Inspiring Conversations with Alisha McCloskey of Little Lion Cat Grooming, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha McCloskey.

Alisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2023 I began my journey in search of a different career path that felt more aligned with my personal passions. At that point I had been working in the Commercial Lending field for over a decade and while the job itself was still engaging, the politics of office life were taking a toll on my mental health. So I asked myself, “what do I love?” and my immediate thought was, “my cats…all cats”. This thought had me Googling ‘cat care related professions’ almost immediately, assuming it was just another rabbit hole that would lead back to square one, but luckily it didn’t! The first click I made from that search changed the trajectory of my life – the link to the National Cat Groomers Institute. I read through every bit of info on their site and it ignited a spark. From there I purchased their learning Syllabus and worked through it in my down time, studying and taking written tests until the remaining requirements towards becoming a Certified Feline Master Groomer were in-person practical exams. I practiced through this time with my own 4 cats, but also sought out training from Rachel Diller, an NCGI Certifier and CFMG in Littleton who owns/operates Urban Sophisticats. Rachel helped open the door for me to really get hands on and master the basics in her fast paced salon. After my time with her I attended a 10-day pop-up school in Yuma, AZ run by two incredible NCGI Certifiers/CFMGs (Melissa Hall and Lynn Paolillo) where my goal was to take and pass all of my practical exams. The 10 days were intense, filled with proud moments and moments of self-doubt, but I came back to Colorado as a Certified Feline Master Groomer and with confidence in my skill set. Fast forward to February 2025, after renovations to my home garage were finally complete, I opened Boulder county’s only feline exclusive grooming salon, Little Lion Cat Grooming. Since opening my business I have been reminded every day that I made the right choice to follow this paw print laden path. The rewards of working with beloved little house lions daily are truly endless and I know I’m right where I’m meant to be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were many moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome throughout my journey into this unique field, especially coming from such a different career path. Learning an entirely new skill-set and adding the pressure of opening/running my own business spurred a whole lot of ‘what if’s’, but now I look back and I feel empowered for pushing through those moments.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Little Lion Cat Grooming, I offer full grooming services for cats only. Every groom includes a nail trim, bath, blow-dry, and comb-out with optional add-ons such as lion cuts, sanitary trims, de-shedding treatments, etc. Each grooming appointment is a one-on-one, purrsonalized experience where my focus is solely on the cat in my care. This differs from many grooming salons that also have dog clientele and/or multi-pet environments where kitties can easily become highly stressed and afraid. I am most proud of the fact that my business provides a safe and calm grooming option for cats and their humans in our communities. I am also one of very few Certified Feline Master Groomers in Colorado and this distinction allows me to provide my clients with the highest quality and expertise possible when working with their kitties. I treat every cat that comes into my salon as if they are my own and work to build a trusting relationship with them through gentle handling, slow introductions, and caring desensitization. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding cats and their grooming needs and I aim to not only provide solutions for my clients but also to help educate them so they can live happier, healthier lives with their furry feline companions.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Show me your kitties! I would love to meet you and your cat and get them looking and feeling their best. My services are by appointment only and can be requested on my website, littlelionloco.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://littlelionloco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/littlelioncatgrooming
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/littlelioncatgrooming

Image Credits
Delafoto