in a field with my old Border Collie.

Q: What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?

A: I am actually fairly shy and find it really difficult to make new friends. The students are often shocked to hear this because I am very confident at the academy where I have my routine, but out and about I’m very socially awkward.

Q: Tell us something that you’ve always wanted to try or learn?

A: I’ve always wanted to learn to snowboard or surf but I have terrible balance

Q: Do you have any funny or embarrassing stories to share, both in and out of work? 

A: I'm not very easily embarrassed, which might sound strange after I have said I’m shy. I have been known to trip up a stair after one too many gins, even in flat shoes. I suppose that is pretty embarrassing!

Stay tuned for the next episode of our Team Spotlight Series – you won’t want to miss who’s taking the hot seat next!