Check Out Audi Sanchez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Audi Sanchez.

Hi Audi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Dog was my first language. My mother went into labor at a dog show, so I’ve been in dogs even before I was born. I grew up raising and showing purebred dogs through the American Kennel Club. I started my career in grooming dogs at a very young age, assisting my mother at her grooming salon, bathing and blow drying dogs, and at the dog shows, assisting top show handlers. I also competed in junior showmanship, where I exceeded and was invited to the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club in New York City! The biggest dog show in America! After many years of assisting in dog shows, I decided to take a break and focus more on pet grooming instead of show grooming. The show world became exhausting, and I was ready for a change of pace and to learn another side of grooming. I wanted grooming to be fun and rewarding again! I started my career by working in multiple grooming salons here in Arizona. Although the dogs are always a plus to this job, the lack of care for the pets, grooming knowledge, and cleanliness of other salons made it unbearable, so I decided to go out on my own, and that’s when I created a vision with a name, then Day of the Dogs was born.

In May 2020, the year of madness, I took the big jump and opened my salon with a vision of groomers who groomed with kindness and compassion. I wanted groomers who never stopped learning and wanted to be the best groomers they possibly could be. I wanted a safe place for the animals to be treated with respect and love. I wanted a salon that cared about products and ensuring we have the best possible for your pets. I wanted a place where groomers like me could feel safe, accepted, and honored, no matter their race, sexual preference, or disability. We are the UnderDogs! I wanted a salon where we were a unit, and with all the blood, sweat, and tears, I finally won! I couldn’t be more excited to witness the love and growth over the past 3 years, and I can’t wait to see where Day of the Dogs takes all of us in the future! I am also enjoying being a grooming mentor here, and I am so excited to watch the growth within the groomers and the community here in Arizona. I have been recently asked to be the president of the Arizona Professional Groomers Association, so I’m excited to see that blossom and become an amazing Avenue for new and old groomers to network and grow! We’re focusing on education and are eager to start getting more regulations here in Arizona for our grooming industry. It’s time to raise our standards and fight for the best for our four-legged companions. I hope to keep growing my brand and be the best I can be. I’m excited about the future, and I am so blessed. I know it’s cliche, but hard work, determination, and dedication are the ingredients of success! Never stop Learning!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been an easy task to be where I am! I am a survivor of human trafficking, and dogs are the reason I am alive today. Grooming has become an escape for me, and the time I spend making over pets has saved me time and time again.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a friend, a mentor, and a boss. I strive to bring education and standards to our industry by continuing my education and growing our community. I specialize in Asian Fusion Grooming, and I hope to be known one day for my fusion grooming. I’m most proud of myself, to be honest; despite all the times I wanted to give up, I pushed myself past all the negative thoughts and setbacks. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it! I would do it all again if I knew this would all come back to me. I might’ve done things a little differently to save some heartbreaks, but hey, we’re here now, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. What sets me apart is My confidence and determination; I know who I am, and I’m not afraid to show it! I’m not scared to speak up, but I’m still respectful, and I think I’m pretty damn funny, so that helps people around me feel confident and comfortable.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always been very outgoing! Getting a red light on the school behavior board for talking was an everyday event. I spoke all day at school, but I always read the most books during summer, and if there was any extracurricular event or social event, I was there! I would be an excellent student if I could be quiet and focused. If I wasn’t going to a dog show or training a dog, I was probably practicing taekwondo. I loved karate so much! I thank karate for teaching me discipline, respect, and hard work! Those teachings I still practice to this day. Your mind is the most powerful tool or drug. You’re in charge! In Junior High, things got a little wild. My rebellious teenage years wound me up in some trouble that almost cost me my life. What I thought was an innocent party turned worst nightmare; I didn’t know that this party would cost me my peaceful childhood and my innocence. I am a survivor of Human Trafficking, and life just wasn’t the same after that. I was diagnosed with PTSD, and life became very dull; I didn’t feel like I wanted to be around anymore and that I didn’t belong. I thank my family for their support, and my mother for greeting me back into grooming.

Grooming has saved my life. I owe it to the Dogs! Dogs always see the best in you! Loyal and true, there isn’t a better friend! I dove deep into learning about grooming and became obsessed with trade shows and creative grooming, especially Asian Fusion Grooming! Once I found that style, it was over. I studied it and practiced until I got it down. I get to teach people this style, and I’m just so excited! As an adult, I have also found joy in plants and fish. I have 4 fish tanks in my home now. It’s a hobby I picked up from my girlfriend. We enjoy checking out local fish stores and getting new fish for our tanks. We recently bought a home, so it’s been fun doing little projects, and I’m excited to build out a pond with koi fish in the backyard. People would describe me as outgoing and funny.

Contact Info:

• Website: Dayofthedogsaz.com
• Instagram: Dayofthedogsaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dayofthedogs.Goodyear?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Image Credits
Audi Sanchez and Devin Nicole