Gone But Not Forgotten

He was one of the youngest competitors, but also clearly a viewer favorite. Check out what Jon had to say about his experience on Groomer Has It, along with how he got started in the industry and news about his latest business venture!

You started your career seven years ago at the very early age of 13 – what inspired you to become involved with the grooming world?

My first job was working at Greenfield Yarrow. I started there knowing very little about dogs – only that I wanted to learn as much as I could.  Working for the “green team” is like training with Michael Jordan if you wanted to be a basketball player. They have the highest standards, making sure the haircut is perfect, to making sure all dogs had fresh water and a clean bed at all times. Working for people who are the best at what they do should inspire anyone.

Tell us about your own dog, Sgt. Pepper.

Sarge is my 4-year-old English Bulldog who has been coming to work with me pretty much every day. He always looks forward to daily car rides and walks – we are partners in crime!

What do you think are the most important qualities to have as a groomer?

You need to be able to deal with many different situations. You really need to know your stuff or you won’t make it very long. You need to be open to learning new things about grooming, that's why I love it so much – you can always progress in the field.

You’re also quite the entrepreneur – now at age 20, you already own a successful pet boutique and spa with plans to open a second location soon. Where do you get your entrepreneurial spirit?

The Total Dog and a Little Cat is my new newest endeavor – it’s a daycare, retail, and grooming salon. It is also the only one in my area. I am a risk taker that's for sure, but that's what makes it fun. JB's Doggy Styles, my pet boutique, is located down the street from the high school I attended – we’ve had that open for over two years now and it’s doing very well. We have a large variety of food and treats.

What’s the most rewarding experience you’ve had in your career so far?

The most rewarding part of being in this business is all the great people I’ve met, from the “green team” to my business partner Lori, to all the great groomers I met on the show. I am very proud to have made it on the show and want to continue competing in the pet grooming circuit and AKC showing.

In the Grooming Challenge, you ended up with a Great Pyrenees – quite a large dog to tackle.  Did you select this dog or were they randomly assigned?  Had you worked with that breed before? What was the most difficult part of the challenge?

The dog was selected randomly, or I would have picked a dog that fit in my pocket like Jasper’s or Kathleen’s. I have a few Great Pyrenees that come into the shop, so I know how much work and time actually has to go into the grooming. My dog was four times the amount of work of any other dog in the contest and the most difficult part was keeping the puppy from dancing around the table and falling off the table. At my shop, we use a strap that goes under the dog’s belly near the back end of the dog to keep them from falling off the table.

You seem to be really laid back and have a funny personality, especially with your pirate impression and your "Who Let the Dogs Out" dance routine on your home video! But things became quite emotional during your exit interview on the show – can you elaborate more on what you were thinking?

I had a one in 12 shot at winning a life changing prize ... and I lost. I was not planning on leaving for at least four more episodes. I think I was a better groomer then Malissa by far. One thing that was edited out was Joey telling me I had talent and that he would like to see me back next season. I met up with Joey at a grooming expo and we had a good talk. He wants to see me compete. He is the only judge that I respect.

Looking back, is there anything you think you could have done differently to save yourself in the challenge?

There was not one thing that I could have changed to improve my status at elimination time. With the amount of time I was given to groom such a large dog, I would say I did a pretty good job. I presented the judges with a clean dog!

Did you bond with any of the other groomers, or pick up any tricks of the trade that you’ll incorporate in your own career moving forward?

Jasper, Jorge, Artist, Amber, and Kathleen were all great people who I would love to hang out with again. Amber and I talked a lot about owning our own businesses. I hope to see Amber go far. Jasper is very down to earth and a great guy. I would love to take a trip to Boston to meet up with him. Jorge has great stories and I want to meet up with him.

What was your biggest take away from this experience?

Be professional when you’re on reality television. You might not get as much air time but people know they can trust you with their dogs. I want to have an empire; this is just the start for me. Everyone will know the name Jonnie B!

Comments

[Laura]

I think Jonnie B did ok for what he had to work with. Puppies can be alittle out of control sometimes. I have groomed alot of puppies that need some calming down. I personally think that the other girl should have been kicked off for Jonnie. She had to read how to use ear powder??? I can't believe she doesn't know about ear powder! I think if Jonnie got shampoo in the eyes they would have been runny and the dog would be blinking alot.

[Maggie]

I think some of the judges you have there were to hard on jon ,Especialy Xavier..

[luvpups]

I am sorry, but none of you were there. You dont know how that puppy was. They show little snips that they want you to see. While I am not totally in love with this show (yes I am a groomer)it is all for the drama. How do you know what the condition of the puppy was. Even if they were the same size, it does not mean that they were in the same condition. Jon, good for you that you actually went there and put yourself in the spotlight. I would think that anyone on her is a good groomer even if they dont look like it on TV. I really just hope they put on a second better season. I also think it is giving the general public some sort of idea what a groomer goes through every day. I must admit the judges kind of suck, except Joey. He is the only one that has a clue in my opinion.

[GrmrJaimie]

Congratulations, Jorge on your fund raising success for the Animal Haven! It's so lovely to hear that good things have come from the show. I wish you and all the contestants the best of luck!

Mark, I'm not suggesting that groomers should not use Groomer's Helper. I know it can make life easier. But I think every groomer should be able to handle a dog without it as well. I've never seen it used in the ring, but I haven't been to every show in the country, so I'll have to concede to you on that. However, I don't think Jon did everything in his power to control the dog (he was letting him jump up on the side of the tub which I never let my dogs do), and as Lauren so aptly pointed out, the Leonberger was a similar size and coat and was completed in the time given.

To me the foundation of good puppy manners starts in the tub when the groomer sets and enforces boundaries. If the dog has no boundaries or limitations on what he can and can't do in the tub, the groomer will have more trouble controlling him on the table. I've found this to be true from experience and trial and error. Also, Jon was letting the stress get to him which does tend to make the dogs even more antsy. Confidence, composure and control make a successful grooming session.

[Mark]

Everybody knows that if you can't stop a spinning dog, you need a Groomers Helper. We see them used in the competition ring whenever someone borrows a strange dog. Groomers Helper - USE IT!

[lauren]

actually jon, your dog was niot the most difficult. one girl had a leonberger which is very comparable to a gp puppy. you just didnt do a great job. i dont doubt your good at what you do, but yes there was someone with a dog as difficult as yours, and she didnt seem to have near as many problems as you did.

[Jorge bendersky]

Jon, you didn't enter groomer Has It to became a success story, you were one way before to enter the show, I'm looking forward to work together in making the dog world a better one, I just did a fundraising for Animal Haven, a NYC no-kill shelter, raised over $2000 in only 2 hours, it is a great feeling that the exposure we got from the show is giving us a bigger voice to help others and give back to the dogs.
I'm proud of you dude. Keep up the good work!!!!
Best,
Jorge

[GrmrJaimie]

Unfortunately for Jonnie B, eliminations are based on the dog you just finished, not your abilities or overall talent. The dog was not finished, so he got the boot. Maybe instead of cutting the hair, he could have combed and removed more under coat. The judges couldn't get a comb through the dog and that's not acceptable in a competition.

It's too bad about the dancing off the table, but if you're competing at a major show where you've borrowed a dog you never met before, that's one thing that can happen. The best groomers know how to calm the dog and keep them still without getting frustrated themselves. I think that tethering the back end of a dog can make you forget how to handle a dog when you don't have the benefit of a second tether.