Dog Grooming is rising in popularity in the UK! As more people realise that getting their dog groomed isn’t just about vanity but also benefits the dog’s overall health.
Owners are prepared to pay good money to get their four-legged friend pampered, so start your dog grooming business today!
Why Are Dog Groomers So Popular?
Dog mums and dads are very busy people, so having to remember and take the time to bathe and brush their fur babies is another job on their very long, exhausting list!
So that’s where dog groomers come in! They are the heroes that swoop in and scoop up your mucky pup and make them shiny and new again.
But dog grooming isn’t for everyone. Being a dog groomer is a talent and requires skill, patience and a steady hand!
Did you know that 34% of households own a dog around the UK?
So with that statistic, it makes sense to know that dog grooming businesses can make a considerable profit, as there will always be an endless supply of people needing their dogs to be correctly looked after.
What Do You Need to Be a Profitable Dog Groomer?
Well, apart from needing the obvious love of dogs! You will need qualifications before you start snipping at your neighbour’s pooch.
The good news is that there are many places around the UK where you can get on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, which allow you the opportunity to gain the skills you need to groom dogs to a high standard!
You can also buy courses that will give you dog grooming classes and a qualification at the end, so you can get straight to creating your profitable business after just a few months of training rather than a couple of years with an apprenticeship.
Remember that the more experience you have, the better. People are trusting you with their pets, so it is imperative to have hands-on experience and the qualifications to back it up.
Is It a Good Idea to Own a Dog Grooming Business?
We’d say so! If you love dogs and provide excellent customer service, owning a dog grooming business is a good idea! It is perfect for those who want something different and challenging every day and have an eye for creativity.
But realistically, you need to ensure that your dog grooming business is profitable in the long run and won’t just make you a quick payday but will also have the capacity to succeed year after year!
There are a few key benefits that make owning your own dog grooming business an extraordinarily profitable and exciting career to get into:
Flexible Work Environment
Why limit yourself to one postcode? Yes, having a physical salon where people can come and drop off their dogs is a great business model and will be successful within the local community and perimeter.
But the fantastic thing about being a dog groomer is that you are the talent. All you need is a place you can put your tools. So mobility is something you can take advantage of!
Being a mobile dog grooming business is perfect for making the most profit possible because there are fewer running costs than there would be for a brick-and-mortar business.
You can access millions of homes around the UK and are not limited to one area to provide you with business. You can reach all corners of the UK, gain popularity, and profit from everywhere.
Marketing Your Dog Grooming Business
Being mobile is massively profitable, and being able to market to a wide range of people and demographics is excellent because you can market yourself to local dog shelters, foster homes and anywhere that has a multitude of dogs that all need care.
But there is also profitability for being a brick-and-mortar business too. You can connect more deeply with the local dog-loving community, build stronger connections via word of mouth, and gain popularity with other local dog businesses, connecting you to like-minded business owners.
Easy Expansion of Your Dog Grooming Business
When you have established a working business model, why stop there? It doesn’t matter if you decided to be mobile or a stand-still salon; you could do both!
The growth opportunities are endless because business expansion means needing qualified employees, which you can save money doing via apprenticeships or training people on the job, meaning you maximise your profitability even more!
Profitable Promotion Opportunities
There are many other ways to increase your profitability as a dog grooming business, away from just cutting nails and shampooing fur.
Retailing your business with products is a fantastic way to capitalise on your business’s income.
Investing in dog grooming products like shampoos, scissors, combs, and perfumes allows your customers to use your products and promote them within their homes daily.
But why end there at just having your products just in-store?
Another profitable business idea would be selling those products to a broader audience online. Online businesses are the best way to rapidly and effectively advertise to your audience and beyond.
Establishing a Profitable Dog Grooming Business
Ensuring success is hard work, and even knowing where to start can be a minefield. So here is a quick step-by-step guide to starting on the right path to a profitable dog grooming business.
Step 1 – Research, Research, Research!
You must know who you are advertising to and the type of audience you want to attract to your business. Also, research what kind of dog grooming business you want:
- Do you want your own dog grooming salon?
- Do you like the idea of a mobile business?
- Are you looking at selling your products in the future?
Figuring out and researching a business plan, what you want to do and what you want to do next will help you stay on track and be one step closer to being a long-standing dog grooming business.
Step 2 – Creating a Business Name!
This is a crucial part of creating a successful, profitable business. Ensuring that the name you pick will stick in people’s minds and doesn’t make the consumer overthink your business and what you do is a big decision.
Remember, keep it simple, short and easy to memorise!
Step 3 – Picking the Right Location
This step applies to both store-based and mobile dog grooming businesses; you have to check that you are setting up a company that has a high traffic of people nearby or in the area for them to see it.
For example, you don’t want to park your mobile dog grooming van around the back of an alleyway where no one will see your advertising. You want to be on the street, in a car park or somewhere there will be lots of people walking by.
The same goes for if you have a brick-and-mortar salon. You don’t want to pick a quiet, secluded location that is hard to find.
You want somewhere with easy access and nearby or in a town or city that is walked or driven past frequently.
Step 4 – Promote, Promote, Promote!
You should never stop advertising, promoting and selling your services. If you want your business to be profitable, you must keep up with the endless task of advertising.
With the constant promotion of your business, you will stay front and centre of the public’s mind and be ready to cater to them alongside the thousands of other dog grooming businesses around the UK that are also on the lookout for new customers.
You can do this with physical adverts such as:
- Newspapers
- Brochures
- Business cards
- Leaflets
- Posters
- Local business boards
- Window stickers
- Van & car wraps with business details
- Billboard
Then access online advertising, you could use the following:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Etsy
- Instagram shop
- Make a Website
- Google Ads
- Facebook Ads
- TikTok
- Ebay
- Radio Advert
- Email marketing
- Youtube channel
Using as many promotion tactics as possible will keep your business in people’s sights and ears, ensuring your business will always stay popular.
Other Questions to Ask Yourself
Many things go into making a business successful, but other questions you should ask yourself to ensure you are staying on the right path would be:
- Am I okay with not working my usual office hours (9-5 pm)?
- What other courses can I do to improve my animal care knowledge?
- Does my lifestyle or family commitments fit with this career path?
- Am I prepared to work hard for profitable results?
- How do I keep getting new clients once established?
- Why do I want this career change or career path?
Being a dog groomer is profitable for you and the community you want to serve.
Starting a dog grooming business is not a task for the faint-hearted and is something you need to research comprehensively, train thoroughly and be prepared to dive into fully.
Plus, the basic foundations of love and compassion for dogs and the drive to be a successful business owner will help you achieve high results.
The UK is a nation of dog lovers, and so if you want to start your profitable business anywhere, the UK is where you need to do it!
How Can We Help?
If you already have your pet grooming business but are getting overwhelmed by the number of appointments and your trusty appointment book is just not cutting it anymore, look no further!
At Savvy Pet Spa, we have an easy-to-use appointment management system that can help you get organised and book all your clients quickly and simply!
With our automated email/SMS systems, you will never have to deal with “no shows” again, and at Savvy Pet Spa, we take your bookings 24/7, so even whilst you are tucked up in bed, you can make money with our help!
Are you ready to get rid of your admin headache? Then, get in touch with us today!
