Cat Academy
Transform your passion
for cats into a rewarding career.
Learn from Ben Kim — a cat-only groomer and educator specialising solely in Asian Fusion cat grooming. One-on-one training. Real salon. Real cats.
Signature Style
Asian Fusion
Cat Grooming.
Precision scissoring for clean lines and soft finishes, aesthetic styling for rounder faces and fuller coats, and cat welfare first — every style delivered with fear-free, low-stress technique.
Our Signature Method
What is Asian Fusion
Cat Grooming?
Asian Fusion cat grooming is a modern, precision-driven style that originated in Asia and has taken the global grooming industry by storm. It blends meticulous scissor work, rounded aesthetics, and breed-aware shaping to create looks that are both visually stunning and deeply considerate of the cat’s comfort. At XMMO, Ben Kim teaches this style exclusively — not as an add-on, but as the foundation of every technique we cover. You won’t find this level of specialisation at any other grooming school in Australia.
Precision
Scissor-first technique. Every cut deliberate, every line intentional.
Aesthetics
Rounder faces, fuller volume, signature looks that photograph beautifully.
Welfare
Style never comes at the cost of the cat’s stress or safety.
Marketability
The most in-demand style on social media. Clients seek it out.
Precision, in Motion
Scissor-first.
Every cut deliberate.
This is what Asian Fusion actually looks like in practice — slow, considered scissor work, close to the cat’s face, with constant reassurance. It’s a technique you feel as much as see, and it’s the first thing every student learns to slow down and respect.
See the programs that teach it →
Curriculum
What you’ll master.
Rounded face shaping
The defining feature of Asian Fusion — creating a soft, round, doll-like face shape using advanced scissoring.
Volume & coat finishing
Blending, layering, and fluffing for maximum coat presentation and that signature cloud-like finish.
Breed-specific styling
Adapting the Asian Fusion approach to different coat types, lengths, and breed anatomy.
Photography-ready finishing
Final touches that make grooms look stunning on Instagram and build your personal brand.
Your Instructor
Train with the best.
Ben Kim is not just a groomer — he's an educator specialising exclusively in Asian Fusion cat grooming. He is a Fear Free Certified Professional, certified by the International Society of Feline Cosmetologists Asia (ISFC, Singapore), and trained through the National Cat Groomers Institute (NCGI, USA). XMMO's curriculum also draws on the NCGI's CFMG program standards in feline anatomy, handling and safety — filtered and taught in XMMO's own way. Other schools teach dogs first. Here? It's cats only, all the time.
See our fear-free approach →CFMG-informed curriculum
Ben’s teaching draws from the CFMG (National Cat Groomers Institute) program, adapting its best-in-class standards into XMMO’s own method.
ISFC Certified (Singapore)
International Society of Feline Cosmetologists — a respected global standard dedicated exclusively to cat grooming.
Fear Free Certified Professional
Every technique minimises stress and discomfort. We teach cat wellbeing — not just results.
Asian Fusion specialist
Asian Fusion cat grooming taught as a full curriculum — not a weekend add-on.
See It in Action
One-on-one training.
Real salon. Real cats.
No mannequins, no models — every student trains on live clients in the working XMMO salon, under direct supervision.
Programs
Choose your course.
Pick the program that matches your goals — from a 2-hour workshop to the full 3-week professional and business course.
1-on-1, face-to-face
Cat Care Essentials Workshop
This fun, face-to-face workshop is perfect for pet parents or anyone passionate about understanding cats better. In just 2 hours, you’ll gain confidence in handling and caring for your feline friend at home — from brushing without a fight to recognising signs of stress.
What you’ll learn
- Safe lifting and holding methods
- Brushing and combing for different coat types
- Nail clipping basics without the drama
- Bathing dos and don’ts for cats
- Cat body language and stress signals
Suitable for
- Cat owners wanting to improve at-home care
- Aspiring groomers testing the waters before a longer program
- Vet nurses, shelter volunteers, and animal carers
Course structure
- Cat behaviour & body language
- Handling & restraint techniques
- Coat care basics — brushing, combing, detangling
- Nail trimming demo & practice
- Bathing overview & safety tips
1-on-1, face-to-face
Foundation Course
Short but intensive — gives you the skills and confidence to step into a grooming salon with a solid foundation. We start with cat-specific techniques, not dogs, because cats aren’t just small dogs.
Asian Fusion introduction: you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of Asian Fusion styling — the aesthetic approach, scissor principles, and coat presentation that define the style.
What you’ll learn
- Fear-free grooming and handling principles
- Brushing and coat maintenance
- Nail clipping, ear cleaning, teeth brushing & sanitary trims
- Recognising coat and skin issues
- Salon hygiene and tool maintenance
- Feline body language and stress reduction
- Bathing and drying cats safely
Suitable for
- Beginners aiming for an entry-level grooming role
- Dog groomers wanting to cross-train in feline care
Course structure
- Cat behaviour & fear-free handling
- Brushing, coat care & de-matting
- Nail trimming & sanitary clip
- Bathing & drying techniques
- Intro to Asian Fusion aesthetics
- Salon workflow
Supervised, real salon, real cats
Hands-On Practice Sessions
You’ve completed the Foundation Course — now it’s time to build the one thing no classroom can give you: real handling experience. These standalone practice sessions let you come into the XMMO salon and work hands-on with real cats at your own pace. Every session, every cat is different — that variety is exactly what turns a foundation student into a confident, capable groomer.
What you’ll practise
- Bathing and drying different coat types
- Handling cats of varying temperaments and stress levels
- Reading feline body language in real time
- Applying fear-free restraint techniques under real conditions
- Brushing, combing and basic grooming on live clients
- Building speed, rhythm and confidence with each session
How it works
- Each session is 3 hours in the working XMMO salon
- Fully supervised — Ben or a senior groomer is always present
- No formal instruction — this is pure hands-on practice time
- Book sessions individually, as many as you need
- Flexible scheduling around salon appointments
- No minimum or maximum number of sessions required
Suitable for
- Foundation Course graduates not yet ready for the Owner Groomer Program
- Students who want to build confidence handling a wide variety of cats
- Graduates preparing to step up to the full 3-week business course
1-on-1, face-to-face · Flagship
Profession & Business Course
Our flagship course — more than grooming training. This is your fast track to becoming a professional Asian Fusion cat stylist and a business owner. No other grooming academy in Australia teaches you how to turn your skills into income and lets you work in a real salon like we do.
Full Asian Fusion curriculum: you’ll master the complete Asian Fusion method — rounded face shaping, volume finishing, breed-specific adaptation, scissor mastery, and photography-ready presentation that clients pay premium prices for.
Grooming skills
- Fear-free handling techniques
- Bathing and drying
- Grooming tools, care & maintenance
- Coat types & skin conditions
- Asian Fusion styling: lion cut & scissor finishing
- Rounded face shaping & volume finishing
- Photography & presentation
Business bootcamp
- Setting up a home-based salon
- Branding & marketing strategies
- Pricing your services for profit
- Social media planning & content
- Customer communication & retention
Suitable for
- Entrepreneurs wanting their own grooming salon
- Aspiring pros specialising in cat grooming
- Experienced dog groomers adding feline expertise
Course structure: Handling & prep · Bathing, drying & coat conditioning · Asian Fusion styling & lion clipping · Salon workflow & client communication · Business Bootcamp
Masterclass Series · 1-on-1 or 2-on-1, face-to-face
Scissor Masterclass
Ben Kim’s signature collection of advanced training programs for professional groomers who want to refine, update, and perfect their Asian Fusion skills. Each module focuses on one specialised technique. New topics are announced exclusively to alumni first.
Advanced Asian Fusion focus: each masterclass goes deep into a specific aspect of Asian Fusion technique — the kind of detail that separates a competent groomer from a sought-after artist.
Module examples
- Asian Scissoring Mastery
- Show Cat Finishing Techniques
- Creative Styling & Breed Variations
- Low-Stress Handling for Complex Grooms
- Precision Blade & Scissor Work
Suitable for
- Professional groomers wanting cutting-edge skills
- Stylists specialising in show-level techniques
- XMMO graduates seeking advanced education
Course structure
- Each masterclass runs for 1 full day
- Focused on a single advanced skill or style
- Live demos, supervised practice & feedback from Ben
Course dates and current pricing are confirmed once you register your interest below.
The XMMO Difference
Why train here and not anywhere else?
A real salon. Real cats. Real results — not just a certificate.
One-on-one training
Tailored to your pace, constant direct feedback
Asian Fusion grooming
Modern style combining precision, aesthetics & welfare
Fear-free handling
Cat wellbeing and stress reduction at the core
Cat-exclusive expertise
100% cat curriculum — no dog grooming crossover
Real salon experience
Live client bookings, real appointments, real pressure
Business & marketing
Pricing, branding, social media, client retention
Personal brand building
Stand out and create a recognisable grooming identity
Finishing & fine details
Scissoring, coat prep, photography, premium presentation
Mentorship after graduation
Ongoing guidance and support as you build your career
Industry mindset
How to earn trust, retain clients, and grow a business
Where It Takes You
Your future of cat grooming starts here.
Professional grooming salon
Step into an established salon with Asian Fusion skills and confidence to command premium prices from day one.
Home-based cat grooming
Launch your own Asian Fusion cat grooming business from home — work-life balance, your way, your prices.
Mobile grooming service
Take your Asian Fusion skills on the road. Mobile cat grooming is in high demand and gives you total flexibility.
Vet clinic add-on
Add premium Asian Fusion cat grooming to a veterinary practice and offer a service most clinics can’t match.
Getting Started
How to apply.
Choose your course
Pick the program that matches your goals — from a 2-hour workshop to the full 3-week professional and business course.
Submit application
Fill out our quick online form. Tell us a little about yourself and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Confirm your spot
Once accepted, pay your deposit to secure your seat. Spots are limited — we keep it small on purpose.
Ready to start?
Register your interest.
Personalised coaching, Asian Fusion techniques, fear-free handling, and real business education. Takes under a minute — no obligation. We’ll only use these details to contact you about XMMO Cat Academy enrolment. No spam, ever.
1:1
personal coaching, every session
100%
cat-exclusive curriculum
Live
real salon, real clients
Prefer to talk first? Call 0421 284 142 or email hello@xmmocathotelspa.com.au.
Limited spots available each intake.