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Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

  • Written by Dave Lavinsky

Dog Grooming

Table of Contents

Dog grooming business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their dog grooming business. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a dog grooming business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Dog Grooming Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your dog grooming business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for Your Dog Grooming Business

If you’re looking to start a dog grooming business, or grow your existing dog grooming business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your dog grooming business in order to improve your chances of success. Your dog grooming business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Dog Groomers

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a dog grooming business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

The second most common form of funding for a dog grooming business is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan. Venture capitalists will not fund dog grooming businesses. They might consider funding a dog grooming business with a national presence, but never an individual location. This is because most venture capitalists are looking for millions of dollars in return when they make an investment, and an individual location could never achieve such results.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you want to start a dog grooming business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your dog grooming business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of dog grooming business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a dog grooming business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a franchise of dog grooming businesses.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the dog grooming industry. Discuss the type of dog grooming business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of dog grooming business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of dog grooming businesses:

  • Designer dog grooming: these types of businesses offer upscale dog grooming services in luxurious settings.
  • Mobile dog grooming: your business comes directly to the client to perform dog grooming services in the comfort of the client’s home.
  • Franchise dog grooming: run a network of branded dog grooming experiences across different locations.

In addition to explaining the type of dog grooming business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, number of new clients, etc.
  • Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the dog grooming business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the dog grooming industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your dog grooming business plan:

  • How big is the dog grooming industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your dog grooming business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your dog grooming business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of dog grooming you operate. Clearly Baby Boomers would want different service options, and would respond to different marketing promotions than Millennials, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most dog grooming businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other dog grooming businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes dog walkers, pet sitters, DIY YouTube channels, and pet retail shops that sell dog grooming equipment . You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone interested in grooming or cleaning their dog will go to a dog grooming business.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other dog grooming businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be dog grooming businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What types of placement do they offer?
  • What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide superior services?
  • Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
  • Will you make it easier or faster for customers to engage your services?
  • Will you provide better customer service?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a dog grooming business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product: in the product section you should reiterate the type of dog grooming that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products and services you will be offering. For example, in addition to dog grooming, will you provide retail products for sale, pampering services, or dog boarding?

Price: Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place: Place refers to the location of your dog grooming business. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your dog grooming business located near downtown office buildings or in a busy shopping area, etc. Discuss how your location might provide a steady stream of customers.

Promotions: the final part of your dog grooming marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertising in local papers and magazines
  • Reaching out to local websites
  • Social media marketing
  • Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your dog grooming business, including daily dog grooming services and the cleaning and maintenance of grooming materials.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to groom your 100 th dog, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to grow your client database to X amount or launch in a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your dog grooming business’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience working with dogs. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in the pet industry or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you groom 25 dogs per week or 50? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your dog grooming business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a pet rescue company approached you with a $50,000 contract to provide dog grooming services to their adoptable pets. Let’s further assume the contract would cost you $25,000 to fulfill in terms of increased staffing costs. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $25,000 now for employee salaries, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During that 180-day period, you could run out of money.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a dog grooming business:

  • Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
  • Cost of equipment like grooming tables, fur dryers, and bathing tubs
  • Payroll or salaries paid to staff
  • Business insurance
  • Taxes and permits
  • Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your dog grooming venue blueprint or location lease.

  Summary Putting together a business plan for your dog grooming business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the dog grooming industry, your competition and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful dog grooming business.

Dog Grooming Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my dog grooming business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Dog Grooming Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

Where can i download a dog grooming business plan pdf.

You can download our dog grooming business plan pdf here.

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Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.   Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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Dog Grooming Business Plan

MAR.18, 2023

Dog Grooming Business Plan

1. Dog Grooming Business Plan Sample and Template

Dog grooming is a growing industry, with many pet owners seeking out services to care for their furry friends properly. A well-crafted business plan can help you to create a successful business that caters to the needs of dog owners.

The main objective of this business plan is to create a successful and sustainable dog grooming business by providing high-quality services to customers. It seeks to build a strong brand and customer base and maximize profitability.

This business plan works well as a Dog Training Business Plan and other businesses.

2. Executive Summary

Business overview.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming is a full-service dog grooming business that specializes in providing quality services to all breeds of dogs. We strive to offer a modern, clean, and relaxing atmosphere for both our customers and their pets. Our services range from traditional grooming, such as baths and nail trims, to more specialized services, such as breed-specific cuts and specialty treatments.

In the Dog Walking Business Plan , we understand the importance of proper grooming in the healthy maintenance of a dog’s coat and skin, as well as its overall health and appearance. Our team of highly trained and certified groomers provides a safe, humane, and stress-free environment for your pet. We strive to ensure that each customer is satisfied with their experience and that their pet looks and feels their best.

We understand the importance of providing a safe and comfortable experience for our customers and their pets. That is why we take great care to ensure our facility is clean, organized, and well-maintained. We use only the highest quality products and equipment, and our team of certified groomers is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of dog grooming.

At Furry Friends Dog Grooming, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of our customers. Our services include

  • Basic dog wash, Brushing, and pet grooming
  • Nail trimming
  • Fur trimming
  • Ear cleaning
  • Teeth cleaning
  • Paw pad trimming
  • Anal gland expression
  • Flea and tick control
  • Deshedding treatments
  • Coat coloring
  • Skin treatment
  • Nail grinding
  • Pet cologne

Customer Focus

At our dog grooming salon, we are committed to providing the highest quality dog grooming services to our customers. In the Dog Daycare Business Plan , our team of certified groomers is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of dog grooming and is dedicated to providing a safe, humane, and stress-free environment for your pet. In running a dog grooming business, we strive to ensure that each customer is satisfied with their experience and that their pet looks and feels its best.

Management Team

The management team at Furry Friends Dog Grooming consists of experienced pet groomers and professionals who have the knowledge and skills to provide the best service possible. We believe that our team is essential to the success of our business and strive to provide our employees with the best working conditions and benefits.

Success Factors

In the Veterinary Clinic Business Plan , the success of Furry Friends Dog Grooming will be based on our commitment to providing the highest quality of service and care to our customers and their pets. We will also focus on building a strong reputation in the community through word of mouth and referrals.

Financial Highlights

The business plans to raise initial funding of $50,000 to cover the costs of launching the business, including the purchase of grooming equipment, the lease of the property, and the hiring of staff. Launching the business is anticipated; dog grooming start-up costs $35,000, and the remaining $15,000 will be used to cover operating expenses for the first three months.

  • Initial funding: $50,000
  • Launch costs: $35,000
  • Operating costs for first three months: $15,000
  • Total revenue for the first year of operations: $75,000
  • Net profit for the first year of operations: $45,000

Dog Grooming Business Plan - Proforma Fifancial Projections

3. Company Overview

Who is furry friends dog grooming.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming is a small business owned and operated by two lifelong dog lovers who have years of combined professional experience in the pet care industry. When we opened a dog grooming business, our first location was in 2015, and since then, we have grown to serve clients all over the Greater Los Angeles area. Our mission is to provide our clients with the best possible grooming experience and ensure their dogs feel safe and comfortable with us.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming History

Furry Friends Dog Grooming was founded in 2015 to provide high-quality and affordable dog grooming services to the Greater Los Angeles area. Since our founding, we have grown to serve clients all over the area and become a trusted dog grooming name. We strive to provide our clients with the best possible grooming experience and to ensure their dogs feel safe and comfortable while with us.

Furry Friends provides professional grooming services, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and styling, all tailored to each pet’s individual needs.

Furry Friends also provides a range of products to help keep dogs looking and feeling their best. The store carries a variety of shampoos, conditioners, and other grooming products, as well as nutritional supplements, beds, and toys.

The key elements of the business concept are the following:

  • High-quality services: At Furry Friends Dog Grooming, we strive to provide the highest quality of grooming services available. We use the best tools and products to ensure our clients’ dogs look and feel their best.
  • Experienced and friendly staff: Our staff are all experienced in the pet care industry and are passionate about their work. We strive to make our clients and their dogs feel comfortable and safe during their grooming.
  • Affordable prices: We believe that everyone should be able to afford quality grooming services for their dogs, which is why we strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible.
  • Safety: Safety is our top priority. We take all necessary precautions to ensure our client’s dogs are safe and comfortable during their grooming.
  • Customer service: Furry Friends Dog Grooming is committed to providing our clients with the highest level of customer service. We strive to ensure all our clients are satisfied with their experience with us.

4. Industry Analysis

The pet grooming industry is growing rapidly. It is estimated that the pet grooming industry achieved $8.5 billion in total revenue in the United States in 2020, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The industry is expected to continue to grow over the next five years, achieving an annual growth rate of 3.8%.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet grooming spending in the US alone was expected to reach $11.80 billion by 2023. The increasing number of pet owners and the rising demand for professional grooming services drives this growth. With more people owning pets and the increasing popularity of social media, pet owners are becoming more aware of the importance of proper grooming for their pets. As a result, pet grooming business owners can capitalize on this growing trend and tap into the lucrative pet grooming market.

The industry is also expected to benefit from increased demand for pet grooming services as pet owners seek to maintain the health and hygiene of their pets. Additionally, the industry is expected to benefit from the introduction of new technologies such as mobile dog grooming services and automated pet grooming equipment.

5. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Our primary target market is dog owners in the local area. Our customers will range from younger owners of small dogs to older owners of larger dog breeds. We anticipate that our customer base will be comprised of a diverse range of ages, incomes, and lifestyles. Specifically, our target customers are likely to include:

  • Dog owners aged 35-65, with an average household income of $70,000+
  • Dog owners with a passion for their pets and the time to care for them properly
  • Dog owners who value convenience and are willing to pay for the convenience of having their pets groomed professionally
  • Dog owners who are looking for a quality service that they can trust

Customer Segmentation

In order to effectively meet the needs of our target market, we will need to segment our customers. Our customer segmentation will be based on factors such as the breed of dog, size, lifestyle, and budget. Specifically, our customer segments may include

  • Small breed owners: owners of small breed dogs such as Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles
  • Large breed owners: owners of large breed dogs such as Labradors and German Shepherds
  • Active pet owners: owners of active breeds such as Greyhounds and Border Collies
  • Luxury pet owners: owners of high-end breeds such as Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
  • Budget-minded pet owners: owners of lower-priced breeds such as Beagles and Shih Tzus
  • Specialty pet owners: owners of rare breeds such as Basenjis and Chinese Crested Dogs

By segmenting our customer base, we can better target our services and marketing efforts to meet the specific needs of each group. This will enable us to create more personalized and effective marketing campaigns that will result in increased customer loyalty and satisfaction.

6. Competitive Analysis

The pet grooming industry is highly competitive and diverse. The sector is made up of both small independent businesses, as well as larger companies that offer a wide range of services. In order to remain competitive and differentiate ourselves from other grooming businesses, our plan is to offer high-quality services coupled with an excellent customer service experience.

Direct and Indirect Competitors

Direct Competitors

There are a number of direct competitors in the pet grooming industry in our area. Some of the main ones include

  • Pawfect Pet Grooming: a full-service pet grooming business that offers grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and other services. They have been in business for over 20 years and have a good reputation in the local community.
  • Furr-ever Friends: another full-service pet grooming business that offers a wide range of services, including brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and more. They have good reviews and a loyal customer base.
  • Pets 4 Paws: a smaller, independent pet grooming business with a focus on natural and organic products. They have a small but loyal customer base and have a good reputation in the local community.

Indirect Competitors

In addition to direct competitors, there are a number of indirect competitors in the pet grooming industry. These include pet stores, pet supply stores, and online pet grooming services. These businesses may offer some of the same services as our business, but they may not be as specialized or customized as our services.

Competitive Advantage

Our competitive advantage over our competitors is our focus on high-quality services and customer service. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction will set us apart from the competition and will help us to build a loyal customer base. We also plan to offer a wide range of services, including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and more. This will help us to attract customers who are looking for a full-service pet grooming experience.

7. Marketing Plan

Furry Friends Dog Grooming will be marketed through various channels, including direct mail, print media, radio and television advertisements, and social media campaigns.

  • Direct Mail: We will send out direct mailers to local pet owners, veterinary clinics, and other pet-related businesses in the area. These mailers will include information about our services, prices, and promotions.
  • Print Media: We will advertise in local newspapers, magazines, and pet-related publications. We will also distribute flyers and brochures in pet stores, veterinary clinics, and other pet-related businesses.
  • Radio and Television: We will purchase radio and television advertisements to reach a wider audience. These advertisements will include information about our services and prices.
  • Social Media: We will use social media to reach potential customers. We will create social media profiles and post updates about our services, promotions, and events.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming will have several direct and indirect competitors in the area. The direct competitors will include other dog grooming businesses, while the indirect competitors will include pet stores, veterinary clinics, and pet boarding facilities.

Direct Competitors:

  • Pawfect Pet Grooming
  • Furr-ever Friends
  • Pets 4 Paws

Indirect Competitors:

  • Veterinary Clinics
  • Pet Boarding Facilities

Promotions Strategy

In the dog grooming business plan outline, we will use a variety of promotions to attract and retain customers. Our promotions will include discounts, loyalty programs, and referral programs.

  • Discounts: We will offer discounts to new customers and returning customers. These discounts can be used for services, products, or both.
  • Loyalty Programs: We will offer loyalty programs to reward customers for their loyalty. These programs will include rewards such as discounts, free services, and special offers.
  • Referral Programs: We will offer referral programs to reward customers for referring their friends and family to our business. These programs will include rewards such as discounts, free services, and special offers.

Our pricing strategy will be based on market research and competitor analysis. We will offer competitive pricing that is in line with the market rates while also offering discounts and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers. We will monitor our competitors’ pricing and adjust our pricing accordingly.

8. Operations Plan

Operation functions.

Grooming: The primary function of the business will be providing pet grooming services. This includes bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and hair styling. The business will use high-quality products and tools to ensure the best results for each pet.

Boarding: The business will also offer overnight boarding services for cats and dogs. The boarding area will be clean and comfortable, and the pets will be given food, water, and plenty of attention throughout their stay.

Pet Supplies: The business will also offer basic pet supplies such as food, treats, toys, and grooming tools. These supplies will be available for purchase in-store and online.

3/15/202X – Establish a business plan and timeline

3/22/202X – Acquire the necessary licenses and permits

4/1/202X – Design and implement a marketing plan

4/8/202X – Hire qualified staff

4/15/202X – Purchase the necessary equipment, supplies, and materials

4/22/202X – Design a customer service plan

5/1/202X – Design and implement a safety plan

5/8/202X – Set up an online presence

5/15/202X – Develop a customer loyalty program

5/22/202X – Develop a pricing structure

9. Management Team

Company staff.

Owner has been in the pet care industry for the last ten years. He has a degree in business management and is the founder of Dog Grooming Enterprises. The owner has developed a reputation for providing high-quality pet care services and grooming to various pet owners.

  • Manager/Operations
  • Office Manager
  • Receptionist
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Administrative Assistant

10. Financial Plan

We are seeking funding of $50,000 to cover start-up costs and initial operating expenses. This funding will purchase equipment, rent a space, and hire staff. We will also use the funding to pay for marketing and advertising expenses. The funds will be repaid after three years through profits generated by the business.

Key Revenue & Costs

Key Revenue

The primary source of revenue for our dog grooming business will be from services provided to customers. Services offered will include basic dog grooming, nail trimming, and flea and tick treatments. We will also offer additional services such as specialty baths, fur trimming, and creative styling. We will also offer pet supplies for sale.

  • Dog Grooming Services – 40%
  • Nail Trimming – 20%
  • Flea and Tick Treatments – 10%
  • Specialty Baths & Fur Trimming – 15%
  • Creative Styling – 10%
  • Pet Supplies – 5%

The main costs associated with running our business are salaries for staff, rent for our facility, insurance, utilities, and supplies. We must purchase grooming equipment such as clippers, dryers, and tables. We must also purchase supplies such as shampoos, conditioners, and brushes.

  • Salaries – 25%
  • Insurance – 5%
  • Utilities – 15%
  • Supplies – 20%
  • Grooming Equipment – 25%

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Funding Requirements

Startup Costs: $12,000

Use of Funds

  • Rent: $2,500/month
  • Furniture and Equipment: $5,000
  • Legal/Accounting: $1,500
  • Insurance: $500/year
  • Licenses: $500
  • Marketing: $1,000
  • Miscellaneous: $1,000
  • Salaries and wages: $3,000/month
  • Advertising and marketing: $500/month
  • Utilities: $300/month

Key Assumptions

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

The essential assumptions necessary to reach the income and cost estimates in the financials and to obtain the company loan are shown in the following table.

Grooming services will be offered at the rate of $25/hour

Retail products will have a 10-20% markup

Rent will be fixed at $2,500/month

Insurance and Licenses will be renewed annually at a fixed cost

Salaries and wages will be fixed at $3,000/month

Advertising and marketing will be fixed at $500/month

Utilities will be fixed at $300/month

Financial Projections

Income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow statement.

  • What is a dog grooming business plan? A dog grooming business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the business objectives, strategies, operations, and financial goals of a dog grooming business. It serves as a roadmap for the business’s success, providing a clear plan of action and strategies to reach the desired goals. It also outlines the resources needed to make the business successful and the strategies to acquire them. A good dog grooming business plan should include an executive summary, market analysis, business model, operational plan, marketing plan, financial plan, and personnel plan.
  • What are the main types of dog groomers? There are a few main types of dog groomers. Mobile groomers provide services from their own vehicle, which they can drive to a customer’s home. Self-employed groomers run their businesses from their homes or a grooming salon. Salon-based groomers work in a grooming salon and are supervised by a professional groomer. Finally, there are pet groomers who work in pet stores. These groomers are usually supervised by a veterinarian and often require some veterinary training.
  • What are the main sources of revenues and expenses for dog grooming? The main sources of revenue for dog grooming are services such as bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and haircuts. Expenses for dog groomers include the cost of supplies such as shampoo, clippers, scissors, and combs; rent for the grooming space; wages for groomers; and insurance.
  • How do you get funding for your dog grooming business plan? One way to get funding for a dog grooming business plan is to apply for a loan. There are many different types of loans available, such as small business loans, unsecured lines of credit, and even government-backed grants. Before applying for a loan, it is important to create a detailed business plan that outlines the goals of the business, the expected costs, and how the business will be profitable. This will help lenders understand the business’s potential and make an informed decision about loaning money. Additionally, having a good credit history and collateral may help secure a loan. Other sources of funding may include crowdfunding or private investors. These methods may require more effort and care to be successful, but they can be a great way to get the funding you need for your dog grooming business.

Download Dog Grooming Business Plan in PDF

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

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Elon Glucklich

8 min. read

Updated February 20, 2024

Download a free one-page dog grooming sample business plan

The bond between humans and their canine companions has always been strong. But spurred by increases in dog ownership across the U.S. , household spending on pets has risen in recent years.

The $5.4 billion global pet grooming services market is projected to grow at a 7% annual rate through 2030, creating new opportunities for dog-loving entrepreneurs to turn their passion into a business opportunity.

Whether you’re starting a boutique grooming salon or a mobile grooming service—a business plan can significantly increase your chances of success.

Download a free dog grooming sample business plan and complete it as you work through this guide.

  • What should you include in a dog grooming business plan?

Here are the common sections to consider when writing your dog grooming business plan.

  • Executive summary
  • Market analysis
  • Services and products
  • Marketing and sales strategy
  • Operations plan
  • Company summary
  • Financial plan and forecasts

The details of your plan will differ based on factors like the services you offer, whether you hire full-time employees or contractors, and whether your business is based in a brick-and-mortar building or goes to clients’ homes.

Check out our step-by-step guide to writing a full business plan for more details.

A sample dog grooming business plan outline.

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  • The 8 elements of an effective dog grooming business plan

Don’t make your dog grooming business plan longer than it needs to be . If you’re writing it for yourself, stick with a few pages and cover the aspects that will help you run your business.

But if you’re writing the plan because you’re seeking a bank loan or investment , it will likely need to be more detailed.

1. Executive summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your dog grooming business plan. The executive summary should briefly touch on your company overview target market but shouldn’t be more than 2 pages long.

Its purpose is to highlight the mission and unique aspects of your business, whether that’s to provide superior pet care or introduce innovative grooming techniques to your market. 

2. Market analysis

What’s the opportunity that exists for your business? 

The market analysis section is a detailed assessment of the market you’re entering. In this case, you should cover current trends in the dog grooming industry, such as increasing pet ownership rates and a growing emphasis on pet care and wellness.

You must also identify your primary customer segments . Include demographics that help define who your customers are and what they want. Maybe you target pet owners in urban areas, busy professionals, or families seeking convenient and comprehensive grooming services.

Be sure to list out key competitors in your region, noting their service offerings, pricing, and market positioning. This analysis will help you identify opportunities to differentiate your business. For instance, your research might lead you to realize there are a lack of options in your area for mobile grooming services, or specialized care for anxious pets.

3. Services and products

The products and services section is where you detail the full range of grooming services and products you plan to offer. 

Consider writing them out as a list, like this example:

Basic services

  • Washing and drying
  • Hair trimming
  • Nail clipping
  • Ear cleaning.

Specialty services

  • Breed-specific grooming
  • Skin care treatments
  • Flea and tick treatments

Also, consider incorporating related products for sale, such as dog shampoos, conditioners, brushes, and other grooming tools. Whatever mix of products and services you choose to offer, connect them to your market opportunity. At its most basic, running a successful business is about identifying customer problems and providing solutions .

Detailing these services and products gives your customers a clear understanding of what your business provides and its value proposition .

4. Marketing and sales strategy

Your marketing and sales strategy turns your market research into a set of marketing strategies you can execute to attract customers. 

Through your research, you should understand how your target customers find dog grooming services — online, in print advertisements or commercials, through social media or word of mouth, etc.

Based on what you think are the most relevant marketing channels , develop strategies to make your business more visible. Strategies to consider include:

  • Advertising online or in local publications
  • Creating a website and establishing a social media presence
  • Interacting with the public at community events
  • Pursuing partnership opportunities with local pet stores

You may also want to consider discounts or special offers for repeat customers to build loyalty. 

Whatever tactics you deploy, it’s crucial to measure the impact of your marketing efforts through key performance indicators, and adjust your strategies based on what delivers value.

5. Operations plan

The operations section outlines how you will run your dog grooming business efficiently day to day. 

Whether you’re operating out of a brick-and-mortar building, a mobile van, or in clients’ homes, include details on the physical setup of your grooming salon, equipment needs, and staff requirements.

You should also discuss the process for booking appointments and managing customer relationships. Detail any software or systems you’ll use for scheduling and record-keeping. Also, outline your plan for meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining a clean, safe environment for pets.

6. Milestones

Outlining the key milestones for your business can help you determine how long it will take to meet your goals. You can keep these brief, even writing them in bullet points. Milestones for a dog grooming business could include:

  • Obtaining initial financing
  • Securing relevant permits
  • Initiating marketing efforts
  • Acquiring a certain number of clients
  • Reaching specific revenue benchmarks

Each milestone should have an estimated completion date and designated team members responsible for achieving them.

7. Company summary

Summarize the history of your business, including its legal structure and location. Also, highlight your background in pet grooming and your reasons for wanting to start a dog grooming business.

If you’re just starting out, discuss the initial startup costs required to get the business off the ground. If you’re writing your business plan to secure a bank loan, state how much funding you need, what you will use it for, and how it will benefit your grooming business.

8. Financial plan

The financial plan is where you provide a look into your dog grooming business’s financial projections, including sales , costs , and profitability .

Remember, financial forecasts are really just educated guesses created to give you a sense of how your business can be profitable over the long term. 

They’re meant to be adjusted over time as your actual financial numbers come in, helping you determine which aspects of your business are performing as expected and where you might need to adjust your strategy.

Your financial plan should include a cash flow statement , income statement , and balance sheet .

  • Tips for writing a dog grooming business plan

Understanding pet owners’ needs and how you can best serve them is vital for writing a dog grooming business plan that you can actually use to help your business grow.

As you write the plan, give some attention to these key points.

1. Consider your business structure

Choosing the right structure is pivotal. When writing the company overview section, consider factors like taxation, liability, and business growth potential to determine whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation best suits your needs. This decision will influence your operational flexibility, financial management, and legal obligations.

2. Develop a pricing strategy

Establishing a pricing strategy that balances market competitiveness with profitability is essential. As part of your market analysis, take the time to explore pricing tiers and client expectations. Offering a variety of service packages can cater to different customer needs and enhance revenue streams. Connect those packages and pricing tiers to your projected revenues and expenses as you create your financial forecasts.

3. Create an online presence

A strong online presence is non-negotiable. So, even if you plan to leverage traditional marketing channels, you will still want to have digital marketing efforts be part of your plan. 

At a minimum, invest in a professional website, optimize for local search , and engage actively on social media platforms. This visibility attracts new clients and serves as a platform for showcasing your work and customer testimonials.

4. Highlight your credentials and training

Highlighting your credentials and commitment to ongoing professional development can set your business apart. 

Regular training in new grooming techniques, customer service excellence, and pet safety reassure clients of the quality and reliability of your services. Start by mentioning the qualifications of you and your team and include any supporting documentation, like resumes or awards, in your appendix.

5. Build on success with client referrals and reviews

Encourage satisfied customers to refer others and leave positive online reviews . Word-of-mouth and digital endorsements can significantly impact your business’s reputation and trustworthiness. Consider implementing a referral program to incentivize clients to share their positive experiences.

  • Download your free dog grooming one page sample business plan

Download your dog grooming business plan sample now for free. You can also explore Bplans’ collection of over 550 sample business plans to find other examples.

Writing a business plan for your dog grooming business helps you stand out in a crowded market. It’s one of numerous reasons that a business plan increases your chance of success. 

The plan is essential for getting your business funded. But even if you don’t need a bank loan, thinking through each aspect of your business will help you make the best strategic decisions and use your limited resources effectively.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Content Author: Elon Glucklich

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Starting a Dog Grooming Business: The Complete Guide

BUSINESS  |   12/4/20 12:51 PM  |  by Gingr

Congratulations on your decision to start a dog grooming business! 

Now is an exciting time to start a pet care business, as the industry is successful year over year. Americans are spending more on pets than ever before, a number expected to reach $99 billion this year.

But now that you have made the courageous decision to start your business, you may be overwhelmed with what to do next. There are many steps ahead on your journey to creating a dog grooming business, from legal paperwork and licensing to selecting a name and designing a logo. 

We created this guide to lead you through the process of starting a dog grooming business. Read on for everything you need!

Create a dog grooming business plan.

To start a business, you need to write a business plan . This comprehensive document is necessary to secure funding and includes crucial information about your business, such as market and financial analyses and management structure. 

Select an operating concept.

It’s time to decide where you will operate your dog grooming business. 

Your choices include:

  • Rent space in a salon
  • Run a mobile grooming salon
  • Run a dog grooming salon from your home
  • Run a dog grooming salon as the only groomer
  • Run a dog grooming salon and invite groomers to rent space 
  • Run a dog grooming salon and hire groomers to work for you

Size and layout are significant factors when renting or purchasing space. A dog grooming business floor plan typically includes four sections: lobby, kennel or holding space, bath area, and grooming space.

Operating out of your home might be the most cost-effective choice, but there are things to consider. Running a business out of your home can limit growth opportunities, making expansion both in physical and staff size difficult. You also might anger your neighbors, mainly because dogs are loud. If you decide to run your business out of your home, first verify if you can legally do so. 

A growing trend is the mobile dog grooming business. Mobile dog grooming is convenient for pet parents and provides freedom for the business owner. While there are benefits, operating out of a van presents issues like faulty equipment and the cost of fuel. 

Establish a business entity.

Establishing a business entity is a crucial way to protect yourself from liability and save money on taxes. Consult with a lawyer to evaluate which option is best for your dog grooming business. Options include: 

  • Limited liability company (LLC) : Owners of an LLC are not personally liable for the business’s debts and liabilities. LLCs are exclusive to the US and join a corporation’s characteristics to a partnership or sole proprietorship.
  • Corporation : A corporation is a group acting as a single legal entity. 
  • Sole proprietorship : A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one person. There are no legal distinctions between the business and the owner.
  • Partnership : A partnership is a business owned and operated by two or more parties. Partnerships vary in how owners share liability and profits.

Obtain insurance, licenses, and permits.

Dependent on your location, the types of licenses, permits, registrations, and insurance required to start a dog grooming business vary

Standard local, state and federal registrations include:

  • Sales tax permit
  • Employer Identification Number
  • Occupancy Permit

If you are working in a salon or your home, get general liability insurance to protect yourself from a dog bite or pet parent slipping.  

If running a mobile grooming business, you most likely need to add a policy to your personal auto insurance policy since most don’t include commercial activity.

Buy dog grooming tools and supplies.

Be prepared for sticker shock. Tubs, dryers, and grooming tables can cost thousands of dollars. But, you can’t operate a dog grooming business without the necessary equipment. Essential investments include:

  • Grooming tables
  • Washing machines and dryers
  • Bathing tubs
  • Grooming hose
  • Shower attachments
  • Dog brushes 
  • Grooming clippers
  • Nail clippers
  • Nail grinders
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Ear cleaning products
  • Bandanas and bows
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Cleaning products

Earn certifications and training.

There are no legal certifications required for dog groomers, but training helps ensure you do an exemplary job and show customers you are qualified. 

Training ensures you know necessary skills like:

  • Breed-specific haircuts
  • How to handle aggressive dogs
  • Nail trimming
  • Ear cleaning

Virtual and in-personal schools offer training and certification. You might also consider training in bookkeeping software and business management.

Establish pricing.

Set your rates in a similar range to local dog groomers to ensure your business is competitive. Keep in mind breed, type of service, and the time it takes to complete the service when establishing rates.

Consider bundling services together for special packages, offering punch cards, and offering first-time promotions. 

Pricing should reflect actual cost, taxes, insurance, and a little extra for your savings. The more prepared you are for unexpected expenses like equipment failure or a pandemic, the better off you will be.

Promote your dog grooming business.

When starting, it’s crucial to spread the word . Marketing generates buzz, and you want people talking about your dog grooming business. Promote special offers and incentivize potential clients to try your grooming services. Some things to try:

  • Create a memorable business name.
  • Design a catchy logo.
  • Design a professional website.
  • Mail or email coupons.
  • Launch a referral program.
  • Give business cards and flyers to pet boutiques, vet clinics, animal rescues, dog trainers, and doggie daycares.
  • Get active on social media.
  • Launch advertising on Google and Facebook.
  • Be engaged in local Facebook groups.
  • Offer gift certificates as a part of a fundraising event. 

Get pet care business software.

Pet care business software keeps track of everything you need to operate a dog grooming business, including appointments, marketing, groomer schedules, communication, payments, and more. 

Gingr is packed with time-saving features that make running your dog grooming business easier. Gingr simplifies your daily tasks while improving your employee and customer experience.

Contact Gingr today to schedule a demo!

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Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Dog Grooming Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Dog Grooming business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their dog grooming businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Dog Grooming business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is a startup dog grooming business located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Company is founded by Lisa Williams, an experienced dog groomer who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a dog grooming business during the past five years while working at Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming. Now that Lisa has experienced managing a dog grooming business, she is ready to start her own company, Fur Friends Dog Grooming. Lisa is confident that her dog grooming skills combined with her customer service experience will enable her to run a profitable dog grooming company of her own. Lisa is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a dog grooming business – sales and marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, product procurement, and janitorial operations.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will provide a wide selection of dog grooming services for dog owners in the Wilmington, Delaware area. Fur Friends will be the go-to dog grooming business in Wilmington for high quality dog grooming services delivered by expertly trained groomers. The Company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while offering the best prices in the area.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Fur Friends Dog Grooming will provide:

  • Conditioner
  • Teeth Cleaning
  • Nail Trimming
  • Clip & Hair Cut
  • Eye & Ear Cleaning

Customer Focus

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will target dog owners in Wilmington, Delaware. The Company will target owners of dogs of all breeds, sizes, and grooming needs. No matter the customer, Fur Friends Dog Grooming will deliver the best communication, service, and prices.

Management Team

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be owned and operated by Lisa Williams. Lisa is a graduate of Delaware University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. She has over ten years of experience working as a dog groomer for another local business, the last five of which she has worked as the manager for the company. Lisa will be Fur Friends Dog Grooming’s Owner and Manager. She will oversee the training, scheduling, and day-to-day operations of the grooming staff.

Lisa has recruited Scott Smith, an experienced marketing director, to be the Company’s Marketing Director. Scott has a Master’s degree in Sales & Marketing and has worked as a marketing consultant for numerous companies in the pet industry. Scott will handle all sales and marketing campaigns, tactics, and strategies for the Company.

Success Factors

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Skilled team of dog groomers who will ensure every customer receives the best service and every dog receives the best care possible.
  • Fur Friends Dog Grooming makes it easy for customers to obtain the Company’s services. The Company will have a brick and mortar location and a mobile operation to give customers more flexibility in the way they can get their dog’s grooming services.
  • The Company offers competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.

Financial Highlights

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is seeking $300,000 in debt financing to launch its dog grooming business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the retail space and purchasing dog grooming business equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Retail space build-out: $100,000
  • Dog grooming equipment, supplies, and materials: $70,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $110,000
  • Marketing costs: $10,000
  • Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Company Overview

Who is fur friends dog grooming.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is a newly established dog grooming company in Wilmington, Delaware. Fur Friends will be the first choice for busy dog owners in Wilmington and the surrounding communities for convenience with its centrally located brick and mortar location and its mobile operation that brings grooming services straight to their door. The Company also has a convenient app customers can use to schedule their appointments, pay for services, and monitor their dogs during the grooming process.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to guarantee the best of care and high quality service provided by professionally trained and capable dog groomers. All groomers go through a rigorous vetting process to ensure that all dogs are groomed by only the best talent.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming History

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is owned and operated by Lisa Williams, an experienced dog groomer who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a dog grooming business during the past five years while working at Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming. Now that Lisa has experienced managing a dog grooming business, she is ready to start her own company, Fur Friends Dog Grooming. Lisa is confident that her dog grooming skills combined with her customer service experience will enable her to run a profitable dog grooming company of her own. Lisa is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a dog grooming business – sales and marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, product procurement, and janitorial operations.

Since incorporation, Fur Friends Dog Grooming has achieved the following milestones:

  • Registered Fur Friends Dog Grooming, LLC to transact business in the state of Delaware.
  • Has signed a lease to rent the retail space.
  • Reached out to numerous contacts to include former customers, dog owners, friends, and family members to help spread the word about the new dog grooming business.
  • Began recruiting a staff of accountants, dog groomers, janitorial, and sales personnel to work at Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming Services

Industry analysis.

Dog grooming is part of the larger pet grooming industry. The United States pet grooming market is valued at $2.1M and is expected to grow by 6.3% by the year 2030. There are approximately 154,000 pet grooming businesses with over 295,000 employees across the country.

The pet grooming industry is dominated by the dog grooming segment, followed by smaller segments of cat grooming and other pet grooming. There are more than 90M dogs in the United States. Market drivers include an increased focus by pet owners on their dog’s health and wellbeing as well as a growing demand for aesthetic and styling services. Regular grooming keeps dogs clean and healthy while protecting them from allergies, skin infections, and other diseases. Pet owners spend over $123B per year on their pets. Dog owners currently spend more money on dog care than ever before, spending on everything from regular grooming to costumes and toys.

The pet grooming industry can be separated into segments based on service type. The most common service segments are the spa and massage service category and the shear and trim service category. Some industry operators specialize in one particular category, while others provide a wide range of services.

The dog grooming industry can also be divided into segments based on channel of operations. The most popular category is the commercial or physical brick and mortar segment. The fastest growing category is the mobile pet grooming segment. Although this segment is much smaller than the commercial segment, it is expected to grow exponentially over the next several years as more people are coming to prefer the convenience and comfort for their pets that a mobile service can provide.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Wilmington, Delaware are:

Customer Segmentation

Fur Friends will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Gen Z dog owners with disposable income
  • Millennial dog owners with disposable income
  • Gen X dog owners with disposable income
  • Baby Boomer dog owners with disposable income

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming

Founded in 2005, Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming is one of the largest independently owned dog grooming businesses in Wilmington, Delaware. The company provides a full suite of pet grooming services including shampoo and conditioner bath, nail care, dental care, brushing, blow dry, and styling. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming operates six brick and mortar locations throughout the city. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming aims to deliver high quality service for all of its customers. The company has a strict dog groomer vetting program to ensure only the top talent is entrusted with the care of the customers’ precious pups. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming’s team of experienced dog grooming professionals have years of experience working with dogs of all temperaments and grooming needs so they are well equipped to care for any dog.

Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming

Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming is a small dog grooming business catering to local show dog owners in Wilmington, Delaware and surrounding areas. Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming provides mobile dog grooming services using three fully-equipped vans. The company provides a variety of grooming services for small to medium sized dog breeds to prepare them for dog shows and competitions. The owners of Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming are former dog show competitors themselves, so they have a unique understanding of the specific grooming needs of their customers’ dogs who are preparing for competition. The company provides grooming services for non-show dogs as well, but grooming for show is their specialty.

Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming

Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming is a trusted Wilmington, Delaware-based dog grooming business that provides superior dog grooming service to consumers in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. The company is able to provide a wide variety of services to pamper pups from head to toe using proven dog grooming techniques and products. Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming serves local dog owners with the piece of mind that all products used on their dogs are natural, safe, and effective. The company only uses all natural, vegan products and works with local suppliers to help support other small business owners.

Competitive Advantage

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

  • Skilled team of dog groomers who will handle all dogs with the best of care and attention. The Company’s dog groomers are all expertly trained and vetted for excellence in customer service and dog care.
  • Fur Friends Dog Grooming makes it easy for customers to obtain the Company’s services. Customers can schedule appointments through the app, online, over the phone, or in person. Customers can also choose to bring their dog into the centrally located facility or have the mobile unit come out to their homes for even more convenience.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

  • Fur Friends Dog Grooming provides flexibility and convenience. Customers can schedule appointments, make payments, and monitor their dogs through the Company’s app. Customers can also choose whether they want to bring their dog in or have the mobile unit come out to their homes.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Fur Friends Dog Grooming is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The Company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. They will ensure Fur Friends maintains an active social media presence with regular daily updates and fun content to get customers excited about the Company’s dog grooming services.

Professional Associations and Networking

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will become a member of professional associations such as the Dog Grooming Association, American Dog Groomers Society, and the Delaware Pet Grooming Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the Company’s vendor and customer network.

Print Advertising

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The Company will also send direct mailers to local businesses where potential customers frequent.

Website/SEO Marketing

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the Company’s website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Fur Friends is able to provide. The website will also list information on all the products Fur Friends uses such as shampoos, conditioners, and flea baths.

The marketing director will also manage Fur Friends’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “dog grooming service” or “dog grooming near me”, Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the Company’s services. Fur Friends will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Operation Functions:

  • Lisa Williams will be the Owner and Manager of the Company. She will oversee the activities and schedules of the dog groomers, the day-to-day upkeep of the facility, and customer relationships. Lisa has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
  • Scott Smith – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.
  • Susan Smith – Accountant/Bookkeeper who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
  • Jill Davis – Lead Mobile Dog Groomer who will oversee all activities of the mobile grooming unit.

Milestones:

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

11/1/2022 – Finalize the lease on the facility.

11/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Fur Friends Dog Grooming management and dog groomer teams.

12/1/2022 – Begin build-out and remodel of the facility and purchase equipment and supplies.

12/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan.

1/15/2023 – Finalize contracts for initial grooming product suppliers.

2/15/2023 – Fur Friends Dog Grooming officially opens for business.

Lisa has recruited Scott Smith, an experienced marketing consultant to be the Company’s Marketing Director. Scott has a Master’s degree in Sales & Marketing and has worked as a marketing consultant for numerous companies in the pet industry. Scott will handle all sales and marketing campaigns, tactics, and strategies for the Company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Fur Friends Dog Grooming are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the Company’s dog grooming services. The pricing of Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the Company’s services. Fur Friends will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a dog grooming business. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, grooming equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Average number of grooming sessions per month: 2,500
  • Average fees per month: $10,000
  • Overhead costs per year: $140,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, dog grooming company business plan faqs, what is a dog grooming company business plan.

A dog grooming company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your dog grooming company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your dog grooming company business plan using our Dog Grooming Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Dog Grooming Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of dog grooming companies , some examples include: Designer dog grooming, Mobile dog grooming, and Franchise dog grooming.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Dog Grooming Company Business Plan?

Dog grooming companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Dog Grooming Business?

Starting a dog grooming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Dog Grooming Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed pet grooming business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your dog grooming business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your dog grooming business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Dog Grooming Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your dog grooming business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your dog grooming business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Dog Grooming Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your dog grooming business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your dog grooming business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful dog grooming business:

  • How to Start a Dog Grooming Business

How to start a dog grooming business: 9 steps to launch

lp-ban-groomer-trims-dogs-hair

Key takeaways

  • Get professionally trained as a dog groomer to offer quality services that will garner repeat clients
  • Choose a memorable business name and narrow down a unique target market and location to stand out from the competition
  • List your startup costs and operational costs to assess how much outside financing you need before launching your business

Dogs are family members that fill their owners’ hearts with joy. For each puppy kiss or canine cuddle they receive, dog owners look for ways to return the love by giving their furry friends the quality of life they deserve. For many, this starts with seeking a professional groomer who can ensure their pet’s skin, coat, and nails are healthy and kept.

If you’re an animal lover and entrepreneur , now’s the time to learn how to start a dog grooming business . By 2030, dog owners are expected to spend $1,909 per dog each year —nearly double today’s average spending. And with pet ownership expected to increase by 14% within the same time frame, it’s clear that demand across the pet industry will continue to surge.

Turn your love for dogs into a successful business by learning how to set up and launch your own pet grooming business .

How to start a dog grooming business

Dog owners spend as much as $500 a year on grooming alone. When you start a small business in the multibillion-dollar pet grooming industry , you have a chance to grow a loyal customer base that regularly returns to your dog salon. Follow these steps to bring your dream dog grooming business to life.

1. Get dog grooming experience

In most states, dog groomers aren’t legally obligated to meet any licensing requirements before performing their services. However, that doesn’t mean selling your grooming services touting zero experience is a good idea. 

Not all dogs are perfectly behaved at the pet salon, and even well-mannered pooches don’t always have the same type of coat or nail structure. Some dogs might even arrive at your salon with matted fur or in poor health. Professional training gives you the experience necessary to offer quality services for a wide variety of breeds and needs.

One way to become more experienced is by getting a job or apprenticeship with a local grooming salon . Once you land a position—many of which are listed on standard job searching sites—you’ll get hands-on experience with grooming equipment and a variety of pets with the guidance of a professional.

Alternatively, you can complete a certification program like the one offered by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA). In the NDGAA program, you’ll learn about different breeds and grooming techniques and attend at least one workshop before certification testing. To receive your certification, you’ll need to take a written exam and a skills test for each of the four breed groups, including sporting dogs, non-sporting dogs, and long- and short-legged terriers. Each test costs $125-175.

Even if you plan on hiring employees to perform your grooming services , you should still be knowledgeable about the services you plan to offer. Consider consulting a professional dog groomer about their services and processes as you plan out your own operations.

2. Identify your business location

business plan for a dog grooming salon

The right location can help your dog grooming business stand out. Each business type has its own unique advantages and considerations:

  • Brick-and-mortar salon: A physical location can help you appear more professional and quickly become an established business in your neighborhood—it’s a solid small town business idea . While this is the costliest option and usually requires a multi-year lease, it also allows you to offer a wider variety of services without worrying as much about space limitations.
  • Mobile dog grooming business : Mobile pet grooming can help you reach a wider geographic area by making services available wherever it’s most convenient for clients. However, mobile groomers don’t have a visible storefront and can only offer services if they can fit the equipment in their company vehicle.
  • At-home dog salon: If you want to save cash, you can set up a dog salon in a dedicated section of your own home . Clients will travel to you instead of the other way around. Still, it can be harder to establish yourself as a professional groomer. You’ll also need to research zoning restrictions in your area relating to home-based businesses .

3. Narrow down your target market

When potential customers look for a pet grooming service , they want a business that can fulfill their exact needs. For instance, if a dog owner needs a groomer to get their pet ready for a dog show , they’re more likely to choose a business that markets itself as a show dog grooming facility rather than a standard groomer.

Narrowing down your target market will help you shape your branding and marketing in a way that speaks directly to your ideal customers. Identify who you want to sell to by listing out characteristics such as their income level, needs, and pain points. You can even target owners of specific types of dogs—for example, purebreds, large breed dogs, or curly-coated dogs.

4. Choose a business name

A great business name can make your dog salon memorable. Rather than choosing a generic name like “ Pet Care Center,” create an interesting name that clarifies what you do and appeals to your target market . For instance, if you’re opening a mobile business , you could choose a name like “Rover’s Roving Cuts” or “ Shear Delights Mobile Grooming.”

To avoid any legal issues, make sure your business name isn’t trademarked by a similar business using the U.S. trademark search tool . Also search your state agency website to ensure no registered businesses in the pet industry are using a similar name.

5. Select a business structure

business plan for a dog grooming salon

Preparing for legalities is a must when starting a dog grooming business . To determine how you’ll be taxed and how much personal liability you hold (such as when your business is sued or defaults on a loan), you’ll need to choose a legal business structure for your company.

Forming a sole proprietorship , partnership, or limited liability company (LLC ) are three of the simplest options for dog groomers . However, of the three, forming an LLC is ideal because it reduces your personal liability, so you won’t put personal assets like your house at risk if you go bankrupt. Plus, banks are more likely to lend to LLCs because they’re viewed as less risky than sole proprietorships and partnerships.

6. Register your business with your state

If you choose a sole proprietorship or partnership for your legal structure, it means you are your own business . As such, you don’t need to form a new business entity before operating. However, if you choose any other legal structure, you’ll need to register your business with your state agency (the same one you used for your business name search). You can file online or with paperwork from your agency’s website. Expect to pay a registration fee, which is usually no more than $300.

Even if you don’t need to register your business, you will need to research if any business licenses and permits are required for dog groomers like you. Your state agency, as well as your city and county governments, can direct you to the right resources.

7. Apply for an EIN

Employer identification numbers (EINs), which are tax ID numbers for businesses, are required by the IRS for any corporation, partnership, or business with employees. That said, any business owner should apply for an EIN even if you’re not legally obligated to get one. EINs are often required by lenders and for opening business bank accounts, so it can open up far more growth opportunities for your company.

8. List your startup costs

Starting a dog grooming business requires getting your finances in order. To prepare for launch, list all the expenses you need to cover before opening, as well as your expected monthly operational costs. This will confirm you’re ready to launch or uncover how much outside financing you need to acquire. Your budget can also act as a checklist as you’re shopping for grooming supplies and other business necessities.

Your startup costs may include equipment, furniture, and styling tools like grooming tables , kennels , tubs , clippers , dryers , nail clippers , and metal combs —all the supplies that will likely last you a significant length of time. Your operational costs will include recurring expenses such as business insurance, shampoo , conditioner, ear cleaning solution, gloves, and branded bandanas for new clients.

9. Market your dog grooming business

When you’re ready to open your doors, set a launch date and start marketing to your target market . Create a list of the strategies and tactics you’ll use to reach local pet owners . For instance, you can:

  • Partner with veterinarians and pet stores in your area to send each other referrals
  • Advertise discounted haircuts during your grand opening week on social media
  • Create a Yelp Business Page complete with your contact information, hours, and high-quality photos for users searching for grooming services

Get a free Yelp Page

Promote your business to local customers.

Make “ dog lover ” your official duty

If you’ve ever dreamed of running a pet business , starting a dog grooming business can be your opportunity to work with pups all day long. Start solidifying your business idea by getting the training you need, then choose your business location, target market , and business structure. To move closer to launch, register your business within your state and with the IRS. As you enter the marketing phase, find inspiration by researching local marketing ideas to make your dog grooming salon shine.

The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.

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How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

So you are thinking about launching a dog grooming business; it’s not a bad idea because there are many dogs in every city and town that require trimming, cutting and a host of other grooming services on a routine basis to keep their health up. Your next step in planning is to learn how to write a dog grooming business plan , and do it accurately.

Although not all owners do it, every dog should be groomed at least twice a year. With the rapid growth of the pet industry, this guarantees dog groomers a steady stream of clientele.

When people think of pet groomers, they think of doggy haircuts and facial cleaning, but there is actually much more to it than that. Many of the services that dog groomers offer are needed by all canines, not just long-haired breeds, including:

  • Nail Trimming
  • Ear Cleaning
  • Flea and Tick Treatments
  • Teeth Brushing

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

Dog grooming is the type of undertaking that pretty much guarantees there will be a large amount of potential customers close by to wherever you want to set up shop. A word of caution to the wise though, even though it may seem like a simple business to start, there is a lot more that goes into starting a dog grooming business than meets the eye.

If you’re just beginning to think about starting a dog grooming business and you’d like a little more information, check out our column How to Start a Dog Grooming Business . You’ll find lots of information about what to expect when starting your business and what you can do to ensure it is a success. We're currently expanding our Business section, so be sure to check back with Top Dog Tips  for the most up to date dog business information, dog product reviews and dog supplies news.

RELATED: How to groom a dog at home?

If you don't believe that you will need a business plan for your dog grooming business, you are mistaken! Creating a business plan will ensure that you understand what will be required of you in starting the business, becoming licensed and certified, and it will give you a plan to follow to put your business on the track to success for the future.

Your dog grooming business plan is essentially your business's first impression to investors, business partners, and the bank. Just telling someone about your plans and hoping for the best is not going to cut it. You need a concrete plan with researched evidence that proves your business has a good chance of success. That's what will be included in your business plan.

Even if you're planning to fund the business yourself and you aren't going to have a business partner, you still need to create a business plan. This plan will include your goals for the future of your business, and you will be able to use it as a guide to get your business where you want it to be in 12 months, 3 years, 5 years, or even more.

Access the Need for Dog Grooming

The first thing that needs to be done before even thinking about how to write a dog grooming business plan is to access the need for a business of that type in your area. When assessing the need, you have to look at such things whether the area is already saturated with that type of business or if the area has the proper income level to support that type of enterprise.

You'll also want to see just how many dog owners live in your area. Grooming services may be something that people are willing to travel a small distance for, especially if there are no dog groomers in the towns around you. If you live in a rural area, you can get information on the number of dogs licensed in your town, or surrounding towns, by checking with the local animal control office or at the town office.

RELATED: How to Become a Dog Groomer?

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

If you live in a more urban area it should be even easier to find out how many dogs are in your neighborhood. Take a walk down the street, visit a local dog park, or swing by a doggy daycare in your area. If there are a lot of dogs around you, chances are a dog grooming business would do very well in that area.

If there is another groomer in your area, don't count yourself out just yet. Is there enough of a need that two groomers could both run successful businesses in your area? Would you be able to offer different services or something unique that would help your grooming business stand out and gain attention from dog owners? You may still be able to make it work, it might just take a little more planning.

Your business plan needs to clearly state that you've researched the need for a grooming business in your area. Investors want to see that your business has a good chance of success. They aren't going to waste their money on a business that looks like a failure right out of the gate.

State Your Pet Grooming Business Goals

The fist part of your business plan will be where you state your short and long term business goals. You can tie in the need for your business here. Where do you see your business in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and what is your ultimate goal? This section should be short and to the point. Investors aren't looking for specifics in this section, just a broad view of what you would like for your grooming business.

If there is a large need in your area perhaps you see your business expanding quickly. If you're in a more rural area, maybe you don't want to expand your business at all and you just want to gain enough loyal customers to turn a decent profit. Whatever your goals are, make sure to state them clearly so investors will be able to see exactly what you want for your company's future.

Listing out these goals will help give you a perspective on the business startup and also give you some concrete goals to focus on for the future. These goals will show the bank or your investors exactly where you plan to take this business , and they will be looking for details in other parts of your business plan about how you will get there.

In this section you should also include whether or not you will have a business partner(s) and what type of entity your business will be. Will it be a sole proprietorship, a single member LLC, or an S-Corp?

RELATED: Do You Tip Dog Groomers?

Most of the time, dog grooming businesses start out as a sole proprietorship for the first year or two. Then once you have all the paperwork, bills, and tax requirements under control you can start looking into filing for an LLC to separate your personal assets from your business.

If you have decided to start your business with a partner, you need to decide now if you will run it as a limited liability company (LLC), a corporation, or a partnership. You need to discuss all of this with your business partner and be sure to make all major business decisions together.

Dog Grooming Business Scope

The next step is to define the scope of the business. You need to plan such things as what breeds you will groom and how the dogs will get to your grooming salon; will you offer a pick-up service or will the customers come to you? Are you planning on offering a mobile grooming service or having a commercial location?

Mobile dog grooming businesses can be very enticing to pet owners that don't have the time or the means to get their dog to regular grooming appointments. Commercial locations work well too, but you need to make sure that the location you choose will be convenient for customers to get to and that it is located in a high traffic area where lots of dog owners will see it.

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

Another piece to add when talking about the scope of your business is what services you will offer. If you want to stand out you may want to offer some specialty doggy spa services, or something similar, so your clients know you are different than other local groomers.

You want your business to stand out, but you don't want to offer so many services that your scope is too large.  This can be confusing to dog owners who are just looking for a standard grooming for their furry friend. Select a handful of services that you are good at performing and grow from there.

RELATED: How to Start a Dog Walking Business

Decide how big you want your business to be in the beginning. Will you hire employees or do all the grooming yourself? Doing everything yourself will save you money, but it will also limit the amount of dogs you can take. Remember, more clients doesn't necessarily mean more money.

The larger the scope of your business, the more it will cost to run. Extra supplies and employee salaries will get quite expensive. Also, the larger your business, the more space you will need. More space leads to higher rent and utilities. Make sure to weigh the costs against what extra money you will be making if you start your business on a larger scale. It may be more beneficial to start small and grow over time.

Competition and Pricing

These two aspects of a business plan go hand-in-hand. You need to establish who your competition is, what services they provide, and what their prices are. You can easily do this by performing a quick internet search, making some anonymous phone calls, or stopping in to your competitors establishments and asking a few simple questions.

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

You already know what services you will offer, now it is time to set prices. You need to price your self competitively with similar businesses in your area or you may not have any business at all. If your prices are too high it will drive customers away.

When thinking about prices figure out how much the supplies for the service will cost you, and make sure that you are paid for your time as well. You may not want to price your services too high, but you still need to pay your bills as well. It's a fine line in the beginning, but as your business expands and your reputation grows with it, you will able to start increasing your prices to make a greater profit.

Advertising and Marketing

Now you need to plan for the advertising and marketing that you'll do to promote your business. Don't be intimidated. You won't need to take out billboards in Times Square. Your marketing plan can be as simple as handing out business cards and brochures. You just need to come up with a plan that will work in your area.

RELATED: How to Start a Pet Business with Dogs

Advertising can get expensive. Radio slots and television advertisements are great, but they also cost a lot of money. Try to keep things simple in the beginning. Maybe you could start by posting flyers at your local dog park, pet store, or other location where dog owners frequent. You could spend an afternoon handing out business cards in these locations as well.

If you're going to offer a specialized service, like mobile grooming, think about your target market before you advertise. Dog owners that would be interested in mobile grooming are probably do not have the means or are unable to take the time to bring their pet to the groomer. Try advertising at senior centers where many residents may not be able to drive or in the business district of your city where lots of busy businessmen and women are likely to be. Thinking outside the box while advertising will be more beneficial in the long run and will probably save you money too.

Here's where things get tricky. You need to plan for your future expenses. Nothing has to be set in stone, just a ballpark figure of how much startup capital you'll need and what you'll be spending it on. You will likely need quite a bit of startup capital for your business, even if you're running it out of your home.

Some of the expenses you'll need to plan for are:

  • The facility itself including rent and utilities
  • The cost of renovating the space, if required
  • Equipment (bathing tubs, dryers, grooming tables, etc…)
  • Grooming supplies (shampoo, brushes, clippers , etc…)

Those are your major expenses. These will vary, of course, depending on your particular business. If you'll be running your business out of your home, your expenses may be a little less, and if you need to buy and convert a van into a mobile grooming parlor, they may be a little more.

When figuring your finances, don't forget to include your advertising costs as well as your office expenses. You will need a computer, business telephone, and other office equipment. Don't forget about the desk, chair, and other furniture you may need for your human clients.

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

When planning your finances and creating your initial budget, leave no stone unturned. Think about every aspect of your business and all the day to day duties you will be performing. Make sure to list as much as possible, so your budget will be as close to accurate as you can get it.

RELATED: How to Write a Dog Training Business Plan

When writing your dog grooming business plan, it is best to over estimate in this case. You don't want to underestimate and then have your business fail quickly because it was underfunded. Do your research and be as accurate as possible, but make sure to leave yourself a little bit of wiggle room. There are bound to be expenses that you didn't plan for when starting your dog grooming business.

Legal Responsibilities

This is the last section of your dog grooming business plan, but it is also the most important. Making sure that your legal responsibilities are taken care of needs to be a top priority. If you don't take the proper legal precautions, it could mean big trouble for yourself, your employees, your investors, and your clients. Not to mention it would quickly ruin your reputation as a groomer .

Your legal responsibilities will vary depending on where you live. Different states and cities have their own rules and regulations for business owners, so make sure you abide by the ones that govern you and your business.

Be sure that your dog grooming business plan addresses:

  • Your licensing and certification responsibilities
  • Liability waivers for your clients
  • Any specific laws in your region
  • Client contracts

Again, and I can't say this enough, your business plan is not set in stone . You don't need to stick to your plan 100%, in fact, I don't believe there are many business owners that have. This is your guideline to make sure that you've thought your plan through fully and you know where your business is headed. Once you begin to research and write your dog grooming business plan, you will realize that there is a lot more to it than you thought.

The more serious you are with your business planning, the more serious you will look to the bank and potential investors. A solid business plan will be the foundation of your success, so it should not be taken lightly.

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Pet

How to Write a Pet Grooming Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a pet grooming business? If YES, here is a complete sample pet grooming business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a pet grooming business.

We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample pet grooming marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for pet grooming businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Pet Grooming Business?

Starting a pet grooming business is not only a relatively easy business to start up, it can also be quite profitable especially if you have lain out strategies that make you stand out from your competitors in the industry. The demand for other services for pets asides the regular basic services have grown as owners now also want their pets to live long, stay healthy as well as happier.

However, before starting this kind of business, it would be best for if you have some sort of experience as well as a general passion for pets. Also, no matter how easy a business looks, writing a business plan is very essential especially if you do not have all the necessary funds at hand and intends to source for funds externally.

While the business plan for a pet grooming business might not need to be too technical, it needs to be comprehensive and show certain aspects that would make an investor comfortable enough to invest in the business. While writing a business plan might look intimidating, it should be as there are loads of free templates online to aid you in writing yours. Below is one of such, a sample pets grooming business plan;

A Sample Pet Grooming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

According to franchise help, half of all the households in America which amounts to about 80 million own at least a pet – cat, dog, fish, bird, horse or lizard. This therefore means that there are over 300 million pets that needs to be cared for which has made the pets grooming business to leap in demand.

As at 2015, 65% of US households owned at least a pet and with a thriving pets industry, which provides toys, food, daycare, beds, trainings, cages, medical services, grooming and lots more, owners of these pets are being kept happy. It has been found that even though most of the pets might not care about such services, the owners do, which translates to 60% of those in high-income households.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) in 2016 stated that the revenue expected from the pets industry will amount to $62.75 billion, which will be an increase of 4% from 2015. Over the last two decades, revenue has been growing steadily for this industry and has been at 5.4% since 2014.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the pets industry has seen a job growth of 11% from 2014 which is expected to continue till 2024. The largest segment where pet owners spent were on food with pets grooming being 5 th on the list and expected to bring in revenue of $5.73 billion in 2016 as compared to the $5.41 billion in 2015.

The reason for this growth in the services for pets business is due to the fact that most pet owners are seeing their pets as part of the family and some are beginning to treat their pets as human, which is why more people are getting quality foods as well as expensive medical treatments and accessories for their pets.

Also, the growth for pets’ specialized care in the industry is due to baby boomers, ages 55 to 64, who after their children have left home are replacing them with pets. A study has shown that baby boomers between these ages are the ones spending more on their pets.

However, the baby boomers are not the only ones that have developed a strong bond for their pets as millenials, those born between 1985 to 2010, started seeing pets as humans more than animals. These age groups spend their disposable income on pets and even spoil them as well.

The pets industry survived the economic downturn including the great recession, and so it is a strong industry that will continue to boom. The reason for this could be due to the HABRI study, which linked an improved savings in healthcare to the fact that those who owned pets fared better health wise.

2. Executive Summary

Petsky Groomer Salon is a business based in Nevada – California and established to cater to pet owners by offering grooming services to their pets. These grooming services also includes other pets services such as pets product retail, pets boutique, aroma and general healthcare, dietary supplements for pets, pets Self-service wash tubs, pets gourmet food, and consultation services.

Our aim is to set a standard amongst other pet grooming businesses and be amongst the top three pet grooming services here in Nevada – California, and to achieve this we have put forth strategies in place that we ensure that we attain these goals.

First off, we have a solid policy in place regarding the whole direction our business intends to take. We would keep reviewing and tweaking these policies as time goes by so as to remain adaptive and proactive to changes that might likely occur in the pets industry regionally and nationally.

We are serious about having a solid business structure and so we sourced for and hired competent and experienced employees who understand the business and its industry and who are attuned to our company’s vision and will take us from where we are to where we intend to be.

We would provide a conducive environment for our employees to work in and we are prepared to pay them very well as their welfare packages are one of the best across the industry for similar start-ups of our size. We also intend to train them so as not to only enhance their skills but to increase their productivity for Petsky Groomers Salon as well.

We offer an excellent customer care as our customer care executives are all trained on how well to treat and attend to customers. We are currently offering the best customer care as can be found in Pets grooming businesses here in Nevada.

We have great marketing strategies that will ensure that we penetrate the market and get a huge share of our target market. Our strategies which are in tune with our corporate goals will be carried out both physically and online on all our social media platforms and via our website as well.

Finally, our Chief Executive Officer and owner, Ms. Jackie Collins has the knowledge, passion and 10 years of expertise in the industry that is needed to bring this business to its desired level. Ms. Collins has worked in several pet stores and even a veterinary and we are confident of her ability to ensure the business attains its goals and objectives.

3. Our Products and Services

Petsky Groomers Salon is one that is being established not only to make profit but so that clients who care about their pets and want to give them properly groomed can have a place to go to.

Asides our grooming service, we also intend to offer other services and sell some products so as to boost our revenue base and conveniently sustain our business here in Nevada – California. Additionally, offering more services will attract more customers to our business, thereby allowing us more share of the market.

We intend to offer only services that are in line with grooming and caring for pets and to do so within the permissible laws of the united states of America. Some of the products and services we intend to offer at Petsky Groomers Salon are;

  •  Pet grooming services
  • Pet products retail
  • Pets boutique
  • Aroma and general healthcare
  • Dietary supplements for pets
  • Pets Self-service wash tubs
  • Pets gourmet food
  • Consultation services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

  • To set a standard and be amongst the first three preferred go-to pet salons in the whole of California.
  • In order to achieve our vision, we have put in place strategies that will ensure that we stand out from our competitors in the market, here in Nevada and in the whole of California as well.

Our Business Structure

To be able to attain our desired goals and objectives, we would need to ensure that we get our business structure right, which is why we have hired only competent employees with the necessary experience to help us set the right foundation from the beginning on which the business would be run.

Our employees do not only have the right expertise in handling the business, they are also committed to our vision of becoming the top three dog grooming business in the whole of California. This is as our management team is ensuring that we source for and hire only the best staff for Petsky Groomers Salon.

Our staffs have excellent customer service as we have already set a standard for having the best customer care in the pets industry here in California. Asides from having the best employees working at Petsky Groomers Salon, we also on our part have ensured that the environment is conducive enough and that the pay is right and competitive as regards similar start-up such as ours in the pets industry.

Below is the business structure we therefore intend to build at Petsky Groomers Salon;

Chief Executive Officer

Admin and Human Resource Manager

Grooming Supervisor

Marketing Team

Accountants/Cashiers

Customer Service Executives

Purchasing Manager

Security Guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

  • Creates policies that will affect the strategic direction of the company
  • Ensures that all polices are correctly interpreted and implemented by all the employees
  • Engages in investment strategy on behalf of the firm to ensure that it is sustained
  • In charge of sourcing for and recruiting competent employees based on the company’s business structure
  • Drafts and implements policies that would affect the employee in the workplace
  • Ensures that all the administrative functions in the salon as well as the paperwork are handled effectively
  • In charge of ensuring that employees are trained to enhance their skills and increase productivity for the firm
  • In charge of monitoring and coordinating all grooming activities on pets
  • Reviews old techniques and comes up with better grooming techniques for pets
  • Researches new markets on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon, for possible penetration
  • Drafts and implements effective marketing strategies on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon
  • Conducts direct marketing for the salon
  • In charge of handling cash vouchers and receipts on behalf of the salon
  • In charge of preparing financial statements on behalf of the salon
  • Ensures that the books of the salon and that of the bank are reconciled every month
  • In charge of answering customer’s enquiries and directing them to the right department
  • Ensures that customers complaints are resolved promptly without denting the image of the salon
  • Stores and updates accurate customer database on behalf of the salon
  • In charge of purchasing all the needed equipment and supplies for the pets salon
  • Sources for reliable vendors and suppliers and negotiates for a fair deal on behalf of the salon
  • Prepares and reviews contracts of reliable vendors
  • Ensures that the property of Petsky Groomers Salon and the premises are secured at all times
  • Ensures that all the properties of customers are secured while at the salon
  • Carries out any other duties as might be determined by the admin manager
  • Ensures that the salon is kept clean at all times
  • Takes care of the convenience for pets and ensures that it is cleaned with the right chemicals
  • Takes care of the convenience for staff and customers use at all times
  • Ensures that cleaning supplies are always in stock

6. SWOT Analysis

Because we understand how important it is to ensure that our business concept is right, we have engaged the help of a business consultant who is reputable here in Nevada and understands the industry thoroughly, to look through our business and determine if we were likely to make it in this business.

The business consultant made use of the SWOT ( Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ) analysis to determine how likely we were to succeed if we started the pets grooming business here in Nevada. Below is a result of the analysis conducted on our behalf;

We have several factors that can be regarded as a plus for our business. First off, the products we intend to use for our grooming business are those that have been recommended by veterinaries and we will make this fact known whenever we are promoting Petsky Grooming Salon.

We also intend to offer a wide variety of service for pets so as to be able to attract diverse customers into our salon. Our employees are very competent and experienced as regards pets care and this is also to our advantage, finally, our Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jackie Collins has vast experiences that will be of great advantage to us in this business.

As with any other business, we have weaknesses that crop up during the start-up and running of the business, we do not have the necessary funds to be able to get all that we would need to conveniently serve our customers. However, we are looking into this as we have sought for funds from our bank.

We also would not be starting off with all the employees that we should and this might severally limit our competitive edge against our competitors, we are however sure that in 6 months, we would have made enough money to get more employees for our business.

  • Opportunities

There are several opportunities that exist in this industry in the sense that more people are beginning to show care for their pets than before, leading into more booming businesses for pets grooming businesses. Also, opportunities exist for us to network at fairs and events held for pets in order to build a database for our pets grooming business.

Threats are considered as external factors that cannot be readily controlled; however, every business should be prepared for threats, as we have laid down strategies to ensure that we are proactive in dealing with our threats. One of the threats that we would likely encounter during the course of running the business are; other competitors especially those who have long been in the business before us.

Another threat that we are likely to encounter is in pet owners who groom their pets themselves or do it for their neighbours for a lower fee. As earlier mentioned, we are quite sure that we would be able to handle any threats that pop up.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

  • Market Trends

The pets grooming business is one that is booming as more people are showing more than the average care for their pets and do not mind paying a very good amount in ensuring that their pets are happy. To run a standard pets grooming business, it will require that you have the necessary facilities in place and that you are located in an area that is very convenient for the client to get to.

This is why you should be careful when searching for a location, as searching for a place too far out even if it looks perfect might not result into growth for your business. Also, the business is one that requires being in a good network with other pet businesses so as to have loads of referrals from there.

Another trend lies with the employees. It is important that a business with focus employs only those who are competent and experienced enough to help run the business in order to attain its objectives. Also, employees hired should be committed to the goals of the business and know how best to ensure that these image is reflected to customers – either potential or existing. Employees working in the pets’ stores or salons are usually those that love pets and so would handle them the right way.

Technology has revolutionized businesses in the sense that more businesses have the opportunity to reach out to potential customers and penetrate the target market than they would have done if there hadn’t been technology. The rise of social media which is one best and inexpensive way at advertising and gaining publicity for the business whilst ensuring that customers become more aware of existing products and services has seen the pet grooming business boom in the pets industry.

8. Our Target Market

The target market for those who own pets in America is quite huge as according to a survey by the American Pet Product Association in 2015, there were more than 300 million pets owned by at least 65% of Americans. Most of those who owned pets and who had higher incomes and spent more on their pets were about 60%. This showed that a high number of people are willing to go the extra mile in ensuring that their pets get the best care.

To however help us accurately determine our target market, we conducted a thorough market survey so that we could get facts on our clients and determine what they likely expected from us and what behavior we should expect from them as well.

From our result, it would seem that we are in business to groom the pets of the following groups of people here in Nevada – California;

  • Corporate Executives
  • Business people
  • Celebrities and important personalities
  • Sports men and women

Our competitive advantage

Every business established to make profit has to contend with other similar businesses competitively in order to survive and sustain itself by having strategies that will enable it have an edge over others in the market.

Our first competitive advantage is the fact that we are offering quality and better services than any other pets grooming business here in Nevada; this has already given us an edge and has won us more customers already.

Secondly, we have hired competent and highly professional employees that understand the business thoroughly and therefore knows what is required. Our employees also undergo constant training that ensures that they remain productive. Also, we pay our employees better than most pets grooming salons here in Nevada, and this has put our business in a good light as employees are happy to work here.

We have the best customer service in the whole state as our customers are often repeat ones due to the personalized service that they get whenever they come to Petsky Groomers Salon. Due to this, we are constantly reviewing the customer care skills of our customer care executives so that we would remain on top.

Finally, our marketing team has top notch strategies that would see the awareness of our business increase tremendously as well as our bottom line.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

  • Sources of Income

Petsky Groomers Salon is the leading pets grooming business here in Nevada – California which has been established with the aim of generating revenue via its different services that will be offered to clients via their pets. Therefore Petsky Groomers Salon intends to generate income from offering the following services and products;

  • Pet grooming services

10. Sales Forecast

Survey has found out that more American especially those that earned high income was going to cause an increase in demand for dog grooming services especially as the intention was to cause their pets to be happier. We have conducted a thorough sales forecast and with our strategic location here in Nevada, we are likely to generate and exceed our target in the first year of business, which we will then use in sustaining and growing our business.

The sales forecast we conducted was jointly carried out by a sales consultant and made use of accurate data so as to be able to correctly predict what we were likely to earn at the end of three years. Below are therefore the expected sales projections for a three year period conducted on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon;

  • First Fiscal Year-: $150,000
  • Second Fiscal Year-: $300,000
  • Third Fiscal Year-: $600.000

N/B : It should be noted that the above sales projection were conducted based on certain factors like lack of competitors and positive economy. Should a new competitor arrive or the economy changes for the worse or even better than what it is currently on, it would affect the sales projections and cause the figures to either increase or decrease.

  • Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Marketing is a dual sword for any business because it not only generates revenue for the business and sustains the business; it also inadvertently creates publicity for the business during the course of advertisement. This is why every business that intends to succeed pays serious attention to its marketing strategies and ensures that it picks the ones that are most suitable for the business.

Before we draft our marketing strategies, we intend to first conduct a survey on the market so as to understand our target market better and draft the best strategies that would be able to not only penetrate the business but also bring in customers as well.

It is for this purpose that we hired the services of a reputable marketing consultant who understands the industry thoroughly and knows what strategies would best suit us moving forward as a business. The survey was conducted based on information and data gotten from similar start-ups here in Nevada and in the whole of California as well.

Our marketing team has also been empowered to draft and review each strategy and ensure that they are in tune with our overall corporate organizational goals. We have also incorporated the use of technology into our strategies so as to be able to reach a wide segment of the market.

Below are the marketing strategies we intend to adopt at Petsky Dog Groomers Salon;

  • Ensure that we place advertisements in local newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television stations
  • Engage in direct marketing
  • Pass out fliers and handbills in conspicuous and strategic places
  • Advertise our pets grooming business via our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Ensure that we are listed in offline as well as online directories
  • Throw a pet themed party at our grand opening launch so as to create and generate interest here in Nevada – California

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Even though Petsky Groomers Salon is a standard pets grooming business that offers the best care to pets, we would need to still engage in publicity especially if we intend for our business to achieve its intended goals and objectives and boost its bottom line for future sustainability. We know how good publicity is for our business and we intend to use it effectively in penetrating the market here in Nevada – California for the growth of our business.

To this end, we have hired a reputable publicity consultant here in Nevada who is quite skilled and understands the pets industry well to help us draft effective strategies that we can use in creating the needed awareness for our pets grooming business here in Nevada – California.

The strategies have combined several factors in ensuring that we use only what would be best for our business in the long run. Therefore the following strategies below are what we intend to use in promoting Petsky Groomers Salon to our customers.

  • Ensuring that we place adverts in relevant media such as newspapers, magazines and on local radio and television stations.
  • Attending pet events and fairs and networking with other pets businesses as well as pet owners
  • Ensure that our fliers are properly distributed in conspicuous target locations
  • Place attractive and colorful Petsky Groomers Salon flexi banners in conspicuous locations
  • Leverage on our social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn by throwing up contests that will get the audience and keep them interested.
  • Create an interactive and colorful website that is user-friendly

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Determining what prices to set for all the services that would be offered at Petsky Groomers Salon will depend on a whole lot of factors, such as location, overhead and running expenses. We have checked what our competitors are offering and coupled with the above named factors have set forth the right strategy that will allow us arrive at the right prices for our different services, especially as each service or product sold aren’t the same.

Our intention is to break into the market first and so we would slightly lower our prices for all the products we intend to sell and services we intend to offer for the first 6 months of operation, so as to bring in more customers as well as increase awareness for our salon. We have critically looked at the prices we intend to offer and have seen that even though they would lower our margins a bit, we would not be running at a loss throughout this period.

  • Payment Options

Because we offer different services in addition to our core service, we are aware of the fact that our customers will have different payment preference for the different services and so we have created several payment platforms to accommodate this fact.

Therefore the payment options that will be made available in our salon are;

  • Cash payments
  • Payment via credit card
  • Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
  • Payment via check

The above payment platforms are those that would be very convenient for all our various customers here in Nevada – California, and would be without any hitches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In starting and setting up a pets grooming business, we expect to spend the bulk of our capital on leasing a place, renovation, paying employee salaries as well as paying utility bills; this is because we intend to run a standard pet grooming salon here in Nevada – California for our clients and their pets.

Therefore the key areas where we expect to spend our start-up capital on are;

  • Total fee for registering Petsky Groomers Salon in the United State of America – $750
  • Obtaining certifications, licenses and permits as well as accounting software – $1,250
  • Cost of hiring a business consultant – $1,000
  • Insurance coverage (general liability, property insurance, workers’ compensation) – $5,000
  • Marketing promotion expenses (general promotion expenses and grand opening promotion expenses) – $3,000
  • Cost of leasing and renovating a facility for the period of one year – $20,000
  • Operational cost for the first three months (employees’ salaries, payment of utility bills) – $50,000
  • Start-up expenses and purchases (high-end grooming tables, dryers and tubs, grooming supplies and treats) – $10,000
  • Other start-up expenses (stationeries, phones, computers, business cards, signage, tools and equipment) – $3,500
  • Cost of launching a website – $500
  • Cost of throwing a grand opening party – $2,000
  • Miscellaneous – $4,000

From the above analysis, the total amount of $100,000 would be suitable to run a standard pets grooming salon here in Nevada – California. The bulk of the start-up capital will be used to lease a facility, pay employees and purchase the necessary tools and equipment that will make sure we attain our desired goals and objectives.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Petsky Groomers Salon Business

Petsky Groomers Salon is a business owned and operated by Ms. Jackie Collins. She is not only a lover of pets but a strong business woman who has all it takes to bring the business to its intended goals and objectives. Ms. Collins has decided not to go for any external partnership for her pets grooming business and so would seek for loans from these three major sources;

The three major areas that we intend to generate our start-up capital from are;

  • From personal savings
  • Source for soft loans from family members and friends
  • Apply for loan from commercial bank

N.B: We were able to generate the sum of $25,000 from the personal savings of Ms Jackie Collins. The sum of $15,000 was sourced from close family members and friends. We were able to secure an approval for the sum of $60,000 from our bank, and all the necessary documents have been signed, and we have been assured by our banker that the money would soon be credited into our account by the end of this week.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is vital that any business that intends to make profit and compete against its competitors in the industry draft sustainability strategies that would ensure that it remains in business for a long time to come. We have therefore identified the aspects – employing competent employee, offering excellent and additional services and ensuring that we retain a large number of our loyal clients – which we would focus our strategies on in order to ensure that we remain in business for a long time.

Employing staffs that are competent and experienced and that is clearly attuned to our vision of attaining our goals and objectives is a must for us. Our employees will always undergo continuous trainings that will enhance their skills, increase our productivity and give them an edge over their other colleagues in the same industry.

All our employees will be trained in the art of offering excellent customer care to clients and ensuring that the image of the company is positively projected at all times. We also intend to pay our employees well whilst ensuring that they work in an environment that is conducive for them.

We hope to remain proactive and innovative in the offering of our services, as we would continually look for new ways to attract more customers while also keeping the existing ones. Continually offering our clients new services for their pets would not only keep them loyal and make them refer others to us, it will also increase our popularity and bottom line as well.

Finally, we intend to ensure that we seek for different ways to retain our clients, by offering them excellent customer car, a special discount for old tie customers at certain times of the month, a referral program for those that refer us and bring in a client. We know how important our customers are and we intend to treat them right always. We know that if we adhere to these strategies, we would effectively sustain and then expand our business successfully.

Check List / Milestone

  • Business Name Availability Check: Completed
  • Business Registration: Completed
  • Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
  • Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
  • Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
  • Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
  • Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
  • Application for business license and permit: Completed
  • Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
  • Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
  • Generating capital from family members: Completed
  • Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
  • Writing of Business Plan: Completed
  • Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
  • Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
  • Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
  • Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
  • Recruitment of employees: In Progress
  • Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
  • Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
  • Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
  • Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
  • Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
  • Purchase of trucks: Completed

More on Pet

Dog Grooming Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a dog grooming business can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor, but developing a successful business plan is key. Knowing what steps to take and what information to include in your business plan is essential for success. With the #1 Dog Grooming Business Plan Template & Guidebook, you'll get a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to creating the perfect plan for your pet-grooming venture. From understanding the market landscape to creating a detailed financial plan - this guide will help you take the guesswork out of writing your dog grooming business plan.

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Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

  • How to Start a Profitable Dog Grooming Business [11 Steps]
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  • 25 Catchy Dog Grooming Business Names:

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your dog grooming business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your dog grooming business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a dog grooming business:

Our mission at [Business Name] is to provide top-quality dog grooming services to our clients in an efficient, caring, and professional manner. We strive to offer a safe, clean environment for all furry friends to enjoy the pampering that they deserve. We strive to build lasting relationships with our clients through our values of trust, respect, and excellence.

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2. Products & Services Offered by Your Dog Grooming Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your dog grooming business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my business?
  • What are the products and/or services that I offer?
  • Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
  • How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
  • How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

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3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your dog grooming business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your dog grooming business includes the following elements:

Target market

  • Who is your target market?
  • What do these customers have in common?
  • How many of them are there?
  • How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

  • Who are your current customers? 
  • Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
  • How can their experience with your dog grooming business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

  • How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
  • Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
  • Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
  • How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

  • Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
  • Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
  • What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

  • Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
  • What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
  • What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
  • How many of your customers do you instead will return?

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business plan for a dog grooming salon

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

  • The equipment and facilities needed
  • Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
  • Financial requirements for each step
  • Milestones & KPIs
  • Location of your business
  • Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a dog grooming business?

  • Professional dog grooming tools (brushes, clippers, scissors, combs, dryers, etc.)
  • Shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for dogs
  • Dog nail clippers and dremel tools
  • Dog ear cleaning tools
  • Towels and other grooming accessories
  • Business permits or licenses specific to the area where the business is located

5. Management & Organization of Your Dog Grooming Business.

The second part of your dog grooming business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

  • How many employees you need in order to run your dog grooming business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
  • The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
  • How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Dog Grooming Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a dog grooming business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a dog grooming business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your dog grooming business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your dog grooming business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your dog grooming business plan:

  • Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
  • Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
  • Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
  • Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
  • Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
  • Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

business plan for a dog grooming salon

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Grooming Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a dog grooming business.

A business plan for a dog grooming business is essential to evaluate the potential of the business, clarify your vision and objectives, set strategy and target markets, establish projections, analyze the competition, estimate startup costs and forecast cash flow. It will help potential investors or lenders understand the potential of the venture and assess its risk factors. In addition, having a written business plan met allow you to track progress and make changes as necessary to ensure success.

Who should you ask for help with your dog grooming business plan?

You should ask a business consultant or an advisor with experience in small business planning, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). They will be able to help you create a comprehensive plan and identify any potential risks and opportunities. Additionally, your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office may have resources available to help you navigate the process.

Can you write a dog grooming business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a dog grooming business plan yourself. To do so, you will need to consider the various aspects of opening and managing such a business, such as market research and customer service, financial planning and business operations. Additionally, you will need to explain your vision for the business, including the services you plan to offer, pricing strategies and estimated startup costs. Also important are any strategies you may have for promoting your business and managing employees.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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How to Start a Dog Grooming Business: 11 Expert Tips

Elizabeth Gray

By Elizabeth Gray

Updated on Feb 6, 2024

shiba inu dog being groomed

According to Bloomberg, the global pet industry will be worth 500 billion dollars by 2030. 1 That statistic shows there’s money to be made if you’re interested in breaking into the pet care industry, and several busy dog owners pay groomers to keep their pups looking clean and neat. If you’re interested in being your own boss and love working with animals, a dog grooming business may be an option. Here are 11 expert tips on how to start a dog grooming business.

Top 11 Tips on Starting a Dog Grooming Business:

1. get trained and certified as a groomer.

To run a successful dog grooming business, you need customers who trust you with their pets and believe you’ll do good work. Before starting your business, you must know how to groom dogs properly. The National Dog Groomer’s Association of America offers workshops and certifications. You could enroll in a grooming apprenticeship or take online or in-person courses to learn the details of breed-specific haircuts. In most areas, groomers aren’t required to be certified, but it can be helpful to show potential clients that you’ve put in the work.

2. Decide on a Location

Once you know how to groom dogs, it’s time to start planning the details of opening your business. First, you’ll need to decide where your business will be located. Will you operate out of your house or from a separate building on your property? Do you need to rent a space for your grooming salon, or are you opening a mobile business? Another option is to partner with a local veterinary office that wants to offer grooming services to their clients. Your start-up and operating costs will vary depending on where your business is located.

3. Make a Business Plan

Once you’ve decided where your dog grooming salon will be located, you can outline a business plan. Calculate the startup and operating costs for your dog grooming business. Research the dog grooming market in your area. How much competition will you have? How many dogs live in your area, and what type of grooming services might they need? The business plan helps you get an overall look at the kind of money you need and might make. It’s also an excellent tool to have on hand if you need to apply for business loans or woo potential investors. Banks want to know you have a plan to make their money back, and investors want to be sure they’ll get a return on the cash they provide.

4. Decide on Your Niche

Part of your business plan and model should be deciding your niche and ideal customer. What’s the hook or specialty that will make your grooming business stand out from others in your area? If you’re opening in an underserved area, your niche just be providing convenient access to a groomer. You could also focus on specialty haircuts or certain breeds of dogs. If you’re partnering with a veterinarian, you may be able to offer dog owners the convenience of combining their grooming visits with routine veterinary care. Some dog owners may feel more secure knowing a vet is on-site in an emergency too.

5. Choose a Business Name and Branding

A memorable, catchy name is essential to help dog owners find and recognize your grooming business. Choose a name that’s easy to pronounce, spell, and read. If you have a physical location, you could keep it simple and incorporate the name of the town, road, or neighborhood where you’re located. If you’re a mobile groomer, make sure people can tell that from your business name. You’ll also want to decide on branding for your business, such as a graphic logo, slogan, and color scheme. These visuals help people remember your business and can be used for all your marketing, including social media.

6. Register Your Business

Register your new grooming business by name as either a Limited Liability Company (LLC,) a solo owner, a partnership, or a corporation. Each of these business models offers different pros and cons. Consider speaking to a financial consultant to determine the best choice for your grooming business. You’ll also need a business bank account, checks, and possibly a business credit card. A financial consultant or business accountant can help with this process to ensure everything is to the letter of the law.

7. Get the Necessary Business Licenses and Permits

To legally operate your dog grooming business, you may need a business license or permits issued by your city or state. If you plan to hire employees, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number and various tax forms. Make sure you’re not committing zoning violations by operating a home business. If you plan to use a large truck or van for your mobile grooming business, you may need to earn a commercial driver’s license. Check with city, state, and county governments to ensure you comply with all applicable business regulations.

8. Buy Business Insurance

To protect yourself, your clients, and their dogs, it’s vital that you purchase insurance. You’ll most likely need liability insurance to cover you if clients or their dogs are injured on your premises. If you own or rent a business space, you’ll need property or renter’s insurance to protect your equipment and the building. Mobile grooming salons require the appropriate vehicle insurance too. If you operate out of your home, check with your homeowner’s insurance to see which additional policies you may need. You’ll need worker’s compensation insurance if you hire any employees and health insurance for yourself.

9. Purchase Equipment

Unless you take over an already-equipped grooming salon, you’ll need to purchase the equipment and tools you need to do your job.

  • Cages, crates, or runs
  • Grooming table
  • Clippers and blades
  • Combs and brushes
  • Nail trimmers
  • Shampoos and conditioners

Depending on the grooming services you’ll be offering, you may need other items. You’ll also need to arrange a blade sharpening service to keep your clippers in good working order. Items like shampoo and conditioner will need to be replaced as needed.

10. Promote Your Business!

It’s time to start promoting and marketing once you’re ready to open your dog grooming business. If you drive a mobile grooming truck, you’re advertising as you go. Traditional marketing techniques include passing out business cards, especially with other local pet care businesses and veterinary offices. You can also advertise in local newspapers, radio, and television markets.

However, nowadays, especially if you’re targeting younger dog owners, social media is probably the most important medium to promote your business. You should create a website for your business with links to all your social media accounts. Instagram is the perfect spot to post photos of your flashiest dog haircuts. Take advantage of TikTok trends to get as many eyes as possible on your account. Twitter and Facebook are good spots to post photos and information and engage with customers.

11. Focus on Keeping Your Customers and Keeping Them Happy

The best marketing strategy in the world isn’t going to help if you don’t provide your customers with a quality product and excellent service. You must ensure that dogs and owners enjoy visiting your grooming business. Offer treats and praise to help nervous dogs feel safe . Provide clear communication and consistently enforced policies to dog owners. Encourage customers to leave online reviews of your business and spread the word to their friends if they enjoy their experience. If your business grows enough that you need to hire new employees, ensure they’re trained to provide the same consistent service your customers expect.

While starting a dog grooming business can seem daunting, these 11 expert tips can help simplify the process. The safety and comfort of every dog you care for should be the priority of your business, and you can make arrangements with a local vet to provide care for your canine clients in the event of an accident or emergency . This type of precaution and attention to detail can be the difference between the success and failure of your dog grooming business.

  • Global Pet Industry to Grow to $500 Billion by 2030

Featured Image Credit: Egrigorovich, Shutterstock

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CHEWY NEW HEPPER DOG

BUSINESS PLAN FOR DOG GROOMING: Steps On How To Write a Business Plan For Dog Grooming

  • by Folakemi Adegbaju
  • August 10, 2023
  • No comments
  • 10 minute read

business plan for dog grooming business marketing plan

Table of Contents Hide

How to start a dog grooming business, how to write a business plan for dog grooming, is a dog grooming business plan important, final thoughts, what is the target market for dog grooming, how long does it take to write a business plan, what dog breeds should not be groomed.

Are you considering starting your own dog grooming business, or adding grooming options to your new dog boarding or daycare facility? Maybe you’ve always loved dogs, ever since you got your first pet as a child. Given that many dogs in every city and town need regular trimming, cutting, and a variety of other grooming services to maintain their health, it’s not a bad idea. Learning how to accurately write a business plan for a dog grooming salon is the next step in your planning process. It is important that you know how to write a marketing plan because it is an important aspect of your dog grooming business plan.

Are you ready for the ride?

Let’s zoom off…

What Is a Dog Grooming Business?

Due to the fact that many dog owners find it difficult to properly clean and groom their dogs, dog grooming has become a talent in high demand. Most dog owners employ professionals to groom their dogs because they lack the knowledge, the time, or the desire to do it themselves. A professional groomer is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and attractiveness of dogs through washing, brushing, ear cleaning, haircuts, and ear clipping.

However, not every person who enters the dog grooming business succeeds. Most people who start grooming dogs to generate quick money don’t remain around long enough to reap the rewards of their labour. You’ll need a lot of patience and discipline, just like in any other business, to thrive in this one.

You must be totally committed to the idea and at ease being around dogs all day. It’s a physically demanding job that keeps you on your feet all day as you deal with obstinate owners or anxious dogs.

The good news is that if you act ethically, your business can be profitable. Also, it’s a very adaptable business concept with a range of alternatives.

Starting a dog grooming business might not be as simple and easy as it seems, but you don’t need to worry because we’ve listed below the steps you need to take to make it easier for you to start your own dog grooming business. Here are the steps:

#1. Research Your Target Market

Consider how much demand there will be for your services as you start your pet grooming business, and compare it to the extent of competition that already exists. Consider your “customer profile” to include both your human (and paying) customers as well as your animal “customers.”

Your clients may include owners of pets who require flea or parasite treatments or identity microchip implantation; owners of pet stores and boarding kennels who cannot perform the grooming themselves but offer a grooming service to their customers, and breeders of animals who need routine grooming. That’s why many pet owners choose to hire a professional to groom their animals on a regular basis because they lack the time or the requisite skills to do it themselves.

It’s important to keep in mind that most customers will entrust you with their cherished pets, so you should always treat them with respect and refrain from criticising their animal’s health or appearance. Also, it’s crucial to determine whether there is enough demand in your area to support a pet grooming service.

#2. Consider Some Professional Training

It’s important you get trained. Although training for dog groomers is not compulsory in the UK, enrolling in a recognised course will give you and your client confidence and establish the legitimacy of your company. To be thorough, it’s a good idea to take classes on grooming, care, and first aid. Apart from taking a recognised course, you can find a tonne of internet resources, such as blogs and videos, that will teach you how to groom dogs and offer business advice from other dog grooming professionals.

Customers might also inquire about dieting, coat upkeep, and maintenance, so it’s a good idea to be knowledgeable about these topics as well.

#3. Decide Which Services to Offer

The primary service that your company will provide will be dog grooming:

  • Giving the animal a bath
  • Combing, detangling, and trimming the coat
  • hand removing (where appropriate)
  • Nail trimming
  • Ear cleaning and picking
  • teeth brushing
  • In dogs, the anal glands are expressed.

Prior to grooming the animal, be sure you thoroughly comprehend the owner’s expectations for the animal’s appearance after the grooming procedure. Try to estimate how long it will typically take you to groom an animal so that you can determine how many at most you can handle in a single day.

You might also choose to provide a variety of different services that will draw clients to your company. These may consist of:

  • offering consumers in a specific area a free collection and drop-off service.
  • making available a mobile grooming service.
  • Using rinses to treat fleas and ticks
  • Using identifying chips to implant
  • provides pet owners and those who want to work in the grooming profession with training in grooming.
  • Teaching canine obedience

#4. Price Your Services

It’s crucial to get the sale price. Make sure that the price you offer is sufficient to cover all of your running expenses, including payroll and your personal benefits. You might discover that you have to price in line with your rivals because the grooming industry is currently highly competitive. You’ll probably decide on a fee schedule based on the breed , size, and difficulty of the dog to groom, as well as the service, offered.

If you also intend to sell grooming products, you must pick the prices you will charge. Contact your suppliers if you’re unsure of what to charge; they might be able to provide you with suggested retail prices for their goods.

#5. Buy Professional Dog Grooming Equipment

Getting the right dog grooming equipment will make your dog grooming business easier and makes you work faster, it makes you deliver the best service. Generally speaking, dog groomers will use the equipment listed below.

  • grooming table
  • Nail clippers (various sizes)
  • conditioner
  • flea shampoo

#6. Create a Business Plan

Some people believe that business plans should only be written for investors. However, outlining the goals, deadlines, and milestones of your company can help you organise your ideas and decide on a clear plan of action.

This should also contain details about your competitors, clients, growth strategies, USPs, and financial data like startup expenses, spending plans, and anticipated sales growth.

Also, writing a business plan for a dog grooming salon can help you to understand how your dog grooming business will be run, how it will be marketed, and how it will expand.

To better understand the market you’re operating in and how you can provide something new, improved, or different from competing local companies, it’s also helpful to undertake competitor analysis. The importance of knowing how to write a marketing plan business plan for a dog grooming business plan can never be neglected. That’s why we’ve compiled one for your dog grooming business so as to ease the stress and fear of having to write one yourself.

Download the dog grooming business plan template created by us to help you when you want to write a strong plan for your dog grooming business.

#7. Consider Business Insurance

Owning a dog grooming business entails taking care of clients’ dogs. Therefore, clients want you to conduct yourself with care and professionalism. However, if something goes wrong, having a customised pet grooming insurance policy can protect you, your business, and the pets you are caring for.

#8. Set Up Your Home

Are you remodeling a space to house your company? Do you have a moving van in your garden? or create a unique unit? The answers will also help you decide what steps you need to take to set up your company, including any structural work and how visitors will access your property.

Here are some other issues to think about:

  • Is your home accessible?
  • Will you require signage to direct customers on the streets or on your property?
  • Do you have the capacity to take more than one dog at a time?

Business Plan for Dog Grooming Salon

You are wrong if you think your dog grooming business won’t require a dog grooming business plan. Making a business plan can also help you understand the requirements for beginning the business, obtaining the necessary licences and certifications, and putting your company on the path to long-term success.

Dog-grooming business plan template

Writing a business plan without following the normal procedure might make the business plan less catchy and less attractive to your reader. We have listed below the steps you need to take to write a perfect dog grooming business plan that would be reasonable to your investor. Here they are:

#1. Executive Summary

Although it is the first to be written, this section appears at the end of your plan and should basically provide a concise summary of the other elements. This should also include the name of your company, its address, and the goods and/or services you will or already offer.

 #2. Market Analysis

The needs you intend to meet, demographic information, and market size information should all be included in this section of your dog grooming business plan, along with detailed information about your target market and potential clientele.

Information on the thriving pet industry should also be included. Include statistics on annual pet spending as well. Include as many statistics as you can to demonstrate that your goods and/or services would be successful and in demand in the market where you are submitting your proposal.

#3. Company Description

Your company description ought to include fundamental details like:

  • Your business name
  • Ownership type, i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation
  • Who will run the company, and what are their credentials?
  • Products and/or services you’ll provide or already do
  • The clientele you’ll serve
  • the number of personnel.
  • The clients you’ll be serving

A brief mission statement outlining your company’s objectives should be included in this section as well.

#4. Legal Requirements

Define your company’s legal structure, including whether you’re a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietor. You must register with your state’s Secretary of State’s office if you choose to organise your company as a corporation. If you register your company as a corporation, it becomes a distinct legal entity, shielding you from any personal culpability in the event that a client sues you.

Also, obtain any appropriate local or state-issued business licences, and include documentation of these licences in your grooming business plan. This will shield your company from penalties and guarantee that you can function without running afoul of the law. You’ll have a strong business plan to offer to investors or use as a guide when you launch your business once you’ve settled your legal considerations.

#5. Products and Services

Describe the products and services you will be providing to customers in this section. Will you only give dog grooming services or will you also sell accessories like leashes and speciality dog shampoos? Highlight the special qualities of your goods and/or services that address a market demand, such as the fact that you are the only company in the area offering dog grooming or that you have a whole range of artisanal shampoos.

#6. Marketing Plan For Dog Grooming Business

The marketing plan for a dog grooming business is one of the most important aspects of the dog grooming business plan. This is where you’ll explain things like how you’ll advertise and market your brand, what media you’ll use, how you’ll try to expand your business, and what actions you’ll take to draw in and keep clients. A marketing plan for a dog grooming business also helps you to make plans for the marketing and advertising you’ll use to market your company.

You can also decide to advertise your new grooming business by purchasing local radio or TV ads, sending out direct mail flyers, or both, Distributing business cards and brochures can serve as the foundation of your marketing strategy. All you have to do is think of a plan that will be effective in your locality.

#7. Appendices

This could include a variety of records and information to help make your business idea as appealing as possible.

Yes, it is! A dog grooming business plan serves as a director. It serves as your compass as you embark on your new endeavour to prevent getting lost along the way. One of the biggest mistakes you might make when starting a dog grooming business is not creating a compelling business plan, it’s for the growth of your business.

You’ll discover that there is a lot more to writing and researching a dog grooming business plan than you initially believed when you start writing one. Your business will appear more serious to the bank and possible investors the more serious your business planning is. Your success will be built on a strong business plan, so don’t skimp on this step. Adding your marketing plan for dog grooming to your business plan for a dog-grooming salon will make it more attractive to your investor and will show how serious you’re to make the dog grooming business a successful and profitable one.

The target market for dog grooming is diverse and includes young families with children, empty nesters, retirees, and urbanites, as well as single people without children. When it comes to caring for their pets and choosing a dog grooming service, each of these groups has different reasons and behaviours.

We discovered that generally speaking, the most prosperous business owners prepared their business plans between six and twelve months after deciding to launch a company. In this timeframe, writing a plan raised the likelihood of venture viability success by 8%.

Dogs that shed large clumps of fur (part of their undercoat) yearly, such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies, and other breeds, shouldn’t ever be shaved.

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Pet Grooming Business Models: Salon vs. Mobile vs. At-Home

by MoeGo on Mar 7, 2023 1:47:18 PM

As a pet groomer, you'll need to decide on the right business model if you're starting your own grooming business or making changes to your current one. That's why we've put together this guide: to outline the pros and cons of mobile grooming, traditional brick-and-mortar, and at-home salons.

Before we dive in paws first, it's important to understand there's no right or wrong answer. Business models are not one size fits all! The most important thing is that you choose the option that suits your needs (and your happiness) best.

Keep reading to learn more, or jump to the business model you're most interested in:

Mobile Grooming Pros & Cons

  • Brick-And-Mortar Pros & Cons

At-Home Salon Pros & Cons

Types of pet grooming business models.

There are three primary types of pet grooming businesses: mobile, at-home and salons (brick-and-mortar shops).

  • Mobile pet grooming : This type of business operates using a van or other vehicle fitted with the necessary tools and equipment to provide pet grooming services. Mobile groomers come directly to customers’ homes or other convenient locations such as parking lots or parks, making it ideal for busy pet parents who don't have time to take their pets to a salon.
  • Brick-and-mortar salon : A pet grooming shop is a physical space that's used exclusively for pet grooming services. There are different ways to run this type of business, including owning the salon and working alone, renting space in someone else's salon, owning a salon and renting out space to other groomers, or managing the salon and hiring groomers to work there. This article mainly focuses on potential shop owners rather than assistants or hired members of the grooming team.
  • At-home pet salon : Home-based groomers provide pet grooming services in their own homes. Customers bring their pets to the groomer's home, which can be less intimidating than going to a salon for some pets. Home-based grooming is also ideal for customers who prefer personalized attention and one-on-one interaction between their pets and the groomer.
đŸ¶ Are you a new pet grooming business owner? Apply for the MoeGo Care Program ! It’s designed to help groomers like you kickstart your success. 

Mobile pet grooming has its own set of pros and cons. While it offers convenience, flexibility, and lower overhead costs compared to traditional salons, it also comes with limitations such as weather-related challenges, water usage, and vehicle downtime.

Here’s a breakdown of some important factors to consider when deciding if a mobile business model is right for you:

Running a pet grooming business from a van is usually cheaper than running a salon. Salons have lots of bills to pay every month, like insurance and electricity, especially if you have many groomers working there. But being mobile comes with its own costs too, like buying gas and getting permits to park your van. However, these expenses are typically lower than the overhead costs of a big salon with lots of groomers.

Depending on where you live, weather can determine what model is best for your grooming business. In really hot or cold places, it can be hard to work in a van even if it's climate-controlled. It's possible to heat or cool a small space, but when you open the door, the outside air will get in. Plus, using a dryer in a small space during summer can make it tough to keep the van cool and comfortable for pets.

Convenience

Mobile pet grooming is great because it brings professional pet care services to the customer's home or another convenient location. This is not only convenient for pet parents, but also for groomers.

With mobile grooming, you can set your own hours and aren't restricted to a typical nine-to-five schedule. If you want to attend a grooming show, for example, you can just work around those days. It's much easier than closing up shop at a physical location.

Water Usage

When you're grooming pets in a mobile van, water usage is limited to the capacity of your van's water tank. You might need to conserve water or even refill your tank if you're grooming a lot of large dogs in one day.

At the end of the day, you'll need to dump the gray water, but it's not always as simple as letting it run into the gutter. You may need to find a permitted location and ask if you can drain your gray water tank there to avoid getting fined (such as a car wash), unless you have a place to dump your water on your own, private property.

These things might be inconvenient, but they're important to keep in mind because they will be part of  your daily routine as a mobile groomer.

Vehicle Down Time

If your van breaks down, you won't be able to work and earn money while it's being repaired. Salons have their own problems too, but they don't happen as often as van troubles. Also, if you don't plan for down time when scheduling customers, you'll have to work extra hours to make up for it once your van is fixed.

If you have extra space at home, parking is a breeze. But if not, you might need to rent a spot. Be careful though, prices can vary wildly depending on where you live. So before assuming you'll find cheap parking, do some research.

Getting New Customers

Mobile groomers might struggle to attract new customers depending on their location, even if the van has the business name and phone number on it. Traditional grooming shops have an advantage by being in busy commercial areas where more people can see them. This means mobile groomers may need to spend more on advertising or marketing to get noticed. However, mobile groomers have the advantage of being able to choose where they work. You're not limited to one specific area, so you can reach customers in different neighborhoods. This is especially beneficial because affordable retail space may not be located in wealthier areas, which could mean fewer potential customers.

With a van, you can easily travel to neighborhoods where more people are willing to pay for the convenience and luxury of a mobile grooming salon.

MoeGo is made just for groomers and helps with scheduling, payments, customer communication, and reducing no-shows. Get a demo to learn how MoeGo can help you!  hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(21611652, 'eb91c94e-4850-455e-a993-b1a59040199c', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

Brick & Mortar Pros & Cons

Just like mobile grooming, a brick-and-mortar business model comes with advantages and drawbacks. Here are some of the ones we think are most important to consider:

Running a physical grooming shop can be expensive compared to a mobile van. Big shops cost more to keep cool during hot months, and when using multiple dryers simultaneously, expenses can add up quickly. Additionally, phone lines and internet services for businesses are costly compared to personal ones. If your shop shares a wall with or is located near other businesses, you may require additional (and more expensive) liability insurance as well. With a mobile van, these costs are generally lower.

Business Growth

Although more costly to run, brick-and-mortar offers growth opportunities. With a bigger space, you can scale your operations quickly. For instance, having one tub and multiple cages means grooming several pets simultaneously. This also means you get 100% of the profit from the dog you're grooming and a percentage from other dogs groomed by your team. To expand a mobile grooming business, you need to buy a new van and equipment before hiring another groomer to take more clients. Additionally, a brick-and-mortar shop can also sell pet supplies, food, toys, treats, etc. for additional income. This is not possible with mobile grooming.

Role Flexibility

Owning a brick-and-mortar shop offers undeniable perks, especially if you prefer a fixed schedule. You can also tailor your role within the business model to suit your strengths. For instance, you can focus on styling while delegating bathing duties to an assistant if you want to spend more face-to-face time with customers. Mobile grooming limits this flexibility as you'll mostly work solo or with one assistant.

For some groomers, working in a small van is a considerable inconvenience. Most shops don't have this problem. Sure, the extra space may be a "luxury" if you don't really need it - but since you'll be spending a lot of time in your given workspace, it's important to consider whether or not you're ready to groom from a small space or prefer a little more wiggle room.

Team Management

Working in a salon means you will be around more people. This could be good or bad, depending on what you like. Some people like to work with others and lead a team. Others prefer working by themselves from their own van. Working alone can feel lonely for some, but it also means less time spent dealing with different personalities in the salon.

Think about what is important to you and choose which kind of environment you want to work in every day.

đŸ¶ You may also like: Tips for Starting Your Grooming Business

At-home grooming salons blend some of the benefits of mobile grooming and traditional grooming shops together. There are some unique considerations to factor in as well, though, including: 

Travel Time

One good thing about running a pet grooming business from home is that you don't have to spend time and money getting to work. However, this can make it harder for customers to come to you, and your business won't be as visible as if you drove around in a van or had a shop in a busy area. You may need to advertise more so people know about your business - unless word-of-mouth recommendations are enough.

When you run your pet grooming business from home, you don't have to worry about paying rent to someone else, which means fewer overhead costs than a traditional shop. You'll still have to pay for things like heating and cooling, water, and other expenses - but you'll save money by not leasing a space or buying a van.

Work Environment

As a groomer, you know some animals may not enjoy the traditional salon experience. By offering one-on-one services in a calmer setting, you'll attract customers looking for more personalized care for their furry companions. However, keep in mind that this also means you may encounter pets who are naturally more anxious and harder to work with.

Starting a home-based business means customers will be visiting your house. It's important to consider how you feel about this before moving or starting your grooming business in or attached-to your house. Remember, there is always some level of risk when inviting strangers (and their furry friends) into your home.

To protect yourself and your property, take safety measures like screening clients before accepting appointments or installing security cameras - and make sure you are comfortable with customers being on your private property.

Growth Opportunities

Home-based businesses often have limited growth potential due to space constraints or zoning regulations in residential areas. This could limit opportunities for expanding your services or scaling up your operations in the same way a traditional brick-and-mortar shop would be able to do.

Insurance Considerations

Home-based businesses come with unique risks associated with running a commercial operation out of a residential property which might impact insurance premiums.

Choosing the Right Business Model for You

Mobile, brick-and-mortar, or at home salons all have unique benefits and drawbacks that should be carefully considered before making a decision. Ultimately, the key is to do what you love and do it successfully. Think about your goals and needs before choosing a business model that works best for you.

Whether you choose to work from home or in a traditional salon, make sure you do your research so that you're adequately prepared not only to provide exceptional service but also to protect yourself, your goals, and your happiness.

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BusinessPlanTemplate.com - The World's Leading Business Plan Template Directory

Dog Grooming Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

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I. Executive Summary

This Section's Contents

Business Overview

Services offered, customer focus, management team, success factors, financial highlights.

[Company Name] is a licensed dog grooming salon in [Location]. We aim to provide excellent pet care at a very reasonable price. Because dogs are part of each home’s family, they deserve the best treatment available. We maintain a safe and dog-friendly environment that assures our clients that their pets are in good hands whenever they leave them at our salon. We position ourselves to be the leading dog grooming salon in the [Location] area with our vast space, high-quality equipment, premium products, specialized services, and professional pet caretakers.

[Company Name] will focus on providing dog grooming services to moderate to wealthy residents as well as personalized services to other clients. These services will include in-home dog grooming service, day/overnight care, pet grooming, dog training, and specialized services done according to the specific request of the clients.

The founder, [Founder’s Name], will also develop proposals for dog grooming and caring specific to the needs of the clients and their pets. [Founder’s Name] will write newsletters to clients describing the best practices in dog grooming and answering frequently asked client questions.

[Company Name] will primarily serve the residents within a 10 mile radius of our location. The demographics of these customers are as follows:

  • 52,827 residents
  • Average income of $94,700
  • 89% married
  • 55% in Mgt./Professional occupations
  • 95% of residents are homeowners
  • Median age: 39 years

In addition to this relatively wealthy adult demographic for a dog grooming salon, there are five large apartment buildings in the area. The residents of these apartment buildings may also require dog grooming services.

[Company Name]’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, [Founder’s Name]. [First name] has been in the pet care business for the past 15 years.

During this time he witnessed firsthand successes and failures in animal care operations and service quality, while developing deep expertise.

[Company name] will also employ an experienced assistant manager to manage admin operations. This will be an experienced operations manager who will be trained in handling the dog grooming salon most of the time. The desired individual will have an undergraduate business degree or years of office or clinic operations management experience. [Company name] will also employ certified dog trainers, experienced caretakers and an on-call veterinarian in case of medical emergencies.

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

  • [Company Name] will fill a specific market niche in the growing community we are entering. In addition, we have surveyed the local population and received extremely positive feedback saying that they explicitly want to make use of our services when launched.
  • Our location is in a high-wealth area where customers are in need of dog grooming services.
  • The management team has a track record of success in the dog grooming services business.
  • The local area is currently underserved and residents rely on independent dog caretakers.

[Company Name] is seeking a total funding of $92,000 of debt capital to open its dog grooming salon. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

  • Dog grooming salon design/build: $46,000
  • Working capital: $46,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

Comments are closed.

Dog Grooming Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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business plan for a dog grooming salon

  • My Resources

Setting Up A Dog Grooming Business: Advice and Business Plans

Learn how to start your dog grooming business at a salon, at home or as a mobile grooming service with groomarts. we train groomers in london and hertforshire., student advice.

  • Choosing Your Dog Grooming Qualification
  • How To Start A Dog Grooming Business
  • Setting up a Mobile Dog Grooming Business
  • Affording your Course
  • Accommodation Options
  • Setting up a dog grooming salon at home
  • Setting up a High Street Salon
  • UK Pet Industry Statistics
  • How to offer products in your salon without purchasing stock
  • Career in Dog Grooming
  • After Your Course
  • Recommended Reading | Dog Grooming Books
  • Course Prep
  • How To Become A Professional Dog Groomer
  • How to start a Dog Grooming Business?
  • Empowering Your Educational Journey: Groomarts' Commitment to Accessible Education

Business Setup Advice

Which business is right for me?

Each year we train hundreds of beginners from all different walks of life; career changers from finance & banking, insurance, logistics, the hotel industry, lawyers, medical staff, ex police force, ex army, and career mums who have been looking after the family and now want their chance to shine,  those who are passionate about animals and those just starting out on their career journey. All of our students become successfully qualified. Out of those, 98% will end up successfully running their own business whilst others will work in a Salon.That’s really great news if you are looking start a new career or want to run your own business.

So just what are your options after the course?

Working for yourself

There are 4 main options as follows:-

1. Set up your own dog grooming high street salon 2. Set up a mobile dog grooming business 3. Run your dog grooming business from home 4. Partner up with a daycare or kennel facility

Working for an employer

Once qualified, you will have a professional IPET NetworkNetwork Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming & Salon Management AND you will have been trained by some of the best teachers and stylists in the world. It is then, no surprise to us that our students are in demand and everyone, from high street salons to Pets at Home are in frequent contact about student availability.

Mobile, Salon or Home?

When you are thinking of your business options, one of the main choices that you will consider is what type of business do you actually want?  Do you like the idea of being on the road and going to find your business at their doorstep? Do you like the idea of starting small and keeping things comfortable, setting up in your own home or do you feel the desire to have your own salon and making your mark with a brand that can take over the world? 

Even if you’re not planning on global domination, knowing your options is key. There are definite benefits and drawbacks to each one, so let’s have a look at the options of each one to help guide you on the path that’s right for you.

Work from home

When grooming from home, there are big decisions to make. Are you converting a room, a garage or having a shed within your garden? Are you using any garden space? Are you able to take multiple dogs or do you just want to have one dog at a time? The main factors that need considering when working from home, funnily enough aren’t costs at all, but in fact are neighbours! Planning permission is essential to get but keeping your neighbours well-informed and happy is fundamental to a successful venture of working from home. Working from home means you get to work the hours that you decide and importantly, get to stay in the comfort of your own home. Overheads are significantly smaller than the other options, but you would need to renovate your living space and remember that your market would only be open to those that can travel to you. This would also mean that all of your clients would know your home address.

  • Overheads are small compared to a salon.
  • You can advertise by word of mouth purely from talk in your local community.
  • You can choose when you work.
  • It is a fairly straight forward route into independent business.
  • You require a smaller range of equipment because you only have a small space to manage.
  • You don’t have to worry about the commute to and from work.
  • The dog becomes familiar with their groomer because it is generally just yourself.
  • You can have a very close community, where neighbours can quickly become regular clients.
  • Some clients can warm to a smaller business, thinking you will take more care of their dog.
  • You may have an accessible space already without any additional rental cost.
  • It’s a stepping stone that can be combined with part time work.
  • It can tie in if you have children that you need to be at home for.
  • You are limited to the number of dogs that can be groomed at one time.
  • You have to consider the impact you have of disposing grooming waste.
  • You will spend a lot of time based in a very small space.
  • You are limited to your options of expanding unless you invest in a salon.
  • Because you only groom one dog at a time, costs have to be high to make it worth while.
  • You need to be considerate of your neighbours and consult them with any changes.
  • You are changing your living space
  • You don’t have any separation between work and home.
  • All of your clients will have your home address.
  • You need to consider planning permissions for any alterations.
  • Limited opportunities to upsell any additional products.
  • It can be more difficult to maintain high standards and appear professional in a home environment.

When you think about grooming using a mobile facility, you need to be realistic in how much everything will cost because you don’t just need to factor in your grooming equipment, but also the running and maintenance costs to a vehicle. Being truly portable means that your client base can be as large as you want it to be and you also have greater freedom to work the hours that are suitable to you. Travel does come with a drawback in that you now have to factor in issues with traffic and must be flexible with you appointments. Clients are also aware that your overheads are low and as a result, you cannot charge the same amount as you would for a salon experience. One additional factor is that you must be aware you are only able to complete one dog at a time and as a result, if you are thinking about expanding, that will mean another van. Depending on the quality of your vehicle and your equipment, you can have an initial start-up cost ranging anywhere between £5000 and £30000. Let’s summarise the main pros and cons of mobile dog grooming.

Mobile Pros:

  • Overheads are very small compared to a salon.
  • You can advertise by word of mouth purely from driving between clients.
  • You can be more sure that you have clients available for you because you are driving to them.
  • Dogs are generally lower stressed because they are groomed outside of their home environment.
  • They’re also able to generally have one groomer for each dog, which increases dog comfort and consistency.
  • Franchise opportunities

Mobile Cons:

  • You will spend a lot of time based in a very small space, including behind a wheel.
  • You are limited to your options of expanding unless you can invest in more vans.
  • Travel and maintenance of your mobile salon have a big impact on your business.
  • To make substantial money, you have to work very long hours.

This option is generally the most expensive but also the most profitable business option. Planning permissions, usage classes, equipment, rent and staffing all mean that this is a big investment that requires a lot of knowledge and probably the additional service of an accountant to manage your funds. This is because this option will have the biggest outgoings but also the biggest income. Having a salon boutique in a separate premises allows you fantastic options to make your business a huge success. The additional management and marketing skills needed for a salon are a consideration but if done properly, can help your business be a success and this can include taking in money, even when you are not there.

Salon Pros:

  • You have a big opportunity to make a significant profit quickly.
  • You can hire other groomers and expand your business.
  • You can groom multiple dogs at once.
  • You are generally lower priced than mobile groomers because you don’t have to factor in travel costs.
  • You can also upsell additional services if you have the space or products in-line with your brand and business.
  • If designed well, clients feel they are taking their dog to a reputable place and expect a high professional standard.
  • You can have a fairly structured grooming routine that is essential for dog compliance.
  • Significant franchise opportunities.

Salon Cons:

  • Your overheads are significantly bigger than the other options.
  • You need to be aware of planning permissions and usage categories when renting or owning a salon for business.
  • How you design your brand needs to be very carefully thought out to target the market that you are after. In a salon, this appearance can either gain or lose business.
  • There is generally a bigger area to manage.
  • You will have to multitask the running of administration and reception tasks with grooming.
  • Salons, with multiple dogs and more equipment can be a lot noisier.
  • Your market will only be as big as those that can pick up and drop off their dogs unless you choose to expand the service you offer.

What equipment do I need?

Starting up can feel like a never-ending list of items and an ever-increasing investment into your future. To help you understand the full extent of your costs, here is a list of equipment that is useful to your start up and an approximate cost for each item.

Business Setup Essentials

The idea of setting up your own business can be incredibly exciting but it can also be a bit daunting. Tackling the thoughts of “will it work?” and “can I afford this?” are difficult but can be overcome by knowing exactly how to prepare and we’re here to help you.

Find a comprehensive list of everything that you will need to consider when setting up your own business below.

What should I charge?

DON’T be the cheapest or undersell yourself DO understand what other businesses in your area are charging DO understand your target market and local area

For your business, whether starting small and just doing a friend’s Pomeranian in your own home or hand stripping in fantastic brand new facilities, you need to understand your pricing to be able to get the most from your area. There are several steps to making sure that you do this at the right level.

Firstly, research your local area; find out what people are charging; find out the range of services that are on offer where you want to work; know your market and your competition.

Secondly, do not be tempted to price yourself low. There are many groomers that do not go through proper training and sometimes experience doesn’t equal quality and it can equal complacency. Have faith in your training.

Thirdly, think of what is a reasonable mark up. Set out a business plan and look at your accounts properly. You need to be able to comfortably make profit from what you are doing. Yes, it is important to gain customers but by aiming to low you can make yourself very busy without any real profit. On the other hand, by pricing too high, you make mark yourself out of getting the custom through your doors.

Lastly, think of your USP. If you are going to be pricing yourself either similar to somebody else, or at a more expensive rate, what separates you from them? You hold a nationally recognized qualification and have trained with the best but what else can help you within your market?

Price guides

These pricings are a suggestion and a rough guideline to where you can price your services. This doesn’t factor in the price difference in your local area or the time or overheads that you will need to think about when sorting your price structure. This also doesn’t include up-selling and additional services that you may wish to charge for. If you haven’t thought of this option, please see our adding services section.

  • Extra small dogs from ÂŁ25 to ÂŁ35. For example, Pugs and Pomeranians
  • Small dogs from ÂŁ30 to ÂŁ40. For example, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terriers
  • Medium dogs from ÂŁ35 to ÂŁ45. For example, Cocker Spaniels, Cockerpoo’s and Schnauzer
  • Large dogs from ÂŁ45. For example, German Shepherd , Samoyed and Standard Poodle
  • Extra large dogs from ÂŁ65. For example, Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Great Dane
  • Hand stripping from ÂŁ40 (Groomarts offer a hand stripping course to help improve groomers techniques)

What additional services can I offer?

Additional services to consider:

If customers are pampering their pooch, why not give them the option for a pristine finish and protection of their dog’s nails with a fantastic varnish. You can even style them further with a fantastic range of colours and patterns, all of which will be acetone free. It’s a great way for customers to show they care without piling on the calories for their furry friend. It is also a great way of adding a sense of style and additional service to the overall groom.

Clipping a dog’s nails is an essential part of it’s maintenance and something that can be a clear add-on opportunity. If a dog’s nails are left to grow too long, it can affect their foot formation and also how their quick grows. This can be uncomfortable for the dog and as a groomer, is a service that you can offer very quickly, even for those dogs that aren’t in for a full groom.

Ear cleaning is very similar to clipping a dog’s nails. This is really imperative for certain breeds of dogs because they are much more likely to collect dirt and create the environment for breeding bacteria and holding parasites in unclean ears. For a dog’s health, this can be part of the standard grooming process.

This is an optional service that is given to dogs that are unable to release the build up of fluid; they would usually use this to mark their territory. This is usually when a dog has been spayed or neutered. To reduce this build up, which can cause an uncomfortable, smelly, compacted area, you as the groomer can externally clear the glands.

A dog’s teeth are fundamental for their health and a build up of plaque can lead to issues with eating and infection. You can make sure your customer’s dog has a healthy set of gnashers by offering a descaling service. This is something that requires specialist knowledge, equipment and training.

This is a service that most people will jump at the chance to have and will choose to have time and time again. People respond strongly to smells and having a distinct smell can say a lot about you as a brand and also help associate a good cut and service with your name and that specific fragrance.

Most pet owners could and should be encouraged to do a bit of maintenance within their own homes. Unfortunately, lots of owners will be happy to use their own hairbrush or to buy one specific for humans. This isn’t effective in being able to groom a dog’s hair properly and can actually add to the knotting and matting that a dog has. By using specialist brushes and combs, you are ensuring that your owners are happy and the dog’s coat condition should generally be better.

Although severe treatment should be carried out by vets, flea treatment and flea kits are commonly needed for dogs, especially those that regularly come into contact with other dogs. This is something can be easily used and shows that you are concerned for the welfare and give the customer an easier option than going to the vets.

This is a fantastic choice. Find me a dog that doesn’t like treats or even more importantly, find me a dog that won’t eat! Consumables are easy options that can be matched to your brand and in a similar way to parents with children, owners will want to purchase a treat for their pets. This can be bought time and time again, which makes it a smart choice for your business.

Perfumes are luxury items for both humans and dogs and are a great way of giving every dog that comes into your business a sense of identity. Owners will like to have something that helps their dog smell clean and fresh and give them the chance to be seen as “I get groomed here”.

For owners, the idea that they are stimulating their pet is hugely important. Using toys to play with them and to help socialising skills are highly effective. This commodity is a great way of helping in still an active lifestyle for the dogs and the owners that come through your doors plus also work really well as gifts for other owners too.

Have a question? Ask us about professional dog grooming courses

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PetGroomer.com Magazine

Grooming business and floor plans, wage systems and forms for pet groomers

Floor Plans for Pet Grooming Businesses

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In the last 50 years manufacturers have made major improvements in grooming equipment, tools and supplies making our work easier, more productive and reliable. What continues to work against many groomers is their building design. Structural, space and materials planning can reduce groomer stress, burnout and improve mental clarity, focus, well-being and safety. Effective design also saves money.

Experienced members of the grooming industry may have never experienced our solutions for design and working environment problems common to thousands of stationary grooming businesses. Don’t come to quick conclusions. We base our designs on over 50 years of hands-on grooming industry experience. There are several problematic elements common to all stationary pet grooming operations. They negatively affect productivity, client satisfaction, people and pet safety and the ability of groomers to optimize client referrals. They are so pervasive every square foot of floor space, and sometimes every cubic foot of air space, is subject to degeneration. They are:

  • Dirt, dander and haircoat
  • Excessive heat and humidity
  • Fleeing or off-leash pets
  • Pet Distraction

C.A.P. is an abbreviation for three directives whose mission is to address and resolve these design problems. The directives are:

When we don’t incorporate these directives into the design of a grooming business, productivity is lost. Owners running businesses alone, or staff, are left doing more mundane tasks to contain, abate and prevent problems. Groomers groom less and endure environmental stress. The result is loss of income. For example, groomers raise their voices over excessive noise every workday. Loose hair, dirt and dander travels throughout grooming businesses requiring more cleaning tasks. Air conditioning works harder and energy costs rise. C.A.P. directives lead to solutions and create happier groomers with less burnout.

Don’t let your grooming environment wear out people and pets because its design doesn’t contain, abate and prevent noise, excessive heat, humidity, fleeing pets, dirt, dander and haircoat. Let groomers groom as much as possible. That’s what they do best. Lower your operational costs. C.A.P. directives make an incredible difference in your floor plan design and operation.

Containment is the prime directive. How well we master containment in our floor plan design ideas affects our ability to successfully implement the two remaining C.A.P. directives, abate, and prevent. Noise, dirt, dander, haircoat, excess heat, humidity and fleeing pets can be contained with smart design. Traditional grooming design does little to contain these problems. We’re going in the opposite direction. Contain is our prime directive. It is best achieved by wall placement and materials, and gates and doors.

Once large containment measures such as walls, doors and gates are in place, your floor plan should look to abate the targeted problematic elements previously mentioned. Environmental factors such as noise, heat and humidity are prime conditions for abatement.

Most grooming businesses are excessively noisy. Some groomers wear ear plugs. Disregard barking and you still have very noisy environments from equipment. It only gets worse when you have two or more groomers and other staff.

Noisy environments tire the body and mind of both people and pets. Noise is the leading stress factor in every grooming business. We telephone pet groomers on a daily basis and most have to raise their voices. Some even yell when equipment is running in the background and dogs are barking. Carpeting helps to absorb sound, but it never belongs in a grooming business.

Noise bounces on hard surfaces in grooming environments. Drop ceilings with acoustic boards and walls treated with acoustic dampening treatments offer a way to abate noise. It may cost extra but the relief is worth it. You can learn more about acoustic treatments by searching the Web. Our solutions include acoustic sound absorption materials, heat exhaust fans and strategic placement of A/C vents, walls and contained rooms for staff.

Two advanced abatement features for midsize and large businesses are:

Noise Abatement Room Silent Room

Now you have an extraordinary grooming environment. You enter it during the busiest period of the day with several pets being groomed and only hear the soft hum of clippers and soft music. No vacuums of any kind, HV nozzle or box dryer noise.

Can we expect building design to help us prevent undesirable events involving pets and people? We know containment helps to prevent fleeing pets from making successful escapes. But what about accidents or health conditions that cannot be predicted? Prevention is the best solution.

Who prevents? Groomers do. Place their workstations strategically giving them natural line of sight access to accommodated pets not actively being groomed.

We make copies of our floor plans and mark them up with a Line of Sight Safety Analyses.

Get Started

To get started, state your floor plan objectives. We’ve provided you with our list and it is suitable for all grooming departments or stationary locations. Next, get ready to draw your design. You may want to use floor plan software, but paper, pencil and ruler is adequate for most groomers with a little knowledge of maintain scale.

Besides C.A.P. goals, here are 10 objectives to achieve in your design for a professional grooming environment.  

  • Relatively quiet
  • Comfort and visual appeal
  • Safety for people and pets
  • Clean and sanitary
  • Space efficient
  • Energy efficient
  • Optimized natural lighting
  • Groomer friendly
  • Cost efficient
  • Employee friendly

Every time you draw a wall, place a workstation or tub, or indicate any other design feature, stop and ask yourself, “Is my floor plan working for me? Am I optimizing the use of C.A.P. directives?” Keep adjusting to meet all objectives.

Here is a sample of a 2,000 square foot design created by  Grooming Business in a BoxŸ . It achieves maximum results meeting C.A.P. goals and ten additional objectives.

los-pet-grooming-salon-2000-egroomer

Article based on excerpt from Pet Grooming Floor Plans, a CD and User Guide part of the Grooming Business in a BoxÂź series.

floor plan groomer grooming pet salon

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Member of the pet grooming industry since 1961, Webmaster of PetGroomer.com and creator of Grooming Business in a Box.

Cooling Blades with Ceramic Tiles

Styling Aids for Grooming the Canine Coat by Barbara Bird

business plan for a dog grooming salon

IMAGES

  1. Dog Grooming Business Plan Example by upmetrics

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  2. Dog Grooming Business Plan (+PDF) [2023 Ed]

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  3. Pitch for Pet Salon

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  5. Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

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  6. How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

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COMMENTS

  1. Dog Grooming Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Table of Contents Dog Grooming Business Plan Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their dog grooming business. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning.

  2. Dog Grooming Business Plan (+PDF) [2023 Ed]

    1. Dog Grooming Business Plan Sample and Template Dog grooming is a growing industry, with many pet owners seeking out services to care for their furry friends properly. A well-crafted business plan can help you to create a successful business that caters to the needs of dog owners.

  3. How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

    What should you include in a dog grooming business plan? Here are the common sections to consider when writing your dog grooming business plan. Executive summary Market analysis Services and products Marketing and sales strategy Operations plan Milestones Company summary Financial plan and forecasts

  4. Dog Grooming Business Plan: How-To Guide & Best Practices

    We'll cover the basics of creating a dog grooming business plan in the following sections: Key Questions to Ask Before Starting a Dog Grooming Business Components of a Successful Dog Grooming Business Plan Pet Grooming Business Plan Best Practices As with any new business, starting a pet business comes with its own set of risks.

  5. Pet Grooming Business Plan Template (2024)

    Pet Grooming Business Plan You've come to the right place to create your Pet Grooming business plan. We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Pet Grooming businesses.

  6. How to Build a Dog Grooming Business Plan in 2023

    Your dog grooming business plan should include the following elements. Don't worry, we'll get to all of them below! Business Model Supplies & Equipment Your Customer Focus Marketing & Advertising Financial Funding Branding Pricing Strategy 👋 New to grooming? Kickstart your business and apply for the MoeGo Care Program !

  7. Starting a Dog Grooming Business: The Complete Guide

    Select an operating concept. It's time to decide where you will operate your dog grooming business. Your choices include: Rent space in a salon Run a mobile grooming salon Run a dog grooming salon from your home Run a dog grooming salon as the only groomer Run a dog grooming salon and invite groomers to rent space

  8. Dog Grooming Business Plan Template (2024)

    You've come to the right place to create your Dog Grooming business plan. We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their dog grooming businesses. You can download the dog grooming business plan (including a full financial model) to your computer here <-

  9. Dog Grooming Business Plan [Free Template]

    Plans starting from $7/month Things to Consider Before Writing a Dog Grooming Business Plan Select the type of business setup Your business setup can be anywhere from your home to mobile vans or traditional shops. Each option has its own pros and cons. Hence, you should look into it earlier and select the setup that is the best for you.

  10. How to start a dog grooming business: 9 steps to launch

    1. Get dog grooming experience In most states, dog groomers aren't legally obligated to meet any licensing requirements before performing their services. However, that doesn't mean selling your grooming services touting zero experience is a good idea.

  11. How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

    Your dog grooming business plan is essentially your business's first impression to investors, business partners, and the bank. Just telling someone about your plans and hoping for the best is...

  12. Pet Grooming Business Plan [Sample Template for 2022]

    Total fee for registering Petsky Groomers Salon in the United State of America - $750. Obtaining certifications, licenses and permits as well as accounting software - $1,250. Cost of hiring a business consultant - $1,000. Insurance coverage (general liability, property insurance, workers' compensation) - $5,000.

  13. Business Plans for Pet Salons, Shops and Spas

    Most groomers have to borrow money through a business plan and bank loan to open a salon or shop. Today the shoestring startup cost is typically $25,000 for a commercial center, and more often $50,000 to $100,000 especially in more expensive states. The greatest cost factor is "leasehold improvements."

  14. The #1 Dog Grooming Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan in 7 Steps: 1. Describe the Purpose of Your Dog Grooming Business. The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your dog grooming business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers.

  15. How to Start a Dog Grooming Business: 11 Expert Tips

    3. Make a Business Plan Once you've decided where your dog grooming salon will be located, you can outline a business plan. Calculate the startup and operating costs for your dog grooming business. Research the dog grooming market in your area. How much competition will you have?

  16. BUSINESS PLAN FOR DOG GROOMING: Steps On How To Write a Business Plan

    Business Plan for Dog Grooming Salon How To Write a Business Plan for Dog Grooming Is a Dog Grooming Business Plan Important? Final Thoughts FAQs What is the target market for dog grooming? How long does it take to write a business plan? What dog breeds should not be groomed? Related Articles Related

  17. PDF Dog Grooming Business Plan Example

    Financial Summary. Maxwell Groomers is seeking total funding of $92,000 of debt capital to open its dog grooming salon. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses, and working capital. To unlock help try Upmetrics! .

  18. Writing a Pet Shop, Salon or Spa Business Plan

    Keep in mind that even the largest pet grooming salon was once a small one. Most groomers have to borrow money through a business plan and bank loan to open a salon or shop. Today the shoestring startup cost is typically $25,000 for a commercial center, and more often $50,000 to $100,000 especially in more expensive states.

  19. Pet Grooming Business Models (Salon, Mobile, and At-Home)

    Types of Pet Grooming Business Models. There are three primary types of pet grooming businesses: mobile, at-home and salons (brick-and-mortar shops). Mobile pet grooming: This type of business operates using a van or other vehicle fitted with the necessary tools and equipment to provide pet grooming services.

  20. Dog Grooming Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows: Dog grooming salon design/build: $46,000. Working capital: $46,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches ...

  21. Dog Grooming Business Plan & Advice

    There are 4 main options as follows:-. 1. Set up your own dog grooming high street salon. 2. Set up a mobile dog grooming business. 3. Run your dog grooming business from home. 4. Partner up with a daycare or kennel facility.

  22. Floor Plans for Pet Grooming Businesses

    Here is a sample of a 2,000 square foot design created by Grooming Business in a BoxÂź. It achieves maximum results meeting C.A.P. goals and ten additional objectives. Article based on excerpt from Pet Grooming Floor Plans, a CD and User Guide part of the Grooming Business in a BoxÂź series. floor plan groomer grooming pet salon