Dog grooming is a lucrative market—and smart business owners who know how to cater to their clients with full-service luxury dog spas can rake in the money. However, getting your luxury grooming business up and running requires a specific set of skills, a good business and marketing strategy, lots of willpower, and the right equipment and supplies.
If you love working with animals and are thinking about opening your own dog grooming business, here’s what you need to know to set yourself up for success.
What kind of training and certifications do you need?
Unlike human hair salons and barbershops, dog grooming does not require a license or certification. However, from learning new skills and networking to building credibility, dog groomers can significantly benefit from taking classes.
Most dog groomers are passionate pet owners, and like every profession, dog grooming requires special knowledge and skills. For example, most dog owners expect their groomer to know breed-specific haircuts.
An online dog grooming certification allows you to receive training from professional dog groomers. Online courses are ideal if you’re unable to find certification courses in your area or you are searching for a more affordable alternative to in-person courses.
If online courses aren’t for you, consider looking into apprenticeship training or finding grooming training schools in your area for more hands-on training. Either way, training with an experienced groomer can help you learn new techniques and insights. Depending on the course, you may even get a set of starter gear to help you get started.
How do you get the word out about your business?
Social media is an easy and effective way to communicate with potential customers. Depending on your budget, you may choose to invest in Facebook ads to target a certain demographic. Want to target poodle owners within a 10-mile radius? You can directly reach your target audience with Facebook ads.
With social media, you can post pictures of your grooming space and your furry clients. Social media not only helps you connect with customers and potential customers, but it can also help you build brand awareness and credibility.
Social media isn’t the only way to get the word out. Especially if you’re working with a limited budget, you’ll want to rely on other methods to drive business, such as visiting area pet shops and introducing yourself or handing out information about your grooming services at local dog shows.
What type of equipment do you need?
Whether you’re planning to launch a mobile dog grooming service or a brick-and-mortar location, you’ll need capital to buy high-quality dog grooming equipment and supplies.
The style of equipment you need for your business will depend on which type of service you’re planning to offer. However, in general, you will need pet grooming tubs that fit your space, professional dryers, a dog grooming table with leash guards, kennels, and storage cabinets. You’ll also need to stock up on basic supplies, including brushes and combs, a fur dryer, nail clippers, grooming gloves, a bathing tub, and dog shampoo and conditioner.
Our animal care experts at Direct Animal design and manufacture dog grooming tubs, cages for animals, and professional equipment for veterinarians, doggy daycares, animal shelters, and dog grooming businesses. Check out our products to find affordable, durable, and high-quality equipment for your dog grooming business.
