Thank you for making the decision to establish a dog grooming business! It’s a great moment to start a pet-care business because the sector is growing year after year. Americans are spending more money on pets than ever before, with a total of $99 billion predicted this year. However, now that you’ve taken the bold step of starting your own company, you may be unsure of what to do next. From dog grooming business insurance to a business plan, there are many tasks ahead on your path to starting a dog grooming business. This article was developed to walk you through how to start a dog grooming business from home. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know!
Why You Should Start a Dog Grooming Business
It’s no secret that many people became pet parents during the pandemic by buying or adopting dogs. As a result, businesses that deal with pets and pet care, such as pet grooming, are experiencing faster development than other types of enterprises.
It’s fine to have financial objectives. Your pet grooming business is filling a need for pet owners who don’t have the time, ability, or facility to do it themselves. Pet grooming enterprises typically have cheap overhead and the potential for a high-profit margin. You might also check into pet franchises to get a tried-and-true business concept.
However, if you want to earn a profession as a dog groomer, you must fall into two categories: you must be an animal lover, and you must be a people person.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Pet Grooming Business?
Most dog groomers start modestly, with equipment like shavers and shears, dryers, cages, tubs, cleaning supplies, and grooming tables costing about the same. Also, the cost of that equipment is estimated to be between $10,000 and $18,000. Shampoos, conditioners, utilities, and insurance are all recurring expenses.
An apprenticeship or training programme will be required. A training programme can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
Then it’s up to you to decide how and where you’ll market your dog grooming service.
Deciding Your Operating Concept
Starting your own dog grooming business has several operating options:
#1. Home Dog Grooming
Can you manage a grooming business from your home as a business owner? That is the most cost-effective method of obtaining grooming space. You’ll need to look into local zoning restrictions before deciding on a business structure. You may have 3-5 customers driving in (drop off) and out (pick up) twice as a home-based business, which may not be appropriate for your area.
#2. Physical Dog Grooming Store
The most expensive option is to go with a physical location. You should anticipate paying between $10 and $25 per square foot, with a minimum of 500 square feet required. If your monthly rent is $2,500, you’ll need to groom a lot of dogs before you start making money. You may pay as much as $10,000 per month to rent a huge location.
#3. Mobile Dog Grooming
You can opt to take your dog grooming business on the road. It’s a great choice for growing the business, as you use a mobile business to bring grooming services to pet owners.
This option allows you to partner your mobile dog grooming service with another company, such as a pet store, boarding facility, or pet-friending hotel.
With their name and contact information painted on the van, mobile groomers are continuously promoting their business.
How to Start a Dog Grooming Business From Home
Go over this checklist of what you need to do before beginning a pet grooming business and joining the booming pet industry by offering grooming services.
#1. Complete all the Necessary Training
Apprenticing at a major chain like Petco or PetSmart might help you earn money while learning to groom dogs. You must sign a non-compete agreement and stay with the company for two years as an apprentice with those companies. You’ll spend 800 hours in a 20-week training programme.
Online colleges are also available, with prices ranging from $400 to several thousand dollars. You could go with that choice and practise on family members’ pets. In-person schools are also available, with similar rates, but you may have to relocate temporarily to attend.
In-person workshops and testing are available through the National Dog Groomers Association of America. It’s possible that you’ll need to travel to complete the training and tests.
For pet groomers, professional training is the best option. Before they leave their dogs with you, potential customers will look for proof that you have the requisite skills. Accreditation from a school is a great way to attract clients and is crucial to business decisions.
#2. Decide on a Dog Grooming Niche
One stage in determining your company niche is to decide if you want to provide in-home grooming, mobile grooming, or have a permanent storefront.
Another thing to consider is what kind of grooming you want to focus on. Are you going to bathe, clean, and do your nails? Are you planning on specialising in high-quality dog show presentations? Will you be focusing on breed-specific haircuts? Or a specific breed of dogs, such as terriers and toys?
Cleaning services for pets can include teeth and ears; are you planning to offer them as part of your business? What about trimming your nails?
#3. Create a Dog grooming Business Plan
The pet industry is not unique in the business world; you’ll need a business plan with the typical components:
- Business licence
- State sales tax licence (if you sell products)
Make plans for exactly what steps you’ll take to grow the business and increase your client base.
Make honest projections of costs and expected profits. You may spend up to 2 hours properly grooming one dog. Given your hours of operation and travel time, if you’re doing mobile grooming, how many dogs can you expect to groom each day?
#4. Decide on a Pet Grooming Business Name
Brainstorm with friends and family. You’ll want a name that is catchy and easy to remember, such as these actual dog grooming business names: Scalawags and Fur-section.
#5. Form a Business Entity
Almost every pet groomer who starts a business opts for an LLC (limited liability corporation). The formation of an LLC will protect your personal assets if you operate a sole proprietorship.
What if you added a partner to your sole proprietorship, making it a partnership? That isn’t a good option because each of you may be held responsible for the acts of the other.
Forming and registering as a limited liability company (LLC) is a vital step in your business plan. According to the National Dog Groomers Association of America, the LLC is the most popular business entity for dog grooming enterprises.
#6. Choose a Location
Your existing zoning regulations may dictate your choice of location. In fact, if you’re not permitted or don’t have the space to do a home-based business, your choices for a dog grooming business are mobile or storefront.
A grooming truck on wheels will be quite enormous. Make sure you’ll feel at ease behind the wheel of a large truck. You may need to upgrade your driver’s licence depending on the size of the car. For the car, you’ll need commercial insurance.
If you’re looking for a storefront, look for one that allows for safe dog delivery and pickup. Customers may not prefer walking or carrying their pets a substantial distance to and from their automobiles, despite the fact that a bustling strip mall may provide you with increased visibility.
#7. Look into Licences and Permits
Businesses that groom pets are not required to have a special licence in most cases. Also, professional training and certification might assist you in establishing and growing your company.
Check state and local regulations for any required business permissions. That information can be found through your local Chamber of Commerce.
#8. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep a separate business credit card that is connected to the account.
#9. Start a Marketing Campaign
Businesses that groom pets are not required to have a special licence in most cases. More so, professional training and certification might assist you in establishing and growing your company.
Check state and local regulations for any required business permissions. Therefore, that information can be found through your local Chamber of Commerce.
#10. Purchase Dog Grooming Business Insurance
Basics you’ll need:
- Commercial general liability insurance, to cover you for any injuries to a dog or to a person, such as a customer slipping on a wet floor.
- Professional liability insurance will cover you if a dog is injured.
- Property insurance will protect your business from unexpected damages or events. If you operate within your home, you’ll need separate insurance in addition to your homeowner’s insurance.
- If available, consider a BOP (Business Owner’s Policy), which includes general liability and property damage.
- Workers Comp – If you hire employees
- Health Insurance – Make sure you have a robust policy. Dog groomers are often beset by sore backs. You could also be scratched or bitten by your four-legged customers. Pet groomers can even get a malady called “Groomers Lung” in the business, a congestive issue caused by hours working in a moist environment. Find a policy that will protect you if you’re injured or sick and unable to work for a period of time.
#11. Acquire the Necessary Equipment
Start-up costs include basic equipment essentials such as:
- Crates to keep dogs away from other dogs while they’re waiting to be groomed or waiting for pickup.
- TubGrooming
- Grooming table An elevated table with a raised arm to attach the dog’s collar.
- Grooming Equipment includes a dog shaving kit, shears, and replacement blades.
- Specialised brushes for removing undercoat, combs.
- Flea and tick products, shampoos, and conditioners.
- Nail clippers or grinders (professional Dremels)
#12.Hire Staff
As needed, and keep in mind that if you do, you’ll need Workers Compensation insurance. Once established, many groomers begin to specialise in specific sorts of trims and services.
They have a skilled employee who can take care of the client preparation jobs, such as shampooing. As a result, the specialized groomer will have more time to deliver such services because the prep work will be handled by someone else.
#13. Open Your Business
As part of your marketing plan, launch the business with grand openings.
#14. Earn a Base of Loyal Customers
Provide a skilled service while sticking to a timeline to expand your consumer base. Any issues should be addressed quickly.
Your long-term success is dependent on happy consumers. The dog park will be buzzing about you.
How to Start a Dog Grooming Business from Home Insurance
Do you groom pets, cats, or dogs professionally? Do you have the proper animal-related business liability insurance?
Working with dogs, cats, or any other pet animal is unlike working at a typical store or workplace. That is why Pet Business Insurance designed the UK’s most popular dog grooming insurance policy specifically for the pet grooming industry. Our coverage even includes tooth Cleaning and External Anal Glands.
People value their dogs, so it’s critical that your dog grooming business has the right kind of public liability insurance in place to protect you if you harm or lose an animal while it’s in your care or if something happens to a customer or employee.
How to Start a Dog Grooming Business Insurance From Home Plan
The first thing you’ll need is a business plan if you want to start a new dog grooming service. Spend as much time as you can going through some samples of pet-related business plans before you begin creating your business plan for your new dog grooming firm.
Things to Consider Before Writing a Dog Grooming Business Plan Insurance
#1. Select the type of business setup
Your business can be set up in a variety of locations, including your home, mobile vans, and traditional stores. Each solution has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As a result, you should investigate it beforehand and choose the best setup for you.
You might establish a strong brand with a regular shop, save money on rent by setting up a shop at home, or go trendy and small with a mobile van. It all depends on your circumstances.
#2. Have a budget
Despite the fact that everyone loves fashionable decor, fancy equipment, and over-the-top marketing, going over budget is never a good idea.
Maintain a separate budget for all of your company’s demands, as well as a financial plan that will allow you to estimate your revenue and spend accordingly. By being inventive with your office decor, you may save the most money.
#3. Figure out the equipment you’ll need
Grooming properly necessitates the use of appropriate equipment. While going overboard, in the beginning, isn’t a good idea, have equipment that accomplishes the job well without breaking the bank.
You’ll need a wide range of supplies, including bathtubs, showers, brushes, and so on.
#4. Have a system for answering queries of pet owners
Because pet owners entrust you with their most valued property, it’s critical to have a system in place that responds to client questions and clarifies their concerns about your grooming procedure.
Aside from that, you might prepare a set of suggestions for your customers to assist them in taking better care of their pets at home.
Chalking Out Your Business Plan
All you’ll need are certain skills, knowledge of how to properly handle dogs, and a dog grooming business plan.
A business plan will assist you in focusing your efforts and developing efficient business strategies. Furthermore, with the help of many web resources, creating a business plan would no longer take ages.
Reading sample business plans will help you figure out what you want to achieve. It will also demonstrate the many sections that various entrepreneurs include, as well as the language they use to describe themselves and their business plans.
FAQs
Is it worth becoming a dog groomer?
It’s great for those who like a rewarding challenge. If you’re passionate about animals and love to take care of them, professional pet grooming is a great business for you. Professional pet groomers are always needed. So, if you become a professional pet groomer, you won’t have to worry about your job.
How many dogs can you groom in a day?
On an average day, a team of up to six groomers will treat at least 20 dogs, going up to 40 dogs near Christmas
How long does an average dog grooming take?
The quick answer is: It will take an average of 1 hour to groom your dog. If he has a short and low-maintenance coat, you may be done in as little as 20 minutes. If you own a breed with a more difficult coat or a large breed, it may take up to 2 hours to groom your dog.
