Making Every Drop Count

Here we go again... It’s only been two short years since we last faced a global energy crisis and we are already on the precipice of another.

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is sure to have catastrophic repercussions on many levels. Of course, the first victims of the spill have been the inhabitants of the Gulf Coast ecosystem, as well as the local fishing and tourism industries. But make no mistake; this tragedy will extend well beyond the coastline and right up to your local gas station. Experts have speculated that the spill could soon send oil prices soaring past $100 per barrel, a development that will quickly translate into higher prices at the pump.

While just about every business will be adversely affected by rising gas prices, mobile groomers–for obvious reasons–are particularly prone to such increases. Every dollar spent at the pump is another dollar that comes out of a mobile groomer’s bottom line; and unless you have money to burn, this extra overhead cost must be made up for somewhere.

As we’ve discussed in pages of Grooming Business before, mobile groomers can offset the impact of increased gas prices through conventional means, such efficient appointment scheduling and temporary price increases. However, creative scheduling will only go so far in improving a mobile groomer’s fuel efficiency, and clients are sure to get tired of constant price fluctuations, so it isn’t advisable to depend on these methods alone.

Maybe this most recent crisis can serve as a wake-up call for pet stylists who ply their trade on the road to look for alternative ways to protect their businesses from volatile energy prices. For example, many mobile grooming van suppliers offer “green” options, such as diesel engines, improved generators and battery/inverter systems, and even solar panels, to improve the energy efficiency (and operating costs) of these vehicles.

While taking a more energy-efficient approach will surely protect a mobile groomer from fluctuating fuel costs, it can also go a long way in selling your services to environmentally minded pet owners. By emphasizing the eco-friendly features of their vehicles, combined with their use of natural and eco-friendly products such as shampoos and conditioners, in their marketing efforts, “green” groomers-on-the-go are sure to strike a cord with a customer base that is becoming more eco-conscious every day.

If we take anything away from this most recent oil spill, it should be that it is no longer enough to take a reactive approach to volatile energy prices and the effect that industry has on our environment. Looking at how you can make your mobile grooming business “greener” can be a great first step in protecting your livelihood and your planet.