Owensboro native Troy Ratliff and his wife Jessica opened On The Go Grooming in 2006 as a full-service mobile pet studio. After more than a decade of rampant growth and growing tired of inconsistent and unreliable grooming products, Ratliff decided to invent his own line of innovative products.
He launched Alpha Grooming Products in 2013 as an online grooming store that features innovative products. He is most noted for creating the first-ever water-proof grooming loop.
“The tools that were available to me when I first started were not quality — I invented my own and let others use them and they encouraged me to take it further,” Ratliff said. “Our first product wasn’t eligible for a patent because it was on the market for too long, but we created a new design this year that is patent-pending.”
Referred to as a Biothane Grooming Loop, the water-proof loop is used to provide a secure and safe grooming process for both dog and groomer. Other products include a magnetic clipper mat for organizational purposes and a suction cup that offers a “tie-off” point in the bathtub.
“The Magnetic Clipper Mat is an organization tool that will hold your clippers upright and keep your other tools nice and neat,” he said. “The suction cup is an amazing little tool for groomers that allows one to place a tie-off point for their grooming loops on nearly any flat surface.”
As the Ratliffs continue to promote their new products, they remain steadily busy with the mobile grooming studio, serving upwards of 300 clients locally. They also added an additional mobile studio in Lexington, which is operated by Ratliff’s brother Travis.
Ratliff designed both mobile studios which offer extreme makeover styling, nails, bathing, breath freshening, and much more. He initially developed an interest in the grooming industry while staying with his brother in Lexington.
“I was spinning wheels and didn’t know what I wanted to do after school — my older brother was doing it in Lexington, so I went and stayed with him to see if I might like it,” he said. “I worked for my brother and it was a natural fit.”
Ratliff graduated from Owensboro Catholic in 2002 and began his work career at TGI Fridays as a cook. It was there that he met his wife and future business partner Jessica, a southern California native. The two have seven children and two dogs.
Ratliff earned a diploma from the esteemed Nash Academy in Lexington, internationally known for training the best pet care professionals in the industry. He also spent one year as an instructor at the academy.
On The Go Grooming is also in search of another experienced groomer to add to their team to serve the growing needs of the community. Those interested in applying can send their resume to [email protected].
For more information on Alpha Products or On The Go Grooming, you can search them across various social media platforms or visit their websites at alphagroomingproducts.com or owensborogrooming.com.
