Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

For many of us in the grooming industry, the hardest word to say isn’t “Bichon Frisé” or any of those hard-to-say breed names. 🤣🤣🤣

It’s a simple, two-letter word: “No.”

You say yes to extra dogs. Yes to last-minute appointments. Yes to pricing that no longer makes sense for your time, energy, or skill level. And you do it because you care—about the pets, the people, the relationships.

But over time, this well-meaning instinct starts to cost you.

Your backs ache.

Your patience thins.

Your passion fades.

Saying yes to everything eventually means saying no to yourselves. (deep, I know right!?) 🤯

But in seriousness, the word has power!

This week, we’re exploring the importance and power of setting boundaries through the lens of one word that can help you reclaim your schedule, your mental health, and your business.

1. Saying No Protects Your Capacity to Care

Saying no isn’t about turning people away. It’s about making room for the work and life that matter most. When every spot on your calendar is filled to please others, there’s no space left for you—to rest, recover, or think clearly about what you actually want from your career.

A grooming business doesn’t thrive because you say yes to everyone. It thrives because you say yes to the right things—and no to the rest.

As Warren Buffett famously put it:

Practical Tips:

• Review your week. What’s one appointment you could have declined or rescheduled?

• Begin creating “protected” hours in your day where no clients are booked—use that time for cleaning, admin, or simply breathing room.

2. The Fear of Disappointing Others Can Lead to Burnout

The reason so many groomers struggle to say no? We don’t want to let people down. We worry clients will think we’re rude, unreliable, or ungrateful. But the reality is this: clients who truly value your work will understand.

And if they don’t? That’s information you can use to build a healthier book of business.

If a client’s reaction to your boundaries is anger or guilt-tripping, they may not be the right fit for the long term. Remember: how someone responds to your “no” tells you whether they deserve your “yes.”

Practical Tips:

• Rehearse a simple script for declining requests. Something like:

  “Thanks for checking—unfortunately, I’m booked and can’t accommodate this time. I can recommend someone else if you'd like.”

• Practice saying no in small, low-risk situations first—like declining a non-urgent favor or moving a low-priority meeting.

3. Define Your No—Then Practice Saying It

One of the most effective ways to make saying no easier is to define what you want to say no to before you're in the moment. These could be behaviors (chronic lateness), situations (overly aggressive dogs), or requests (discounts, unrealistic turnaround times).

When you’re clear on what’s not okay, you’ll stop feeling like the bad guy for enforcing those boundaries.

Practical Tips:

• Make two lists: one for personal “no’s” and one for professional. Review them weekly and adjust as needed.

• Create a simple policies and procedures sheet that includes your boundaries—and refer to it when needed.

4. Replace “No” with a Better Yes

You don’t always need to give a hard no. Sometimes, reframing your response can maintain the relationship while still protecting your boundaries.

Instead of: “No, I can’t fit you in this week.”

Try: “I’m fully booked this week, but I have a spot next Tuesday or can refer you elsewhere if you’re in a pinch.”

You’re still in control of your time—but offering something helpful in return keeps the tone collaborative, not confrontational.

Practical Tips:

• Develop 2–3 go-to “no but” responses that feel aligned with how you want to show up.

• When raising prices or eliminating services, explain the why without apology. Be clear, firm, and solution-oriented.

5. Boundaries Build Respect

Many groomers fear that saying no will make clients think less of them. But it often has the opposite effect. People respect clear communication and professional standards. They appreciate knowing what to expect—and knowing you mean it.

Inconsistency creates confusion. Boundaries create trust.

Practical Tips:

• Revisit your intake form and booking process. Where can you be clearer about what you do and don’t do?

• Share boundary reminders regularly on social media or via email so new and current clients are aligned with your expectations.

6. Not Every Client (or Dog) Is a Fit—and That’s Okay

Some dogs are too aggressive. Some clients are too demanding. It doesn’t mean they’re bad—it just means they’re not right for your business. Letting go of mismatches frees up time and energy for the people and pets who are.

This is where real growth happens—not just in revenue, but in quality of life.

Practical Tips:

• If you’re considering letting a client go, draft the message ahead of time. Keep it respectful, clear, and optional with alternatives.

• Schedule regular time (every quarter, for example) to review your client list and identify red flags.

7. Saying No is a Skill. And You Can Get Better at It.

Like grooming, learning to say no takes repetition. At first, it feels uncomfortable. But with practice, it becomes second nature—and eventually, second skin.

No isn’t negative. It’s strategic. It’s self-respect in action. And most of all, it’s necessary for longevity in an industry that too often expects you to run on fumes.

Practical Tips:

• Reflect at the end of the week: What “yes” should have been a no? What did it cost you in time, stress, or energy?

• Choose one boundary this week—and stick to it. Even if it’s small. Then celebrate keeping it.

As groomers, you give so much of ourselves—to your clients, your teams, and of course, the dogs. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. Learning the art of saying no isn’t about shutting doors—it’s about opening the right ones.

Start where you are. Pick one thing to say no to this week. And watch how it makes space for better yeses.

I’ll start by saying “no” to mowing the lawn this weekend! 🤣

Enjoy the weekend!

For the love of grooming,

Alex 🐶

✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

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