4 Tips to Make a Living at Dog Grooming
1. Have a business plan
To start off with any business, you need to have a business plan. It is in this business plan that you identify exactly what you intended to offer with your business. Will, you just offer grooming and bathing services or will you incorporate extra options like facials, pest removal, nail trimming, and teeth brushing? It is safe to know what you intend to do before you start up your new line of work. Also, it is important to have your goals, both short and long term clearly put down. This way it will be easy for you to identify what you want to have achieved in your job after a few months of work as well as a number of years down the line. It is also paramount for you to be in charge of your finances, keeping a record of what you spend and what you get so that you can determine whether you are actually making a profit and if that line of work is actually viable for you to make a living.
2. Get legal approval
While opening a business may be as easy as getting a location and having enough money to start it up, there are a few things left to consider before getting into the business full-time. While you require the right skills to guarantee success in your intended line of work, it is also important for you to obey the legal procedures for starting up a new job. You may have the best grooming business in your area, but without passing health and safety requirements you are as good as closed down. Ensure that you are prepared fully for any emergencies when taking care of the pets as this is something that may happen in a number of cases. Ensure that you possess the right licenses and certifications, liability waivers for clients in case things go wrong and insurance for both you and the dogs you are going to be taking care of.
3. Be creative
After setting up your new business successfully, you need to have something setting you apart from your competition to enable you to get a larger customer base. You may do this by honing your grooming skills so that you can give the dogs various treatments and styles that your competition may not be aware of. Also, you can decide to expand your range of services by including facials, nail painting and dying. Just ensure you use the right products, like the Furminator range of products, and your customers are guaranteed to be interested in getting your services more often. Another trick is to offer discounts and other bonuses for repeat customers or those with several dogs.
4. Interaction with dogs
Another important factor when starting up a business involving dogs is how well you interact with them. If you love dogs and you are calm around them then you can go ahead and start your business. However, if you are allergic to dogs, or if they make you anxious, then you may as well look for another line of work. Being calm with the dogs will make your work easier and hence you will get more customers.
