Start-Over Success Business Under $1,000:
Dog Groomer

Do you love dogs? Are you good with people? Dog Grooming might be a good business for you. 

I’m going to focus on in-home dog grooming. In-home dog grooming requires minimal equipment and supplies, meaning that it doesn’t cost much to get started. 

The two other options for dog groomers are to have a mobile dog grooming business or a dog grooming brick-and-mortar shop. Those are both expensive to get into. 


EXAMPLES

How Much Can You Make as a Dog Groomer?

How much you make as an at-home dog groomer depends on your area and demographics. 

Go Groomer reported on her sales in 2020. With an average price of just $40 for grooming x 5 groomings a day, that’s $200 a day; at 5 days a week, you make $1,000 a week. Now, that is gross income. You have to subtract all your costs: supplies, equipment, electricity, water, and insurance each month.  But, in 2023, prices are higher. Figure $60 per grooming with 5 a day times 5 days a week, for $1,500 a week, times 50 weeks equals $75,000.

Notice that getting that many groomings booked each day takes effective marketing, we’ll talk about that in a bit. Next, we’ll look at what gear and supplies you need. 

Go Groomer YouTube

Download printable “11 Steps to Groom Any Dog!”

Training, Gear and Supplies You Need to Start Your At-Home Dog Grooming Business.

While there are no training or licensing requirements for doing Dog Grooming, you need to how to do the work. Maybe you’ve worked at a shop where they do grooming. (Petco and PetSmart allow trainees to work, but they require a two-year commitment and you might need to sign a non-compete agreement.) 

There are training programs available for dog grooming. ($150)

The items you need and their prices include:

  • Grooming Table ($180)
  • Grooming Tub ($200)
  • Grooming Equipment: dog shaving kit, shears, replacement blades ($40)
  • Special brushes & combs for removing the undercoat ($20)
  • Products: flea and tick, shampoo, conditioner, optional – bows for girl dogs and bandanas for boys ($40)
  • If you have more than one dog at your home at a time, you’ll need dog crates ($40 each)
  • Dog groomer insurance ($178)

Approximate costs including training $800 plus usual business start-up costs: $200
Total $1,000

Are There Restrictions on Having Business Clients Visting Your Home?

Some cities don’t allow commercial activities in a home location or they don’t allow business clients to come to your home.  Some allow only three clients each day. (That would restrict your income, but maybe you don’t want to work on more than three dogs on any given day.

Now, there may be able to get a variance. Check your local zoning board to learn the process from them. Be patient. If you love the idea of doing dog grooming at home, do what it takes to get that variance.

Further, if you have a homeowner’s association, they may have restrictions that prevent you from operating an at-home dog grooming business. Your neighbors will probably notice five people with dogs visiting your home each day.

Insurance may also be difficult to find for your home dog-grooming business. And, there are liabilities: A pet could injure you, and a dog could get injured falling off the grooming table.  Dog Grooming Insurance starts at $178 for a year. 

If you are not allowed to do business at home, check out the other Start-Over Success business opportunities.

Dog-Grooming Realities to Consider

  • It can take two hours, an hour and a half, or an hour to groom each dog. How many dogs can you realistically groom each day? 
  • The work is physical. You’ve got to get the dog into the tub and onto the table. Even with the cords on the table, it can be tricky getting a haircut done on a wiggly dog. 
  • In addition to grooming dogs, you will have to do admin and marketing work. Be grateful that your expenses are so low, because of working at home.
  • As with any other business, you are required to get a business license, choose a business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, Corp), open a business bank account, and more. 

Will You Specialize Your Dog Grooming Services?

  • Bathing and cleaning nails
  • Clipping nails
  • Breed-specific haircuts
  • Certain size dogs
  • Dog-show quality 
  • Cleaning teeth & ears
  • Hair coloring

How will you make your in-home dog grooming better? What individual service can you provide to make dog owners feel special? 

Take pictures of your canine clients to send to their owners. 
Ask if you can post their pics to Social Media and/or on your
Website.

How Will You Get Clients?

Especially as a home-based dog groomer, you must set yourself apart from others. How can you deliver service in a way that’s different and better than the rest?

Providing great service and being friendly are the bedrock of your Dog Grooming Service. 

You must not only acquire clients; when a client picks up their dog, set the next appointment. Follow up with them by email. 

On Social Media and your Website, provide doggie content that parents of “fur babies” love. You’ll get a loyal following, reveiws, word of mouth, and direct referrals.

 

Apps For Running Your Dog Grooming Business

In-Home Dog Grooming is a simple business. You need to attract clients, schedule clients, and do bookkeeping. There are apps that make all of those easier and more budget-friendly.

  •  Scheduling & CRM software –  shakeyourtail.com ($15/mo)

  • Quikbooks.com  for bookkeeping and accounting

  • Website hosting ($3/mo)
    Mailchimp & free template ($0)  I like page-builder Elementor ($0) 

  • Email marketing ($0 to $15/mo)In

 

It's okay to just relax and enjoy your dog and your life.

What's Next For You?

Once you build your in-home Dog Grooming business so you are doing five clients a day, you are maxed out. 

You may want to leave it at that, enjoying your work and your life.

Or you may want to

  • Teach classes to other aspiring dog groomers.
  • Create dog products to sell on Etsy
  • Dropship pet products on Shopify
  • Invest profits in another business you build
  • Invest in real estate or the stock market