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Exploring Life & Business with Chris & Kay Richmond of Keep You Moving and Grooming LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris & Kay Richmond.

Hi Chris & Kay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey with Keep You Moving and Grooming really began long before we officially launched in 2019. The seed was planted when I, Kay Richmond, first started AZ Pet Stylist and quickly realized how little support existed for mobile pet groomers when it came to maintaining and servicing their units. Mobile salons are unique—they’re part vehicle, part workspace, and fully essential for groomers to do what they love. Yet, there was no reliable place to turn when things broke down or needed upgrades.

My husband, Chris Richmond, stepped in early on. With his background in automotive repair, construction, and A/C, he began handling all of the repairs and maintenance for our AZ Pet Stylist units. By 2014, he was not only maintaining the salons but building them from the ground up. Even as our systems improved, one thing stayed the same: groomers everywhere were still struggling to find someone who understood the ins-and-outs of mobile grooming units and was actually willing to work on them.

That’s where Keep You Moving and Grooming was born—from firsthand experience, a real need in the industry, and a desire to help other groomers avoid the same challenges we faced. Every build, every repair, and every salon makeover has taught us something new and helped us elevate what we offer.

Today, we focus on creating and maintaining mobile salons that are simple to operate, easy to clean (because hair gets everywhere—every groomer knows!), and equipped with reliable tools that make the job smoother, not harder. Our mission is exactly what our name promises: to keep groomers moving and grooming, with as little hassle as possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught us something valuable. Like many businesses, we navigated COVID, but the toughest part for us wasn’t the slowdown—it was the lack of equipment availability. Our mobile salons run off generators, and the model we relied on suddenly went out of production for the foreseeable future. We had to pivot.

Then our custom cabinet manufacturer went out of business, so once again—we pivoted.

At one point, we even offered a phone-answering service to help other grooming companies get off the ground without having to juggle their own calls or scheduling. While it was helpful for them, it became incredibly difficult to maintain separate procedures and standards for each company. On top of that, our staffing costs ended up far outweighing what we brought in, so after a couple of years, we made the decision to close that service.

Each of those situations felt tough in the moment, but they were all growth moments that shaped who we are today. Now, we’re working with a long-trusted metal fabrication company to build our trailers from the ground up—designed 100% for mobile pet grooming. The original goal was to have the model completed by October 15, 2025. It’s still not ready, and we’re estimating at least another few months.

Will it be worth the wait? Absolutely.

As you know, we’re big fans of Keep You Moving and Grooming LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a company built with one purpose: to support mobile pet groomers so they can focus on doing what they do best. Locally, we offer call-out services, repairs, and maintenance for mobile units. We also provide salon facelifts—whether someone wants a full redesign or simply needs a new tub, we can bring their vision to life as long as they can bring the salon to us.

But what truly sets us apart—and what we want readers to know—is our specialization in building mobile grooming salons that actually work in the real world. We don’t design from a desk; we design from hands-on experience. We use our own builds, identify what doesn’t work, eliminate those problems, and continuously improve with every model.

Our salons are engineered with groomers in mind, because we are groomers.
We only use generators that provide more than enough power while running quietly. Our electrical systems are built so everything can operate together without tripping or compromising performance. We’ve dialed in A/C and insulation that keeps grooming comfortable in the Arizona heat—all day long. Our grooming tables are chosen to handle all breeds, not just the small ones. Water capacity is planned to last an entire day. And the trailers themselves are built to last for years of daily, demanding use.

We waterproof everything. Our wall materials are waterproof, stain- and scratch-resistant, and incredibly easy to clean—because anyone in this industry knows hair, dirt, and water find their way everywhere. We ensure water pressure strong enough to cut through a Husky coat. Our dryers, tubs, and key equipment are trusted name brands across the grooming world. We don’t cut corners, because reliable equipment is the difference between a smooth day and a stressful one—and in this industry, time is money.

At the end of the day, our brand pride comes from this simple truth: our salons are built by groomers, for groomers. We know what groomers need because we live it, and we’re committed to giving them the tools that help them succeed.

What does success mean to you?
To me, success is being in a position to help someone else—and choosing to do it. Whether that means supporting someone as they grow their business, helping them move forward in their career, or simply stepping in when they need a hand, success is about lifting others up. If what we’re building allows someone else to advance, thrive, or find a little more ease in their day, then we’re doing it right.

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