Business

The first greeting I get as I walk up the steps to the front door is a playful one from a happy poodle. I don’t even have to see her tail to know how much she is wagging.

Since 2014, I’ve been reading articles on the demise of business cards from well–respected business publications. But is there any merit to their claim? Yes and no. It all depends on how you use and design them.

“Hi there Michell. I have been trying to find a sporting dog to use as a model for my certification exam. We have lots of Labs and Goldens but hardly any Springers, Setters or Cockers. The few sporting breeds we have ask us to shave the whole darn dog with a #10 blade. I want to talk a few of my customers into letting their dogs grow out but I don’t know where to start. Any suggestions?”

Growling and hissing after a groom happens quite often in multiple cat households. Since the feline’s strongest sense is smell, anytime one cat smells different, the other cats in the home won’t “recognize” her.

We’ve all heard the old rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, if you’ve ever spent much time in a salon atmosphere, you may disagree with the wisdom this rhyme imparts.

Dear Michell, I feel like my employees are missing opportunities for add-on services that could add up to good income for both me and my employees. Do you have any ideas of areas to focus on?

Ask any groomer, and they will tell you that their tools are their lifeline. Many talented groomers recognize that they can achieve better results by utilizing better tools. Groomers love discussing their tools: clippers, shears, dryers, slickers, even nail trimmers.

Dear Michell, I am the owner of a small grooming salon in Tennessee. I have six groomers. We are running almost at capacity but my net profit/take–home pay is just not what I want it to be. I’ve been looking over my prices, payroll, supplies, and other expenses to see if there are places that we can improve profit. My groomers are slow. They could all do at least one more pet per day, if you ask me.

For the past decade, I’ve made my living in the bustling metro area of the all–mighty Mickey Mouse. With hundreds of physical storefronts and an additional slew of mobile units, one might think that—due to the immense local competition—Guerilla grooming warfare was either in full swing or lurking in the eminent future.

How do you create a viable self-sustaining business that will endure and thrive? Chances are, if you own a Pet Service Business, your livelihood depends on you showing up to work and customers showing up to pay for your services. This segment focuses on learning to implement basic money management strategies to help you thrive today, tomorrow, and long into the future!

Think about someone close to you—whether a friend, a parent, or a sibling. What is it about that person that makes them special? Why do you get along with them? Now think about the qualities that you don’t like in them so much.

In 2001, right after my daughter was accepted to Yale ($$$$), I decided to leave my corporate job and put a deposit on a mobile grooming van. Six months later I was in business for myself. It wasn’t easy, but preparation was key.