From Good Grooming To Great✨

Let's dive into what separates a GOOD grooming business from the GREAT ones!

Author

Alex Martin
November 15, 2024

Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

I’m laying low this weekend after a busy week with the team to push the new Daily Groomer website live!

Let me know what you think…..

For this week’s newsletter, I’m going to recap the podcast we recorded this week since it’s still top of mind.

It was no doubt up there with some of the best episodes we’ve ever had!!

This week on The Daily Groomer Podcast, I sat down with Joe Zuccarello, the president of Paragon School of Pet Grooming.

Joe’s been in the industry since 1986, so he's seen it all—from grooming trends and business successes to the painful lessons only experience can teach. He’s helped train thousands of groomers during that time as well.

We dove deep into what separates good grooming businesses from great ones.

And I think some of his insights are game-changers!

Here’s what we covered during our hour long convo:

1. The State of the Grooming Industry

Joe reminded us that while our industry has come a long way, there’s still plenty of room to grow. He highlighted the reality: pet grooming is still an “unprofessional profession” in many ways.

His advice? It’s time to elevate our game so clients take us as seriously as other top-notch service industries.

Key Point: The bar for customer expectations is rising, and it's up to us to raise our own standards.

2. Master the Basics & Elevate the Experience

Joe believes that you don't need to be a master of creative cuts or high-end grooming to stand out. Mastering the basics—like clean, tangle-free trims—and pairing that with exceptional customer service can make your business a superstar.

Golden Takeaway: Master the average, and elevate your customer service to be above average.

3. Financial Pitfalls to Avoid

Joe shared some of the biggest mistakes grooming business owners make:

  • Labor Costs: Labor is your #1 expense. Are you tracking it closely? If not, you could be losing money, even if your days are fully booked.

  • Undervaluing Services: Too many groomers charge less than they should, fearing they’ll lose customers. Joe’s advice? Position your business to command the prices you deserve.

Tip: Remember, your business is for profit, not a charity. Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth!

4. The Secret to Growth: Invest in a Bath Business

Joe revealed a secret weapon: a thriving full-service bath business. By hiring and training “groom techs” to handle baths, you can create a high-margin revenue stream and develop a pipeline of future groomers.

Why It Works: It’s a win-win! You tap into an underserved market (bath-only breeds) and solve labor shortages by growing your groomers in-house.

5. The Metrics You Need to Track

Want to take your business to the next level? Start tracking:

  • Average Ticket Price: Calculate revenue per appointment and work to increase it.

  • Wages-to-Sales Ratio: Keep this under 40% to stay profitable.

  • Revenue Streams: Break down your income by service type to see where you can improve.

There’s tons of great advice jam packed into this hour long episode, and I hope you apply some of these tips to your business! This upcoming year is right around the corner and it’s time to go from good to great. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!

Alright, enough with my motivational spiel… just don’t miss this episode when it goes live on Wednesday, November 20th.

You know what to do! 👇

For the love of grooming,

Alex 🐶

P.S. Joe reminded us all: We’re not on an island. There’s always help and resources out there, like our community at The Daily Groomer. Let’s support each other as we level up together!

🗣️ What People Are Barking About

The best of the best advice or thought provoking topics shared this week online👇

Tired of greasy blades or oily marks on coats? Here are some of the best community recommendations to clean your grooming blades:

  • Daily Cleaning: Make sure to brush off all the hair after use. You can use compressed air (if available) to really get it all. Plus, it’s not a bad idea to use a blade spray (like Andis Cool Care) when you’re done for the day.

  • Deep Cleaning: Soak blades in Dawn soap + warm water for 10 min, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse, dry thoroughly, and oil. Or, use Barbicide for 10 min, rinse, dry, and oil (don’t reuse the solution!).

  • Quick Fix: Try Dawn Powerwash Spray – just spray, wait 5 min, rinse, and dry!

Pro Tip: An ultrasonic cleaner with warm water and Dawn makes blades spotless and sharp!

And don’t forget, always finish by drying well and oiling to keep your blades in top shape.

✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

📚 Read - 2,256 members strong! Have you joined the The Daily Groomer Facebook Community yet? Read how our new members got their start in grooming in our private Facebook community.❤️

📺 Watch - Pricing Strategies 101: Learn how to set, control, & raise your prices on The Daily Groomer YouTube channel.

🎧 Listen - Kylee Hudson of Hydra Dog shares her plans for wellness services, new tech, and her journey from gym franchisee to grooming mogul. Check out this episode on The Daily Groomer Podcast. 

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