How to Start a Dog Grooming Business?
A dog grooming business is a profitable, efficient, and flexible way to generate income in the modern world, allowing you to set your own schedule and take on clients as needed. According to most estimates, Americans spend around 100 billion dollars per year on their pets, a lucrative market with genuine potential to enhance and improve the quality of the animals we share our lives with. Given a small initial investment, a dog grooming business can blossom into a revenue stream that provides not only income to live off of but the means to do what you love as a job.
Understanding the Market and Competition
Getting your business off the ground is figuring out what pricing will be appropriate for your area and demographic. If you need to figure out where to start, check out some of your nearby competitors and set your prices accordingly.
Research your local market and look at what services competitors are offering. Check out their pricing, services, customer reviews, and business models to gain insight into how you can differentiate your business and stand out from the crowd.
At this stage of your business, you’ll want to look into various marketing strategies, like advertising on Facebook or Instagram. It’s important to stay active locally and get involved in community activities that will help you build a network in your local area.
Steps to Starting a Dog Grooming Business
1. Create a Business Plan
So, you’ve decided to move into dog grooming full-time. While careers working with animals require a special touch and someone dedicated to helping them feel comfortable around humans, you’ll also need to hone your business skills. Start by writing out a business plan that elucidates your goals, methods, and means of funding available, and make sure that your business expenses are manageable with your current income stream.
The things you will have to consider to write a comprehensive business plan are:
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Your target demographic
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The type of marketing you will use
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Employees or management structure
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Funding or sources of revenue
2. Equipment Needed to Start Your Dog Grooming Business
At this point, it’s a good idea to think about purchasing the gear you will need to make your business successful. There are a few options you can consider, like renting space in a salon versus running a mobile dog grooming setup. If you’re going to try to run a self-contained business, you’ll need:
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Dog grooming bathtubs
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Leashes
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Towels
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Grooming hose
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Shower attachments
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Dog brushes
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Shampoo and Conditioner
If you have all of this gear and a location that you can use to perform the grooming in, you’re well on your way to being a successful dog groomer. Let’s look at some of the next steps you’ll have to take to get your business running legally and with all the necessary documentation.
3. Licenses and Permits
To have a fully-legal and operable dog grooming salon, you’ll have to file for the right licenses, permits, and insurance, depending on your jurisdiction. Some standard paperwork you’ll want to look out for are:
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Permit for Sales Tax
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Occupancy Permit
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Employer Identification Number
In order to protect yourself and make sure that all financial transactions are conducted appropriately and secure insurance, you’ll want to establish a separate business identity. This will also allow you to save money on taxes and write off some expenses as operating costs.
One of the main ways that people protect themselves and keep their businesses secure is by forming a Limited Liability Company, or LLC. With some simple paperwork and maybe a small fee to an attorney, you can file the necessary documents and make sure that your business is operating legally and geared towards long-term success.
Once you have reached this point, you’ll want to consider acquiring general liability insurance or an applicable plan that works for you. If you’re renting space in a salon, you will likely be covered, but many dog groomers own expensive equipment and vehicles that will need to be insured to be compliant with all applicable laws.
4. Securing Money for Your Business
If you’re wondering how to start a dog grooming business, your first step is securing financing. Unless you already have substantial savings earmarked for a new business venture, you will need to gather enough capital to get started. There are a few different ways to do this.
Small Business Loans
You can explore these venues for securing a small business loan:
- The Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Banks
- Alternative or online lenders
These lenders won’t approve just anyone. To qualify, you must have a detailed business plan. Additionally, lenders will typically require good (or at least average) credit.
Government Grants
Some cities and counties offer loans to aspiring business owners in an effort to revitalize the local economy. Depending on where you live, you may qualify for a government grant.
Friends and Family
If your friends and family have spare money and want to support your goals, consider asking them for contributions. Once your business is off to a strong start and generating a profit, you can repay them.
Crowdfunding
If you are having trouble securing a small business loan and don’t qualify for government grants, crowdfunding may be worth a try. You may have better luck if you offer incentives for those who donate. For example, you might offer a $200 gift card for grooming services to someone who donates $100.
5. Choosing and Registering Your Business Name
Your business name is critically important — it’s your potential clients’ first introduction to your company. Before choosing a name, take some time to brainstorm a few options. The process for registering a business varies by state, but most won’t let you register a name already used by someone else.
You may need to undergo multiple registration processes to make your business official. These are the names you may need to register:
- Entity Name: Most states require you to register an “entity name” for your business
- Trademark: This can protect your company name on a national level
- Doing Business As (DBA): Some localities require you to register a DBA
- Domain Name: If you want a company website, you must register your domain name as well
Before you decide on a business name, it’s also worth checking out social media. Is someone already using your chosen name as a social media handle? This could create confusion and make digital marketing significantly harder.
6. Setting Up Your Business Location
Location is critical when it comes to success. When selecting your company’s physical location, consider the following factors.
Accessibility
The right business location should be visible and easy to get to. For instance, a dog groomer located in a shopping center by a major thoroughfare will likely see more business than one located off of a back road.
Competition
In most areas, some competition is inevitable — but you should ensure your business is reasonably far away from said competition. It’s much better to choose a location a few miles from your biggest competitor than one right across the street.
Pricing
Your budget can limit your options. A central, easily accessible location is ideal, but if you can’t cover rent and overhead, your business won’t be able to get off the ground. Look for a good balance between location and price.
Suitability of the Space
Before committing to a given space, you must ensure that it is zoned appropriately and that the space itself can support a grooming operation. For example, a space that was formerly a retail store may be difficult to convert to a dog grooming business.
Alternative Options
You don’t need a physical building to be a successful groomer. If you live in an area with low population density, for example, you might consider working as a mobile groomer.
7. Select an Operating Model
An “operating model” refers to the way your company works. When creating an operating model, you should consider the following:
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- Overall Goals: For example, “Providing superior grooming for dogs of all breeds”
- Structure: Such as management, team leads, and employees
- Technology: The grooming tools, software, and other tech you intend to use
- Processes: Such as assessing new clients and helping owners keep up with appointments
- Company Culture: The type of day-to-day environment you intend to cultivate
The more specific you can be while creating your operating model, the better.
8. Dog Grooming Business Insurance
Business insurance can protect you from negligence claims and offer a safety net if your equipment or facility is damaged. Before you choose a policy, you should obtain several quotes and make sure you fully understand what each policy covers.
9. Hiring Dog Grooming Staff
When considering how to start a dog grooming business, remember that the people who make up your business are your most important assets. When interviewing candidates, consider the following:
- Experience in the field
- Experience with breed-specific grooming
- Professional certifications
- Dog handling skills
- Overall demeanor
Don’t rush this step. Hiring and retaining top-quality groomers can dramatically increase your chances of long-term success.
10. Buying Dog Grooming Tools and Supplies
While keeping costs down is important, you should also invest in high-quality, safe grooming tools that are built to last. Some supply companies offer business packages to help new groomers get started with quality supplies.
11. Dog Groomer Prices: How Much Should I Charge?
Dog groomers can charge as little as $30 or over $100. Large dogs, those with matted coats, or those with specific grooming needs (like poodles) can cost more. Pricing is also highly location-dependent, and groomers in areas with high costs of living often charge more.
The best way to set pricing is to research your competitors and calculate your overhead costs. You want your pricing low enough to be competitive but high enough to ensure you make a profit.
12. Advertise Your Dog Grooming Business
There are a number of ways to advertise as a groomer, and if you’re creative, you can keep costs to a minimum. Here are some ideas:
- Build a social media presence
- Create a website and promote it on social media
- Start a blog
- Partner with other local businesses
- Offer promotions
- Post business cards or flyers (with permission) at local businesses
- Set up a booth at a pet show or other local event
- Put a decal on your vehicle
Customer reviews can go a long way toward drawing in new customers. Make sure to ask customers for reviews — and consider offering bonuses or discounts for those who refer family and friends.
Back to Business
Now that you’ve taken care of all the necessary work to get your dog grooming business licensed and running properly, you can focus on the important part – caring for the animals. If you don’t have much experience with dogs, you can always volunteer some time with shelters to get a feel for the different emotional frameworks they operate in.
Some animals might be nervous when starting the bathing and grooming process, especially if the owner is not present. For these dogs, try to keep the lights low, scented candles if possible, and lots of treats handy. Give the dog positive reinforcement for good behavior, and they will get comfortable with the grooming process quickly.
A dog grooming business is a perfect way for an animal lover to turn their passion for animals into a career through which they can interact and care for the animals directly. Not only can you make a difference in the lives of animals and their owners, dog grooming is a potentially highly lucrative income stream that is available for anyone willing to work for it.