JZ10: Interviewing Dog Groomers

Joe Zuccarello

Joe started in the pet industry as a 13-year-old bather/brusher in a small grooming shop.  After a few years, Joe sought employment at an exciting, growing, and progressive pet resort, which would be the start of a fantastic journey that has now spanned over 32 years.

As Vice President of one of the World’s most prestigious Pet Resorts for nearly 20 years, Joe was responsible for leading over 200 staff members and 15 Managers.  His direction of six facilities, which included Pet Resorts, Grooming Spas, Training Academies, Grooming Instruction Programs, lead to the establishment of a franchise model and a business that pet facility owners and managers from all over the World sought out for inspiration.

Later, Joe expanded his pet industry experience by immersing himself in the pet products side of the industry.  His first endeavor into the pet products and manufacturing categories was joining a highly regarded and innovative company called TropiClean that creates superior brands of shampoos, conditioners, stain and odor products, and pet dental solutions.  His various roles included National Sales Manager, Project Manager, Brand Leader, and Director of Innovation.  He helped define the company’s business landscape by increasing brand awareness through research, sales, as well as new product development and deployment.

Joe became a successful guest host on HSN (Home Shopping Network) representing pet grooming and dental products driving the pet category to unprecedented levels.

Joe has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and was a Professor and Senior Lecturer of Graduate and Undergraduate Business Administration courses at a private University in St. Louis.

Joe is a sought out International Speaker and Independent Consultant providing management, operations, and sales training services and assistance, tailored specifically for the Pet Industry.  Likewise, Joe is a writer for many pet industry publications both in print as well as online.

Over the course of his career, Joe has provided management and operations consulting services to entrepreneurs, new business start-ups, existing businesses, audiences at trade shows, and numerous telephone interviews and written articles.  Joe continues to offer his services to select businesses, business leaders, and special event venues.

In early 2018, Joe joined the team at Melissa Verplank Enterprises, home to multiple pet professional development solutions such as Learn2GroomDogs.com, Paragon School of Pet Grooming, White Dog Enterprises, and Whiskers Pet Resort and Spa as their new VP of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development, later becoming the president of the Paragon School of Pet Grooming. His experience, education, and drive to help bring out the best in people and their businesses pushes the industry to new heights.