Last year, we began the search for our first official Brand Ambassador to represent the Blackworks Pet brand. While many entered, we were able to narrow our decisions down to ten amazing finalists! Each of these groomers showed a unique combination of traits that made them stand out to us as potential candidates for our first Brand Ambassador. While every candidate exhibited great qualities, the judges unanimously selected Liz Hampton!
We are happy to introduce the winner of the Blackworks Brand Ambassador Contest to you! Everyone meet Liz Hampton (@lizsizzers).
"This industry has been my home for 30 years now. I started when I was a teenager as a bather in California and climbed the scary ladder to become a groomer. I moved to Colorado, got married and started a family. Grooming supported our family, and I will be forever grateful I chose this career.
About 10 years into full time grooming, I found out there were trade shows and classes I could take to learn and get better. Diving in headfirst I tested and got my NCMG and was bitten by the competition bug. During this journey I had 3 beautiful sons.
From the very first competition to my last I placed in every show I competed in. In 2013 I received B.O.A in intermediate. I fell in love with learning and participating any way I could in helping bring more knowledge to my area. I was a board member of our state association and loved being a part of a movement to better our industry. Every opportunity to grow I grabbed! The list of classes I attended is too long to write. I took Sasha Riess's first US interactive Passionate Poodle course and received my poodle expert certificate (hands down the most technically challenging course but one of the best I have ever taken). The process of learning from some of the most talented groomers in our industry pushed me to a level of knowledge and skill I had dreamed of.
Owning my own salon for 10 years and having staff helped me grow in communicating and teaching. I hosted seminars and speakers and loved connecting to fellow passionate groomers. Arizona was where we decided to move and slow down a bit.
Teaching has always made me so happy I am branching out in that direction to give back and hopefully inspire others. Meeting groomers that want to grow just like I do keeps my fire burning!
I met Blackworks at a trade show and was very impressed. I also love the environment at trade shows because everyone is there to learn and grow, it’s exciting to be a part of.
It didn't hurt that the whole vibe of their brand is tough and sexy!
I was incredibly nervous to make a video for them. My personality is serious; when I'm teaching because I take it seriously. My insecurity about not being entertaining and fun enough or just boring was in overdrive. I was very lucky that I have a son that is a filmmaker and he had already pressured me into filming some educational videos which really helped me not freak out talking into a camera.
But I cannot tell you how many times I had to delete and start over. As the deadline loomed closer and frustration was overwhelming, I literally gave myself a pep talk and said just be you. If that is not what they are looking for its fine. On the finalist round it was tricky. Finding the right dogs and how to do the videos took some figuring out but I decided that again if I was not the right person for them they would pick someone that was. I tried to use a variety of styles in them and try to stand out but stay true to who I am. Filming is a lot of fun and I really have fallen in love with figuring out fresh new ways that are cool and different. I was beyond shocked to hear my name when they announced at Pasadena on GroomerTV. I was alone and yelled at my phone. I guess I was what they were looking for!
I strongly encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and goals. If you watch someone and think that would be fun I wish I could...you can! I never thought I would be where I am today. We are all special and unique and have our own style. We all have talent and can touch people in a positive way.
Seize the opportunities because you have nothing to lose and so much to gain! Let’s keep this industry growing in the right direction!"
-Liz Hampton, @lizsizzers
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