Our Top Tips for Starting a Grooming Business

It takes Herculean efforts to reach the day when you can cut the ribbon and greet your first clients across the threshold. Starting a grooming business requires lots of training, endless formalities, and securing investment.

But what are some of the finer details to sort out before you're open for business? We're focusing on a few that tend to get lost in the start-up process. They include selecting the right premises and the best dog grooming products.

Read on for the tips you need to ensure your grooming business starts out and stays ahead of the pack.

Developing Your Business Plan

It's time to crunch the numbers and work up a plan that will ultimately mean you turn a profit. Here are some key dependencies to consider:

• The speed it takes to grow a reliable customer base
• The prices you will charge for your services
• Your startup expenses and operating costs
• The competition you'll face in your local market

Where you choose to run your business will be critical. Running a business from home may be the cheapest option, but it can make striking a work/life balance more difficult. Mobile grooming salons are becoming increasingly popular and reduce stress in dogs because they come to pet owners.

Renting premises gets you seen and promotes your business by attracting footfall. It also opens the door for point-of-purchase options, such as dog grooming products. However, hiring a physical shop or store is likely to be the most expensive option.

Promoting Your Grooming Business

There is plenty of scope for playing on pet-related words to create a memorable business name. A catchy logo, referral programs, and advertising are also a must.

You'll need to embrace social media, too, and make it your best friend. The pet industry is ideal for creating clickable photo opportunities, so you already have a head start.

Setting Your Rates

Do your homework and check out what your closest competitors are charging. It can be tempting to always undercut, but always be mindful of the time it takes to complete a service.

Develop a detailed spreadsheet, so you have a firm grasp on how much every minute of your time costs. This should include:

• Rent and utilities
• Insurance, taxes and accounting costs
• Miscellaneous overheads
• Your choice of luxury grooming products

Working out price points and bundling services together will be critical for your survival.

Your Choice of Luxury Grooming Products

The type and brand of pet products you use set the tone for your grooming business. Safety and quality will be your lynchpins. That's why we would always recommend using Plush Puppy products. It's a brand that pet owners recognise and trust, and the results achieved with these products will have your clients coming back for more of the same!

They also have many products that you can retail for in-between grooming visits for your clients. These products can add not only to your revenue, but make your grooming job easier in the long run also!

We've broken down our huge range of products down to the top essentials needed for any new grooming business. First up is one of our most popular products:

• O.M.G ready-to-use grooming spray: no salon should ever be without this!

These ten products are your other must-haves:

• Salon Formula Shampoo and Salon Formula Conditioner
• Odour Muncher
• Reviva Coat Moisturising Foam
• FAST Blow Dry Spray
• Herbal Whitening Shampoo
• Natural Conditioning Shampoo
• Natural All-Purpose Shampoo
• Silk Protein Conditioner

Dog Grooming Products You Can Trust

Cover all your bases with our favourite luxury grooming products. If you're starting a grooming business, please get in touch with us at Plush Puppy today to find out about all our latest offers. In the meantime, we wish you all the luck in the world!