Meet Our Team!
We love them, and so will you!
Nancy Rich-Gutierrez,
Owner
Hi, I am Nancy, the owner and founder of As the Fur Flies. I am originally from the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, but I moved to warmer weather as soon as I could! I graduated from the Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology and have an MBA and MS from Baylor University. I worked in technology for many years and try to bring those efficiencies into the salon to make our work easier. While I am not grooming much anymore, my favorite grooms are cats or double-coated shedding dogs like Golden Retrievers. In my free time, I enjoy competing with my Arabian horses at horse shows and hanging out with my kids and husband. You’ve probably seen them around one of the salons! I am so proud to support this team of talented, compassionate groomers here in Austin!
Jaclyn Guyette, CFMG Cat Groomer (North)
Hello! My name is Jaclyn Guyette. I love spending time with my husband, daughter Willow, son Oliver, and my 5 cats. I am the only Certified Feline Master Groomer through the National Cat Groomer Institute in Central Texas and am certified in pet first aid/CPR and Fear Free. Before I started grooming, I was a veterinary technician for 8 years. I love spending my free time camping, learning creative cat grooming techniques, or going to the beach.
Gavyn Freeman, NCMG Groomer & Educator (North)
Hello, my name is Gavyn Freeman! I was born and raised right here in Texas and have 5 pups of my own. I am an Award-Winning Competitive Groomer with a variety of safety and breed certifications, including AKC Safety, AKC Poodle, AKC Bichon, Dog & Cat CPR, Pet First Aid, and more! I am a National Certified Master Groomer and Educator. I often teach and host continuing education events for groomers here in Central Texas. Additionally, I am a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America, and in my spare time, I am an owner/handler who loves to show my Kerry Blue Terrier and American Cocker Spaniel in the AKC. I have been featured in Southern Living Magazine and am an ambassador for Groomer Supply House and Botaniqa. You can see most of my work on Instagram @GroominGavyn! I love all breeds of dogs, but my favorites to groom are Poodles, Bichons, Terriers, and American Cocker Spaniels!
Adrian Villalpando, Manager (North)
Hello! My name is Adrian Villalpando, and I am the salon manager at our north location. I am AKC Safety, Pet CPR, and Fear Free Certified, and I love helping with day-to-day operations at the salon! I enjoy working with customers and making sure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I love seeing everyone’s pups come in every day! I have 5 dogs (Kamaji, Kenai, Cash, Kelso, and BMO) and one cuddly cat named Earl. I feel so lucky to work with very talented and passionate pet professionals. One of my favorite things about being in the salon is the before-and-after transformations. Seeing the clients' faces light up with joy is always so rewarding because I know how big our impact is in the community. We can’t wait to meet you!
Jessica Zavala,Manager, (South)
Hello, I’m Jessica! I am a Texas native and spend my free time going to punk shows, traveling, and hiking with my three dogs: Bucket, the Pitbull/Cattle Dog; Danzig, the Pug; and my sassy senior Chihuahua named Banshee. I manage the South location and have been grooming for about 17 years. I am CPR and Fear Free certified. My specialty is (but not limited to) working with senior pets and helping them look their best in their golden years! Working with them is my passion, and I am a huge advocate for senior dog rescue. I also enjoy working with fearful or spicy dogs that need some extra reassurance, tiny breeds, and introducing puppies as well. A few breeds that tug extra hard at my groomer heartstrings are any wild-haired terrier mix, Yorkies, Pitbulls, Basset Hounds, Pugs, and Shih Tzus. I am a firm believer in putting your pup’s health and well-being first. I take my time getting to know each dog on my table and earning their trust. This is something I try to instill in our team! We love to help educate pet parents when it comes to frequency of visits, products, tools, and techniques that can help them keep their pups happy and well-maintained at home. Message or email the shop to book your pups with me! You can see some of my work on Instagram @grooms_by_jessica_atx.
Hannah Reichel,Groomer (North)
Hi there! My name is Hannah Wikan, and I am a pet stylist with 6 years of experience and a 3rd generation artist. While I enjoy grooming, I also have a passion for fine art, including painting, knitting, and sculpting, which I strive to reflect in my daily work at the salon. I also own two mischievous, jubilant long-haired cats named Rigby and Benji, who are my pride and joy. Continuing education is a pivotal factor in my development as a stylist, so you will often see me at seminars and shows, which I aspire to be a part of soon! I’m excited to work with you and your pet to help create a positive grooming experience. You can find my grooming page on Instagram @Hannahsgroooming.
Wes Dongarra, Groomer (South)
Hey y’all! My name is Wes, and I am a groomer at the South location. I’ve been a bather for 5 years but recently started learning how to groom in February of ‘22. Having that background gave me a solid foundation, and I’m happy to have such an amazing team to help me learn and grow! I love furthering my education through classes and seminars. I really enjoy grooming double-coated dogs with a good de-shed bath, as well as doodles and poodles. My favorite part of this job is getting to know you and your pup to create that special bond. I’m looking forward to meeting you! You can see my work on Instagram @Westwoof_Grooms.
Keyra Rodriguez, Groomer (South)
Hello! My name is Keyra Rodriguez. I have been grooming for 6 years and have one senior dog and lots of step-babies in Florida. I love transformations, so I prefer very dirty dogs, de-sheds, and really any cat. I love to explore and travel as often as I can. One of my favorite things about living in Austin is all the nature within such a small area.
Nicole Gilbert, Groomer (North)
Hi, my name is Nicole (Nikki), and I’m thrilled to be a part of the As The Fur Flies team! I'm a born and raised Austin, Texas pet stylist with 5 years in the grooming industry—2 years as a groomer and 3 years as a groomer’s assistant/bather. My goal is to one day compete in grooming competitions and become a master groomer.
As a fear-free pet stylist, my top priority is ensuring your pet's safety and comfort while providing the best grooming experience possible. I fall more in love with what I do each year, especially building trust and relationships with clients and their furry family members. I adore seeing your pet’s confidence shine through after their new look and the smile it brings to your face!
I love working with all breeds, but my favorites are doodles, Shih Tzus with teddy bear heads, and double-coated dogs such as Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Pomeranians. I also excel at de-shedding and outline trims. I look forward to meeting y’all!
Ada Cheng, Groomer (South)
Hello! My name is Ada, and I have two anxious babies named Maple and Latte. I’ve been grooming since November 2021, and that’s when I discovered my passion for working with dogs. I especially love it when anxious or scared dogs warm up to me after we’ve worked together and earned their trust.
Nanci Cardenas, Groomer (North)
I’m excited to meet your fur babies! I started my career as a pet stylist in late 2018, receiving a strong foundation from an NDGAA pet stylist in the Chicago suburbs. I quickly fell in love with grooming, especially poodles and bichons. She taught me everything I know, and I continue my education constantly. I own a Standard Poodle named Gajeel and a Mini Poodle named Gine. I’d love to learn everything and anything about poodles! We travel to grooming competitions all over the country, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. I’m committed to always improving by learning new clips and patterns and have attended numerous seminars and workshops to further my skills. In addition, I will always put the health and safety of your pet first. In my free time, I usually spend time with my poodles, exploring my creativity, seeking further education in grooming, and, of course, shopping!
Marbella Lewandowski,Groomer (South)
Hello, I’m Marbella! I was born and raised here in Austin, TX, and have been part of the pet care industry for about 6 years now. I have done it all, from daycare and boarding to being a vet tech in a small north Austin clinic, and now pet grooming! I have 4 pets of my own: Mia (Pit/Heeler), Delilah (Shepherd mix), Chapito (Havanese), and Nebula (Snowshoe). I have to thank them for coming into my life and saving it. I take pride in being knowledgeable about canine behavior and body language. I am especially passionate about making every experience as enjoyable as possible and will always choose humanity over vanity.
Outside of grooming, you can find me at the gym early in the mornings and on a bodybuilding stage late in the summertime. I am a proud Bikini PRO bodybuilder and advocate for a healthy lifestyle, mental wellness, and self-love. You can see a glimpse of both of my worlds on my Instagram @dogsanddeadliftss.
Morgan Bailey, Groomer (South)
I was born and raised in Texas and have been grooming since 2010. I moved to Austin in 2015 to seek out more opportunities to grow my skills both professionally and personally. To this day, moving here has been the best decision I've ever made. At work, my biggest drive is education, technical understanding (the hows and whys), and the ethical handling of sensitive and fearful dogs. Both in and outside of the salon, I believe "The dog is not giving you a hard time; the dog is having a hard time," and it’s our responsibility as caretakers of these animals to ensure their needs are being met in a calm and empathetic manner. I love grooming curly coats and Asian fusion-inspired teddy bear cuts! Outside of work, I study injury rehabilitation and kinesiology. My passion is internal and external wellness through movement and emotional expression. I love taking care of my plants, cooking, hiking, swimming, philosophy, and art. You can see my work on Instagram @moxxi.dogg.grooming, and I look forward to meeting you!
Beano, Groomer (South)
Hey there! I'm Beano, and I'm excited to be in my second year of grooming, with three years of experience working with dogs. I’m so lucky to have a job where I get to work with dogs in a salon that cares about them just as much as I do! My favorite pups to groom are doodles and poodles, but I also love a good de-shed or outline trim. One of my favorite parts of the job is introducing puppies to grooming and making sure their first experience is a positive one. I’m really into creative grooming too, and I’m always up for trying something fun and new! At home, I’ve got my little 12-year-old terrier mutt named Lucky, and I’m counting down the days until I bring home a standard poodle puppy next January!
Christie Henriksen, NCMG Groomer (South)
Christie Henriksen, NCMG, has been in the dog grooming industry for 20 years. She began as a junior handler and has shown, championed, and grand championed Samoyeds, Bichon Frise, and West Highland White Terriers. Christie owned an upscale grooming salon called Uptown Pups in Littleton, CO, from 2009 to 2021.
She has won numerous first-place awards, group placements, and Best All-Around Groomer accolades. Additionally, she has placed in the top 3 for the last 4 years in the Tom McLaughlin Super Jackpot and has earned a Best in Show title. Christie has consistently ranked in the top 20 in the country with limited entries.
Specializing in hand scissoring, hand stripping, and show grooming for Samoyeds, West Highland White Terriers, and Bichons, Christie is passionate about teaching the art of hand stripping through lectures and private lessons.
Karigan Pericoli (South)
My name is Karigan, a proud Texas native with over 10 years of experience in the pet industry, including 4 years as a professional dog groomer. My passion for grooming drives me to continually expand my skills and knowledge to ensure the best care for my clients. I specialize in teddy bear trims, Asian fusion styles, and Breed cuts, always focusing on creating a safe, comfortable, and positive grooming experience. At home, I share my life with a Standard Poodle, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, and two cats, all of whom inspire my dedication to this craft.
Ella Weathers, Groomer (South)
Hi! My name is Ella. I am a dog groomer at our South location and have been grooming since 2021. I really enjoy working with bigger dogs and double-coated dogs! I don’t have any dogs of my own, sadly, but I do have my best friend, Greenie, a 7-year-old Bengal. I look forward to seeing you and your best friends in the salon as well!
