Start Your Own Pet Grooming Business

Have you ever thought about running your own pet grooming business? We are a country
that loves and cares for our our pets - to the tune of 47.7 billion dollars spent in 2009! It is not
unusual to find pet-friendly outdoor restaurants that offer iced water bowls and treats to
include your pet in the dining experience, and hotels are also becoming pet-friendly by
offering free stays for Fido while hooking him up with pillow services, doggie baskets and spa
appointments with a dog masseuse. Hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and Yoga to pamper and
connect with your dog are also new trends in luxury pet care. If you have a passion for pets
and are considering claiming a share in the 7th largest retail segment in the U.S., now is the
time. There is an opportunity for animal lovers to start their own pet grooming business.
Among the most successful small businesses in the pet industry are pet services. The profit
margin for a pet care business can be as much as 68 percent. But like any small business, a
successful grooming salon requires a business strategy and plan. Before taking the leap into
the pet grooming business, look into the following areas to map out a plan for your dream pet
spa.

Conducting Market Research for a Pet Grooming Business:

Focus your research on industry trends, customer needs, and your local competition. Enroll
in professional associations, newsletters and blogs and become part of the conversation;
insider industry information is disseminated through these channels. Discover which services
and products customers value in the pet grooming salon by talking to pet owners and spa
owners. Visit your competition as a customer to see what services they offer and what you
can bring to the industry that sets you apart from the other service providers. If an area is
saturated with grooming salons, consider a mobile grooming business.

Licensing for Small Pet Grooming Businesses:

Increase the credibility of your grooming services with dog grooming certifications and
professional training provided by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Also
check with your state to learn the specific regulations and permits required in your area.

Developing an Integrated Marketing Plan:

The ultimate goal of any small business is to turn a profit while offering a quality service. An
integrated marketing plan combines four core components to make your small business
successful. These are Products and Services, Price, Promotion and Distribution. What
specific services will you provide? In the grooming business you can have a basic bath, cut,
dry and nail clip service or you can include more trendy stylized services like fur dying. Your
market research should guide these decisions. Consider the cost of equipment, the venue
and overhead required to provide these services. Will you sell products in your spa? 2G boat
tracking was spent in 2009 on pet products!
Promotion:

How will you market your new pet grooming business? You might want to consider a mixture
of traditional print media and 21st century technologies to get the word out on your salon.
Posting flyers in veterinarian offices and pet stores will target customers in your community
directly. Direct mail marketing and newspaper classified ads are also effective marketing
strategies. These days, most people seeking information turn to the Internet. Building a
website and joining social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to generate
word of mouth business. There are some online companies, such as demandmart.com, that
offer online marketing suites for small businesses that facilitate coupon promotions, customer
loyalty programs, virtual storefronts and other SEO marketing tools, all in one in place, to
bring you more customers from the Internet.

Distribution:

How you distribute your services depends on the need in your area, the nature of your pet
grooming services, and the type of customer service and vision you have for your pet spa.
There are a variety of ways to service your clients. Some options include a storefront -
preferably high traffic areas where people will see your business -your home, a partnership
with a veterinarian or pet shop, or a mobile grooming business where you bring your services
to your clients.

These are just a few tips for conceptualizing a pet-grooming salon. As a small business
owner, the important thing to remember is to provide quality services and products without
growing too rapidly. The pet grooming industry offers many resources online, in print and
across the country in expos and conventions to support your business and the industry. Now
is the time to turn your passion for furry companions into a lucrative pet grooming business -
and anything that improves the health, behavior and overall well being of your pet has
potential for success!

Get Found Online! Do you want to find new customers for your business online?
Demandmart offers an automated platform that makes online marketing for small business
affordable, easy and effective. It can help you get exposure in search engines, create online
coupons, schedule appointments online and automatically follow-up with your customers via
email. For more free small business marketing strategies, check out demandmart's small
business internet marketing tips.