Tran Le Kim

My motivation to enter the pet care industry stemmed from a deeply personal experience with my beloved standard poodle, Thor. Six years ago, finding a high-quality, trustworthy pet salon in Ho Chi Minh City was a significant challenge. Most existing options were subpar, lacked transparency, or were simply overpriced. This glaring gap in the market highlighted the urgent need for a safe, clean, and professional environment where pet owners could truly feel at ease.
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The core problem I aimed to solve was the lack of standardized, high-quality pet grooming and care services in Vietnam. This issue extended beyond salons—it reflected a severe shortage of properly trained and skilled groomers. The industry was often viewed as low-income labor, which hindered professional development and recognition. I was determined to elevate the perception of pet care by ensuring pets received the best treatment while also professionalizing the grooming trade and creating career pathways for skilled individuals. The growth of my salon business relies entirely on having highly trained groomers, underscoring my strong commitment to developing professional skills within the industry.
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My journey wasn’t without significant challenges. Early on, I encountered a conservative mindset toward the pet care industry in Vietnam. Friends and family were skeptical, often viewing it as a “low-income” job—especially for an RMIT graduate. While the lack of initial support was difficult, my passion for Thor and unwavering belief in the business kept me moving forward.

However, the most significant hurdle emerged after opening Head to Tail. Despite substantial investment and a fully staffed team, the quality of grooming services was far below expectations. It was a critical wake-up call, revealing the severe lack of proper training and education within Vietnam’s grooming industry. Faced with the choice to shut down or step up, I chose the latter.
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To overcome this, I embarked on an intensive, globe-trotting educational journey. Recognizing that local training was insufficient, I pursued grooming courses in Singapore, Malaysia, China, the U.S., and Europe. This substantial investment of time and resources was essential for mastering proper pet handling, anatomy, and advanced grooming techniques.
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My dedication paid off when I became the first Vietnamese to earn the Level A certificate from the China Kennel Union (CKU), one of the world’s top three grooming education providers. This personal achievement not only elevated the quality of Head to Tail’s services but also empowered me to establish our own grooming school, directly addressing the critical skill gap in the industry. It wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a testament to the commitment I poured into mastering a craft that is often underestimated in Vietnam.
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Competing and succeeding on the international stage—against highly skilled groomers from around the world—truly validated my path. This achievement not only solidified my expertise but also put Vietnam on the map in the global grooming community. It challenged the perception that professional, high-level pet grooming couldn’t originate from Vietnam and inspired me to keep pushing boundaries, with the hope that Vietnam will one day be recognized as a leader in the global grooming industry.
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This year marks a new milestone in my journey: I’ve been selected as a global ambassador for Aeolus, a leading grooming and veterinary equipment supplier from China. Beyond promoting their brand, I will lead their global grooming education team, with the goal of elevating the industry by ensuring professionals worldwide have access to high-quality tools and education. This collaboration further expands Head to Tail’s impact, as my partner and I have also established a new branch in Vietnam dedicated to supplying essential equipment and tools to groomers and veterinarians—reinforcing our commitment to the entire pet care ecosystem.