Rio Grooming Staff
Amy
President / Dean of Students
Amy Ericson is the daughter of Karen Beskau, the retired founder of Rio Grooming. As the current president, Amy is dedicated to carrying on the same excellence in the family business. Amy has been a part of Rio Grooming since she was just five years old. In 2009, she graduated from Rio Grooming School’s program and became a professional pet stylist. In 2011, she moved to Kentucky to attend Nash Academy to become a grooming school instructor. Amy served as Rio Grooming School’s Program Director for 13 years and is now the Dean of Students. Amy is passionate about developing her team and creating an inviting, warm atmosphere for students, staff, and clients. When not at work, you can find her traveling and competing at dog shows with her French bulldogs. She also enjoys spending quality time with her husband, son & family.
Jen
Executive Director
Jen has always had a love for animals and began working at Rio Grooming in February 2010 while attending school for vet tech. She loved working at Rio so much that she decided to stay at Rio full time. She changed her major to business and graduated from school in 2013. When not busy with work, Jen loves being able to spend time with her husband Chad, their two kids & Labrador Retriever, Timber. She enjoys taking trips up north with her family, bow hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Sabrina
Executive Assistant
Sabrina has been a dedicated professional in the pet care industry for over seven years. She serves as a key leader on our team, in her role, she manages the front end of operations coordinating schedules, booking appointments, and ensuring each day runs seamlessly for both clients and staff. Sabrina takes pride in creating a smooth, welcoming experience while helping every pet leave looking and feeling their best. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing with her three dogs, working on puzzles, watching movies, and getting outdoors whenever she can.
Jaime
Pet Stylist
Jaime has been in the pet grooming industry since 2015 and brings years of experience and passion to her work. She enjoys grooming all breeds but especially values the relationships she has built with her long-time request clients. Jaime's favorite grooms are silhouette trims, particularly on breeds like Golden Retrievers, where she can enhance the dog's natural shape and style. In her free time, Jaime enjoys spending time with her husband and family, camping, and riding their side-by-side.
Shauna
Pet Stylist
Shauna started grooming school at Rio Grooming in April, 2016 and became an employee in June. Shauna loves grooming because she has an enormous love for dogs and she loves to keep active and busy. Since a job is such a big part of our lives, she wanted to make sure that hers would be doing something she enjoys and looks forward to each day of the week. Outside of grooming Shauna enjoys spending time with her own dogs, Norah, Nellie, Bell and Suri. She also loves camping, going for walks, relaxing at home and she loves her two horses which she mostly trail rides and takes on camping trips.
Gabby
Pet Stylist / Assistant Manager
Gabby has been in the pet care industry since 2016, and customer service since 2010. She has a passion for all clients, as well as animals. She attended Rio Grooming school in 2021, and has enjoyed every single moment since! From pet stylist alone, she helps out around Rio with being and office assistant and assistant teaching in the grooming school. “I love every dog I have had the pleasure of being around, and give them all the love and attention as I do with my own” -Gabby. When she is not at work, she loves to spend time outside, watching movies, and being with her family and friends, “soon-to-be husband” Owen, and her two pups Harlow and Beckett.
Sarah
Assistant Manager / Pet Stylist
Sarah started bathing in 2022, shortly after she started as an office staff at Rio and earned an assistant manager title. Her favorite breeds to work with are pitties, and any of the giant breeds. Sarah’s an avid reader and has 3 of her own fur babies. Two dogs (Bailey and Bucky) and a cat(Kira).
Kallyn
Administrative Manager / Bather
Kallyn first joined the Rio team in 2014 during high school, working as both a bather and receptionist. She stepped away to earn her business degree in Mankato, MN. During this time, Kallyn spent several years working in dog boarding, where she discovered her love for making personal connections with animals while they’re away from home, helping them feel comfortable and cared for. Once she returned home, it didn’t take long before she found her way back to Rio! In September 2024, Kallyn rejoined the team as our administrative manager and bather. Her favorite breed to groom is the Australian Shepherd, especially since she has a mini Aussie of her own named Willow. When she’s not at work, you can find Kallyn shopping, hiking, or getting lost in a good puzzle.
Haley
Pet Stylist/ Senior Cat Groomer / Office Assistant
Haley started at Rio Grooming as a bather in 2018, she fell in love with the industry and shortly after started school at Rio Grooming School. Since graduation, Haley has become an important part of the Rio team who spends her shifts as an office assistant, cat grooming and dog grooming. Haley’s favorite breed of dogs to groom are Pomeranians. When she’s not at work you can find her playing volleyball and coaching high school volleyball.
Amanda
Pet Stylist
Amanda started her career in 2018 where she fell in love with the art of grooming and attended Rio Grooming School. She chose this career to be able to build meaningful relationships with the pets she grooms and their owners. She enjoys making a connection with each pet that is on her grooming table. When not grooming you can find Amanda hanging out with her friends or at the roller-skating rink. She also enjoys spending time with her dog “Creature” and cat “Beans”.
Zoe
Assistant Instructor / Pet Stylist
Zoe started in the industry as a bather in 2020. She then decided to pursue a career in grooming, attending grooming school, and has been grooming since the winter of 2022. Her passion for dog grooming continues to grow more and more each day. Zoe’s favorite breed to groom is a Chow Chow or any large fluffy breed. She has a love for seeing what awesome things students can do throughout school and beyond. Outside of work Zoe enjoys nature, coloring, shopping and spending time with her black lab Sadie.
Alexa S.
Pet Stylist
Alexa began her journey in the pet industry in 2016 and graduated from Rio in 2023. She has been professionally grooming at Rio ever since, bringing creativity and precision to every appointment. Her favorite breed to groom is Mini Aussies, and she especially loves doing silhouette trims and shaping those cute, fluffy booties to perfection. She shares her life with a Golden Pyrenees she rescued while living in Colorado, a decision that reflects her deep love for animals. Outside of work, Alexa enjoys hiking and camping adventures, attending raves, reading a good book, rollerblading, weightlifting, storm-chasing, and spending quality time with loved ones. She brings that same adventurous, energetic spirit into everything she does — including her grooming.
Jennifer
Office Assistant / Pet Stylist / Instructor
Jennifer has been in the grooming industry since 2013, starting as a bather, then grooming apprentice, and graduating in April 2014 to become a pet stylist through Petco. Her favorite breeds to work with are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Bichon Frise, but enjoys working with all types of dogs. In her free time she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her husband Ben. She shares her home with her two cats (Link and Taz) and French angora rabbit (Jewel).
Allison
Instructor / Pet Stylist
Allison’s journey into grooming began at a young age, inspired by her mom’s involvement in the dog show world, showing Rottweilers and American Cocker Spaniels. Her passion for helping animals look and feel their best led her to start as a bather in 2021, eventually taking her own appointments and training as a groomer.
In May 2023, Allison enrolled at Rio Grooming School to refine her skills, graduating in October 2023. She now proudly works as a groomer at Rio, where she continues to combine her love of animals with her expertise.
Stephanie
Pet Stylist
Steph began her grooming journey in 2024, inspired by a desire to pursue something more creative in life. Her favorite part of grooming is spending time with the dogs and pampering them throughout the day. Outside of work, Steph enjoys reading, hiking, and embarking on nature-based adventures, always seeking new ways to connect with the great outdoors.
Rachael
Pet Stylist / Assistant Instructor
Rachael began her grooming journey in October 2023, inspired by her love for her Schnauzers and a desire for a more creative outlet than veterinary medicine could provide. She quickly developed a passion for grooming, with a special fondness for Shih Tzus and Yorkies.
Outside of grooming, Rachael enjoys staying active through hiking, reading, and exploring new adventures. Her creativity and dedication shine through in her work, making her a thoughtful and skilled addition to the grooming community.
Jenna
Pet Stylist
Jenna started in the pet care industry in 2023 as a bather and discovered her passion for grooming soon after. She began grooming in January 2024 and has been professionally grooming at Rio since August 2024. Her favorite breed to groom is the Springer Spaniel, and she especially loves the moment when a dog sees the bow or bandana at the end of their groom and gets excited—what she calls the “bandana dance.” At home, Jenna has two rescue dogs, Millie and Milo, who keep life fun and busy. Outside the salon, she enjoys screenwriting and drawing, and she also spends time coaching the South East Metro Sharks swim team, something she truly loves.
Curtis
Pet Stylist
Curtis joined the pet industry in 2024 and quickly found his passion in grooming. After graduating from Rio in February 2026, he began grooming professionally at Rio, where he enjoys helping dogs look and feel their best. His favorite breed to groom are doodles, and he especially enjoys working on dogs that benefit from a good deshedding treatment. Outside of the salon, Curtis loves staying active by going on hikes and runs with his mini Australian Shepherd, Otis. He's also a big fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves and enjoys attending their games whenever he can. Curtis was inspired to pursue grooming by his twin brother, a barber, which sparked his interest in cutting hair. Combining that inspiration with his love for animals has allowed him to turn two passions into a career he truly enjoys.
Caylin
Pet Stylist
Caylin began her journey in the pet industry in 2022. In 2024, she began working as a bather, where she gained hands-on experience and developed an interest in grooming. Wanting to grow her skills, Caylin attended Rio Grooming and graduated in the summer of 2025. A few months after graduating, she began professionally grooming at Rio, where she continues to build her experience and care for each pet as if they were her own. Her favorite dogs to work with are All-American dogs (mutts) because of her love for rescue animals and mixed breeds. Caylin's favorite part of grooming is working with the animals and helping them look and feel their best. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing at home with her corgi mix, Leon, and spending time with her family and their five cats—Nimbus, Washington, Nova, Coraline, and Binx.
Hope
Office Assistant / Bather
Hope began her journey in the pet industry in 2022 and loves helping pets look and feel their best. German Shepherds will forever have her heart — they're her favorite breed to groom! She especially enjoys seeing each pet walk out of Rio shiny, fresh, and smelling amazing thanks to her care. At home, Hope has a 6-year-old German Shepherd/Pit Bull mix and a 3-year-old crested gecko named Flash. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son and fiancé, doing puzzles, taking her dog on walks, kayaking, and horseback riding in the summer.