Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

Did you catch our latest workshop, “How Community Partnerships Can Supercharge Your Grooming Business” with the incredible Amy Hillis from Social Pet Hotel & Daycare?

If you joined us live, you know Amy dropped nonstop strategies on how to stand out in competitive markets, build client loyalty, and even boost staff morale all through smart partnerships.

If you missed it, don’t worry. We’ve pulled together the highlights for you, plus the full resource library and workshop replay so you can dive in on your own time. Let’s jump in!

Quick Recap: Why Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

Charlotte, NC has over 100 pet care businesses competing for clients and Amy’s Social Pet team still grew 39% year-over-year. Her edge? Community partnerships.

• Staff Buy-In: Paid volunteer days at shelters reconnect her team with their “why.” Newer groomers even practice grooms on shelter dogs—real skill building, real impact.

• Client Loyalty: People want to recommend businesses that give back. Partnerships tap into that hero mindset.

• Competitive Differentiation: When private equity and DIY groomers crowd the market, authentic local connections become your superpower.

Step-by-Step: Amy’s Partnership Playbook

1. Identify Ideal Partners

• Look for businesses your dream clients already love (yoga studios, breweries, schools, sports clubs).

• Rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t hire them, don’t partner with them.

2. Creative Partnership Examples

• Vets: Add grooming education into puppy packets (especially for doodle parents!).

• Rescues: Free baths/grooms for adoptable dogs = practice for your groomers + goodwill for your brand.

• Schools: Sponsor teacher lounges or even put your logo on homework folders.

• Neighborhoods: Partner with HOAs for events—free nail trims are an easy win.

3. Making Partnerships Work

• Always clarify the value exchange (what you give vs. what you get).

• Use co-posting on social media (not just tagging!) to reach both audiences.

• Track ROI—Amy turned a $150 sponsorship into $90,000 worth of referred business.

Influencers & Marketing Hacks

• Micro-influencers (10k–50k followers): Affordable, authentic promotion in your city.

• Press releases: Announce hires, certifications, or new services to local outlets.

• Celebrate Your Team: Share work anniversaries, certifications, or “behind-the-scenes” posts. Clients love seeing it.

Building It Into Your Business

• Start small—pick one strategy and execute it consistently.

• Use a simple marketing plan to track goals, KPIs, and campaigns (Amy shared a template in the handouts).

• If you’re maxed out, hire help. Amy recommends a marketing specialist to handle the tactical work while the owner leads community engagement.

Q&A Highlights

• “What if I’m introverted?” Amy admits she hates big networking rooms too. Small business groups and local clubs make connecting way easier.

• “What if a partner flakes?” Hold them accountable! Negotiate deliverables, set check-in calls, and don’t be afraid to renegotiate.

• “What about budgets?” Even tiny sponsorships can snowball. Amy’s field hockey ad story proves small bets can have massive ROI.

Download the Full Guide & Recording

Because Amy shared so many actionable strategies, we’ve bundled everything up for you:

📌 Community Partnerships Guide + Marketing Plan Template

📌 Sample job descriptions (Marketing Specialist + Community Engagement Director)

📌 Full workshop recording & slides

👉 Grab the Resource Library

Your Next Move

• Pick Your First Partnership: Vet, rescue, school, or local business—just start with one.

• Track Your ROI: Even the smallest sponsorships can turn into long-term revenue.

• Get Out There: Community engagement is the moat that will protect your grooming business as competition increases.

• Automate Your Admin: Free up time for partnerships by letting Teddy handle scheduling, reminders, and even client calls.

Final Word: Leave Your Comfort Zone

Amy’s closing advice? “Leave your comfort zone, but stay true to your brand.”

Community partnerships don’t just make you look good—they drive real revenue, keep your staff engaged, and deepen loyalty with clients. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your grooming business grow beyond the walls of your salon.

For the love of grooming,

Alex Martin

P.S. Want to see how Amy structured her community engagement role? The full job description is included in the handouts. You’ll see exactly how she split marketing and community tasks for maximum impact.

✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

📚 Read - The community has spoken! Which breed is your list favorite to groom? Find our what your fellow peers had to say in The Daily Groomer Facebook Community

📺 Watch - Find out what it’s like to jump from Apple and Nike to running a pet care business on The Daily Groomer YouTube channel.

🎧 Listen - From flipping salons to redefining luxury grooming, Crystal Gonzalez of Pooch à la Mode shares how branding, specialized roles, and perceived value built her high-end Chicago business on this episode of The Daily Groomer Podcast.

🤖 Automate - Meet Teddy, built for Daily Groomers, refined alongside our community. Teddy simplifies your day from bookings and messages to payments and missed calls—all in one easy-to-use platform.

That’s all folks! Keep calm and groom on 🐶🤘