Kathy Hosler opened her shop in 1971 when she was just nineteen years old. She has built a terrific business and is still actively grooming today. Kathy is also a feature writer for Groomer To Groomer and Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazines, and has been nominated twice for the Barkleigh Honors Journalist of the Year Award as well as a Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Grooming Journalist.
Is this a typical day for you? Get up early, grab some coffee and go to work. You work, work, work, and have a quick donut or energy bar for lunch. Then work, work, work some more, go home, woof down some dinner, and collapse on the couch—then do it all over again tomorrow.
Peace of mind. Few things in this world are more precious. Yet attaining peace of mind is not always easy, especially if you are facing a devastating illness and you are not sure who will care for your pet if you can’t.
We have all heard countless stories of older pet owners that struggle to care for their beloved companions. And many are really concerned about what will happen to their precious pets if something happens to them.
As pet lovers and pet care professionals, we want the pets that we care for to enjoy long and healthy lives. Unfortunately, that is not always the way things turn out. Pets get hurt, develop life threatening conditions, or suddenly become ill. We have all heard horror stories from distraught pet parents about taking their pets to emergency veterinary clinics and being unprepared for the costs associated with diagnosing and treating their beloved pet.
Don’t Let Your Profit Go Down the Drain
You work hard for your money and you need every tool that you use to work just as hard for you. And that includes your ‘liquid’ tools as well. Shampoos, conditioners, and styling products are all essential elements needed to produce a great groom.
Many years ago when I first opened my salon, a young couple brought their Toy Poodle, Spunky in to be groomed. We discussed the style of clip they wanted, and as they were leaving, I placed Spunky in a cage so that I could finish the dog I already had on my table.
Groomers work with hair every day; brushing, combing, de-matting, clipping, scissoring, washing, drying, and styling it. But, hair is not the only thing that stylists need to be knowledgeable about to safely and expertly turn out great grooms.
The Art of Retailing
If you have been grooming for any length of time, you know how physically demanding it can be. Sometimes, by the end of the day, you are ready to drop. Don’t you wish you had a way to increase your income without all that back-breaking work?
Don’t be Terrified of Technology
To boldly go where no one had gone before! That was the mission of the Starship Enterprise. It’s kind of the same situation for groomers who have never used business software.
A Groomer’s Best Friend
Whether it’s true or not – we have all heard that ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’. But, if you make your living in the grooming industry, you will find that ‘dryers are a groomer’s best friend’! Time really is money in the grooming profession, and the equipment you use has to help you make the most of every minute.
Choosing an Adjustable Table or Tub
The majority of a groomer’s workday is spent leaning over a bathing tub or standing at the grooming table. All day long, your body is contorted into uncomfortable and possibly unhealthy positions; bending, twisting, stretching, lifting, etc. It’s no wonder that you say, “Oh, my aching back!”
Risky Business
It’s a rare groomer indeed who has never had to deal with fleas or ticks. For most of us, finding fleas and ticks on a client’s pet is an all too common occurrence. Unfortunately, many pet parents seem oblivious to the fact that their pets need protection from these nasty blood-sucking, disease-carrying creatures.
More Important Than You Think
Almost everyone has a favorite restaurant. A place you love to visit and tell your friends about. Of course, that restaurant has to serve great food, but a lot of restaurants out there sell wonderful food. To become your favorite, and to win your loyalty as a patron – they have to do more.