Pet Grooming is a show of love, says Piyali of Glam Petz in

Pets may be small in size, but they hold the biggest space in our hearts, don’t they? Then, the heartfelt story of our beloved pets—our unconditional friendship and endless support for them is all a part of our relationship with these cute beings. This journey goes beyond business for a kind-hearted pet lover if they ever decide to get on one. For them, this passion is pure joy. We found one such story where Glam Petz came into being because the founder had such love for her pets.

Vygr speaks to Ms. Piyali Chatterjee, a compassionate and inspiring woman who goes beyond business to create an inclusive, welcoming community. Her deep love for pets shines through in the exceptional care she provides, ensuring they enjoy a natural, wholesome, and luxurious life.

Piyali Chatterjee

Vygr: Hi Piyali, Have a wonderful evening. Welcome to Vygr. Could you please tell us about you and your journey with Glam Petz?

Piyali: Hi, thank you. Let me introduce myself. My name is Piyali Chatterjee. I was born and brought up in Kolkata. I worked in Gujarat and once visited Goa on a trip. During that visit, I saw a German Shepherd that was in a very bad condition with knots, ticks, and fungal infections, and he was tied outside on the balcony. When I asked the parents about this, they said that they felt embarrassed when the guests came because of the doggy odor.

This was the agonizing condition of pets in Goa 12 years ago, where dogs were not groomed properly because there were no pet salons in Goa. When the dogs used to get aggressive because of no grooming, fungal diseases, or tick infestation, the dogs used to become very angry and aggressive. At that time, they used to call the vet to euthanize them to put them to sleep.

That scene was imprinted on my heart and mind, becoming the true turning point in my passionate journey of pet care. I am a kind-hearted animal lover. I want to do something beneficial and nurturing for these beloved animals. So, this was the trend before I came to Goa. Seeing this as because I am a true passionate pet lover, I thought that I would do something to stop euthanizing pets, whether it is dogs or cats, should live a very good life, which means a healthy life they should live and they are not to be kept outside in the balcony. They should get a place inside the house. There were no more pet salons in Goa. People didn't know how to care for pets.

Piyali Chatterjee

So this was my motto when I thought of resigning from my 9- 5 job and then starting with a new career, a new career. I didn't have any idea of this. But I took training from a well-known groomer, and then I started my first pet salon in Goa. The first professional pet salon in Goa, and immediately I got customers.

It is far different from the dogs that I am getting now. Right now, I am getting all the dogs for monthly maintenance, which means the dogs are in good shape. But that time, a full one and half years, I used to get all the critical dogs, all the matted dogs, and tick-infested dogs, so it was a tough time for me. But after that, people understood the value of grooming, monthly maintenance, and how to keep the dogs healthy, tidy, and in fresh smell, and they got a life inside the house. In that way, the lives of dogs and cats turned 360 degrees around.

So, my first step was a successful stepping stone for my great wish, to give a good life to the dogs and cats. With this great inspiration, I moved to my first pet grooming coaching center. I have trained other people to take care of their dogs at home as well as ambitious pet groomers who want to open their area so the dogs and cats do not suffer. So this was the interesting journey that I started and I love this wonderful journey.

Vygr: What does Glam Petz stand for?

Piyali: Yes, "A clean pet is a happy and healthy pet"

Vygr: Where is this currently located as a business, and what geographies do you cover?

Piyali: This Porvorim branch is in North Goa, and I have several other branches to which I have given franchises, like in Mapusa and Panjim in Goa. Then Mumbai, Jharkhand, and Jammu. They are the franchises and the services we cover are like pet washing, hair drying, conditioning, haircut, hairstyling, oil massaging, and the most important thing which I do I mean in entire India is curing the fungal infections in the dogs and cats and accordingly I have introduced some best products to cure the fungal infections with the monthly use.

I have many clients from Goa and many other states who come to get fungal curing and all other grooming services. Glam Petz is the only main branch that is the only place where this fungal curing occurs, and we are the only people who do the tick removals if the dog has 1000, 2000, or 3000 ticks removed in a single day so that the dogs don't suffer. So this service is not given by any of the groomers anywhere in India. These two unique services are very unique in our Glam Petz Porvorim.

Vygr: What is the purpose behind Glam Petz?

Piyali: My purpose is that no dogs should suffer like many other dogs that used to die out of tick fever and fungal infection without getting proper care and pet grooming. Our purpose is to give a quality life to the pets so that they lead a healthy, happy, and deserved life. They should not be tied outside in the garage or locked up in a room. My perspective is beyond the business eyes and money making. This is my CSR activity.

Vygr: What is your vision behind introducing Glam Petz? Where do you want to take it?

Piyali: I want to make it Pan India. In every state and City, dogs are suffering fungal infections and tick infestations, and the dogs die. So my vision is to put Glam Petz all over India. I am not talking about International business. In India, strays are where other dogs are neglected because of the concerns. I want to provide home service for the dogs, so they do not have to depend on their parents to bring them to the saloon. We provide the whole service to the pets through home visits by our well-trained groomer.

Vygr: What is your positioning for the brand like if you may have an elevator pitch to give or what is the strategy that you are using to scale the business?

Piyali: My marketing strategy is that word-of-mouth is always there, Google is there, and I have a few banners also here and there, Facebook and Instagram. These are the marketing strategies to scale up my business and also the recommendations from great pet lovers. My lovely customers are truly my brand-boosting media. I love my loving customers beyond the business scales.

Vygr: That’s nice. You are doing so much as a business yet as a kind soul.

Piyali: Yes. And my persona helps too. I am not a serious person at all, I am not following professionalism, which means people come and ask, I am giving what they need for their pets beyond the business schedule, I am always sharing tips and guidance to my customers, how to groom their dogs in their home, what to be given to them for as nutritious food., amd how to make them feel fresh and happy, I mean comfortable living for the pets. I have a down-to-earth relationship with my customers. You can see my videos and posts about my pet grooming, pet caring and my riding photos. I love riding. I love what I wish for, I am an easygoing person who loves a free life. I cherish the planet and its wonderful animals. I am a humble and grounded person. Whatever I feel, I do; wherever I feel, I go. You can watch the posts on my FB, Instagram and all. Quite cool.

Vygr: Who are your target audiences?

Piyali: Yes, I target pet parents and aspiring groomers who want to learn to groom. Sometimes people are frustrated with their 9 - 5 jobs, and some housewives don't know what to do if they are pet lovers, I always welcome them and train them, and after the training, they can 60000/, which means that is a different business and makes them set up their parlor, own pet parlor so that they can earn at least 3 lakhs monthly right from the scratch. So our pets will not suffer. This is the best option for the true pet lover. But one has to be a pet lover; without pet love, we don't train anyone.

Vygr: Could you please give some details about the services you are providing?

Piyali: My pet grooming includes washing, drying, conditioning, eye ear cleaning, nail clipping, teeth cleaning, sanitary area cleaning, paw pad cleaning, and face shaping of furry dogs like Shih Tzus, Lhasa, Maltese and this is a grooming and then haircut, hair styling, oil massages and herbal washes. We don't use any chemicals for medicated washes. We use only herbal washes with organic products for bacterial infections, fungal infections, itching, dandruff, tick infections, and hair-shedding.

Apart from these, we provide pet boarding when the parents go out of the station for vacation or some other reasons. We provide luxury houses for pets so that they can run, move, and enjoy without any imprisonment and any other unhealthy environments. We give pick-up and drop-off service for pets that come from out of Goa with their sick and weak parents. We provide transportation and services for pet dogs, including pick-up and drop-off services. I am giving pet grooming training for the students so they can open their salons and they can get jobs in other pet grooming salons.

I am the Brand Ambassador of Hover Robotics Goa. It is the only one in India.

I want to make people aware of the importance of monthly maintenance and grooming. So that the dogs remain fresh and clean throughout the month. Then, the next turn comes in the second month. I wish to tell you something interesting. People say, 'Ma'am, we love our pets like our children,' but they are worried about paying 1250 monthly/ for washing and 600/ for haircuts. They are reluctant to spend 1850/per month, so I am confused that these people are spending more than 10000/ for their children for their school, dress, outings, traveling, and all other enjoyment without any account and simply say these dogs are their children, they love them very much like that.

I cannot understand why these people are not taking simple care of their beloved pets so that we can see healthy, lovable, cute pets around our environment. We will be very happy with our pets. I am saying that if they bring their dogs once in a month for pet grooming, then there will be no more tick infection, fungal, and dandruff problems for your loved pets.

I wish every pet could have a healthy and plush life without any limitations and imprisonment. They deserve the very best and a happy life with great caring from the pet salons. Glam Petz will be there for you always. This is my trust, my beautiful wish exactly.

Vygr: Thank you for the great conversation you have shared with Vygr. Wishing you and your Glam Petz every success in your endeavours.

Piyali: Thank you for your kind wishes and your well-organized meeting.