grooming career update

16 years ago

You probably donÂt remember this but I asked everyoneÂs advice on a home-based grooming career. I planned on this being a long transition of a career change but something I wanted to get all ready before I actually quit my factory job. (Still a long way off) You all are very supportive & give good advice. So I just wanted to let you know that my plans have officially started. Today I had a meeting with the township zoning board & some of my neighbors showed up to voice their opinions. There were no objections & I got my permit to do grooming on my property. This is good for the life of the property so I can start now or 10 years from now if thatÂs how it works out. Saturday the contractors are coming to the house to get started on my garage renovation project. I am so excited that I am actually getting started on some parts of my plans! Just had to share. Any tips on my grooming shop layout or design? Any tips on anything? Thanks for sharing in this dream with me. Terri

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User
16 years ago
You will need a table that raises---hydraulic is easier----yo get big dogs from the floor to working height.

We always used an old tub built up on a platform for bathing, with the plumbing separate from the tub. The vet for which I worked had a big portable drying cage--with a fan in one end---dried the dogs much faster than individual fans/cages. His was home made.

Three sizes of cages---small medium, and big. Solid floors in the cages---much nicer on the feet.

Oh, one more tip. The vet for whom I worked was a big gruff but caring person. He would intimidate people with a stare kinda guy. I wound up doing two years as a Drill Sergeant in the Army, so can be intimidating as well. Point is, the first time I helped the doc trim a poodle---I got the surprise of my life. He baby talked(his way) and made a continual patter about how good the puppy did, how pretty it was, and how beautiful it looked with the new trim.

He had learned poodles need that kind of praise to accept the trim and not go home and hide under the couch for days after. His grooming business was very popular with poodle owners.
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quirkyquercus
16 years ago
I always wondered about how big gruff looking vets were able to do what they do!

Good luck Terri.
I don't have any tips for ya but in my area, there's a grooming shop about every mile and this is in an area where.... let's just say I don't think business is booming with that much competition. Working from home will keep overhead low and give you more time to take last minute appointments for which you could eventually charge a premium.
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Thats a tough one. When my children were younger I chose plan B. I now am the owner of a very strong business with more than enough income that I can take winter "off". But right now, in the beginning of spring I am working 12 hour day, 7 days a week. Here's a few thoughts I have coming from that perspective: -there is the possibility of finding a lower paying job, closer to home which would give you time to grow your business. -Last year, Matt Nathanson, singer, spoke at our high school's graduation. He gave some of the best life advice I have ever heard. EVERY DAY I think of his advice "get comfortable being uncomfortable". To be successful you have to push the envelope all the time. I linked his speech below...well worth a watch. -if you decide to do Plan B- the key to being successful is keeping all expenses very low. Don't run out and buy trucks, rent an office or any of that off the bat; I have seen sooo many landscape companies come and go because of that. On the other hand, its important to spend money on product that you know you can sell. Planters, shrubs, trees and the bigger the better because there is more money in it. -I don't use CAD anymore. It was an expense I couldn't justify considering that hand drawn is usually just as good. Actually better if you are designing perennial gardens. I also don't advertise, its never been a necessary expense. I treat my customers well enough that they are excited to share my name. -My initial business plan was not only to provide flexible employment for myself so I could prioritize my family, but to provide flexible employment to other moms. Right now I have a mom working for me who can only work random hours, but if she can get herself to and from our job site, why would I tell her she has to work the same hours as everyone else? Its important to be outside the box and creative about making a business work. I have a local friend who is in virtually the same business, and for him, his crew needs to be ready to go at 7am until 4pm everyday. If they are late he is furious. I personally don't understand that. I am very flexible and my crew always appreciates that and respects me. -I don't think about my business in a competitive way. "All boats rise" is my motto. Meaning that the more good landscaping there is out there, the more people want their landscaping to look that good and the more business there is for everyone. Very very few home owners get competitive bids on work. This year I had one, yes one, competitive bid situation. Ironically my price came in at HALF what the other landscaper bid. I think that tells you a lot about how pricing works in this business. -For a while, I was very successful providing "elite" services. I was considered the landscaper that all the wives in the richer part of town wanted to have do their gardens. It didn't matter that my prices were higher than other garden designers, actually it helped. I say for a while, because that effect has diminished in this recession. But it is an interesting thing to consider. Think Martha Stewart doing your gardens... -I don't think a website is necessary but an internet presence is important so customers can google you. Websites can get really really expensive especially if you are working all the time to stay on top of the search engines. I use Facebook as my website. It comes up if people search my name and you have a built in audience. Last year I got two jobs, one the biggest job we had all summer, off of Facebook. Post some pretty pictures of your work a couple of times a week and you reach however many friends you can find on there. A website just sits there but FB is interactive. I LOVE my job but I especially love the business part of it. I love to challenge the way people think about running a business and proving them wrong in their traditional thinking. I think liking the business part of it is important; its not just planting flowers. Okay, I know that was just a random bunch of thoughts, but i hope it helps. Good luck and i think you should be comfortable being uncomfortable and choose plan B. Here is a link that might be useful: Matt nathanson, hes on FB too.
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Hi again Carol, How gratifying to hear your report of how things are going for you and family. Speaking of family - I hope that yours became accustomed to your upgraded situation without too much distress. Interesting, isn't it, how people get used to seeing others (and themselves?) in sort of a rut, following a familiar path? Sometimes I wonder whether some of the partially/slightly negative attention that they pay to someone else's changing course may have some connection with their unhappiness with their present situation, possibly having some inner desire to do something similar, but being rather unwilling to give that desire house-room, whether from inertia (? - I thought that there was a more precise word, called son, but this is the best that we can think of at the moment), fear or whatever motive. I'm pleased that you're finding some success in the field that you've chosen to pursue, and hope that it proceeds apace. 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I would go with an apprentice route vs. school. I've worked with people that have gone the school route and many of them seem inexperienced in comparison to those that apprentice. Have you considered injury? Most groomers have had or need surgery after grooming for short periods of time. After 5 yrs of off and on grooming- I need surgery for carpal tunnel in both hands and for my rotator cuff- and i'm 28yrs old. Not to mention the stiffness in my neck, shoulders, back, and knees. Then there are the allergies, Benadryl was daily dosed in our shops. I now have asthma, that dr.s think stemmed from allergy and irritation to pet hair and dander exposure. I can't afford the surgeries- time wise or financially so I had to quit grooming about 6 months ago. Also one good bite to the hand or arm can put you out of work for weeks. You mentioned you work 6days a week and 12 hour days- so do many groomers. Financially, if this is an income that is necessary to maintain your household expenses- grooming can be brutal. You have slow months (from jan- april) and also depending on your speed, quality work, and prices will determine your income. Some new groomers can only do 3 dogs in an 8 hour day- more experienced can do 10+. If your income that you have now is not necessary to uphold your household- quit, work as an apprentice for a year or so, and then start your business slowly. Also, some groomers require you sign a contract that states if you quit or are fired you cannot work with "x" amount of miles from their location for "x" months or years. If your income is necessary, quit the current job for one that is more flexible and introduce yourself to grooming. But if your income is necessary, think about grooming and potential injury and health conditions and what time off will do to your income. All of that aside, most days I loved my job and found it rewarding. But, you can get dogs that fight you every step of the way and can throw your schedule out the door. There are lots of incidents that can screw your schedule and delay your day- so it isn't always set hours and you have people to please and they can be very picky about their pets. I hope this helps and Good Luck to You!
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mazer415
16 years ago
After working as a vet tech for a number of years - I suggest you think about your back. Have things easy to reach and make it so that when lifting dogs - especially the big guys, you dont strain your back - either have ramps bulit in or get some portable ones. After spending all day on your feet grooming and picking up dogs to be lifted off the table or up to the table and in and out of the bathing area - your body can get pretty worn out. Also make certain you have good ventilation - things are going to be hot in the summer time. Our groomers has an area for the dogs to cool off both inside and outside, where they can stretch their legs or lay down after standing for so long...good luck
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sunshinetm
Original Author
16 years ago
You all are so sweet & supportive, Thanks! Now if I could get someone to come be my mentor & teach me all the tricks of the trade I would be all set! I do appreciate all & any tips you have to offer, even if you think of it later on. As I said this is going to be slow process for me. I do plan on purchasing a hydraulic lift. Is there a size table that anyone prefers to use? I want to be open to do both big & small dogs. I have heard not to get a very big tabletop because the dogs try to move around too much. But I only planed on purchasing one hydraulic table so what would be best all around size? I also read that some people have good luck using ramps to the tub & some have better luck with a few steps, what have you experienced? Would it be worth it to get a separate hydraulic lift for the bathing area? As for the cages, I have been wondering if you have a solid floor in the cage, which makes sense that it would be more comfortable, what if they go potty in there & get their pretty self all messy? How many cages would you suggest I start off with? I do want to keep overhead low & I keep telling my DH that if all else fails he will have a really fancy workshop. I have been considering taking a bath tub & boxing it in & raising it up off the floor a ways with foot room underneath so I can get closer to the dog. As far as venting, he is the plan so far. I am having 3 large windows installed that I can open & 1 door to the rest of the garage I can open if I need to. I also planned on having a window air conditioner put in for the warmer months. Do you think this will be enough or should I have an exhaust fan installed or something else? I am not sure about the outside cooling off, I will have to think about that one. A lot of the big gruff folks tend to be the sweetest. LOL OK, I have talked long enough for nowÂThanks again, Terri
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groomingal
16 years ago
Terri good for you!
The best places I've worked had a bathtub raised for bathing- just make it to a comfortable height for you. As far as the cages you can buy elevated grates that will keep them off the floor and if they potty- some goes through- always keep in mind they can very well potty and get dirty- usually 5 minutes before the owner picks up.
Yes on the exhaust fan! It will get pretty smelly and yucky in there so that is a big plus.
The biggest part is making rules for the clients, they are the hardest part. Set up a time frame for dropping off and picking up (stick to it or they will abuse it!) Also make them walk the dog for potty time, that was a big gripe of mine that people would bring me the dog and say oh yeah can you walk it we were running late. Sure I have nothing to do. Make sure they are UTD on vaccines!!!! You will have people try to slip in to home groomers because they are not UTD on vaccines- this can be trouble for you, the dog, and your business.
Buy a Zoom Groom scrubbing tool- it is a wonderful tool!
Take it easy on your body- i'm not even 30 and need surgery on my shoulder and hand from grooming damage.

Good Luck and any questions ask away!
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dobesrule
16 years ago
Mac is way right about a lift table. You can get by with one of the regular cheaper tables but if you anticipate having large dog clients then a hydrolic or electric table is the way to go. Feel free to contact me off list and I'll be glad to help you as much as I can.

Lisa
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grooming career update

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grooming career update

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