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From Sally's
Desk...
Dear Groomers... I am just back from
the Groomers Cruise and way too relaxed to write a column. But,
one of our cruisers did, and I want to share the fun with you
while it is fresh. So, I introduce Jeff Davison, as he takes
you on our BIGGEST cruise yet!
God bless you and see you soon at Groom
& Kennel Expo.
Sincerely,
Sally
sally@barkleigh.com
P.S. BIG NEWS! Barkleigh and WWPSA are
partnering for a BIG groomer bash in Las Vegas.. We will have
a ProGroom seminar with top speakers and a HUGE contest with
some great prize money. It will be held at the Las Vegas Convention
Center in September as a part of WWPSA's SuperZoo. Request
Reader Service Card #1061.
It was a dark and stormy night as the ocean
liner, Fascination, silently slipped from her berth in Miami
and slowly turned to the south, bound for high adventure and
intrigue in foreign lands.
The reality is that it was actually a typical
South Florida balmy mid afternoon as groomers gathered for five
days of fun, travel and relaxation on Barkleigh's Pet Pro Cruise
aboard Carnival's fun Ship, Fascination. This highly anticipated
annual event gives groomers, and their friends, an opportunity
to escape the hectic rigors of their salons after the holiday
rush, as they enjoy a tax deductible, fun cruise and get a little
education in the process. A true win-win for all!
This was my first Pet Pro Cruise. The opportunity
to attend was made possible because my extremely significant
other, Teri DiMarino, was the guest speaker for the trip, offering
her insightful perspectives on subjects ranging from grooming
geriatric dogs to new dematting techniques.
Approximately 150 groomers, their co-workers
and friends, joined their hosts, Sally Liddick and Gwen Shelly
of Barkleigh Productions, for a delightful five days of fun,
sun, smooth sailing, wonderfully touristy ports and food. How
could I have neglected to mention the food right up front???
Food - 24/7! From gourmet dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner
to 2:00 a.m. pizza and soft serve ice cream with an intriguing
array of cookies, cakes, pies and more, the flow of food never
stops, or even slows down for that matter! Well, it is a cruise,
and I do believe that there is an unwritten international requirement
that cruising guests gain a minimum of six pounds for every five
days aboard ship. Teri and I easily upheld the established standard.
I am quite confident that others did equally as well.
Also aboard was (I'm not sure how to phrase
this!) a Goth convention. After the inherent fear of a very different
group of people subsided, we found them to be not only entertaining,
but a whole lot of fun. While different (by personal design),
they certainly enjoy life and they are a pleasure to be around.
As a group, they are fun, funny and talkative, and they seemed
to enjoy gawking at us as much as we enjoyed gawking at them.
They dominated the karaoke and, for the most part, performed
quite well.
The Fascination made daylong stops in two
ports: Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico with plent of time
for leisure sightseeing and tee shirt purchasing. Since Teri
lived in Flor-ida for many years, we had already seen just about
everything there is to see in Key West, and it was our pleasure
to recommend some interesting and fun, off the beaten track restaurants
and sights that typical tourists don't normally see. We spent
the day with Teri's brother, Bill Becker, who has lived in The
Keys for over thirty years and is very well known as the news
voice of US-1 Radio.
Teri and I did venture out on a wonderful
excursion to Tulum, which is about thirty miles southwest of
our docking in Cozumel. Tulum is a wonderful example of ancient
Mayan Indian ruins that are amazingly well preserved and offer
breathtaking cliff side views of sensational beaches and the
tantalizingly warm waters of the Yucatan Coast. I had visited
Tulum in 1980 and the ride that today takes forty-five minutes
on well paved roads in an air conditioned bus, took over four
hours on rough dirt trails in a rented old Jeep. Tourism certainly
has had an impact on Yucatan's coast from Cancun to Cozamel with
beachfront hotels that look more like Miami Beach than the jungles
of Mexico that I remember from my first visit. All that said,
Teri and I (and about two hundred others) had a great day trip,
and we highly recommend an excursion to Tulum, and if you have
a little extra time, Chitzen Itza (sometimes jokingly mispronounced
Chicken Pizza). If you are at all into history and are fascinated
by the Mayan and Aztec cultures, as I am, you will truly enjoy
the experiences.
Back on the Fascination there is never a lack of something to
do. From just relaxing and enjoying the sun, pool and Jacuzzi
to tantalizing spa treatments, shopping, gambling, day and evening
entertainment and, of course, food! Everyone certainly seemed
to be having a great time and I, to be sure, am looking forward
to future Pet Pro Cruises to places like Hawaii, the Caribbean
and Alaska. Check the Barkleigh website (www.barkleigh.com) for
future cruises. You can be assured that you will have a fabulous
time.
Jeff Davison
Barbara Denzer...
Retail Strategies From A Master
By Kathy Hosler
Are you reluctant to see items in your
salon? Are you overwhelmed, unsure of what products you should
offer, afraid to invest money in inventory that may not sell?
And are you convinced that you are NOT a salesperson? Maybe you
just don't know where to begin. Retailing should be an indispensable
part of your business. Even if you have never sold anything,
all you need is a little encouragement and some tried and true
tips from an expert.
Barbara Denzer, vice president and director
of product development at Cardinal Laboratories, Inc. is just
such a person. She is an expert in retailing and has some basic
and easy business building tips to help you get started.
Prior to her involvement in the pet industry,
Barbara was a developer and marketer of health and beauty products
for other companies and for her own company of bath and laundry
products. She joined Cardinal Pet Products in 1993. "My
job is to direct the research and develop products for Gold Medal
Pets, Pet Botanics, CraZy Pet, and Cardinal," explains Ms.
Denzer, "and to act as art director and copywriter to create
the packaging, labeling and advertising for the brands."
Barbara has a wealth of experience in retailing,
and her ideas can translate into big bucks for your business.
"The first thing about retailing that I would like to remind
all groomers who say that they hate to sell," states Ms.
Denzer, "is that they're in business to provide a service
like this. You have a store. People go to stores to shop. People
come to your store with money in their pocket. People LIKE to
spend money. Think of selling things as doing your customers
a favor. You're making them happy. They go home with something
extra, besides a clean dog!"
"Treats and toys sell themselves,"
she shares. "Make a stand-up 8-1/2 x 11 poster with an adorable
well-groomed dog. Under the picture say, 'Every Dog Deserves
a Treat on Bath Day!' Even if you HATE selling, a basket of treats
and a display of toys on the counter is a must." Impulse
items are a great way to introduce retailing to your customers!
Have confidence in your own knowledge.
For example, Barbara urges, "Sell what you use. You are
the expert. Your customers trust you and your advice." What
she's suggesting is that you don't have to be a salesperson.
Just share your experience and product knowledge.
Here's another suggestion that can easily
take your retailing to a new level. "Create a Product of
the Month," says Barbara. "Take a picture of your pet
with a product that really solves a problem, or a product that
you or your pet really love. Put it on the counter, along with
your own personal endorsement neatly typed underneath. Stack
two or three of the product next to it. Think of finding great
products as a game. It's your challenge! What can you come up
with that is reasonably priced, fun, attractive and functional
that will make your customers say 'Wow!' this month?"
Do you want your sales to explode? Go seasonal.
Make your sales revolve around the holidays! Make shopping a
fun experience for your customers. Decorate your store and create
displays of gifts and impulse items.
Barbara suggests, "If you have a window
in your shop, you should be creating a display of pet products.
You don't have to compete with other pet stores in your area.
Just select a few gift items for pets, or people, and arrange
them in a nice display. Let it sell itself. Make sure to change
it at least every month!"
Where does Barbara Denzer get all her great
marketing ideas? She is a remarkable blend of talent, creativity,
insight, determination and love. Joe Fucini, of Fucini Productions,
who works closely with her, says Barbara has "the wonderment
and imagination of a child. She refuses to be bound by rigid
rules and doesn't care about following tradition."
One of her most recent achievements celebrates
the pet/owner relationship and the fun they share. Yes, Barbara
is the creative genius behind those wacky, funny and adorable
little canine and feline cartoon characters known as the CraZy
Pets. She used a zany, sunglass-sporting dog on the label, bold
graphics and bright eye-popping colors, teamed with mix and match
scents, and created products that were funny and fun to use.
This amazing lady has blazed an innovative
and unique trail into uncharted waters, and has opened a new
era in the pet industry. "Barbara not only thinks outside
the box, she lives outside the box, too," states Joe Fucini.
"She is fearless and eagerly tackles any new challenge.
There is never a dull moment when you work with her."
As a matter of fact, Barbara Denzer's handiwork
the CraZy Pet Product line has been awarded the Dog
Fancy magazine's 2003 Editor's Choice Award for innovative dog
products. And recently, the CraZy Pet characters have made their
fourth appearance on page one of the Wall Street Journal.
And, these adorable canine and feline CraZy
Pets really know how to market products. They have achieved incredible
success and world recognition. That must be why their creator
and mentor won the prestigious Grand National Marketing Award
from Inc. magazine. There were 386 marketing professionals competing
for the award, yet Barbara captured it by unanimous choice. No
wonder her strategies for retailing can open up great new possibilities
for your business.
"Coordinate your selling activities
with things you like to do," Barbara advises. "Are
you a computer buff? Put a screen saver on your salon computer
that rotates through some basic products. Create it so it's not
you asking them to buy something it's their pet begging them
to. Put copy underneath a picture that says things like "Every
time I get a bath, I'm very good and I hope my Mom will buy me
a new toy!"
"Is travel your hobby? What special
equipment do you use for your pets when you travel? Let your
customers know. It's easy to ask them if they're going on a trip
soon and start the conversation rolling.
"Do you go home and bury your head
in a book? Sell books you love and can recommend to your clients.
You can create your own pet book club and select a new title
every month"
And speaking of books, Barbara owns MTB
Marketing and has the license for publishing the first CraZy
Dog book. "My daughter and I have written The Crazy Kids
Guide to Cooking for Your Pet," Barbara says enthusiastically.
"We're really excited about this book because it has simple
recipes that children can make for their dogs or cats, jokes,
pet care tips and fun things to do with your pet."
She goes on to explain, "I'm a former
early childhood Special Ed teacher and felt that there were not
enough programs that actually teach character values to children.
I designed the Back Bones of Character for The CraZy Pet Company
so we could use the affinity that children have with their pets
to help teach them the importance of building character."
That is enough to keep even the most energetic and organized
person busy full time, but Barbara Denzer, the master of multi
tasking, is just getting warmed up.
"I think multi tasking is a benefit
of being a mother," confirms Barbara. "Knowing how
to prioritize is essential. There aren't enough hours in a day,
but I'm flexible and deadline driven, and I love a challenge!"
Barbara has been a free-lance writer since
the age of sixteen when she edited a newsletter for the local
youth group. She specializes in pet-related niche areas. She
has written a series of articles on the stories behind the dogs
and cats that appear on wine labels, and has another book, The
Pet Lovers Guide to Wine in the works.
Barbara also has an affinity for architecture,
but she concentrates on barchitecture, the architecture of doghouses,
and she has published articles about that, too.
And she is also into folk art. Right now
she is researching and working on animal mailboxes that have
been handcrafted. She is studying the piano, loves to golf, and
it's been said that she is a book and antique store junkie. Barbara
loves to travel, and always has a project or two or three in
the works.
What last bit of advice does Barbara Denzer
have for the groomer who has never tried retailing? "If
you pick up the crystal ball on my desk and look inside,"
states Barbara, "it says The future is in your hands!"
Take your business to a new level and begin
retailing. You can have fun while helping your customers and
boosting your bottom line.
Speaking Of Blades...
By Mary Faith Moore
There is more to clipping puppy dog locks
than using a high-end clipper and a fancy pair of shears. Whether
your grooming clipper is cordless, two-speed, lightweight or
heavy duty, achieving maximum performance depends on the blade
it is driving.
Today professionals can rely on their grooming
blades to be safe with a precision edge that provides a quality
finish. If you haven't purchased grooming blades since Lassie
was in primetime, prepare for a surprise!
Our exploration of clipper blades reveals
an unprecedented selection of canine cutters as high tech and
diversified as the clippers that provide the muscle. Our feature
represents blades from the top drawer, created with the finest
materials, (cool ceramic, wear resistant titanium, resilient
zirthoum). They run cool, hold a precision edge and are priced
to fit your budget. Look them over. You may have a problem choosing
which brand to buy.
Andis Company
Recognized the world over for their superior equipment offering
to the professional grooming industry, Andis Company now introduces
their most recent innovation, ULTRAEDGE. ULTRAEDGE features a
collection of blades designed to stay sharper longer because
of an exclusive Andis manufacturing process. Chrome finished
and rust resistant "ULTRAEDGE is designed to save money
on a cost per use basis with conventional blades, while remaining
comparatively priced.
"By adding carbon to the cutting edge
of the grooming blades, the life of the blade is significantly
extended," notes Fred Koeller, Vice President of Marketing
at Andis. He also points out that ULTRAEDGE is available in twenty-one
sizes, "the largest range of blade lengths in the world."
Andis Company has been manufacturing handheld
equipment to trim, cut, curl,
and dry the locks of man and beast since 1922. For more information,
please request Reader
Service Card #1064.
ConairPET
Conair Professional Grooming Products
ConairPET Clipper and Blade System (launched in the autumn of
2002) marked the beginning of the "Conair's entry into the
pet grooming industry. We utilize an international research team
featuring the expertise of hundreds of engineers across the globe,"
explains John Vasone, Senior Category Manager, and ConairPET.
The benefit of such resources to existing grooming technology
is evidenced by the ConairPET ceramic blade system. "We
used ceramic technology in the professional barber and beauty
business for several years," says Vasone."Bringing
extended expertise to the pet care industry was the best way
to go."
The durable ConairPET blade features a
ceramic cutter combined with a cryogenically hardened steel comb.
The blade retains its cutting edge longer than all-steel blades
and the lightness of the ceramic requires less current, prolonging
the lifetime of the clipper motor and keeping blades cool. Sharp
blades that stay cool improve work efficiency, which is good
news for pet professionals as evidenced by the increasing popularity
of the ConairPET brand."We've received a significant response.
Blade sales are repeating," says Vasone.
ConairPET Ceramic blades are available
in all standard sizes and interchangeable with other clipper
brands on the market. Request
Reader Service Card #1065 for more information.
Gieb Company
Gieb Buttercut Blades
True to its brand, Gieb Buttercut blades offer a "smooth
as butter" cut. "We round the tips so the blade doesn't
bite into the skin," explains Edward Gieb, President, Gieb
Company. Manufactured from special high-grade high carbon stainless,
the Buttercut blade is designed for the long haul. "It will
hold an edge for a long time," promises Geib. "The
difference is remarkable."
Test the #40 blade on a Poodle foot, or
the ominous #7 on a matted mix. Gieb recently added two new blade
sizes (#50 and #8.5), with plans to expand into bigger blades
during 2004. Gieb recently redesigned the Buttercut ceramic blade.
"The cutter has longer front teeth. They pick up the hair
better," explains Gieb. "They stay cool through an
entire trim; the ceramic edge doesn't hold the heat."
What makes Gieb Buttercut blades superior
is high precision grinding, combined with the best materials.
"We use the highest quality steel on the market," says
Gieb. "It's critical."
For more information, Request
Reader Service Card #1066.
Kim Laube & Company Inc.
Over the past twenty-five years, Kim Laube & Co Inc. has
been recognized for development and innovation of world class
clippers (and blades) for the professional user. "We are
the only manufacturer offering a written performance guarantee
on our grooming blades," says Kim Laube. Kim Laube &
Company also promises the lowest price. "Across the continent,
our blades cost less than any blade in any published catalogue,"
says Laube.
Determined to provide top quality equipment
at a true value, Laube manufactures two individual blade lines,
each offering a long lasting cut and extreme durability.
Laube's conventional blades are manufactured
from ice tempered carbon steel then coated with a hard chrome
finish. "Hard chrome ensures the ruggedness and longevity
of our blades," explains Laube.
Ready to step up? Sample Laube's premiere
titanium ceramic blades. "Titanium is four times lighter
yet ten times stronger than steel," explains Laube. "Ceramic
cutters run cooler, and are self sharpening. Groomers tell us
their blades last 20-30 times longer!" For more information,
please request Reader
Service Cared #1067.
MDC Romani, Inc.
Regardless of which blade brand you choose, Snap-On combs are
a necessary enhancement. No one knows this better than Marlene
Romani, grooming entrepreneur, CMG, instructor and innovator
of the renowned Clipper Vac ® grooming system. "Snap-On
Combs are more efficent, save on blade sharpening and offer groomers
more styling options," explains Marlene, "They can
be used with any grooming clipper and work exceptionally well
with a Clipper Vac ®."
MDC Romani offers a full line of fourteen
Snap-On Combs in two trendy colors (hunter green or burgundy).
The Romani comb is designed to be groomer friendly. Note that
each comb bears a description of the length it leaves the coat
printed in large easy to read print. Experience the security
of smooth tips (no stabbing or poking) snag free material (no
burrs or nicks).
"Other combs fly off," says Marlene.
"Our combs have a strong back clip. The ears don't bend,
so they stay on."
Marlene's grooming school students discovered
a multitude of uses for the Snap-On Comb, many of which are included
in Romani's Snap-On Comb video (available through Barkleigh Productions
- Reader Service Card #379).
"Versatile use of the Snap-On Comb
improves grooming efficiency immensely," says Marlene. "Does
a carpenter use a handsaw when a circular saw will do?"
For more information about Snap-On Combs or other products, Request
Reader Servcice Card # 1068.
Oster Professional Products
Sunbeam Products Inc.
Grooming industry leader Oster Professional Products comes forward
with an exciting new approach to grooming blades. Spring 2004
will see the debut of Oster's Zirconium Composite grooming blade,
a dynamite new interchangeable cutter that is Oster's answer
to ceramics.
"We were looking for a product that
was new and innovative," explains Len Quist, Group Marketing
Manager for Oster Professional. "We liked the performance
of ceramic blades, but across the board we saw very little difference
in products. We discovered that using a Zirconium Composite blend
improved fraction toughness, resulting in a blade that is less
brittle and therefore more durable." Zirconium Blades stay
cooler longer, and hold their edge for incredible lengths of
time.
"We coated both the upper and lower
blade with titanium, which increases the long-term wear of the
blade," explained Quist. Encouraged by the positive response
received from groomers during test runs, Oster plans to celebrate
their new spring blades in a marketing sweep!
Groomers! Watch your mail and read Groomer
to Groomer for some dynamite incentives to purchase your first
Zirconium blade set. For the latest news about Oster Professional
Products Request
Reader Service Card #1069.
Wahl Clipper Corporation
Made in the USA, and in business since the early 1900s, Wahl
Clipper Corporation is an international company with American
roots. "Our blades are manufactured in the USA (Sterling,
Illinois) says Helen Cox, Wahl Marketing Manager, "but our
products are used by groomers across the globe." Wahl blades
are designed with a special tension guaranteeing that they run
cooler than hand processed from the highest quality steel.
"We use corrosive inhibited finishes,"
explains Helen. "Our blades start sharp and stay sharp."
Professionals applaud the versatility of Wahl Competition series
blades, which are completely interchangeable, adaptable to most
grooming clipper brands, and available in a wide selection of
sizes. "We've come a long way since 1919," says Helen.
Wahl offers the convenience of sharpening and repair factory
direct or in your neighborhood at one of the many Wahl service
centers. For more information, Request
Reader Service Card #1070.
Here is the good news! All of the blades
we described are interchangeable and adaptable to most clipper
models so why limit your selection? Page through your grooming
catalogs, or punch up their Web Sites. Start your styling blade
collection right away... this very day!
Barkleigh Partners
with WWPSA to Offer Vegas Seminar and Grooming Contest at SuperZoo
Barkleigh Productions, Inc. is partnering with WWPSA to offer
a ProGroom grooming seminar and an IJA sanctioned Grooming Tournament
at SuperZoo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada,
on Sept. 22-23. 2004.
"We are excited to be joining SuperZoo in 2004,"
says Sally Liddick, President of Barkleigh Productions. "Groomers
in the West will really benefit from the seminars by top experts,
as well as the great venue of Las Vegas for an International
Judges Assoc. Sanctioned grooming event. Groomers have often
expressed a need for more competitions in the West and additional
opportunities to reap some huge prize money.
The two day ProGroom seminar will be held alongside the trade
show hall and the spectacular grooming contest will be offered
right on the trade show floor. "We have been seeing a growing
trend of groomers who are getting into retailing. SuperZoo is
a wonderful opportunity for them to find complimentary retail
products for their service businesses," says Liddick.
"On behalf of WWPSA, we are thrilled that Barkleigh Productions
will be producing the Grooming Contest and ProGroom for SuperZoo
2004 in Las Vegas," said Doug Poindexter, Executive Vice
President of WWPSA, the producers of SuperZoo. He went on to
say, "The professionalism that Sally Liddick and her team
will bring to the contest cannot be topped. We look forward to
providing the grooming community with a reason to leave their
salons and travel to Las Vegas in order to learn from the experts
at ProGroom and enter a top-notch grooming competition."
For more information about ProGroom Las Vegas and the IJA
Grooming Tournament, contact Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 6 State
Rd. #113, Mechanicsburg PA 17050, info@barkleigh.com
or (717) 691-3388.
ProGroom Pennsylvania
and Natural Pet Expo Boasts Exciting Events!
Hands-on Seminars,
IPG Certification, Horse Grooming and Oster Career Start Contest
Hands-on Seminars is the word for exciting ProGroom Pennsylvania
this year at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
on May 14-16. This is your unique opportunity to bring a dog
and groom right at the expo.
"One of the biggest problems of our
major shows is that there is not a facility that favors dogs,"
says Sally Liddick, organizer. "It is tough enough to run
a grooming contest, let alone allow all groomers to bring a dog
to work on. This is the biggest benefit of this expo center.
It is Dog Friendly, so everyone can bring a dog to work on, if
they desire."
Hands-on Seminars...
Debbie Beckwith, competitive winning groomer, salon owner and
director of the Southern Institute of Grooming, will be front
and center with a day long program of hands-on seminars. You
can bring a dog, and work on your own problem grooming areas,
or attend without a dog and enjoy the seminars and watch others.
Debbie will have classes on handstripping,
sequence directional grooming and lots more. Watch the action,
enjoy the seminar or get in and groom!
Grooming Certification...
"Become all you can be," says Judy Kurpiel, Director
of IPG, Inc. An elite group of IPG certifiers will offer the
full package of certification courses at ProGroom PA. Breed workshops,
AKC standards and preparing for certification testing will take
place, as well as actual certification testing. You can become
a Certified Master Groomer (CMG) at Lebanon this year!
Horse Grooming...
Susan Campbell, a horse grooming expert, will offer exciting
horse grooming seminars on various aspects of the equine grooming
process. She will demonstrate handling techniques, equipment,
mane and tail care, safety tips and procedures.
Grooming Demos...
The Oster Ambassadors will offer several grooming demos during
the weekend. Get up close and personal for some exciting education
into breed grooming, handling, techniques and products.
Natural Pet Expo...
This three day educational forum will offer some top national
educators in the arena of natural and holistic treatments and
knowledge. Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM and Dr. Harvey Cohen
will offer fine programs during the weekend. They will teach
about herbs for health and behavior, skin and coat problems,
holistic modalities, alternative therapies, and much more.
Other Excellent Programs and Events...
How to Operate a Doggie Day Care will be just one of the add-on
events. Plus, because this show is offered in conjunction with
Off Lead Training Expo, there will be myriad training programs
and events, such as Agility, Lure Coursing, Dancing with Dogs,
Puppy Playground and more for you and your pet. Find out why
you went into the business of dogs in the first place... because
you love it!
Fun! Fun! Fun!
The Lebanon Expo offers a beautiful country setting in Central
Pennsylvania. You can camp at the Expo. Plus, there will be a
Country Hoe Down and Dinner on Saturday, and a Friday evening
Barbecue and Stupid Human/Stupid Pet Tricks Contest.
For more information, please request
Reader Service Card #846.
Q & A
Q. The Q. & A. column is great for me, as I feel
pretty isolated from the grooming industry. I groom out of my
home in a small, rural town, and work alone. Yeah, yeah, I know.
I need to attend grooming seminars. Well, that brings me to my
question.
Since I groom alone, if I go away, no dogs
are booked, and therefore, no money comes in the door. My business
has grown far bigger than I ever anticipated, and I'd like to
hire a groomer so I can take time off to show my dogs. I would
also like to attend some seminars and not feel guilty. I've put
the word out at dog shows, vet clinics, talked with my clients
about it and even placed a help wanted ad in the newspaper. But,
I cannot find an experienced groomer. I'm willing to train someone,
but I have several concerns. Do I still charge my regular price
when a trainee is grooming the dog, or offer a discounted rate?
Since it is my business, I'm petrified of a dog being injured
by a rookie groomer. Of course, I'd feel terrible for the animal's
sake, but from the business perspective, especially in a small
town, I'm afraid it could have a big, negative impact. I also
am afraid of putting all the time and effort into training someone,
only to discover they will never be a good groomer. In short,
I'd like to hear from anyone who has trained someone from scratch
telling how it worked out for them and their customers. Better
yet, how do grooming shops find good, experienced groomers???
Tracy Kaecker, Designer Fur Pet Salon, Petersburg IL
A. In
response to How Do I Get Clients to Re-book Appointments
I have been grooming for fourteen years,
five at my own shop, and I have been pre-scheduling customers
for about seven years now.
For my regular every Christmas time grooming
they receive their present, plus their entire following year's
schedule of appointment dates. I have (at this time) over two
hundred regulars who are scheduled ahead for the entire year.
I ask new customers when they pick up their dog after the first
grooming if they'd like to pre-schedule their next appointment
so they can have the day and time most convenient for them. After
their second appointment I ask if they'd like for me to make
them a schedule for the rest of the year for their convenience.
About ninety percent agree to this.
When I get my schedule book for the new
year, I make my schedules in three sections Saturday people,
evening people, and everyone else (daytime, during the week).
I will start pre-booking at that time.
Then I type up the schedules on my computer, printing them out
on pretty designer papers. I use Thanksgiving weekend to finish
up the pre-scheduling and printing, and I'm all set for the new
year!
Since ninety percent of my people are pre-booked
this way, we always call to remind every customer of their upcoming
appointment, and I rarely have cancellations. Pre-booking is
great, because I can decide which customers to book on which
days, and I can control my work schedule. This helps a lot when
I have multiple pet people because it allows me to schedule enough
time for them. I've been doing it for years, and my customers
look forward to it. It saves them the hassle of calling for an
appointment especially when we have a several week wait most
of the year. Everyone gets in when their pet needs to be groomed
with no hassle and no wait! Valerie Attrill, Barking Beauties
and Meows, Too!, Allentown PA
A. In
response to the question on pay at a vet clinic:
I worked at a vet clinic in a small town
in Ohio just a few years ago, and I did the same odd jobs, in
addition to grooming as you described. I loved the way I was
paid because it covered all aspects of the job. I was paid first
on hourly wage, then an additional $4 for every groom I did and
an additional $2 for every bath. This way I was paid for waiting
on clients or helping around the clinic. I was being recognized
for the grooming work, AND getting an incentive to take on extra
baths. Worked for me! Lisa Baxter, Lisa's Dog Design, Defiance
OH
A. What do clients really appreciate when they lose
a pet?
I have been grooming for fourteen years
five at my own shop. I have had many clients pass away, both
human and pets.
For my regular pet customers, I send the
Barkleigh postcard with envelope and include two poems Rainbow
Bridge and From Friend to Friend and a bud vase with a small
floral arrangement from my local florist (approx. $15 value).
This small token of sincerity is the least I can do for a wonderful
pet. For fairly new clients, I usually send the card and the
poems. It seems the least I can do to help ease their overwhelming
pain.
For people who have passed away, I send
a floral arrangement to the funeral home or to the existing spouse.
Remembering our client friends is very important to me.
I have shed many tears reading the thank
you cards. I have some customers who no longer have pets, but
stop in to chat or say Hello This means a lot to me! Valerie
Attrill, Barking Beauties and Meows, Too! Allentown PA
A. What perks do clients seem to really appreciate?
I offer a free "Lost Pet ID Service"
to every customer (grooming or just nail trim). Three years ago
I had 1000 stainless steel pet ID tags engraved with my shop's
name and telephone number, along with a number (numerical order
0001 through 1000). Each pet receives a tag to be placed on its
collar when the pet comes to the shop! On my shop's answering
machine I also refer anyone who calls with a lost pet with my
ID tag on its collar to my cell phone for after hours help.
I am up to number 832 and have found at
least twenty plus pets for their owners. This is really a great
feeling.
The project takes up no time at all. It
consists of a notebook with tag numbers and the pet's info, which
I have copies of and keep with me at all times and I always carry
my cell phone anyway! Owners love the extra effort, which costs
me very little effort to provide. Valerie Attrill, Barkling Beauties
and Meows, Too! Allentown PA
Q. Dear
Groomer to Groomer Love your magazine! I'd just like to make
a response to your Q & A. Actually, it's a response to an
answer regarding shave-downs. I may be a little old fashioned,
but it has been my experience that an Oster 8-1/2 blade will
cut through (under) just about anything without a clog. Cocker,
Sammy, really any double coat. It just seems to me that these
groomers have gone to a lot of unnecessary trouble when all they
needed was an 8-1/2 blade. Of course, one would still need a
10 blade for armpits and sanitary areas. Robyn O'Donnell, Pink
Poodle Parlor, Westerly RI
Send all questions and answers
to Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 6 State Rd. #113, Mechanicsburg
PA 17050 · Fax: (717) 691-3381
E:mail: sally@barkleigh.com
The True Meaning
of Groomer to Groomer
By Carrie
Nassif and Jennifer Harmon
Jennifer and I both relocated to Central
Florida approximately four years ago. We came from the same town
in New Hampshire. I am the owner of Con Amore Grooming in Tarpon
Springs, Florida, and Jen is at Pet Safari in Dunedin, Florida.
Our shops are about ten miles from each other, but we had never
met. One day a mutual friend suggested that we should get together
for coffee, and we soon became close friends.
While shopping one day, Jen casually mentioned,
"Wouldn't it be great if we could walk into other groomers'
shops, introduce ourselves and invite them to share ideas, fun,
etc.? I began brainstorming and took a day off work, and with
a bunch of business cards in hand, drove around the county introducing
myself and inviting various groomers for dinner. I even suggested
that we could maybe all go to Groom Expo. I was amazed at how
many groomers had never heard of Groom Expo or even knew that
seminars existed! Jen had never attended a seminar. I, myself
attended Groom Expo in 2002, and it changed my way of doing business,
and my finances for the better dramatically. More on that later
Well, in October, after phoning many groomers
from the Yellow Pages, we had six groomers who were interested
in meeting for dinner after work. It went very well. Our next
meeting was scheduled for December, and ten people arrived.
We scheduled our third meeting for February
of this year, and I honestly expected the same ten people to
show up. But, from word of mouth and a genuine desire for camaraderie,
word spread, and we now have approximately thirty members in
our little group.
We have been networking and sharing ideas,
referrals, etc. I am amazed at how positive things have been.
We are now planning our trip to Hershey. Barkleigh Productions
was kind enough to forward as many Groom Expo books as we needed.
Seasoned professionals and even recent grads are as enthused
and excited about attending Hershey as we old-timers are. It
is such a wonderful event.
How did Groom Expo change my life? Well,
when I attended my first seminar at Hershey in 2002, I had never
even thought of venturing into retail. I, as many other groomers
I am sure, considered retail to be "hallowed ground."
After perusing the trade show floor, I
went to bed that night in my room at the Hershey Lodge and could
not sleep. I wanted to buy products for retail, but how much
and what brands? I could not wait for the trade show doors to
open the next morning. No one ever succeeded in business without
taking a chance, and so I did. I invested $800.00, and that has
been returned to me as profit many times over.
My retail pays a large portion of my overhead
and has paid for my trip to Hershey many times over. It is a
wonderful event. With all the new friends that Jen and I have
made, we now know the true meaning of Groomer to Groomer.
I only hope that groomers in other states
will follow my lead and not be afraid to walk in and shake hands
with your "neighbor" groomer. There is no place for
the "green-eyed monster" in grooming, and there are
no secrets in grooming. Maybe by Groom Expo 2004 we will see
many more groups from many other states. Hope to meet you all
there
Carrie and Jen
www.suncoastpetpros.com
The Grooming
View... READERS RESPONSES
By Marea Tully
READER RESPONSES
After checking my email lately, I'm thankful
that you guys are reading my columns and responding to them.
Some are nice and some are not so nice; but that's okay. It helps
to have thick skin, and understand that when anyone says something,
some will agree and some will not.
A groomer named Niki from upstate New York
wrote to applaud the article on Pricing Your Services and went
on to explain that since raising her prices and buying some better
equipment, she is now under much less stress and enjoying her
job more. She decided to do all this after attending her first
seminar in Hershey. Nikki also suggested that I should have included
HOW to get prices where they should be. Hopefully the article
entitled Pricing by the Hour took care of that. If not, let me
know.
Another groomer from South Carolina wrote
to tell me that she personally believes I'm "nuts for only
grooming seven to nine dogs a day" ( which wasn't said).
She asked how I made any money and that charging by the hour
doesn't pay the bills.
In case anyone else misunderstood, please
reread the article. Perhaps the following one as well so it will
make more sense. Most trades people charge by the hour and most
of them do quite well. Also understand that in a short article
one cannot give a course on business and finance. Groomers who
are happy charging the way they do should certainly continue
to do so. The column was written for those who may have wanted
another way to do business.
One person said she did not know how long
I had been grooming but since she had been a groomer for five
years now she decided to help me out and fill me in. For those
of you who don't know, I've been grooming dogs for more than
thirty years, competed for ten years, tied for fourth place on
Groom Team USA, won Best in Show in the International European
Competition and for the past ten years have been demonstrating,
lecturing and judging grooming competitions all over the USA,
Germany, Belgium, Ireland and Thailand. It also became necessary
to start my grooming business over three different times and
each time I learned how to be more successful.
It occurred to me that many of you probably
have no idea who many of the writers are in Groomer to Groomer
magazine and perhaps we should do an article on that. I can assure
you that Sally Liddick, editor of this magazine, makes sure the
people she asks to write for her have a wealth of experience
and know of what they speak.
From time to time we hear pet stylists
and others complaining about the big chain stores having their
own grooming departments and how it hurts the individual groomer
or small shop. They fear the superstores will hire their groomers
away. Well, according to Business Spotlight in the November thirteenth
issue of the Boston Globe there is a nationwide boom in jobs
related to pets. "The number of non-farm animal caretakers,
a category of those who feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise or
otherwise care for pets and other non-farm animals, has increased
by forty percent since 1999, from 120,000 to 170,000," according
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The article went on to say that the real
boom in pet related jobs has been among pet groomers and dog
obedience trainers. Jim Krack of the American Kennel Association
credits the advent of the pet superstores, such as Petsmart and
Petco. He said they "have brought the concept of pet services
to a larger audience, making more people out there aware of things
like grooming and training." These two companies, with more
than 1,200 stores between them nationwide are expecting to hire
more than 2,000 groomers this year and a greater number next
year.
Sooooo, maybe some of us should rethink
how we feel about super stores having grooming departments. They
have made the public more aware of grooming their dogs. They
are hiring groomers, and they support grooming competitions in
a big way. There's nothing like a little competition to bring
standards up. No one can hire your groomers away unless they
want to leave. So, pay them well, provide benefits, appreciate
and reward them, and they won't be going anywhere. Happy employees
don't leave. There are plenty of dogs to go around, and the better
groomers will have the better businesses.
To improve your grooming of many breeds,
I would suggest that you contact the many certification programs
out there and ask for a copy of their guidelines. They have good
outlines and step by step instructions. They cost around $35,
depending on which ones you buy. These guidelines were made by
the top groomers in the country and are much more up-to-date
than any grooming book you have. You can contact National Dog
Groomers (Reader
Service Card #1073), International Professional Groomers
(Reader
Service Card #1074), International Society of Canine Cosmetology
(Reader
Service Card #1075) or if in California, the Companion Animal
Hygienist Program(Reader
Service Card #1076).
Regarding two of the recent grooming competitions,
one girl was observed on the highest level of the staging in
her stocking feet, and every time she moved, many people noticed
the enormous amount of hair collected all the way around her
stockings like a pair of shoes... not the most professional image
or example one would like to see from professional contest groomers.
At another show, I was walking down the
hall, and saw this lady running at top speed back to the show
hall with tears streaming down her face. When asked what was
wrong, she said someone had broken into her car and smashed her
window to smithereens. She went flying back to the car worried
to death that her grooming equipment had been stolen and when
she saw it was all still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.
It turned out that all they had taken was her purse, which fortunately
had no money or credit cards in it. But if someone had not seen
her throw her purse in the car and walk back into the building,
it is doubtful that someone would have smashed her window to
get it. Please, people, don't do things that cause trouble. You
never know who's watching you, and there's no sense courting
disaster.
One final note: A former Groom Team Member,
Kathleen Putman, was struck by a car while training for a triathlon.
She was very seriously injured and has had many operations and
will be in rehab for many months. She could use all the prayers,
cards, flowers, e-mails, etc. that you can give. Please send
your thoughts and best wishes to The Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith
Road, Cincinnati, OH 45216.
See you on the road,
Marea
mareatully@yahoo.com
P.S. Email me your thoughts or
comments, mareatully@yahoo.com
Free Retailing Seminars Highlight Spring
Trade Show
The 16th Annual Pet Industry
Spring Trade Show, sponsored by H. H. Backer, is scheduled for
April 16-18 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The latest innovations for pets
of all types will be featured in the Product Showcase. Approximately
600 pet supply manufacturers and distributors will occupy more
than 1,000 booths at the show.
Award-winning groomer, Sue Zecco,
will offer free seminars, Getting Creative with Shih Tzus and
Other Drop-Coated Dogs and Poodle Grooming Made Easy. Some of
the other seminars in the line-up include How to Superstore-Proof
Your Business and Running a Successful Pet Business by the Numbers.
In addition, Arneberg's Sensational
Canines will perform the Kountry K-9 Show throughout the weekend
in Backer's Canine Sports Area. These ten comedic canines have
performed all over the world and have appeared on various television
commercials. The show can be seen throughout the weekend.
Trade show hours are: 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17, and 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. For more information please
request Reader
Service Card #1077.
New Pet Industry Show To Be Held In
Colorado Springs
The first annual Pet Services
Expo will be held in Colorado Springs, CO, on May 12-19, 2004.
The Expo is directed toward individuals or businesses interested
in finding out more about the Pet Services Industry and how they
might participate in the industry's runaway growth. It will feature
full and half-day "How To Do It" seminars on the various
aspects of the industry.
The Expo will assist in establishing
and effectively managing such pet service businesses as Boarding
Kennels, All Suite Kennels, Grooming Shops, Dog Day Care Centers,
Dog Training Centers, Mobile Grooming Businesses, Pet Shipping
Businesses and Pet Supply Retail Businesses. In addition, there
will be seminars on working with architects and builders of pet-related
businesses and a pet industry trade show.
A highlight of the Expo is the
participation of the American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA),
which will present its renowned two-day seminar, "Building,
Buying and Operating a Boarding Kennel" as part of the program.
For more information, request
Reader
Service Card #1055.
NaturVet® Introduces New Herbal
Flea Spray
NaturVet® has just introduced
new Herbal flea Spray, a companion product for its popular and
effective Herbal Flea Powder for Pets and Pet Bedding. Now pet
guardians can choose whichever form is more convenient for their
need.
The liquid Herbal Flea Spray
combines Rosemary and Cedar Oil, ingredients which safely and
effectively repel fleas. Like the powder, it does not contain
dangerous pesticides or chemicals. The spray or powder can be
used directly on dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens
over the age of six weeks. They can also be applied to bedding,
such as pillows, foam beds, and blankets. An added benefit is
a fresh, pleasant smell, either on the pet or in its bed. These
safe, natural products can be used as often as needed. They do
not conflict or interfere with other flea products, including
spot-ons, such as Advantage® or Frontline®, according
to company representatives. All NaturVet® products have a
100% Money Back Guarantee to assure complete customer satisfaction.
For more info, please request
Reader
Service Card #1078.
Spend Time With Your Best Friend?
Do you spend time with your loved
ones every day? Chances are, you do with your pet. According
to a recent national survey conducted by the American Animal
Hospital Association (AAHA), 63 percent of pet owners spend more
than two hours of quality time with their pet every day.
Andis Designs New Heavy-Duty Rechargeable
Clipper For All Day
Andis has developed a powerful,
rechargeable clipper that is designed for heavy-duty use all
day, the Super AGR®+ Clipper. The clipper runs continuously
for one hour with a fully charged battery pack, then recharges
within an hour. Its high speed runs at 3,600 strokes per minute,
assuring top performance. The clipper is maintenance free and
internal parts never need to be oiled or greased.
The Super AGR®+ is equipped
with a high capacity battery pack that accommodates extended
run time. The battery can be charged separately from the clipper,
and additional rechargeable battery packs can be purchased to
eliminate down time. A special refresh button recharges and conditions
the battery to its maximum performance overnight.
Blades are detachable so they
can be changed and cleaned easily. All Andis® UltraEdge™
AG and Oster® A5 blades will fit the Super AGR®+ Clipper.
The clipper's housing is contoured
to fit the hand comfortably and is break resistant to protect
the internal parts. A locking on/off switch assures that the
clipper will not turn off accidentally during use.
For more information about this
product, request Reader
Service Card #1081.
Wonders of Grooming...
I Kid You Not!
By Bonnie Wonders
I kid you not. If ever I have a lesson
to teach any of you out there in groomland, this is the one.
Never, ever try to do a combination of eighteen Shih-tzus and
Lhasas in one day. I really do have a customer who has indeed
eighteen of them. She doesn't show them, doesn't breed them,
but rather "collects" them, much in the same way my
aunt accumulates those annoying Avon bottles. These dogs are
pets only. They are regularly groomed, vetted as soon as anything
is wrong with them and kept current on all their meds. HOWEVER,
and this is a big one, she actually keeps all of them in her
home.
As I sat in the peaceful silence of my
house one day, I really began to think of the first and ONLY
time I ever made the mistake of grooming them all in one day.
She brings each dog in a vari-kennel. What a menagerie! Cages
in all different colors and sizes were stacked everywhere in
my shop. Before I had expanded, this collection literally overran
my entire store. I remember someone stopping in that day to buy
supplies and asking if I was having a "dog sale."
At any rate, when I booked her appointment(s),
I figured it was not that big a deal to do that many dogs in
one day. My trusty sidekick, Lou, and I have done it many times
before. However, not all of the dogs were of the same breed (or
almost) and certainly not all from the same owner.
We started the process at 7:00 a.m. The
customer likes each dog to look exactly the same, and I MEAN
EXACTLY! Now, all you Shih-tzu breeders will be "tsking"
at me, but she wants them cut down with a 10, and they are to
have Schnauzer faces, complete with eyebrows. Of course, a big
flag on each tail. I know some of you are thinking this is a
piece of cake, with them all being shaved down. I agree, basically.
But, you have to understand that when you do that many, one after
the other, you go through what we have affectionately termed
"shouts." More commonly known as "Shih-tzu burn-out
syndrome." I think we were on number five when I asked that
dreaded question. "How many more?" I queried to Lou.
"Thirteen," she said, smirking
at me.
"Okay, this is not a problem,"
I said, emphatically. I was beginning to feel as though I were
on an assembly line. Zip down the back and down the left side,
turn dog, down on the right side. Scissor those little feet.
"One, two three, four," I counted
as I did each foot. Yep, they were all there. Next, next, next.
Two hours later I was starting to hear the repetitive click,
click and more click of the toenails being snipped off in my
head.
"Where are we now?" I asked my
little buddy.
"Number eight," was her less
than enthusiastic reply.
"Anything wrong?" I asked, a
bit concerned.
"Not a thing," she said grumpily.
"But don't you feel like you're not getting anywhere? I
mean they all look exactly the same and"
"I know what you mean," I told
her. "You think it's boring bathing them all, just try cutting
the same pattern over and over," I said, wearily. "By
the way, which one am I on now?" I asked again.
"I think it's number nine," she
said.
"I thought you just told me it was
number eight," I said, questioningly.
"Well, if you know it's number eight,
then why did you ask me again?" she said, her tone slightly
quippy.
"Well, maybe it was wishful thinking
that I thought you screwed up and eight was REALLY nine,"
I said, defensively.
"I don't know, but I think numbers
three and four just did NUMBER 2," she said with a wrinkled
up nose. The smell permeated the air of the grooming room, and
sure enough, there were blobs in two cages. We each opened a
cage door and plopped the two dogs back into the tub. She bathed
their legs again, and I continued on with my clipping.
A few more hours passed and the phone rang
and rang and rang. "Hey, I yelled over the noise of the
force dryer.
"WHAT?" Lou yelled back.
"The phone is ringing!" I shouted.
"Well, answer it!" she shot back.
"Who works for whom?" I questioned.
"Well, if I quit, then I guess NOBODY
would be working for NOBODY," she shouted.
I was only kidding, and in my defense,
I was busy, too, cutting those slanted eyebrows on a less-than-cooperative
pooch.
"Anybody," I said as she turned
the dryer off.
"Huh?" she questioned in a "dumber
than dumber" tone.
"It's Nobody would be working for
Anybody," I said, correcting her grammar. (I admit that
is one of my pet peeves.)
"Nobody, anybody who cares?"
she stammered. Of course, the phone was still ringing during
this whole debate, which was beginning to get heated.
"Would you just answer the phone?"
I barked. She picked up the phone and made an appointment. After
she hung up the receiver, I tried to restart some conversation.
"Who was it?" I asked.
"NOBODY you'd like to hear from,"
she said, bearing that evil grin she has mastered. We both laughed.
My hands were really getting tired. My
elbows were aching, and my neck was killing me.
"What number are we on NOW?"
I asked Lou.
"Thirteen, I think," she said.
"You're kidding! It's got to be WAY
more than that," I told her.
"Nope. I'm sure it's thirteen,"
she said firmly.
"Go count," I instructed.
"One, two eight, nine eleven, twelve,
and that makes thirteen," she said, pointing at my latest
victim.
"But, that's FIVE more!" I said,
whining.
"Well, who's the dumb ___ who booked
so many all in the same day?" she asked. "Not my fault,"
she stated, throwing up her hands and shaking her head as she
reached into a cage for number fourteen. I was so sick of looking
at those beards and eyebrows at that point. Then I smelled it
again. I was too scared to say anything, so I just kept on working,
figuring that Lou would notice it soon enough. Not more than
two minutes passed, and a mighty "Ugh!" was uttered
from my little buddy, as the stench hit her.
"NOW, who did it?" she looked
at me accusingly.
"Well, it certainly wasn't me!"
I said, defensively. I don't know what she muttered when she
walked past me to see who the culprit was this time, but surely
was holding one of number six through eleven at arm's length
when she returned.
"These dogs are SO appropriately named,"
she said, trying to hold her breath.
Four o'clock came and we were finally on
the last dog. We both looked like we had been run over by a convoy
of trucks. In nine hours we had been pooped on, peed on, and
puked on and we smelled like it. In walked the lady to pick up
her tribe, along with her convoy of vehicles to put the cages
in.
"This worked out so well having them
all done in the same day. It surely saved us a lot of running
back and forth," she said.
"Can we set up another appointment
for ten weeks?"
"NO!" Lou and I both said in
unison. (I think we almost blew the lady's socks off at that
point.) We all looked at each other. Lou and I burst out laughing.
The poor lady had no idea what was going on.
"I think it's best if we split them
up next time," I explained as I tried to convey what our
day was like to her.
"I see," she said. "Maybe
it is best. I just got two more of them and need you to groom
them, as well. I heard a mighty thump as Lou hit the floor
HydroSurge, Inc. Introduces New Bath
Pro VeriFlo!
New, from HydroSurge, Inc., is
the Bath Pro VeriFlo. This non-electrical bathing system features
a new venturi design with low water flow capability and increased
spray nozzle pressure.
It has a stylish, compact, operator-friendly
design, and will remove dirt and debris from the surface of the
skin while bathing.
"It is more than a shampoo
applicator or mixing system. It is a complete 'combing-action'
bathe and rinse system," says Kimberly Sorenson, Vice President
Sales and Marketing. Request
Reader Service Card #1084.
Ea$y Money...
Puppy Paradise
By Mary Faith Moore
It's puppy season! Celebrate spring 2004
by designing an irresistible (and profitable) puppy paradise
in your grooming shop! Infant pets are a real treasure for grooming
retailers seeking to grow sales, along with an expanding grooming
card file! Best of all, concentrating on Baby "Fido",
as well as his doting puppy parents, will be rewarded with more
than dollars. The wise entrepreneur who starts perplexed pet
parents on the mommy track can expect to reap the reward of lifelong
customer loyalty. Puzzled baby dog owners seek solutions to questions
such as how early should my puppy be groomed? What is crate training?
What kind of food should I feed? In the spirit of responsible
pet ownership, smart shopkeepers will combine answers and helpful
tips with an abundance of pup gear. Set the stage with fetching
displays of puppy friendly merchandise, services geared for kanine-kids
and promotions that feature mini-members of the canine set. Create
a puppy paradise that pint size Wiemies, Westies, Mastiffs, Maltese,
Cockers, and Chinese Crested will flock to! Use these ideas to
dazzle doggie daddies (and mommies), as well as precious pups.
Baby Dog Displays:
Commemorate the dog baby by dedicating store front, window displays,
and coveted counter space to the little tykes. Discover the latest
innovations for pup-tots: chili bones, teething rings, and puppy
play pads. Old-time baby equipment makes fetching fixtures for
kinder-kanines. Park a buggy brimming with pup-wear in your drive
aisle, load up a vintage playpen with kibble. Fill a diaper bag
with teeny Kongs, baby food jars with Greenies, stuff a cradle
with petite biscuits or canine cuddlies. Provide plenty of wee-wee
pads, milk replacement, baby bottles, harnesses, collars and
leads for practical pup parents.
Pup-motions:
Celebrate the newest (canine) arrival to the pet lover's family
with social events geared for siblings of all species. Invite
mini-clients to an all-breed birthday party. Offer express classes
on crate training, nutrition, grooming basics, or puppy etiquette.
Begin an obedience class for canine cubs or enroll your own pup
in a course and give coupons to fellow pet parents. Create a
baby pet mailing list. Publish an easy-read tip sheet on baby
dog basics or a one-page monthly newsletter combining pup-humor
with practical advice. In dealing with written materials always
include a coupon as an incentive for Fido's family to return
to your shop.
Baby Grr-oom Package: Promote grooming with a fun First Fur-Cut package
for doggie tots. Include a brief table training session, paw
and whisker trim, no-tears bath, baby bandanna, or bow. For an
additional fee, provide a photo or (first) lock of fur (or both)
with Barkleigh's Little Angel Award. (Request Reader Service
Card #1061.)
Frequent Fido Rewards: Consider offering a small discount or free gift
to puppies when they keep a standing grooming appointment. Routine
grooming insures the kanine-kid will grow into a happy well-adjusted
grown-up grooming client. The big plus? You can add another loyal
customer to your appointment calendar every six weeks for the
next ten to twelve years.
As pools warm and rivers rise, it's time
to saddle up for another exciting super season! Enhance pet-ware
and edibles with splashes of iridescent color! Invite nature
indoors with brilliant hues of green, yellow, and pastels in
all shades! It's back to rover days for absentee pet owners!
Assist them in their resolve to spend quality time with their
best friend by stocking up on interactive toys and games! Wellness
(vitamins, tooth care, ear solutions), beauty (grooming aids,
shampoos, scents), healthy chews, tugs, ropes, giant balls and
training treats will sell! Sell! Sell!
Finally, make over mutt merchandise with
a baby-fresh theme! Puppy paradise will insure a successful spring
2004 and beyond! It will make you money but, more importantly,
it will make you smile.
Groomer Tripled Her
Profits After Attending Hershey Show!
Dear Sally I, together
with other groomers in the Tampa Bay area have formed a group
for fun, camaraderie and education. We have unofficially called
ourselves the Suncoast Pet Pros, and our group is growing by
leaps and bounds!
I sincerely hope that we
can remain strong as a group. We are currently planning our group
trip to Hershey in 2004. I was amazed at how many groomers, many
of whom have been grooming several years, were unaware of Groomer
to Groomer, Groom Expo, etc.
Hershey 2002 was the best
event I have ever attended. I tripled my profits, learned how
to network, how to market, etc., and I made many new friends.
Even though it was raining on the Amish Fling that year, Judy
Bremer-Taxman kept us laughing and entertained all the while.
Illness prevented me from
attending in 2003, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I
and (I have my finger crossed) many others will be going from
Florida. We are currently planning our trip and trying to explain
it to recent young grads. You have done wonders for the grooming
industry, Sally. Please don't ever stop Groom Expo or the ProGrooms.
I only hope that other
groomers will follow my lead and not be afraid to introduce themselves
to fellow groomers or to grab someone by the collar and take
them along to Hershey. The tips and grooming techniques I acquired
there have proved invaluable.
Many thanks to you and
your wonderful staff. Barkleigh is the epitome of what grooming
camaraderie and professionalism are all about. Thank you again.
Carolyn "Carrie" Nassif, Con Amore Styling Boutique,
Tarpon Springs FL
Added Deodorizer Offers First Effective Pet Laundry Detergent
Petastic™ Laundry Detergent is specifically formulated
to both wash and deodorize pet bedding, towels, toys, collars
and clothes. General detergents lack the deodorizing power of
Petastic Laundry Detergent, according to John Manolas, Vice President
of the company.
The "first ever" pet laundry detergent also addresses
one of the most serious health concerns on the rise: pet allergies.
According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology,
"Seventy per cent of households have pets, and an estimated
ten per cent of the population is allergic to animals with a
higher rate of 20-30% of individuals with asthma." One of
the best ways to decrease allergy symptoms is by keeping pet
items that harbor the antigens clean. This makes Petastic™
Laundry Detergent a necessity in all animal-loving households.
For more information about this product, request Reader
Service Card #1085.
Pricing By The Hour Article
Dear Marea Tully I just wanted to thank you for the article
you wrote about pricing by the hour in your Grooming View column
in the Groomer to Groomer magazine.
This past summer I started my own mobile grooming business,
and my largest obstacle has been pricing. I am the world's biggest
wimp when it comes to pricing. I am always so worried that I
won't get the business if I price it at a rate that I "should"
price it at. So, although my mind is saying $50.00, my mouth
says $40.00 when they ask how much.
I am going to cut the last paragraph of your article from
the magazine and tape it to my phone. Hopefully, every time the
phone rings, I will see that, and it will give me the courage
to quote a price that will be more profitable for myself. - Karen
Morris
Grooming Tip
When hand scissoring, you are fluffing up the hair and scissoring
it even. A good way to check to make sure that everything is
even is to look at the dog as if it were a statue. Does a statue
have hairs sticking out? Of course not. You can also brush the
hair down and check. Then fluff the hair back up again and ask
yourself the same question. - Heather Budney, Shelton CT.
Calendar of Events
CALIFORNIA
April 2-4, 2004. America's Family Pet Expo,
Orange County Fairgrounds CA.
Contact: www.wwpsa.com.
Request
Reader Service Card #1086.
COLORADO
May 12-19, 2004. Pet Services Expo,
Colorado Springs, CO.
Info: (719) 667-0715.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #1055.
May 17, 2004.
John Stazko' in Grooming Sensations,
Denver CO. Contact: (941) 322-0226, john@stazko.com.
Request
Reader Service Card 1056.
ILLINOIS
March 28, 2004. Illinois State Prof.
Dog Groomers Seminar,
Bolingbrook IL. Contact: Billy Rafferty (773) 472-9944.
doggydooz1@aol.com.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #1087.
INDIANA
March 7, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming
Sensations,
Indianapolis IN. Contact: (941) 322-0226.
john@stazko.com
Request
Reader Service Card 1056
MARYLAND
February 20-22, 2004. Mid Atlantic
Groomers Show,
Frederick MD. Contact: (717) 423-5195.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #1058.
MINNESOTA
June 27, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming
Sensations,
Bloomington MO. Contact: (941) 322-0226.
john@stazko.com
Request
Reader Service Card 1056
MISSOURI
April 3-5, 2004. Groom Classic,
Kansas City MO. Contact: (800) 705-5175.
groomclassic@kc.rr.com.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #416.
April 3, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming
Sensations,
Kansas City MO. Contact: (941) 322-0226.
john@stazko.com
Request
Reader Service Card 1056
NEVADA
September 22-23, 2004. Superzoo
Las Vegas NV.
www.superzoo.org.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #1088.
September 22-23, 2004. ProGroom Las
Vegas (In conjunction with Superzoo),
Las Vegas NV. Info: (717) 691-3388
info@barkleigh.com.
NEW JERSEY
April 16-18, 2004. Pet Industry Spring
Trade Show.
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Contact: (312) 663-4040.
hhbacker@hhbacker.com.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #350.
April 22-26, 2004. Intergroom 2004,
Somerset NJ.
Contact: (781) 326-3376.
intergroom.com.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #351.
April 23, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming
Sensations,
Somerset NJ. Contact: (941) 322-0226.
john@stazko.com
Request
Reader Service Card 1056
NORTH CAROLINA
June 5-7, 2004. NDGAA Carolina Groomfest,
Charlotte NC. Contact: (724) 962-2711.
ndga@nationaldoggroomers.com.
Request
Reader Sevice Card #1089.
June 4, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming
Sensations,
Charlotte NC. Contact: (941) 322-0226.
john@stazko.com
Request
Reader Service Card 1056
PENNSYLVANIA
April 2-4, 2004. National Association of Professional
Pet Sitters 2004 Convention,
Philadelphia PA. Contact: (856)
439-0324.
napps@ahint.com.
MAY 14-16, 2004. OFF LEAD TRAINING EXPO,
Lebanon PA. For more Info: www.off-lead.com. (717) 691-3388.
MAY 14-16, 2004. PROGROOM PENNSYLVANIA,
Lebanon PA.
For more info: (717) 691-3388. www.barkleigh.com.
MAY 14-16, 2004. NATURAL PET EXPO 2004,
Lebanon PA.
For more info: (717) 691-3388. www.off-lead.com.
Sept. 9-10, 2004. Animal Behavior Conference, Hershey PA.
For more info: (717) 691-3388. www.off-lead.com.
BARKLEIGH
SHOW DATES
May 14-16, 2004
Off
Lead Training Expo,
Natural Pet Expo,
ProGroom Pennsylvania,
Lebanon PA
Sept. 9-12, 2004
Groom
Expo 2004,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
February 11-13,
2005
Groom & Kennel Expo 2005,
Burbank CA
Sept. 13-17, 2005
Groom Expo 2005,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
February 17-19,
2006
Groom & Kennel Expo 2006,
Burbank CA
Sept. 12-15, 2006
Groom Expo 2006,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
Contact Barkleigh Productions,
Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · Fax (717) 691-3381
www.barkleigh.com ·
www.groomexpo.com ·
www.off-lead.com
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