From the Publisher
Green Day

By Craig Rexford

Can a groomer be both environmentally friendly and maintain a profitable business model? This is a question more and more operators are asking themselves as they seek to balance their traditional business structure with the desire to be more environmentally conscience with the products and services they offer and the energy they use.

Yet not all groomers agree. They argue that “going green” may drive some traditional-minded customers away from their operation. This, they say, will cut down on profits, a particularly dangerous factor when considering that many groomers are already operating on very tight margins with little wiggle room as they struggle to pay the rent and their employees and still manage to scratch out a living for themselves.

But being environmentally conscious is one of the most politically correct phrases and activities around. Everyone is talking about sustainability and the need to cut down on waste and energy expenses. Consumers, the argument goes, are also willing to pay a little more for products or services that help protect the earth or use less energy.

As our cover story in this issue discusses, it seems that many groomers like the idea of going natural with everything from shampoos and conditioners to a more holistic approach to grooming. Many say that they are willing to absorb some additional costs because it is the right thing to do and will help attract new consumers who are only willing to frequent businesses that are environmentally conscience.

Of course, groomers must use caution when approaching the “natural” revolution. They must review the products on the market and determine which ones not only work the best, but also provide those added benefits that groomers and their customers are looking for. The next step is to make their customers aware that they are using these products and implementing steps to cut down on energy usage.

In our story, one groomer, Jennifer Northern of Issaquah, Wash., suggests that groomers “change (their) mentality.” She says that if groomers develop a specific niche—such as a holistic approach—they could even raise prices and still attract new business.

That is an excellent approach. Knowing your consumer and what they want and what they are willing to pay for is a basic tenet of any business. Many consumers want products that are natural. Groomers need to embrace this trend and make it clear to their customers that they are onboard with going green. GB