Pet Grooming Business

By Randy Wilson

Do you like animals? Would you like to work for yourself? Pet grooming could be the career for you.
This business is more than just washing dogs. It can include cleaning ears, trimming nails, brushing teeth, and shaving the animal's coat in stylish ways. The animal can be a dog, cat, pig or other type of animal.
With an animal grooming business, the choice is yours. You can have the clients drop their animals at our house or you can start a mobile business. The options are limitless.
Starting this business does not require that you become certified. Research different dog grooming schools in your area, and choose one that fits your needs. Try to find one that offers pet grooming business management classes with the actual pet grooming classes.
Once you are trained, or while you are in training, you should start to create a pet grooming business plan. Since you will incur some start up costs for your training, licenses, insurance, and equipment, having a business plan can help you obtain a loan to get started.
It is estimated that the industry will grow over 10% in the next five years. This means that your grooming business will likely grow quickly as long as you are professional at all times. This also means that you will have to complete some office work daily as well. Owning an animal grooming business is not just animal grooming.
Pricing can be difficult to determine, but a few phone calls to local grooming salons, or individuals who perform grooming, will give you and idea regarding what services you should be providing and an estimation of the fees. You will need also to decide if you business will be just for dogs or if you will groom other pets too.
Because your business is client oriented, you will need to build a clientele list. The best way to do this is to get your name into your community. You can place flyers at pet stores and veterinarian offices, and animal shelters. You can create a press release for local newspapers and radio stations. You can even offer your services to the local animal shelter. If they like your work, they will refer people to you.
To keep on top of trends you should plan to attend local dog and cat shows, and go to pet grooming industry expos, and conventions. You should subscribe to industry magazines as well, and check the internet frequently. It is a font of knowledge and there are web sites, such as PetGroomer.com that are there to help people start their business, obtain training, and calendars of events.
Since you are working for yourself, you have to rely on your ability to keep customers happy. This means always being available for set appointments, maintaining a clean work area, and being professional at all times. Even though you work from home, or out of a van, professionalism keeps your clients coming to you and not another pet grooming business.
There are many ways to get into this industry. You can purchase a franchise, which give you the credibility of an established name. You can purchase a local pet grooming business that is currently for sale. Of course, you can start your own grooming business.
You should check with your local government for any zoning, licensure, and insurance requirements for your business. This is very important and could be the difference of your grooming business succeeding or failing. A dog grooming business is still a business no mater how much fun you have doing it.