The Daily Groomer Minute: The Proof-First Grooming Business

Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

Trying something new today.

I’ve written a weekly newsletter for years, but throughout the day I’m constantly hit with random insights, patterns, and “aha” moments from all the groomers, owners, and businesses I talk to.

Instead of letting those disappear, I’m turning them into The Daily Groomer Minutes—quick, 1-minute, tactical ideas you can use to run a better grooming business.

Short, sharp, and immediately useful.

Here’s today’s:

The Daily Groomer Minute: The Proof-First Grooming Business

Most grooming businesses treat reviews and testimonials like an afterthought.

You finish the groom, hand over a fluffy, adorable dog, and then hours or days later you text:

“Hey! Would you mind leaving us a review?”

By then, the magic moment is gone.

The dog has rolled in the mud.

The owner is onto their next task at work.

You missed your shot.

Here’s the fix:

Smart grooming businesses build proof creation into the service itself.

Don’t wait until later. Capture it during the groom.

Real Grooming Examples That Work:

Before & After Photos (your easiest win)

Take a “before” photo at check-in: messy, matted, overgrown, dirty—whatever the reality is.

Take an “after” photo before pickup.

Tell them: “We take these to track progress on coat health.”

Later, ask permission to share the good ones. Most will say yes.

Groom Report Cards

After every groom, note wins:

• “Removed 3 inches of the undercoat!”

• “Ears improved—less redness today!”

• “Matting reduced significantly since last visit!”

These turn into micro-testimonials.

Owners love seeing progress they wouldn’t otherwise notice.

Quick 5-Second Video Clips

A tail wag.

A clean face.

Some sharp scissoring.

Frame it as documentation:

“We take clips for your pet’s grooming history so you can see the improvements.”

Half become social-ready content automatically.

Coat Health Comparison Over Time

Quarterly or monthly, show:

• A timeline of their coat

• Improvements in condition

• Reduction in matting

• Better behavior

• Better skin

When owners see improvement, they happily share it.

The Psychology

When you actively document wins, owners feel:

• Valued

• Cared for

• Confident they’re getting premium grooming

• Proud of their pet’s transformation

Visual proof makes them want to brag.

And when customers brag, they bring friends.

Pro Tip

Ask permission upfront:

“Would it be okay if we take progress photos and videos during grooming? It helps us track coat health and gives you a record over time.”

They’ll almost always say yes…..

and you’ve quietly pre-sold the idea of sharing those results.

What To Do Next (Simple Checklist)

• Capture a “before” photo at every check-in

• Identify your proof moments (deshed clouds, dramatic trims, matting fixes, glow-ups)

• Build progress documentation into your workflow

• Make it benefit the owner first

• Ask for permission upfront

• Later ask: “Can we share your pet’s success story?”

This turns every groom into potential marketing content without being pushy or awkward.

And you only highlight the transformations that you are truly proud of.

Everyone else?

It’s still documentation that supports upsells, pre-booking, coat-care education, and recurring revenue.

As promised, value in under a minute.

Alex

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