Calling all dog groomers!!!!

captainladypants

I have some money put aside for a rainy day but am contemplating setting up my own business.

Being completely new to the whole thing and having worked in retail as a manager for ten years I'm wondering if I'm just thinking silly!!

I am thinking about a mobile dog grooming business, but am wanting advice please on if this is an idea that should just stay in my head and not become a reality!!

I've looked at a few courses online and they cost around £500 to complete and are perfect for me as I can study at home and still work full time to keep an income coming in.

I'm also considering doing some voluntary work for a dog groomers to gain myself some experience.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thankyou

COOLTRIKERCHICK

forget online courses, its all down to practise and experience, and most of all a good eye, no one is going to show you the ropes, even if you are volunteering as then potentially you are competition.

I became a professional dog groomer, after being asked umpteen times to do people's dogs, as I used to show and judge terriers.

I had to give it up about 10 years ago, after I had terrible pain in my wrists etc..

captainladypants

Thanks for the reply

How long were you grooming for? Did you get much business?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

captainladypants wrote: »

Thanks for the reply

How long were you grooming for? Did you get much business?

20 odd years, yes, but this was also to prepare other people's dogs ready for shows, also went to America to show some dogs.

Please don't think you are automatically going to make loads of money, its famine or feast, and you got to put up with dogs
sh!ting , weeing, biting, an then there is the owners!!!

seriously... don't go there.

thorsoak

I know of several "doggy" people who have successful businesses running dog grooming parlours/mobile outfits. The most successful are those who have studied long and hard to City & Guilds standards - here is a link to their courses :- http://www.cityandguilds.com/Courses-and-Qualifications/land-based-services/animal-management/7763-dog-grooming

You do of course, have to know the different breeds and have strong shoulders and a good back!

Brassedoff

You just have to get one of these!

captainladypants

Thanks for your advice and for the link.

Love the doggy van!!!;)

I just feel that I need to do something with myself as I'm fed up of retail, can't get any further where I'm currently working and like the thought of working hard for myself and building up my own business.

paddyrg

Online courses for a very hands-on job will only give you a theoretical head-start. Would you take your dog for grooming at someone who'd never touched an actual dog?!

Could you start by volunteering at the local dogs home? They must need to some shearing etc sometimes, so you'll get the feel for working with the dogs. If they have a volunteer groomer who goes in now and again who'd appreciate a volunteer assistant, then everyone wins.

captainladypants

Paddy I see what you mean about the home learning.

I think my thinking cap will have to go back on!!