Braybrook, Melbourne

classes: Life Hacks

7k followers

Hi, I'm Ben — founder of XMMO Cat Grooming Salon and Cat Hotel & Spa in Braybrook, Melbourne.

My path here wasn't exactly a straight line. Before cats, I ran a coffee shop called The Annoying Brothers, and before that I studied accounting at La Trobe University. Neither of those things screams "future cat groomer" — but somewhere in there I found myself completely obsessed with the craft of feline grooming, specifically Asian Fusion styling and the detailed lion cuts you'll see all over our channel. There's something about the precision of it, the trust you have to build with an animal who absolutely did not sign up for a haircut, that pulled me in and never let go. That obsession turned into XMMO.

I love teaching because grooming isn't just a technical skill — it's a relationship skill. Every session I run, whether it's a hands-on grooming class or a workshop for new kitten owners, is really about handing over confidence: showing someone that they can read a nervous cat, work with it instead of against it, and get a result they're proud of. Watching that click for a student is honestly as satisfying as finishing a perfect lion cut.

A few things people are usually surprised to learn about me: I'm a Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG), ISFC certified, and a Fear Free Certified Professional — which means everything I teach is built around reducing stress and fear in the animal first, technique second. Through XMMO Cat Academy I train the next generation of cat groomers and future salon owners — not just the styling itself, but what it actually takes to run a grooming business. I also own a cat hotel in Vietnam, so between Melbourne and Vietnam, cats have pretty much taken over my entire life — I wouldn't have it any other way.

If you've ever wanted to understand your cat better, learn real grooming technique, or just spend a couple of hours in a room full of people who also think their cat is the main character — come join a class. I'd love to show you what I know.

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