
Written by Guest Blogger 123Pet Software
Are you a groomer interested in going into business for yourself? Here’s what you should know. Read here for 10 tips for running a pet grooming business.
Pets are great, but they can certainly be unkempt. With millions of pets already out there, it’s a safe bet that they’ll keep coming in for grooming in the coming years.
That’s positive news for people who run a pet grooming business. There’s plenty of demand for you to meet. Still, it’s important to get the job done correctly. With the right tips, you’ll be on your way to running a successful business.
1. Keep the Bird’s Eye View
Before you make any big changes (or start anything new), it’s important to keep your perspective on your pet grooming business. There are a lot of questions to keep in mind while you manage the company.
What are your revenue goals? How long do you want to be in business for? What kind of legal classification do you want to have? If you can keep those questions in your head constantly, you’ll be better prepared to meet the challenges of the day.
2. Budgeting Is Key
A part of that bird’s eye view is your budget. Like with any business, you need to keep track of your money. It’s more than just how much money you’ll make and spend in a given month.
A great budget explains that and can also help you anticipate the future. You should be able to plan out years, not months, with your budget. And that will help you give better service to all those doggies in the long run. Or anything else.
3. Be Comfortable with All Kinds of Pets
Depending on your business, you could be grooming all kinds of animals. No matter what, they will all be different. If you’re running a dog grooming business, you know that dogs come in different sizes, personalities, and cleanliness.
If you deal with other species, you have to be ready for all kinds of animals. You should be prepared to deal with all the possibilities while you deal with the animals.
4. Stay Human with the Client
You should groom pet owners while you groom their pets! That doesn’t mean cleaning them, but being nice to them. If you take time out of your day to small talk with your clients, you’ll build relationships with them. That will eventually help you earn their trust and continuing business.
Of course, it’s a bit of a pain to make sure you talk to different people all the time. But those extra bits of time are important.
5. Accept the Time Sacrifice
It’s important to accept the truth now: running a pet grooming business takes time. The highest average work hours in the country are just over 40 hours a week.
You might be investing a bit more time than that. You should think of it as part of your responsibility. You’re running the show, which means you have to invest a little bit more time than everyone else. But don’t worry–you can find help.
6. Get Some Pet Grooming Business Allies
It’s important for you to be on good terms with other people around you who run a pet grooming business. Being friendly with the competition? Isn’t that like playing for the other team? Well, isn’t it better than being unfriendly with your competitors?
With some good networking, you can learn the tricks of the trade from the best. They can tell you money-saving tricks or relevant anecdotes. And that will eventually put you in a position to teach someone else.
7. Incorporate Social Media
Whether it’s your competitors or customers, the fastest way to reach anybody nowadays is through social media. Facebook alone is primed to hit over two billion active users in 2017 . It’s a safe bet that most, if not all of your clients will have a Facebook account.
You should have a presence on social media, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or any other platform. It’s a great way to market your products and get in touch with anybody, instantly. You should build some time into your schedule to hop on social media and improve your marketing. That can be one of many great habits that improve your business.
8. Build a Routine
Getting tasks done one by one can seem very daunting on a daily basis. A routine can make life much easier, and there are many benefits that come with having a series of daily habits.
The same is true of a business. If you can get your pet grooming business up and running the same way every day, the details will start to seem smaller. You’ll be able to focus more on the big picture: cleaning those pets, and figuring out how to clean more. And at the end of the day, service is the most important part of your business.
9. Use the Best Support Available
In order to keep that service intact, you need to make things easier on yourself. It’s not about taking shortcuts, but putting yourself in the best position possible to deliver quality service to your guests.
Look no further than 123 Pet Software, a product designed to take some weight off your shoulders. The computer program is made to help you organize your day full of appointments and bookings.
That’ll make the details smaller, letting you focus on your shop on a daily basis. As the industry moves forward, with 123 Pet Software you’ll be able to concentrate on the big picture. And that way, you’ll be a step ahead of your competitors.
10. Join the Wave, Don’t Get Run over By It
Any new pet grooming business joins an industry that is expanding quickly.
The industry grew at nearly 10% a year from 2011 to 2016 . That means new businesses are entering the field with new ideas.
The constant entry of new approaches to the industry means that customers will start to expect different things from your pet grooming business. It’s on you to stay ahead of these changes.
Basically, stay fresh. That doesn’t mean changing your business constantly. It means adapting it with the times to keep your winning formula intact.
Are You Ready?
Find out more on how to take your love for pets into a fantastic business opportunity with Hydrodog Pet Washing.
ness opportunity with Hydrodog Pet Washing.