What you will be doing. Even pets need a wash and style. Pet grooming services are a labor of love for those who like to pamper their pets. As a pet groomer you provide the best care of these pets. Specialize in dogs or cats or both. One niche that has become popular is the mobile pet grooming studio.
How to start. You’ll need a place to perform your service. It could be a garage area, an outbuilding, or a vehicle outfitted for the task. When working from your home, be sure that there are no ordinances against beginning a home business of this type. People will be bringing their pets to see you so parking may be an issue in the neighborhood.
Decide on a name for the business. Short catchy names stick in the mind and work well with logos and taglines. Register the business and begin finding those customers.
Starting costs. Most pet groomers already have pets so they have at least one pet bath, flea dip area, brushes, and clippers. When dealing with other people’s pets you may want to buy all new equipment to be on the safe side. Besides, your pet may get jealous if you use their items.
Provide toys to play with while they wait for their owners. Depending on the services you will offer, set up stations. This is helpful when the time comes to hire employees. One person can be administering a bath while another is clipping hair or nails.
Mobile operations are more costly than working in a garage. Even if this is your aspiration, start off with a home business to build the clientele and then add the mobile operation. Insurance on the business will protect you in case of any accidents involving pets and/or employees.
Skills needed. Obviously you love pets. If you didn’t, pet grooming is not the business for you. A pet groomer is up to their armpits in nails, bad breath, and hair. It is not for the faint of heart. Knowing how to deal with animals is important. On the first visit, pets may be a bit skittish so taking it slow means less mess and scratching on the part of the animal.
Knowing pet anatomy helps when conveying to owners any strange things you discover during grooming. Also, it helps when complying with customer requests.
Marketing. Flyers throughout the neighborhood inform everyone that a new pet groomer is in town. Posting advertisements at veterinarian offices, obedience schools, dog parks, and in pet stores will get you noticed. Invest in a few T-shirts that carry the company logo. You and your pet can be a walking billboard for the business.
