Meet Paul Giordano

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Giordano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by my desire to create a better future for my wife and three children. I reached a point where I had to decide whether I wanted to remain in a middle management role until retirement or if I wanted to challenge myself and pursue the American Dream of building something of my own. I wanted to leave a lasting legacy for my family. Additionally, I didn’t want to go through the process of impressing another company and starting over, especially at my age. Even though it meant starting over in a different way, I was motivated by the potential for greater personal fulfillment and the opportunity to secure a brighter future for my loved ones.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have spent most of my professional career in sales and customer service. I began as a personal trainer and owned my own business in my early twenties. During that time, I sold memberships and diet plans while also training clients, which gave me valuable experience in sales and customer service through one-on-one relationships.

After that, I entered the mortgage business from 2004 to 2007 and did quite well. In 2006, I decided to take a break and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. I traveled solo with just a backpack for about six months, living with locals and navigating through eight or nine countries. This experience helped me develop my interpersonal skills and ability to strike up conversations, much like in sales.

Upon returning, I re-entered the mortgage business, but the market crash in 2007 led to my layoff. In 2008, I worked for Costco and was promoted to a front-end manager within a year. A friend then convinced me to move and start a business related to pregnancy and child development, but that venture did not work out, leading me to bartend for nearly a year.

I was then hired by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where I worked for 13 years, advancing through the ranks and gaining extensive education in sales and customer service. Currently, I am in the dog grooming business, inspired by my own experience with my small dog, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix.

After moving from Mesa to Queen Creek, I struggled to find a dog groomer. Many local groomers were not accepting new customers or did not answer their phones. This realization led me to explore the dog grooming market in Queen Creek, an up-and-coming area with new houses and businesses. While researching, I discovered a franchise opportunity with Well Groomed Pets. After several discussions and a visit to their first center in Las Vegas, I decided to join the team.

In March 2022, my wife and I decided to invest in the franchise. By May 2023, we opened our first Well Groomed Pets center in Chandler, which has been in business for over a year and is performing well. In February 2024, we opened a second center in Queen Creek. Both centers are doing well, and we plan to open a third location in Gilbert by summer 2025. We have secured the rights to three franchises in Arizona and hope to expand further, potentially into Tucson and more locations in the Phoenix area.

The journey has not been without challenges. From dealing with contractors and build-outs to managing employees and ensuring customer satisfaction, it has been a demanding but rewarding experience. Despite the obstacles, I believe I have grown as a person and a leader. My wife and I have three children, and I hope to leave a legacy for them while contributing to our community by providing a much-needed service.

At Well Groomed Pets, we not only offer grooming but also focus on wellness, conducting a 50-point wellness check on every dog. We build strong relationships with local pet services and ensure our groomers are safety and fear-free certified. Our goal is to provide a safe and caring environment for pets while supporting our community and team members.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a bit of a homebody, enjoying time with my wife and three kids in Queen Creek, which we absolutely love. Queen Creek is a fantastic place with a variety of new restaurants and excellent shopping options.

If my best friend were to visit for a week, I would definitely take him to a spring training game. We would also dine at Lou Malnati’s, which is famous for its Chicago-style pizza. It’s probably the best pizza I’ve ever had, with an amazing pie crust. Another must-visit restaurant is Comedor Guadalajara in Phoenix, a wonderful Mexican restaurant that is one of my favorites. We would also go to Taco Boys, which has two locations—one in Phoenix and the other in Tempe, near the ASU campus. Their carne asada tacos and burritos are fantastic.

Arizona is a great place to visit, especially for its natural beauty. I love the mountains here, and Flagstaff is one of my favorite spots. The weather is cooler, the air is crisp, and the sky is blue. During the summer, it’s particularly nice. Flagstaff offers a variety of shopping and dining options, most of which are within walking distance in the downtown area. It’s always a blast whenever I go up there.

Another great destination is the Sedona area, which has charming little shops and beautiful scenery. I lived in Flagstaff for a year and a half, so it’s definitely a place I would want to take my best friend, along with my wife and kids. We might even rent a cabin up there to fully enjoy the experience.

I am in love with Arizona! Queen Creek and its surrounding areas offer a wonderful mix of dining, shopping, and natural beauty, making it a perfect place to live and visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, I’d like to thank my amazing wife, Ashly Giordano for the unconditional love and support that she’s given me. Without her, none of this would have been possible. She’s blessed me with our three beautiful children, which has given me purpose. Along the way, I’ve become a part of the Arizona Grooming Community and have been so fortunate to meet some very influential people like Audi Ryerson, Ali Kropf, Catherine O’Neal, Bella Hogan and other very well-known and respected groomers & business owners. I’d also like to thank the towns of Chandler, as well as Queen Creek as both of these communities have welcomed my businesses with open arms and have truly given me the chance to achieve my dreams.

Website: https://wellgroomedpets.com/chandler-alma/ or https://wellgroomedpets.com/queen-creek/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wgpqueencreek/ or https://www.instagram.com/wgpchandler/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089893459301 or https://www.facebook.com/wgpqc/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/well-groomed-pets-chandler-chandler or https://www.yelp.com/biz/well-groomed-pets-queen-creek-queen-creek-2