The unique nature of the
pet grooming industry certainly comes to light when you consider
the general flexibility of its operations. In most areas, you have
the opportunity to operate a home grooming business, a mobile one
and of course, a commercial pet grooming location. Whenever we
speak with new career and business opportunity persons about
career and business planning we usually discover they already have
an idea of which form of operation they prefer. Our next step is
to inquire how much they know about the alternative formats, and
what made them decide against them. You've probably already
guessed that the two most prevalent factors used in making their
decision are "money" and "preferred working
lifestyle." You are right. However, we also find that the
majority of new career and business opportunity seekers don't
learn enough the alternatives they reject, and never consider the
long-term effects of their important decision.
Here you can learn in a
brief space some of the major "positive" and
"negative" factors of managing either a home, mobile or
commercial business. We learn little by saying your decision is
either right or wrong, and that is not the point here. Becoming
more informed about your industry, and your method of operations,
and the use of your decision-making process is the intent.
Whatever you choose is right for you; is it not? In that light,
you're decision is likely based on a preferred working lifestyle.
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There is another
important perspective common to all business persons, and
sometimes opposite to working lifestyle preferences. It is a very
dedicated "business perspective." It's easy to overlook
and not adopt the dedicated business perspective at all. Some
owners assume they have it, and really don't. In many service
trades other than pet grooming there are owners who work very
hard, and more like "workers" performing the duties of
their trade. In the long run, they will often look back and
complain that they really never "got ahead." They are
meeting short-term needs, and barely providing for a comfortable
retirement. In fact, there are probably millions of small business
persons that fit this description today. It's not as prevalent in
big business for one reason; they have full-time management for
their long-term goals as well as short-term goals.
Let's look
closer at what could be your
"business perspective." A
"business" exists to create
income and derive profit (see
IRS), and if not it is a hobby.
In this case, the business
person works to create a model
pet grooming business that
generates maximum income and
derive maximum profit relative
to their area, and in order to
benefit the owner (and
management and staff). That may
sound "cold" to those pet
groomers that pride themselves
on having a strictly limited
clientele and providing timely
and highly-personalized pet
grooming services. They could be
right, at least in general.
Pet
grooming is very caring work,
and should always be done in the
most humane manner possible. But
let's not limit the potential
our industry with a limited
belief that pet grooming
businesses cannot exist within
the "business perspective"
without suffering the pets and
pet owners they serve. There are
in fact a growing number of
major pet grooming salons today
that have taken the "cold" out
the equation by accepting the
challenge to do so, and by being
very creative in the business
environment, very creative. They
typically derive uncommon profit
too. They are themselves, and
yet carry the business
perspective too. They often
accept a less desirable working
lifestyle in the early years of
their business. Ironically,
their eventual financial success
may lead to a turn around where
they can actually become
absentee owners and still take a
pay check. Most of these owners
started, or progressed to, a
commercial location. Of course,
it's also a godsend when you
consider the possibility of
physical side-effects after
years of physical wear and tear
associated with pet grooming.
Now, let me
repeat, your choice is neither
right or wrong, but simply your
choice. There are advantages and
disadvantages to operating a pet
grooming business in a home, van
or commercial location. You must
first know what your objectives
are, and ensure that you can
best reach them by which
operational method you select.
If you can't do the one you want
now, you must chart a map
progressing from one to the
other. If you meet your
objectives, and your objectives
are very clear and appropriate,
you enjoy success regardless of
operating your business in a
home, van or commercial
location.
Have you
written down your personal and
business objectives yet? Do you
have a business plan? If not,
there are resources to assist
you in this site. Please use
them. I am reminded of the
saying, "If we fail to plan, we
plan to fail." You must discover
and record your clear objectives
in order to properly choose
between a home, van or
commercial business, and not
endure the limitations of
lifestyle preferences or money
limitations where they exist.
On the next
page we will take a close look at the several similarities and
yet differences between home grooming, mobile grooming and grooming in a
commercial location.
