Tips On Developing Home Based Grooming Business

[bal]

Hello All,

I'm a first time poster so be gentle on me!

My wife's a very competent home based groomer (she's worked/been trained at both a vet and a salon) in WA, but lacks a bit in commercial confidence.

She's getting a steady flow of customers (the majority regulars) now the weather's warmer, but due to family commitments (and sanity) can only groom 1-2 dogs per day.

Can any of you expereienced home groomers give any advice on how she could develop her business. The obvious (?) answer is to offer additional grooming services / sell extra dog related products when customers visit. Any tips on what?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,

bal

[Clyde]

Hi Bal, First up I'd check with your local council if you are allowed to sell products. I know some Sydney councils don't allow it. Has she gone and introduced herself to the local vets? She could offer medicated baths (malaseb etc) and the vets will refer their clients on to your wife. Vet referrals were a large part of my client base.

Perhaps an ad in the local rag and on the local notice boards.

Maybe offer a small discount for the first 6 months of clients who book ahead at the time of their present booking.

Also make yourself known at the nearest pet supplies store.

These are just random ideas, but if she's good she will be swept off her feet in no time.

Good luck.

eta: I think I've misunderstood your post, sorry. Reading back I realise you aren't after more clients, rather more ways of making $$$. Could she also offer pet sitting services? Perhaps she could do a course (NDTF or Delta) and get interested in training?

Edited November 21, 2008 by Clyde

[Dogsfevr]

Firstly make sure she has insurance.Also be aware if in the suburbs(WA) it is a 2 dog limit & if you own dogs already then add any clients there you are breaking council rules.

We dont sell any major products.Find it too much hassle with the books & a pain to keep around,we prefer to send people off with list.

What we do keep on hand is a small number of combs,brushes.

[Clyde]

Firstly make sure she has insurance.Also be aware if in the suburbs(WA) it is a 2 dog limit & if you own dogs already then add any clients there you are breaking council rules.

Huh?Surely it would only be breaking council reg's if the OP actually owned the dogs, not just grooming them (or even babysitting them).

that's absurd if that is the case.......

[Dogsfevr]

Firstly make sure she has insurance.Also be aware if in the suburbs(WA) it is a 2 dog limit & if you own dogs already then add any clients there you are breaking council rules.

Huh?Surely it would only be breaking council reg's if the OP actually owned the dogs, not just grooming them (or even babysitting them).

that's absurd if that is the case.......

WA has always had a 2 dog limit you can apply for more which is very hard to come by,As this person is running a business from home one would presume all the business permits etc have been done.

If for example the OP owns 2 dogs & then has clients dogs there the reality is you can only lie so many times.

Remember it only takes one neighbour or cranky client to dob you in & some councils are worse.

maybe absurd but that is how it works so one must be very careful.

Obviously many will have 3 dogs on occasions & you can certainly get away with it but if your caught then you must be happy to accept the consequences

[Clyde]

Yes but they are not the OP's dogs they are simply there for a hair cut. A dog isnt deemed as living at a dwelling when it goes to get a groom........

[Dogsfevr]

2 dogs on a property is the legal number visitor or not when there are 3 you are over your numbers plain & simple.

It may suck but it doesnt matter.Many a show person has been court out because of this.

It only takes someone to complain & the rangers only need to sit & watch.

The only legal way of being over your numbers is with a permit or pups up to 3 months i believe is the age anything after that is a 2 dog limit.

If the OP is advertising then it will draw anyones attention to dog grooming business so ideally it would always be best to ask the local council of what the area rules are.

No point haveing a good business then something happens & its no longer able to be done.

If they do choice to continue then make sure your discreet & not draw over attention to the dogs coming in/out.

We lived in the burbs for years over our numbers & a risk we where prepared to take.We where dob in either by a fellow dog person or the plumber & as a result moved to the kennel area that still has a 2 dog limit unless you apply for a kennel license.

No license then its strictly 2 dogs

[bal]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your advice on this. I'm well aware of the two dog limit but not that it includes dogs being groomed. We've been upfront with the council, registered the business and had a council inspector round, so don't believe there's an issue. I'll check the small print though.

Our neighbours are all on board and friendly, and we're very careful about noise.

Regards,

bal