Starting a mobile dog grooming business is perfect for new dog groomers who want to own their own business, and is also ideal for experienced dog groomers who wish to have a more flexible environment than a brick-and-mortar grooming salon. Dog groomers have a hard time finding places to rent, as it is often expensive, risky, and time-consuming. Luckily for you, you can start this business with little more than a van and grooming supplies. This business idea also provides you with a steady stream of income from customers who prefer at-home grooming.
Mobile grooming is great because it allows dog owners to have their pets groomed at home with little stress and fast service. This is a great time to start your mobile grooming business or join a franchising grooming business. This step-by-step guide provides you with all you need to start your mobile grooming business with confidence.
Step 1: Understand How Mobile Grooming Works
To start this mobile grooming business and to plan for your business, you need to know what mobile grooming is. Mobile groomers work from a grooming van or a trailer, stocked with warm water, grooming and safety equipment, and a dryer. All of this is done at the customer’s home.
Comfort, time savings, and private care are a few reasons mobile grooming is outpacing traditional grooming salons and is in high demand.
Step 2: Build a Business Plan.
A business plan is a useful tool as it helps to keep everything organized and defines the business’s target. Make it a goal to keep it short, informative, and practical.
- The area you will provide services.
- Define your services.
- Set your estimated budget.
- Define your daily schedule.
- Pricing strategy
In mobile grooming, you have low overhead, meaning most of your budget will go towards the van, grooming tools, and your business’s licensing and marketing. Because a mobile dog grooming business is all appointment-based, it makes it easier to manage.
Step 3: Choose Your Business Structure.
There is a level of freedom you will have in deciding the structure of your business, as it is completely based on your goals. When starting, we see a lot of groomers go with a sole proprietorship, but as they grow, they opt to go with a more advanced structure. If you like the idea of having your business protected, you will want to look into making an LLC.
This step legally protects your work and makes the division of your business and personal finances clear.
Step 4: Buying Or Retro Fitting A Grooming Van
The mobile service of your unit is your core service. You can get one of two options:
– Invest on a mobile grooming van that has been used.
– Retrofit a box van or a trailer.
A fully equipped van should have:
– Grooming tables
– Adjustable sprayers
– Water tanks
– Dryers
– Safety restraints
– Safety storage
Select a space where the unit is clean and comfortable, and where your setting is quiet. A calm environment helps the dogs relieve their anxiety and allows the whole session to run smoothly, helping your reviews shine!
Step 5: Getting Grooming Training and Certification
If you are brand new to the grooming part of the business, consider taking a beginner’s course that will teach you how to handle a dog’s coat, how to clip, how to safely handle the dog, how to trim nails, and bathing techniques. Even those who have been groomed will tell you that taking a refresher course is very helpful.
If you go through this training, you will have a lot more confidence, and you will be able to price your services in a way that is fair. People are more likely to trust you and your skills, which is very important when you are trying to run a mobile dog grooming business that operates in their homes.
Step 6: Selecting Grooming Services
To give your customers a more streamlined selection, come up with service packages that are simple and that help get them what they need easily.
Some services that you can offer:
– Bathing
– Haircuts
– De-shedding
– Nail trimming
– Ear cleaning
– Teeth brushing
– Puppy Grooming
– Spa Treatments
In order to keep the services that you have offering simple, keep your service list short, concise, and easy to understand. Mostly, pet owners choose mobile dog grooming services. You will also help out busy pet owners by giving them simple options for their animals, which will result in smooth bookings for you and your business.
Step 7: Figure Out Pricing Properly.
Mobile grooming is a home service, and therefore, is able to offer a higher price than salon grooming, as it offer personalized service as well. Search for other mobile groomers in your area to see how much they charge and then price your services in accordance with your pup’s skin level, tools, and how much you would travel to your location for work.
Some successful mobile groomers even charge by:
– Size of the dog
– Type of the coat
– The complexity of the grooming
Your work should also reflect the value of your services because people appreciate convenience as well.
Step 8: Establish a Clean and Kind Brand.
People will notice you and your business more than they notice your brand. Make sure you stand out by creating a good brand.
Pick a nice, simple name to go with warm coloring and friendly wording. The branding should be kind, standing for calmness and trust. Also, make sure you feel calm, as the branding is something pet owners look for.
Make sure to create a website, online booking portal, business email, social media profiles, and customer review profiles. Clear images with descriptions that are short descriptions will work the best.
Step 9: Marketing Your Mobile Dog Grooming Business
Marketing is often viewed as very complicated and difficult; however, this isn’t the case. It’s best to keep things simple with social media posts, local advertising, and community groups found in pet stores, veterinary clinics, dog parks, and on social media.
Make sure to post before and after pictures, videos of gentle grooming, and tips for keeping pet coats in good shape. This is a great way to build trust with the public because people see how you treat the pets, and that trust builds quickly.
If you have blog posts on grooming and pet care, stick these links naturally into your content. It aids your audience and increases your search visibility.
Step 10: Focus on Customer Loyalty from Day 1
Mobile grooming and its success rely on frequent rebooking by clients. Ensure each grooming session is relaxing, safe, and gentle. Take your time with nervous pups. Provide clear instructions to owners. In this way, mobile groomers build trust, and returning satisfied customers share your service with their friends, neighbors, and family. Having loyal customers is the foundation of your mobile dog grooming business.
Conclusion
Most people don’t realize how easy it is to start a mobile dog grooming service. It is possible to create a business that aligns with your desired schedule and supports pet owners by offering on-site grooming services with a calm space, safe equipment, and gentle grooming techniques that help you build trust and reputation. You can schedule a call to clarify all your doubts about starting this profitable business.
