A New Breed of Pet Grooming
Under new ownership, Lucky Paws is redefining the local grooming landscape — blending hospitality, precision, and thoughtful design into a seamless experience centered on artistry and care.
When husband-and-wife team Pin Gao (Yale MBA, PharmD) and Ryan Farnan (Northwestern Kellogg MBA, BC alum) acquired the company, they saw more than a neighborhood salon chain — they saw untapped potential for reinvention. Every element, from the service flow to the scent in the air, is being elevated to meet the expectations of modern pet parents.
Today, Lucky Paws operates more like a boutique hospitality brand than a traditional grooming chain. Each visit begins with a personalized consultation, curated iGroom and Les Poochs products, and breed-specific styling inspired by show-dog precision. The result is a space where professionalism meets warmth, combining the trust of a local salon with the polish of a luxury experience.
Honoring the Past, Redefining the Future
When Gao and Farnan took ownership, Lucky Paws was a familiar name — but one that had lost trust. Years of inconsistent management had left many customers disappointed and unsure.
Rather than abandon it, the new owners kept the name as a promise to turn it around.
“The name already meant something to people,” Gao explains. “We wanted to give it new meaning — one built on quality, consistency, and care.”
That transformation is now underway. From selecting top groomers and reintroducing premium standards to redesigning spaces and elevating the client experience, Lucky Paws is rebuilding its reputation — transforming a once-familiar name into one synonymous with artistry, hospitality, and trust
The Philosophy: Grooming as an Art
At the heart of Lucky Paws’ philosophy is a simple belief: grooming should be an art, not a transaction. Drawing on her background as a healthcare professional and Ryan’s experience in business development at Google, Gao and Farnan bring a precision-driven mindset to an industry that often overlooks the finer details.
Inspired by the world’s great hotels and wellness destinations, they’ve built Lucky Paws to evoke that same sense of calm, trust, and personalized care — for both pet and parent
“How the pet parent feels directly influences how the pup feels,” Gao says. “If the experience is relaxed, elevated, and joyful, it becomes that way for the dog, too.”
That focus on communication extends to every touchpoint — from 24/7 online booking and a dedicated concierge text line to traditional email and phone service. Each channel is designed to make scheduling, special requests, and follow-ups effortless, ensuring a flawless customer journey from start to finish.
To extend that philosophy beyond the salon, Lucky Paws is forming partnerships with like-minded companies such as Bond Vet and other wellness-focused companies – building a circle of care rooted in comfort, quality, and empathy.
Rethinking Value & Transparency
Coming from outside the grooming world, the pair approached pricing with fresh eyes – and data.
We did the math,” Gao notes. “It was surprising to see how many salons charge extra for the very basics – premium shampoo, fragrance, even the finishing touches — when the real cost difference is often less than a dollar per dog.”
At Lucky Paws, those elements aren’t treated as add-ons; they’re built into the experience. Every dog is pampered with the same premium professional-grade products used by champion show dogs, finished with an optional couture fragrance and accessory touch, and accompanied by a personalized wellness summary and keepsake pet photo.
Each full-service appointment includes teeth brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and moisturizing balms at no additional cost. Pricing is based not on product markups but on the artistry, time, and skill required to transform each dog — a transparent model that honors craftsmanship and trust.
Loyalty & Holiday Experience
Just as five-star hotels reward their most loyal guests, Lucky Paws has introduced a tiered Loyalty & Preferred Member Program — a first of its kind in grooming. Frequent visitors earn elevated status and exclusive perks such as complimentary spa enhancements, credit-back rewards, and seasonal gifts for their pups.
“Our most loyal families should feel recognized every time they walk through the door — just like a preferred guest at their favorite resort,” says Farnan.
Unlike a basic punch card, the program compounds in value at higher tiers. Gold Paw Members receive quarterly enhancements and 2 % credit-back on every visit, while Diamond Paw Members enjoy enhancements at every appointment, 3 % credit-back, and access to curated gifts throughout the year.
To celebrate the holidays, Lucky Paws is welcoming new and returning clients with a 20 % New Ownership Welcome Offer and a complimentary Spa Enhancement Upgrade — including a choice of facial, glow-white shampoo, deshedding or volumizing treatment, nail buff, or gland expression, all included through December 31.
Closing
At Lucky Paws, grooming is more than a routine — it’s a philosophy rooted in artistry, precision, and compassion. Gao and Farnan’s mission is to make pet care as thoughtful and beautiful as the pets themselves. Because when pet parents feel cared for, their dogs do too – and that’s where true luxury begins.
To learn more or book your dog’s next appointment, visit luckypawsusa.com.
