Today we’d like to introduce you to Dhamardhi Guerra.
Hi Dhamardhi, 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?
My name is Dhamardhi Guerra, and I am a Venezuelan immigrant who came to the United States in 2015, not because I wanted to leave my country, but because I had no other choice.
I left Venezuela at 27 years old after being persecuted by police simply for expressing my opinions about what was happening in my country. I arrived alone, with just $200 in my pocket, fear in my heart, and a huge determination to build a better life.
Back home, I had owned my own business. Here, I started over from zero — working for $5 an hour at a small pet grooming shop in the city of Davie. I lived in a single room, far from my family, trying to survive in a country that made me feel both hopeful and lonely at the same time. I was grateful to be safe, but it’s a strange feeling to be happy for opportunity while your family is far away, struggling in difficult conditions.
At that shop, I worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. cleaning, organizing, doing the hardest tasks, and little by little learning the basics of grooming — bathing dogs, trimming nails, cleaning ears. But something didn’t feel right. The animals weren’t treated with the care and respect they deserved. That was unacceptable to me. I knew I couldn’t grow in a place that didn’t align with my values.
After saving a little money, I moved to Orlando. At first, I didn’t even want to return to grooming. I worked night shifts as a waitress, exhausted but still determined. Eventually, I gave grooming another chance — and that decision changed my life.
I joined a company where pets were truly loved and respected. The owner, Erika Werli from Magic Pet, became more than a boss — she became a mentor. She taught me grooming skills, business values, how to treat clients, and even helped me improve my English. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself. I will always be grateful to her.
With that foundation, I earned my certification through AKC Canine College and continued educating myself. Inspired and supported, my husband and I opened our own pet grooming shop in Sanford in 2019.
Then the pandemic hit.
Those were incredibly difficult times. Like many small businesses, we faced uncertainty and fear. But the community came together. Our clients supported us, trusted us with their pets, and helped us survive. That period taught us resilience, leadership, and the true meaning of community.
Today, seven years later, we have two grooming and boarding locations, six employees, and I’ve just started a pet grooming academy to train the next generation — because someone once gave me a chance, and now I want to give that chance to others.
I am deeply grateful to this country for the opportunity to rebuild my life with dignity. My story is not extraordinary — it represents the journey of so many immigrants who start from nothing, work with integrity, and refuse to give up.
This is more than a business story. It’s a story of values, resilience, compassion for animals, and belief in second chances.
And I’m just getting started.
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?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge shaped me in a beautiful way.
Starting over in a new country was emotionally and financially hard. I missed my family deeply, learned a new language, and had to rebuild my confidence from zero. I worked long hours, sometimes in places that didn’t match my values, and that pushed me to be brave enough to look for something better.
Opening our business right before the pandemic was another big challenge, full of uncertainty and fear. But those moments taught me resilience, patience, and faith.
Looking back, the struggles didn’t break me — they built me. They helped me grow not only as a business owner, but as a person.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the co-owner of a pet grooming and boarding business built on one core belief: pets are family, and they deserve to be treated with patience, respect, and compassion.
We specialize in professional grooming, coat and skin health, deshedding, and personalized boarding in a calm, low-stress environment. We are known for our gentle handling of anxious pets, attention to detail, and transparent communication with pet parents.
What sets us apart is that we never rush dogs or treat them like numbers. We focus on their comfort and emotional well-being just as much as their appearance. Trust is the foundation of our brand, and our clients come back because they know their pets are safe with us.
I am especially proud that our business represents resilience, community, and opportunity. After growing in this industry myself, I recently started a grooming academy to help train future groomers with strong skills and strong values.
We’re not just a grooming salon — we’re a place built with heart, integrity, and a true love for animals.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is living and working with integrity.
Everything I’ve built — my business, my career, my life here — comes from staying true to my values. Treating animals with compassion, treating people with respect, and doing things the right way, even when it’s harder. I believe success means nothing if you lose your principles along the way.
Family also matters deeply to me. Being an immigrant taught me how precious connection is, and that’s why I try to create that same feeling of care and trust in my business — for my team, my clients, and the pets we serve.
At the end of the day, what matters most is knowing that the work I do makes lives better — even in small ways. Helping a nervous dog feel safe, supporting my employees, giving opportunities to others who are starting from zero like I once did… that is the kind of impact that truly fulfills me.
Pricing:
- Grooming prices are based on breed, size, coat condition, and service time, ensuring each pet receives the care they individually need.
- Full grooming services typically include bath, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and a basic health and coat check.
- We offer add-on services such as teeth brushing, nail grinding, specialty shampoos (oatmeal, hypoallergenic, deshedding formulas), and conditioning treatments.
- Boarding rates vary depending on the type of accommodation and length of stay, with personalized care and limited capacity to ensure attention for each pet.
- We focus on quality over volume, meaning pets are not rushed, and time is allocated according to their comfort and well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pecasgrooming.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pecasgrooming
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pecasgrooming
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pecas-grooming-and-boarding-sanford-2
