The Groomer's Speakeasy Retreat

October 17-19, 2026
The Groomer's Speakeasy Institute • Kennebunk, Maine

More Than a Grooming Seminar!

Step away from the salon and join us for an unforgettable weekend designed to help you grow—not only as a groomer, but as a leader, business owner, and person.

The Groomer's Speakeasy Retreat is an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience that blends world-class grooming education, business strategy, nervous system regulation, and authentic community in a relaxed, retreat-style setting.

With attendance limited to just 20 participants, you'll enjoy meaningful conversations, personal interaction with our speakers, and the opportunity to build lasting friendships with fellow professionals.

EVENT OVERVIEW

Location:
The Groomer’s Speakeasy Institute - Home of Pawfections Pet Salon
141 High St. Kennebunk, Maine

Lodging Options

Guests may choose to tent camp on-site or book a room with one of our nearby hotel partners.

Tent camping is included with your retreat experience on our beautiful three-acre brookside property.

Camping Amenities:
• Tent camping sites along a beautiful brookside property
• 24 hr Speakeasy themed Bathroom/Shower
• Campfire
• Speakeasy indoor/outdoor gathering space
• Networking opportunities
• Meals included throughout the weekend

*For guests who would rather stay in a hotel instead of camping, we have partnered with nearby hotels to offer convenient lodging options close to The Groomer’s Speakeasy Retreat.

Hotel Option 1:

Port Inn & Suites Kennebunk, an Ascend Collection Hotel
55 York Street
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Phone: 207-985-6100

Approximate distance from The Groomer’s Speakeasy: 1 mile

Attendees can receive 20% off by booking through our special partner hotel link: https://www.choicehotels.com/maine/kennebunk/ascend-hotels/me028/rates?pu=no&ratePlanCode=LPAW

Hotel Option 2: 

The Lodge at Kennebunk
95 Alewive Road, Route 35
Kennebunk, ME 04043

Approximate distance from The Groomer’s Speakeasy: 2 miles

Discounted event rate: $89 per night
Suites are only $20 more per night
Breakfast included

To reserve your room, call: 207-985-9010 Please tell the hotel you are attending The Groomer’s Speakeasy event to receive the discounted rate.
Website: www.lodgeatkennebunk.com

MEET YOUR SPEAKERS:

JOEY & CHRISTINE VILLANI

Joey Villani’s life in pet care and grooming began (1974) when he was only nine years old, during a visit to the Super Dog Salon in New Jersey. Invited to lend a hand by salon owner and family friend, John Nash, Joey brushed a sheepdog named Cecilia and so began an unbelievable career. 

In 1998, he purchased the Nash Academy in New Jersey, considered an ivy league grooming school which he owned and operated until 2008.

Now a well-known pet industry speaker and judge, Joey has been nominated 14 times for the Cardinal Crystal and Barkleigh honors awards. He has been enthusiastically involved with Intergroom International for 33 years and has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach into Belgium, Italy, and France. He is one of the original members of the International Judges Association.

His outgoing nature and unforgettable charisma have made Joey a natural television personality, with appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Good Day NY, and Animal Planet’s Dogs 101 and Groomer Has it and Pooch Perfect.

Today, Joey continues to innovate and explore new dimensions in the pet care and grooming industry. In early 2009, Joey became part of the Animal Radio on-air staff where he is known as "The Dogfather.

   Other notable accomplishments

2001 invitational tournament of champions Milan, Italy
2014 Pet grooming ambassador to Conair Pet

2015 President and Co-Owner of Intergroom  

2015 Industry man of the year

2016 Co- Owner of The World Dog Expo
2018 Barkleigh honors Outstanding contributions to the industry award winner

2018 the American kennel club leadership award

2020 EQyss pet product ambassador

2022 President of Pet Care Class

2022 PETicures international President

2024 Nash GOAT award

 Joey has taught 2462 pet groomers worldwide up-to-date

ANGELA ORR

"The Pill-less Pharmacist"

Overall Theme:

The quality of your nervous system determines the quality of your work, your relationships, your health, and the experience every dog has in your care.

“I believe pharmacists and groomers have more in common than people realize: both work in high-pressure environments where mistakes matter, emotions run high, and they spend all day caring for others while often neglecting themselves.”

Angela Orr is a transformation mentor/coach. As the pill-less pharmacist she utilizes her knowledge about the science of transformation to help women make permanent change to live their fullest life.

As a serial entrepreneur Angela has had many businesses, including owning and operating two independent pharmacies that generated multiple 8 figures in business for 15 years in Maine. 

She decided to go on a healing journey after a breast cancer diagnosis and realizing stress was killing her. On this journey she explored modalities around physical and mental health. Angela found several that she believes helped to save her life.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY OCTOBER, 17th

EARLY ARRIVAL MEET & MINGLE

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Tent camping arrival
• Check-in
• Set up camp

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Welcome Campfire

• Light snacks
• Meet & mingle
• Networking
• Relax by the fire and connect before the retreat begins

9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

“Groomer Has It” TV series, Re-runs

Outdoor/Indoor movie theater

11:00 PM 

Quiet Time

SUNDAY OCTOBER, 18TH

ARTISTRY, CONFIDENCE & CONNECTION

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Coffee & light Breakfast

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

ANGELA ORR

Session 1: Grounded Groomer

Theme: You can't regulate a dog from a dysregulated nervous system.

This session creates awareness.

The biggest mindset shift: The most important tool you bring into the salon isn't your scissors. It's your nervous system.

Why grooming is one of the highest stress professions

The science of the autonomic nervous system

Why dogs constantly read our physiology

How stress transfers between human and dog

Recognizing early warning signs of dysregulation

Simple resets during the workday

End with a calming regulation exercise

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

JOEY & CHRISTINE VILLANI

Scissoring, Style & Confidence

Live pet grooming demonstrations: Poodles, Doodles & Drop Coats

• Cute faces
• Expression
• Balance
• Finish work
• Client appeal

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch break - Pizza & Snacks

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

JOEY & CHRISTINE VILLANI

Scissoring, Style & Confidence Continued

Live pet grooming demonstrations: Poodles, Doodles and Drop Coats

• Advanced finishing & scissor technique
• Building confidence behind the table
• Client communication
• The mindset behind exceptional work

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

ANGELA ORR

Session 2: The Groomer's Missing Skill

The missing skill isn't grooming.

It isn't customer service.

It isn't time management.

It's self-regulation.

"Nobody teaches groomers how to manage the one thing they use every single day... their nervous system."

Topics:

Burnout isn't a character flaw.

Chronic stress changes your brain and body.

Confidence comes from regulation.

Emotional resilience is trainable.

Energy management beats time management.

Why success without well-being eventually becomes expensive.

Technique to teach coherence breathing

left-eye reset

orienting

micro recoveries 

6:00 PM

Dinner - Speakeasy BBQ Night

7:30 PM

Campfire Conversations

No lecture!
Just discussion, connection, and community & fun

9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

“Groomer Has It” TV series, Re-runs

• Outdoor/Indoor movie theater

11:00 PM 

Quiet Time

MONDAY OCTOBER, 19TH

BUSINESS, LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL GROWTH

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Coffee & Continental Breakfast

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

ANGELA ORR

Session 3: Reset • Reflect • Refocus

This is where transformation happens.

...people will leave with a plan.

Questions like:

Who do I want to become?

What kind of groomer do I want dogs to experience?

How do I want clients to remember me?

What habits actually support that version of me?

Then we'll build:

Morning ritual

During-shift reset

After-work decompression

Weekend recovery

Personal growth commitment

One next courageous step

Finish with a guided visualization of walking into work completely grounded, calm, confident, and connected.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

JOEY & CHRISTINE VILLANI

Building a Business That Supports Your Life

• Pricing
• Boundaries
• Team building
• Leadership
• Confidence

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch Break - Sandwiches & Snacks

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

JOEY & CHRISTINE VILLANI

Legacy, Character & Success

• Professional growth
• Character development
• Long-term success
• Building a meaningful career
• Leaving a positive impact on the industry

4:00 PM

Retreat Closing & Farewell

Questions?

Call or text your host: (207)-251-0443