Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Bertchie.
Hi Meghan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At just 16 years old, after graduating high school early, I started my first job as a dog groomer at PetSmart. What began as a simple entry-level position quickly turned into a lifelong passion. I discovered that grooming wasn’t just about working with animals—it was about building trust with pets, forming relationships with their owners, and developing a hands-on craft that required both skill and patience.
While continuing to groom dogs, I pursued nursing school and eventually earned my nursing degree. For several years I balanced multiple roles—working in healthcare, raising my children, competing in bodybuilding, and continuing to groom whenever I could. Grooming remained the constant thread throughout my life because it was something I genuinely loved.
In 2017, I made the decision to step fully into entrepreneurship. What started as a leap of faith quickly evolved into a growing network of small businesses centered around professional pet care and supporting other groomers.
Today I operate multiple pet care businesses in the Phoenix and Glendale communities under the That Crazy Dog Lady brand. These include full-service grooming salons, a self-service dog wash, pet retail, and professional grooming suites designed for independent groomers who want to run their own businesses within a supportive environment.
In addition to my business ventures, I founded the Arizona Professional Groomers Association, an organization dedicated to advancing safety, sanitation, and professional standards in the grooming industry. As the industry continues to grow rapidly, it has become increasingly important to advocate for better education, accountability, and working conditions for grooming professionals.
What started as a teenage job grooming dogs has grown into a lifelong career built around entrepreneurship, community, and raising the standard of care for pets and the professionals who care for them.
Today my focus is on continuing to expand my businesses, supporting fellow groomers, and building systems that help elevate the grooming profession both locally and nationally.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Some of the challenges came from external circumstances, and some simply came from being young, ambitious, and learning how to navigate business for the first time. When you’re new to entrepreneurship, you don’t always have a roadmap—you’re figuring things out as you go while trying to build something meaningful.
In my first year of business in 2017, our shop was robbed and we had to replace a significant amount of equipment. As a new business owner, that was a tough experience, but it also reinforced how committed I was to making the business succeed.
In 2019 we expanded into a larger building, which was an exciting milestone but also came with the learning curve that accompanies growth. As a newer entrepreneur, every stage of expansion meant figuring out new systems, new responsibilities, and how to lead a growing operation.
In 2020, right as the world was navigating the uncertainty of COVID, my personal life also shifted dramatically when I adopted a baby with only four hours’ notice through the foster care system. Balancing a growing business during a global pandemic while suddenly becoming a parent again was definitely one of the most intense seasons of my life.
Then in 2022, I faced a series of unexpected setbacks. I was attacked by a dog while visiting a farm, which resulted in a broken leg and emergency surgery. Just a month later, my house caught fire and I lost everything.
Experiences like these have a way of testing both your personal resilience and your commitment to the path you’ve chosen. Looking back, the road certainly hasn’t been smooth, but each challenge has pushed me to become more resourceful, more determined, and more focused on building businesses that can grow stronger through adversity.
Entrepreneurship is often about learning in real time, and every obstacle along the way has helped shape the way I lead, build, and support the industry today.
As you know, we’re big fans of That Crazy Dog Lady. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
That Crazy Dog Lady is a professional pet grooming business serving the Phoenix and Glendale communities, built around the belief that grooming should come from a place of compassion, empathy, and respect for every animal we work with.
Our focus is not just on grooming pets, but on caring for them in a way that prioritizes their safety, comfort, and emotional well-being. Every dog that comes through our doors is treated with patience and understanding because grooming is more than a service—it’s a relationship built on trust.
What sets our business apart is the foundation it was built on. Our company stands firmly on strong morals and values, including honesty, transparency, reliability, and a genuine dedication to serving the animals in our care. Those principles guide every decision we make and shape the culture of our business.
What I am most proud of is how we show up every single day for the dogs that rely on us. But I’m equally proud of the community that has grown around this business—the people who support us, trust us with their pets, and push me to continue striving to be better.
The relationships we’ve built with our clients, our team, and our community are what make this work meaningful. Their support is what allows me to continue doing what I love and living a life built around caring for animals and helping others do the same.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support our work simply by trusting us with the care of their pets and by spreading the word about businesses that prioritize compassion, safety, and integrity in animal care. We are proud to serve the Phoenix and Glendale communities through our full-service grooming salons, self-service dog wash, and pet retail offerings.
For grooming professionals, we also offer private rental grooming suites designed to support independent groomers who want to build their own businesses within a supportive and professional environment.
Beyond services, one of the most meaningful ways people support us is by being part of the community that surrounds our work. Our clients, fellow groomers, and local pet lovers are what allow this business to grow and continue raising the standards of care in our industry.
At the end of the day, supporting us means supporting compassionate pet care, skilled grooming professionals, and a community that genuinely cares about the well-being of animals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crazydogladyaz.com
- Instagram: @thatcrazydoglady.az
Image Credits
In the group photo pictured
Blake Hernandez – international grooming educator
Meghan Bertchie
Carmen Vindiola
Michelle Merideth
