So are you considering starting a dog grooming business? Glory! Pet grooming is an ideal career for anyone who loves animals and dreams of becoming self-employed.
Having your own business allows you to set your own hours and be your own boss, which are definitely cool things, but there’s a lot of responsibility and a lot to do before you can “hang out a shingle” by offering your services as a dog. and cat groomer.
It goes without saying that the first thing to do is to master the craft. Once you have studied grooming and obtained your pet groomer certification, there are choices to make. Do you want to work for someone else for a while to see if it really is your dream career? Do you want to open a store at home? Do you want to rent (or buy) space for your business? Would a mobile groomer be a popular service where you live?
The biggest challenge for most groomers who want to become self-employed is financing their business. High-quality grooming tools and heavy-duty professional equipment like tables and tubs are necessary and expensive. Unless you intend to groom pets away from home, you will need to rent a storefront or purchase and equip a van or trailer for mobile grooming. You may want to consider advertising. Insurance for your business is a must.
Do some research on available small business loans, but if taking on debt to start a business scares you, then you may want to put the idea aside for a while and work for an established groomer for a while.
The business end of dog grooming
So you’ve decided that starting your own business is for you, fantastic! Although dog groomers are not currently required to be certified in any state in the United States, you will need a business license and there is still a lot to learn about running a small business.
You will need a business plan and a budget. Learning to manage your finances responsibly is essential. Open a separate bank account for your business and get used to keeping records. No more stuffing receipts in cotton wool in your pocket and sending them to the washing machine! You’ll need proof of what you earn and what you spend when it’s time to move in with Uncle Sam.
It’s probably a good idea to start a limited liability company (SARL), which can protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. Plus, starting an LLC can save money on taxes, so it’s definitely worth it. This is a big decision, so talk to experts about which business structure is best for you. Experts may include accountants (see below) and a lawyer. While we’re on the topic, small business owners should have at least three experts to talk to. A good accountant, lawyer and insurance agent/broker.
Speaking of taxes, you may want to consider hiring an accountant to manage your payroll – even if it’s just you – and your tax liability. An accountant knows the tax codes and can help you save money and ensure that all the complicated and intimidating IRS forms are filed correctly and on time, saving you a lot of headaches.
Marketing Your Grooming Business
There are many pet owners looking for groomers, but you have to work hard to let people know that you are open for business. You may not have the means to advertise, but social media is free.
Approach businesses that cater to pet owners, such as kennels, doggy daycares, veterinarians and pet stores, to see if they will allow you to post a flyer. Business cards can be created inexpensively, and some places will let you leave them on their counter for customers to pick up.
In addition to pet businesses, be aware of places that have community bulletin boards where you can pin flyers or business cards.
Some of you might wonder about our recommendation of the “old-fashioned” approach of physically reaching out and networking with other pet professionals. We suggest this approach because it can be very effective and because in this internet-driven digital world, fewer people are using old-fashioned networking, allowing those who do have a greater chance of standing out .
In addition to having a social media presence, which can include a Facebook page, Pinterest and even TikTok, it is essential to have a website. The easier you make it for people to find you online, the better. Additionally, websites can be used to allow customers to book appointments, purchase products and much more. Finally, you can and should encourage your customers to post reviews!
A quick word on social media. Grooming can be a highly visual profession that lends itself to visual platforms like Pinterest. People might be very interested in seeing your completed bride and groom, which could help sell other potential customers on your service. Even though social media has become a go-to option for businesses large and small, be clear about what you want to accomplish. Are you going to use it to collect positive reviews, show off your service, or something else? The clearer you are about your goals, the easier it will be to see concise, achievable goals.
If all goes well, once you build a customer base, word of mouth will help you grow your business to where you want it to be.
Weigh the pros and cons
Only you know if it’s worth the risk and effort to start a dog grooming business. If it helps, write everything down on paper. Make a list of what you consider to be the benefits of being your own boss. Next, write a list of what you don’t like about the idea of becoming self-employed.
Talk to other small business owners to learn about the challenges they face and what they like or don’t like. Even if they don’t work in the grooming industry, you’ll still share some of the same concerns.
Dog grooming, whether you decide to work for someone else or start your own business, can be a rewarding career. If you have a passion for dogs and cats, it’s great to know that you can make a living caring for and helping them be healthy and at their best.