Melinda Casey, 45, is a single mother of seven children, including two girls adopted from China. Four of them live with her now.

Melinda has been in the pet grooming industry since 1994. She learned the craft from her mother and now owns and operates 'My Best Friends Barber' in Excelsior Springs. She also practices her craft in another shop in nearby Polo, Missouri. Two cats, Truman and Andy, have ""dinosaur cuts” and roam the premises, becoming the shop’s mascots.

It’s hard work. She grooms around 30 animals a day and works seven days a week to take care of her children along with her six dogs and two cats. It’s a family operation. Melinda's 5-year old twins often spend time in the shop before and after preschool, and the two older girls pitch in when they can after school.

Despite the long hours and hard work Melinda says, “I love my job. I think this is my calling.”