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To help you learn more about the services of consultants in the grooming industry we are providing you with an article written by one, Mitzi Parrish who offers not only consultation services to open a school but licensing rights as well. You can also learn more about the services of PetGroomer.com consultants who can assist you with other challenges of grooming management here.

Why Open a Pet Styling School? Article by Mitzi Parrish of Golden Paws

The pet industry is a 36 Billion dollar industry and 30% growth was predicted every year for at least the last 6 years. This is an incredible industry on the verge of a raging tide of profitableness! The sky is the limit and no one has a corner on the market!

I liken this current stage of our industry to the early days of the Internet. The possibilities are endless! There are no limits to what one can achieve as we all take this wonderful ride in a profession we love. Pet styling!

Where will we find the staff to keep up with the ever increasing demand? This is the one great drawback to our profession. I have spoken with people globally as they search for qualified stylists, the question is always the same do you have a graduate that will fill the position or positions I need? Even with the best schools the need can’t be filled.

Perhaps some of you think you can’t hire someone right out of school. To quote an industry leader, “Graduates of a good school are the ones you want to hire because you can train them to your standards and you won’t have to deal with, 'This is my way and I am going to do it my way!'”

The profession of pet styling is really coming to the forefront, the public forefront. At one time I thought vocational licensing would never happen in my lifetime. I now think it is five years away if that. I also believe when one state gets a bill passed for licensing within 2-3 years all states will require pet groomers/stylists to be licensed.

I know there are groomers who think licensing is a bad thing but if we get involved in the process I think we could come up with a Bill that would greatly benefit all of us as a profession. I could discuss this on and on, as could you, but that is not meant to be the subject of this article. So staying with the subject at hand, let me ask you some questions:

Students need to learn the craft by applying the styling skills they learn on pets. In order to learn correctly they will be doing the majority of the physical part, while you/your instructor are instructing – for some of us who have been doing this for quite a few years this is very attractive and is a win-win for the student and instructor. The bonus is the pet gets double attention!

These are the main benefits but there are more.

You may be excited and ready to go open a school or may be you decided this isn’t for you. Just like the pet styling business this option isn’t for everyone. For those who have the desire to have a school, you will make more money than any other section of your business (of course it is always what you put in as to what you get out of it) and you really feel good about helping other people achieve their dreams!

The tasks to become a school may sound daunting but stay with me because I have the (or at least an alternative) answer at the end!

How to Open a Pet Styling School

1) Design Space – Is it conducive to learning? How much space do you need? How to convert from salon/kennel and insert a school – Name – Design – Logo?
2) Catalogs, Enrollment Forms, Brochures, and Website
3) Marketing – Where? How? When? Target Market? Free Marketing?
4) Phone and Tour Procedures – Who? How? What to show? Curriculum? Hours of Operation?
5) Seamless fold into existing business staff? Clients?
6) Insurance? Accounting? State Licensing – Time to accomplish, Where to start?
7) Financing Options for students – Where to get? Government Funding – How to find?
8) Record Keeping System – How? What to keep for State? Organization?
9) Instructional Guide, Progress Reports and Tests? How do I track student’s progress so they can understand?
10) All School Operational Support Materials? Record Keeping?
11) How do I transfer the knowledge in my head to someone who has never picked up a clipper and scissors and learning on the pets that I charge for grooming and that I deeply care about?
12) Tool Kits? Distributorships? What to put in Tool Kits?

Of course not every task has been listed, but I think you get an idea of the comprehensive requirements! Now I have a solution.

1) You could spend years developing the instructional program and operational system.
2) You could wing it, and try to get state licensed and open your doors. If someone walks-in, fine. If not, fine too. Basically you could just give the student trusting in you average training that says, “Cut it until it looks good.” You will probably end up being too busy finishing your dogs to really teach them because you are not prepared with an instructional method and plan to teach the student much more than the basics of bathing and prepping. Your reputation will be at stake as a training facility.
3) I propose you become a Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy Licensee.

As a Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy Licensee you get these benefits:

1) We provide 35 years of pet styling school operational systems, materials, support, proprietary step-by-step instructional teaching book-videos, and an instructor’s daily guide.

2) We provide answers and formats and give you the tools for success just as you will equip your students for success.

3) You license the use of the trademarked Golden Paws Name and become part of a nationally branded proven successful pet styling school system with all the support!

We do all the work while you keep concentrating on your business. We do most of the State Licensing work. We travel to you for 5 days of training in the instructional program and systems. We give you 35 years of successful marketing goals and what works.

We also offer a financing plan with no interest. That is how much we believe in the program and your success. This program is only licensed to people we feel have the same value system and hard work ethics.

Now remember when I was rambling about when I started bathing and drying for my Mother (above)?

OK, the #1 reason: “We were raised to always try to be our best, do the best work or don’t do it at all and above all else CARE! We care about the pets, the students, the clients, our Licensees, and this wonderful profession – Pet Styling!

If you have any questions or if you would like a more detailed brochure sent to you please contact us at 888-808-7297 or you can email us at Info@goldenpaws.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, Mitzi

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