Chloe Walburg | Stellar Wolf Grooming Den | Fort-Worth, Texas

“Quitting Was Never an Option.”

I had two choices—step forward and fight for success or give up.

After 2.5 years of running a successful business, it’s clear that giving up was never an option. But I’ll be honest—there were moments I felt like quitting. No one is born an expert. It takes practice, persistence, and a willingness to learn.

There were times I didn’t agree with Sasha or fully understand his theories and lessons. Some concepts even took me a year to grasp. But time and time again, he proved to be right. Sasha has dedicated his entire life to dogs and grooming, and I’ve learned to trust that every lesson he shares has purpose and meaning.

I’m incredibly grateful for everything—the guidance, the lessons, and even the tough love.

At the Phi Excellence Academy, you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible, but don’t expect knowledge to just be handed to you. You have to put in the work.

​It’s easy to quit. But if you’re ready to push through, grow, and succeed, this academy will change your life.

Jana Bojović | GROOMIJANA | Belgrade, Serbia

“I signed up to learn grooming—but what I gained was so much more.”

My first interaction with Sasha was during the Passionate Poodle course. I expected a few tips to improve my grooming for competitions—maybe some validation that I was already on the right track. I figured we’d focus on textbook-perfect poodle grooming.

I couldn’t have been more wrong—and I’m so glad I was.

What Sasha gave me went far beyond grooming techniques.

Yes, he taught me how to see each dog as an individual—not just as a breed, but as a unique work of art.

Yes, he showed me how to achieve balance and precision in every style using his signature formula.

Yes, he pushed me to think critically and discover answers for myself.

But what I didn’t expect—and what I never signed up for—was the personal transformation that came with it.

Sasha didn’t just invest in me as a groomer; he saw me as an artist and demanded more from me than I ever expected from myself. He taught me to have the confidence to trust my instincts, to be my own toughest critic, and to tune out voices that don’t serve my growth.

He reminded me that some people will tell you your work is amazing—even when you know it’s not your best. Others will say your work is “too different” to be good—even when you know it’s exceptional. Both are dangerous to your creativity.

No great artist in history achieved mastery overnight. They carved their own paths despite criticism. But I believe that if they had someone like Sasha by their side, they would have found success, confidence, and fulfillment long before the world recognized their greatness.

​Thank you, Sasha—not just for being my teacher, but for being my mentor. For guiding me toward excellence with truth, authenticity, and love—and showing me how to step fully into my artistic power.

Angela Anderson | Founder of Angels Grooming & Academy | Judge, Certifier and Seminar Speaker| Auckland. New Zealand

"Sasha Riess truly is one of the most gifted and artistic groomers in the world. His knowledge of the grooming and care of all breeds of dogs … whether they are to be exhibited at dog shows or they are just pets … is exceptional. He has groomed and handled hundreds of dogs to their FCI championships and he has also served as a grooming competition judge. If you are looking for a future in grooming, you couldn’t find a better teacher than Sasha."

Shirlee Kalstone | Author | Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference

"Sasha has been in my life for many years as one of my most important and impactful mentors. Our relationship began with a shared love and admiration for the artistry of poodle grooming. Our journey together grew from a professional level to a deep and lasting friendship that has enriched my life profoundly. Sasha is known as a maestro when sculpting beautiful poodle profiles. Thank you for everything! "

Jane Gallagher | Celebrity Groomer | Pooch Perfect | Salon Owner | Speaker

"What Sasha gave me goes way beyond poodle grooming... ...He expected more from me, and he made me expect more from
myself. He gave me the confidence to be my biggest critic and to shake off the opinions of others whose motives have nothing to do with me... ...Thank you Sasha, not for being a teacher… but for being a true mentor. A person who
guides me through my own path to enlightenment in everything I do, with truth, faithfulness and love."

Joan Weiskopf | Peremi Bedlington Terriers | Author | Pet Food Nation