Articles related to grooming business
“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.
When I first went mobile, I immediately got involved in several social media groups to help me understand the new beast that I was involved in. It helped me learn some of the do’s and don’ts in the business, but ultimately, I was the one who had to make the decision of what I wanted to do. After all, it was MY Business.
The old expression “time is money” certainly applies to the job of pet styling. Groomers walk a fine line, trying to groom pets in an efficient manner, without cutting corners or rushing in a way that can cause stress or accidents. After more than three decades in this industry, I have learned to streamline the way I work so that I groom pets rather quickly.
Before I opened my own stationary pet salon, I used to daydream about what it would be like. I pictured myself caring for each dog as if they were my own. I pictured myself bathing and drying, scissoring and sculpting. In my head, I had a rack of organized bandannas, a shelf of quality shampoos, a drawer full of freshly sharpened shears, and most importantly, I had scores of satisfied customers.
Many of us have strengths in certain areas, but no one is an expert at everything. When one finds they are in need of expert advice, they turn to a professional in that field. As a Financial Advisor, I seek to help clients build a financially secure future. My passion is to construct customized financial plans to help families and business owners achieve their financial goals.
“I estimate that 60 percent of pet stylists are not properly insured,” says Jeff Reynolds, executive director of National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. (Clark, PA.) “Several factors contribute to this industry-wide problem. Also, many groomers do not know that there are agencies available that specialize in the pet grooming industry and can offer both guidance and proper insurance.
Back when I was a baby groomer, a client walked into the shop where I was working with her two dogs. I had the client cards already out and knew what to do!
Client: You’re new. Is Katie here?
Me: No, unfortunately she is no longer working here.
Client: Ok, do the same thing as last time.
It’s finally happened. You have worked long and hard to build your business, and now you have more work than you can handle alone. You know that it’s time to hire your first employee…but how do you go about it? Your first step is to decide what kind of help you need. Is it a brusher/bather, a receptionist with retail selling experience, a full-time groomer, or someone who can do a bit of everything?
The Southeast’s Largest Competition and Trade Show for the Professional Pet Stylist, Atlanta Pet Fair, hosted record-breaking 2,124 pet services industry professionals as they took over the Hilton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, Georgia this March 5-8. Produced by World Pet Association for the first time, Atlanta Pet Fair 2015 surpassed expectations.
An obviously upset groomer recently contacted me via social media. She had accidentally nicked a dog while grooming. I have had similar experiences on more than one occasion during the past 30 years, and could well empathize with her. I vividly remember the first time a dog I was grooming required medical care.
We all groom a “challenging” pet. Mine is Molly, a soft-coated wheaten terrier. Molly is a sweetheart. She is easily one of my best-behaved clients. What makes Molly a challenge is her health issues. I have overcome this difficulty because of effective communication between Molly’s owner and their veterinarian.