The Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance
Nothing makes me cringe more than turning on the television and hearing about an accident in a grooming salon.
Social media sites light up like Christmas trees with the bad news that yet another pet has been injured, or worse. My heart sinks in sympathy for the pets and their owners, but also for the groomer or establishment at the center of the unfortunate incident.
Pet groomers are not just stylists; they often act as consultants too. As a pet care professional, your clients will look to you for advice and recommendations when it comes to the grooming and coat care of their pets. They may also ask you questions pertaining to other aspects of pet care.
Most groomers have horror stories about the one dog that was as nasty as a wolverine and have the scars to prove it, but what about the other 99 dogs that we rarely talk about? It’s true; people are more apt to talk about the vicious dog without mentioning anything about the other 99 that were cooperative and down right easy to groom.
There are many benefits to gaining new puppy clients in your salon. Puppy owners are excited about the new addition to their family, and prepared to give their new puppy the best to set them up for a lifetime of success. Unfortunately many puppy owners wait until their puppy’s coat is already becoming overgrown until they book their first grooming appointment,
Build Your Business, Boost Your Bottom Line
Pet stylists all over the world work hard to build their careers – one pet at a time. There is plenty of money to be made in pet grooming, but it is your repeat customers that consistently pay your bills, put food on your table, and help you have a reliable, predictable income.
Several years ago I received a call from a pet owner wondering if I groom “evil Chihuahuas.” Her longhaired dog, Pepe, was banned from yet another grooming shop. It was suggested to her that Pepe would need sedation at a veterinarian’s office in order to be groomed.
A customer recently came in to pick up her dog from his grooming. My assistant mentioned to her that the dog food she likes us to carry, is in. She told him, “Oh, I’m sorry. I found it online for $3.00 less, and shipping is free!” I am struck, first by the insensitivity of a customer saying this to someone who has given her unbelievable customer service…
Understanding your own management style can provide insight into what you value compared to the reality of what your daily actions are. It is hypocritical to say you value your staff and then put financial gain ahead of staff needs. Turning your daily actions at the shop and in your life, into the values you admire and implement is easier said than done.
What if there was a certification for groomers that wasn’t based on perfect poodle top knots or beautiful bevels on a cocker leg, but on those oh-so-crucial everyday skills such as knowledge of canine behavior, anatomy, bathing techniques, safety, first aid, and ethical business practices, among other things?
Every time a new shop or mobile opens up, everyone gets nervous. Are they cheaper than me? What kind of services do they offer? Should I lower my prices to match theirs? Will they take all of my customers? Those are some of the questions that many business owners ask themselves.
“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” —William Penn
On internet grooming forums the following question crops up over and over: “How can I groom faster?” Most often this question is posed by people who are newer to our industry, those who have been grooming for five or fewer years.
Whether you are just opening your business, or you are trying to increase your client base — you have to find ways to get people through your doors, and advertising is an effective way to contact prospective customers. Advertising doesn’t have to be expensive. Many entrepreneurs view their advertising dollars as a wise investment that pays off in a big way.