ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Lis Johnston boasts a remarkable journey in the world of dog grooming and showing that spans nearly two decades. Her passion for this art began in 2004, and by the tender age of 12, she was already showcasing her talent in dog shows. Since her official debut in 2012, Lis has continually risen through the ranks, securing her place as one of the Top 10 GroomTeam USA competitive groomers.
With a wealth of experience and expertise, Lis holds the prestigious title of a Nationally Certified Master Groomer. Her skills have garnered international recognition, earning her awards and accolades as a Stylist of the highest caliber. Beyond her own accomplishments, Lis generously shares her knowledge through seminars held across the nation.
In 2014, Lis realized a lifelong dream by opening Serenity Pet Spa, a grooming salon known for its exceptional care and attention to detail. The spa’s success was undeniable, prompting Lis to expand her business with the opening of a second location in 2017.
Lis’s passion for the art of grooming extends to the challenge of hand scissoring large breeds, with a particular affinity for breeds like Standard Poodles, Black Russian Terriers, and Irish Water Spaniels. Her dedication to perfecting her craft shines through in every groomed coat.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Lis finds joy in her commitment to showing and breeding Collies. It’s a testament to her unwavering love for dogs and her deep-rooted connection to the world of canine companionship.
Nick Sklar is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for grooming tools and the art of sharpening. Raised amidst the whirling sharpening wheel, he has acquired over two decades of hands-on experience in the realm of grooming equipment and its dedicated users. Nick’s expertise lies in meticulous equipment selection and the art of nurturing their longevity.
As the General Manager of Sales and Operations at Whitman’s Sharpening for just about a decade, Nick engaged in comprehensive research collaborations with renowned scissor companies, cementing his reputation as a go-to expert in the field. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in product design for esteemed brands like Chris Christensen and Whitman’s products, contributing to their success through his invaluable insights and assistance.
















Lisa Taylor –
Fantastic course for beginners, the tip about getting a good comb really stuck with me !!
Samantha Falcon –
Baby groomer here, love all of this!
Joe Spivey –
Wonderful course! Thank you!
Emily Clinger –
Great information
Kenzie Bush –
Great video, but I really wish you would have listed all the combs that were being used to I can purchase the ones on the video
Groom Haüs –
We are working on adding links to all the live webinars, but it does take time. As always we appreciate the feedback and are doing our best to get product links for webinars added quicker.
Hannah Scolf –
Wow, the things you can learn about a comb! The knowledge that nick knows is amazing and as always lis is funny and such a talent!
Kim Strouse –
I come from a cosmetology background and styled hair for 38 yrs, and this was a wonderful explanation on grooming tools. I appreciate your knowledge and expertise!
madilyn_radcliff –
Fav webinar I’ve watched! Learned a ton a got clarification on things I didn’t realize I was confused about
sarah.black –
Great instructors! This was a great course to refresh my knowledge and also learn a few new techniques that I will use at my salon 🙂
terrifictufts –
This is a Must save even for those needing a little refresh. I took a couple demos from Groom Expo one year that did a kind of crash course on tools and hand stripping….but this video covers in depth each section of tools and how they are used. I feel like it clarified anything I wasn’t able to ask or understand from the expo demos. Now I’ve got a shopping cart full of tools I’m going to go and try out.
katiekallahan1400 –
I never thought a two hour video on tools would have me as hooked and interested as this
amanda_eldridge –
So much great information about our everyday tools, I wish I had watched this a long time ago!
Britney Aparicio –
Love this video on brushes clipper maintenance my clipper is actually leaving lines didn’t know I needed to change the hinge
Krisan Webb –
So much useful information!!! Thank you !
Emily Ann Peddle –
A part two would be awesome! Both instructors were very knowledgeable and it really helped to see how they used those tools on the dogs.
Liss Langstrand –
I learned a lot, now I know more about why I get lines in the fur, I need a new clipper…
chesney.stewart –
A very good primer on tools! Nick and Lis have great chemistry as instructors to boot, making it a fun, easy watch. Would definitely like more from them!
Jayde Carrillo –
This was so helpful! They did an amazing job of going into detail and didn’t just show what the tools did but they also explained why the tools do what they do. I learned a lot!
haley.dishman –
Definitely learned so much from this course!!!
star.pennington –
I LOVED the dynamic between the hosts. They explained things so well and i am so happy about them showing the different coat types looking for. This was very informative and fun to watch again with a wonderful dynamic between the hosts.
Sady Muro –
Wonderful.
Really informative.
We always learn something new.
Thank you 🐾
Caitlin Gring –
I absolutely love the information! Combing technique is great
Ashley Melendez –
Learned so much!
Alison Kim –
Learned so much about the tools, and very informative. It was a valuable lesson for my future tool purchases.
Lauren Pixtun –
Great stuff! They’re so goofy too, my kind of people lol
Jalissa Roberts –
I like the way you both explained everything. I def prefer to learn from people like Nick & Liz since they aren’t robotic 😂
Samantha James –
I’ve been grooming for 20 years and I was STUNNED at how much I didn’t know about the tools I use every day. Thank you, this was a gamechanger
Haley Defeo –
Every groomer should watch this course! The info on the brushes, combs and scissors should be known by everyone!
Stefanie Breceda smith –
Great watch! Very informative!
Heather Wolfe –
A must watch
Lisa Mietzner –
Enjoyed this webinar, every one I watch I learn, going to the sheer webinar next, maybe should of watched it first. Lis and Nick were very informative. I am needing a good blender so maybe I will learn that next. Thank you.
Cas E. –
Definitely a must watch! I get overwhelmed with the amount of different things and honestly, this was so incredibly informative!!
Melissa Frost –
Wow, this course did not disappoint! I was unaware of the difference between a flat brush and curved.
Heidi Gravatt –
I loved this course it gave me a lot tiny bits of info that I now know of more courses I need to take to to get the big more in depth info
Marshello Arnold –
Wealth of informative info. The industry needs more of this.
Lucy Guay –
Tons of useful information during the entire video! I learnt so much
Mayra Grajales –
This really compliments the Preptember courses so you do not end up buying the wrong tool,
Chatchada Atsavapetchkoon –
must watch! I’ve learnt a lot. Thank you!
Carla Janssen –
It’s in the small things. very clarifying
Clarissa Duran –
Must watch! Thank you so much Lis and Nick! I would LOVE a part two! Learned tons, I had no idea the lever on the clippers needed to be changed and that’s why you get those lines. Really appreciate you guys, come back again!
BRANDY MULLINS –
I have been grooming mainly in a cooperate setting and this is the stuff that they don’t teach you. I’ve learned so much and I’ve filled up a cart with things that I need to buy (much to my husband’s dismay) to step up my grooming game. We definitely need a part 2.
Meaghan Newey –
Great content, would love a part two for double coats and will definitely be checking out Nicks other video on scissors! Also loved the difference in carding vs. stripping and flat vs. curved slickers!
Alexa Munroe –
Perfect basic starter video!
Kathy Awalt –
A wealth of information. My ah ha moment was the flat back brush tip. Holy cow have put that to work and amazing!
Christine Chiu –
This video was super informative. I love how it covered so much and the demonstrations at the end. I especially like the part about carding and stripping.
Mirta Persen –
Amazing course!
As a baby groomer today I’ve learned a lot. We want part two! (: