When I first sat down to write this article about regulating the grooming industry, I reread some of the material written by my journalistic peers in the industry.  There was a lot of research done, bills reviewed, phone calls made, and the issue had been covered thoroughly and in great detail.  Many of the voices of professional groomers that took up this issue with great passion and concern were quoted, and the argument was made regarding licensure and regulation from varying perspectives.  So, what is my angle here, I asked myself?  What is the spin that can be helpfu

We all know the many benefits of mobile grooming for consumers and their pets. First, it eliminates customers’ trips to the salon, making it incredibly convenient, especially for those dog owners who are busy or who work full time. It is also the perfect option for pets that get nervous or sick during car trips, don’t get along well with other dogs, or are elderly or ill. Also, mobile grooming provides clients with personal, one-on-one styling services right in their own driveway. But how does mobile grooming benefit the stylist? First and foremost, there is a financial benefit.

The past decade has seen the dog-grooming business grow by leaps and bounds. As the American public has continued to elevate canine companions to family-member status, the demand for grooming services for these pets has skyrocketed. This, of course, is good news for dog groomers, who are reaping the rewards of this ongoing trend. However, along with the uptick in demand for their services, groomers have also seen a lot more competition.

With the recession hopefully leveling out and fear gradually subsiding, it is a great time for groomers to start thinking about re-inventing their approach to pet grooming. The buying public is once again receptive to new ideas, and change is usually a good motivator for new business and increased revenue. Obviously, groomers choose their profession because they love animals and enjoy improving the quality of pets’ lives every day through their actions. Switching over to a holistic approach could mean an even better overall experience for the animals that you care for in the salon.

My family’s business, The Village Groomer and Pet Supply, turned 40 years old this year.  Opened in 1969, it has seen its share of financial rough rides and bumpy patches.  Some of those bumps in the road were certainly due to inexperience on the part of my dad in the early years. When he left his job as a social studies teacher to work with dogs, he apprenticed as a groomer for a matter of months and then, in the same spirit my father did almost everything, he grabbed for the gusto and opened his own shop.