A Conversation with a Celebrity Dog Groomer about Social Media
Lauren Beeching
Communications and marketing isn’t just for huge brands with millions in the bank, it’s for fantastic independent ones too, like Purplebone. The Senior Groomer, Billy, talks to us on ‘The Honest Podcast’ about how he got into dog grooming, how social media and marketing has helped him build his brand and proving that enjoying what you do makes all the difference in life.
I was always crazy with animals and especially dogs. I was always taking stray dogs from the roads in Greece and trying to find them new homes and I would volunteer in local dog rescue centres in Greece.
I had always had a love with doing hair and dogs so it was an easy decision and I decided to do combination on those two things and became a dog groomer! I always wanted to become a vet from young kid though.
How long have you worked with Purplebone?
I have been working for Purplebone 5 and a half years.
With your use of social media, does this help promote your work?
I think social media helps me to have more clients because everyone is on social media and they can see easily view my work and real clients from there.
What influence did celebrities have on Purplebone as a business?
To groom a celebrities dog is really good for selling yourself because not it makes me stand out compared to other groomers having regular high standard client lists and also celebrities. This helps potential clients trust you with their furry babies even more when they see/hear that celebrities trust you!
Who was the first celebrity pooch you did? And the biggest celebrity?
I think my first celebrity client was David Beckham and Lily Allen but to be honest I have a big celebrity client list like Frank Lampard, Christine Lampard, Garry Barlow, Orlando Bloom, a lt of Love Islands “celebs”, Charlotte Tilbury, and The Greek princess Marie Cantal and a lote more other famous & wealthy clients.
Whats happening in the future for yourself?
I think for me, in my future I will continue to grow… Fingers crossed lol.
I came to London without speaking English 6 years ago and I have achieved big stuff so far and also have become one of the top dog groomers in London so I hope in the next 5 years to achieve even more!
How can people find yourself online?
People can find me on like from my Instagram page that is: Vasileios Barlos.