Complete Guide to Starting Your Own Pet Grooming Business

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Industry watchers expect to see a huge spike in demand for pet products and services in coming months and years. So if you have dreamed of starting your very own pet grooming business, there has never been a better time than now.

According to recent studies, Americans spent more than US $72 billion on their pets in 2018. The total number of pet owners across the country also boomed in 2020. In fact, pet adoption rates hit a little over 59 percent between January and November. Apart from this expanded market, 85 million households in the US also reported owning at least one pet between the years 2019 and 2020.

Given these statistics, there’s sure to be a huge spike in demand for pet products and services. With such a large customer base for entrepreneurs to bank on, a pet-related venture can easily make back its capital and start earning profits in a year or so. One particularly lucrative opportunity lies in pet grooming services. Moreover, experts estimate that this particular segment of the market will reach revenues of more than US $6 billion by 2026.

That said, planning a pet grooming business isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But even though it may seem overwhelming at first, it’s more than possible as long as you know what you’re doing. If you’re thinking about throwing your hat into the ring, here are a few tips to help you set the foundations for your new venture.

Plan the Branding or Overall Concept of Your Pet Grooming Business

How will your pet grooming business present itself to the customer? Visualize how your overall branding will look. Envision the finer details that will distinguish your brand from its competitors. Think about the colors that you want people to associate with your grooming center. Is your company more down-to-earth? Or will it offer luxury services that appeal to a high-end market?

Finalize Your Business Name

Now that you have the brand concept in mind, you’ll need a name for your pet grooming business. Think of a name that captures the essence of the image you want to project. Choose one that also appeals to your target demographic. Your chosen name should be catchy enough to encourage audience recall. It must also be relatively easy to spell. You’ll also want to check if your name of choice is available for registration.

Use Freebies to Start Promoting Your Pet Grooming Business

As soon as you’ve decided on a visual identity and name, consider giving away some freebies. This will start drumming up interest in your up-and-coming pet grooming business. To start, you can order a small batch of branded wholesale dog collars, leashes, bandanas, and other practical yet stylish items.

Just make sure to choose a reliable custom pet product manufacturer. You want to go with a concern that has a proven track record of creating high-quality, pet-safe items. That way, you can rest assured that your freebies won’t easily break or pose any harm to your customers’ precious fur babies.

Choose the Best Location for Your Business

Picking the right location will play an integral part in successfully capturing the attention and patronage of your target market. That being said, your pet grooming shop doesn’t necessarily have to be located in a high-traffic area. Rather, what you should pay attention to is whether or not it’s easy for your prospective customers to get to your business address. Is your shop accessible via car or any public modes of transportation within the area? Does it offer plenty of parking for the clientele you will target?

Make Sure Your Business Has Ample Space

Once you’ve got a rough idea of where to put up your pet grooming shop, the next step is to scout the area for a place to rent. However, finding the perfect spot can be easier said than done.

For one, you want to pick a location that’s easy to find. However, you don’t want to pay exorbitant rental fees for that added visibility and accessibility. Additionally, the location must also have enough space to receive customers and keep pets in designated waiting areas. You’ll also need enough room to accommodate simultaneous grooming appointments.

Get the Necessary Training Before Starting a Pet Grooming Business

Last but not least, you and your staff will need to brush up on breed-specific haircuts as well as best practices regarding nail trimming, ear cleaning, and other essential pet grooming skills. You’ll also want to study proper animal handling to help you and your groomers deal with aggressive dogs.

So, as early as possible, look into training programs that will help you learn everything there is to know about the various aspects of doing pet grooming for business. You’ll want to invest in several different courses that tackle a wide range of topics. In this way, you and your staff will be ready for any unexpected challenges that may come your way.

Don’t know where to start? Consider looking into the Animal Behavior College, which offers programs for pet groomers at 6,000 locations all over the U.S.

Be Prepared to Work Long and Hard to Get Your Business Off the Ground

Like any other business venture, planning a pet grooming company will take a lot of time, money, and effort. But as long as you know what you’re doing, you won’t have anything to worry about. Just follow the helpful tips mentioned above and you’ll soon be enjoying the fruits of your hard work.