Successful Grooming Business Practices

As featured in the Groomer's Choice VIG Magazine: Vol 1, Ed 2, Summer 2023

Whether you are starting a new business or already established, creating and sticking to business practices is key to your overall success.

Two of the biggest areas where you can create success in your business are scheduling and products.

SCHEDULING: Scheduling is at the top of the list for great success in business. Develop your scheduling policies and stick to them! Because like everything else in life, if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile.

Some of the policies my shop uses for successful scheduling include:

1. When booking a first-time client, be as specific as possible in getting information over the phone. Ask detailed questions about the dog’s breed, size – including the height and more importantly weight, age and condition. It’s also important to ask when their last grooming was.

These questions will provide the answers you need to help get the dog scheduled for the right day. For example, if the owner says the dog has a few tangles, some snarls or even if they say they brush the dog every day, it’s best to prepare for the worst. If it’s a puppy or senior pet, you’ll know they will take more time to groom, too.

Typically, it's not a great idea to “squeeze in” a new client on what looks like an already full day. The rare exception is if it’s a short-haired bath dog that won’t need any extra trimming.

2. The day of the appointment be sure the dog is examined by a groomer at check in. At this time, you can prepare the customer for any extra charges, and you may also get a feel for the temperament of the pet.

3. When the client picks up their pet be sure to book their next appointment. It should be booked at the time you the groomer feel would be adequate to maintain the trim the dog is in.

We also make reminder calls the day before their appointment, and if they don’t arrive by the designated time, we call them. If they are a no-show, you need to know in time to try and fill the cancellation.

PRODUCTS: Grooming isn’t possible without having the proper products and tools. Not only do they work for us, but the right products also elevate the quality of work we can accomplish.

1. Buy high-quality products. Purchasing lower-quality products often results in spending more money in the long run. For example, buying a cheaper shear usually means getting them sharpened more often because the quality of the metal will not hold an edge as long. Now your “less expensive shear” has cost you a lot more in one year's time than the originally more expensive one. This is true of all your tools – combs, brushes, clippers and blades – and even right down to crates, tables and dryers! Buy quality and enjoy the difference!

2. Maintain your equipment and tools. Always clean your dryer filters and make sure your shears and blades are cleaned and oiled every day. These simple practices will help the longevity of your equipment.

3. Shampoo systems are a great way to save on shampoos. The BatherBox Bathing System is a fantastic way to help save shampoo from getting poured down the drain. It allows you to directly apply the shampoo already mixed with water and, therefore, helps save so much shampoo, water usage and time.

4. Develop a great relationship with your supplier. Groomer’s Choice has everything a groomer could ever hope for, including great prices, customer service and knowledgeable staff. And with four locations throughout the U.S., your orders ship quickly. (Most only take one to three days to arrive!) They are definitely a company that goes the extra mile for their customers!

Creating and sticking to business practices allows you to focus on what matters most – grooming. And that’s success!