Join Our Pack
Join the Team Driving the Future of Happy Spa Dogs
Be a part of our exciting journey with the Business Operations and Leadership Fellowship.
Quick Role Snapshot
Business Operations & Leadership Fellowship
A paid, 2-year, real-world alternative to an MBA
This role is a hands-on operations and people-leadership position at Happy Spa Dogs, paired with a structured 2-year business fellowship.
You will be the friendly first point of contact for our clients—booking and reshuffling daily grooming appointments, optimizing van routes, and processing payments—while also leading a small group of dog groomers to help them succeed in their day-to-day work.
Operational excellence comes first. Leadership responsibility is added intentionally as trust is earned. The fellowship exists to help high performers learn how to run and lead inside a growing service business—by doing real work, owning outcomes, and studying alongside experienced operators.
The Fellowship Component (What Makes This Different)
This is a paid, full-time role with a structured learning track layered on top of real responsibility.
Over 24 months, you will:
- Read a minimum of one business book per month (24 total)
- Participate in monthly leadership and operations discussions with company leadership
- Learn how to run and lead within a real operating system: scheduling, finance, customer experience, systems, and people leadership
- Receive ongoing coaching tied directly to your execution and leadership effectiveness
- Gain exposure to how decisions are made in a multi-location, service-based business
This is not theoretical learning. Every concept connects directly to your daily responsibilities.
- 👤 Title: Business Operations and Leadership Fellowship
- 📍Location: 23282 Mill Creek Drive Suite: 310, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
- 🕒 Schedule:Mon: 6:45 am – 3:15 pm
Tue: 6:45 am – 3:15 pm
Wed: 6:45 am – 3:15 pm
Thu: 6:45 am – 8:45 am
Fri: Off
Sat: 6:45 am – 3:15 pm
Sun: 6:45 am – 1:15 pm - 💲Compensation: Starting $25/hour
Why Join Us?
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Mental Health Support
- Three Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
Additional Perks:
- Leadership Development – Coaching and training to grow into future leadership roles.
- Small-Business Insight – Front-row exposure to the daily workings of a growing company.
VIP Insurance Package
Dental
Medical
Vision
Pet
Life
Core Responsibilities
- Scheduling & Operations
- Handle inbound calls, texts, and emails to book, adjust, or cancel grooming appointments
- Maintain accuracy and urgency inside our scheduling platform
- Optimize daily routes to reduce drive time and maximize productivity
- Send confirmations, reminders, and same-day updates
- Collect deposits and balances; process credit-card payments accurately
- Follow up on outstanding payments (“chasing money”)
- Customer Service
- Provide calm, friendly, and confident communication with pet parents
- Resolve service issues with empathy and clarity
- Turn inquiries into booked appointments
- Represent company policies and values consistently
Leadership Responsibilities
As part of this fellowship, you will lead a small team of groomers and act as their primary office-based support.
- Team Leadership
- Serve as the main point of contact for assigned groomers
- Support groomers with scheduling needs, route changes, and daily problem-solving
- Communicate clearly and respectfully, even in high-pressure moments
- Help groomers feel supported, heard, and set up for success
- Accountability & Development
- Reinforce company standards, expectations, and policies
- Escalate issues appropriately and help resolve challenges
- Participate in feedback conversations with groomers, guided by leadership
- Learn how to balance empathy with accountability
- Culture & Morale
- Help create a positive, professional, and solutions-oriented environment
- Celebrate wins, acknowledge challenges, and contribute to team morale
- Model calm leadership during fast-moving or stressful situations
You are not expected to have leadership experience on day one.
You are expected to be coachable, responsible, and willing to grow.
Sample Day in the Life:
(This is a real day, not a highlight reel.)
Must-Haves
- Strong communicator (phone, text, and in-person)
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable with high-volume, fast-paced environments
- Emotionally steady under pressure
- Empathetic, people-first mindset
- Willingness to lead through service, not ego
- Growth mindset and openness to feedback
Nice-to-Haves
- Interest in leadership, operations, or entrepreneurship
- Familiarity with dog grooming or service businesses
- Knowledge of San Diego or Orange County geography
- Comfort with spreadsheets and basic data analysis
- Confidence recommending add-on services or memberships
Who Thrives in This Fellowship
Important Expectations
This fellowship is not:
- A classroom program
- A passive learning role
- A management title without responsibility
This fellowship is:
- A real operations and leadership role
- A chance to learn business by running and leading within one
- Best suited for someone who wants responsibility early and often
Brief about Happy Spa Dogs
Launched in 2019, Happy Spa Dogs has experienced remarkable organic growth, now serving over 14,000 households per year across our San Diego and Orange County offices. Our dedicated team of approximately 65 people is committed to delivering an exceptional dog grooming experience, guided by our core mission: “We are in the happiness business with dog grooming as a vehicle to get there.” By focusing on joyful interactions and high-quality service, we strive to create lasting positive impacts for all employees, clients and dogs in our community.
