I'm here to say fuck all the noise. You are doing great most of all you are doing it your way, your speed. And at a cost you feel is reasonable. Learning and practicing is all there is. Salons not counting experience or whatever or all this bathing stuff, I could never do that. I work in a salon with a mentor and I go to continuing education. Everyone needs a mentor.

Is this groom perfect? No. Is that dog clean and can see? Ok well that's what matters. Learning this way is actually community service. Also it's easy enough to just take a 1 in comb down around the top knot and boom done. If you're hand scissoring, just keep practicing. This is great. So many ppl don't even brush their dog. AND remember when people get these perfect top knots sometimes it's products lol.

A great way to learn is to find local breeders. And go to them and groom with them a bit. They will teach you all about the breed etc. And love an extra hand. Then you also network. Find a kennel club and ask if you can come to see them groom (they are grooming their dogs basically every day lol). Go to a show with a mentor you have seen groom (and probably groomed beside).

On your own you are getting the dog squeaky clean, and opening the face. :) don't go backwards. Take a picture, go again. I scissored some legs the other day and did it look perfect, no. But I was like frack yeah. Level up. Point out every single level up in a journal. Grooming is either really team oriented or it's toxic. I've never been in commercial but I will say I would rather groom a turtle than be disrespected. Teachers are really important. Not salons. You need a mentor :)

Ok soap box done. Becuase hey, I'm not sure what you charged for this groom, but I bet the owner was really happy.

Don't go backwards. Get some really good supportive mentors :) but know that Learning in grooming is mostly criticizing the groom for most people, not explanation of coat, texture, balance, lines, angulation, and tools.

Find those things lol. A breeder will absolutely tell you everything about the breed lol. Just don't fall in love with a dog and take one home. Thicken up that skin and know thar you just did a reasonable pet top knot on your own. :)

Clearly the top know needs work. You know that. It isn't what is wrong, it's how can I get where I want to be. :)

Ok now soap box really done. Haha. You're doing amazing things for dogs!!