Your How do I start my own mobile dog grooming business? The Ultimate Guide

Start a mobile dog grooming business by following these 10 steps:

  • Plan your Mobile Dog Grooming Business
  • Form your Mobile Dog Grooming Business into a Legal Entity
  • Register your Mobile Dog Grooming Business for Taxes
  • Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  • Set up Accounting for your Mobile Dog Grooming Business
  • Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Mobile Dog Grooming Business
  • Get Mobile Dog Grooming Business Insurance
  • Define your Mobile Dog Grooming Business Brand
  • Create your Mobile Dog Grooming Business Website
  • Set up your Business Phone System
  • There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your mobile dog grooming business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

    STEP 1: Plan your business

    A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

    Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

    While ongoing expenses are significantly lower, start-up costs can be high. Your first investment should be your mobile grooming vehicle. Be sure to weigh your options and facility requirements when considering what type of vehicle you’ll invest in.

    Vehicle requirements include:

  • Power generator
  • Water heater
  • Water tank
  • Waste containers (both solid and liquid)
  • Proper lighting
  • Washing space
  • Table (with lift is preferable)
  • Proper ventilation and flooring
  • Sink
  • Dryer
  • Some entrepreneurs prefer to invest in a fully outfitted van, while others choose to invest in a trailer and convert it themselves. Initial costs range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, depending upon your needs and what you already have available.

    If you plan to perform grooming services yourself, you will also need the following items:

  • Clippers – $100 to $250 each
  • Clipper blades – $13 – $100
  • Shears – $89 to $300 each
  • Brushes and combs – $5 to $99
  • As a rule, any groomer you hire will come with their own set of grooming supplies. You should, however, plan to offer a variety of shampoos, conditioners, and other “spa” treatments.

    Unlike a fixed location, your ongoing expenses are minimal. Standard costs include:

  • Vehicle maintenance – Oil changes, fluid top-off, and tire checks should be performed regularly.
  • Fuel costs – Specific costs vary, depending upon the radius of your service area.
  • Equipment maintenance – Blades and sheers, when cared for properly, should last several years. Set yourself up on a regular servicing schedule, which can range anywhere from $5 to $150 quarterly, depending upon your needs at the time.
  • Replenishing supplies, such as shampoo, conditioner, etc
  • Marketing costs – As word of mouth spreads, your marketing costs will go down.
  • Payroll – Most groomers work as independent contractors, which will eliminate this portion of your budget.
  • Busy animal lovers who have enough disposable income to pamper their pets are your primary target audience. Your ultimate goal is to build a following of repeat customers.

    Mobile dog grooming businesses generate revenue from each animal they care for. Basic services are offered, with additional fees for any “extras.” There are several advantages to offering a mobile service – overhead is significantly reduced and clients are willing to pay higher fees for the convenience factor.

    Mobile grooming fees will vary, depending upon where you live. Fees range anywhere from $30 to $70 (extra services not included). Most grooming fees vary, depending upon the breed and size of dog.

    If you plan to hire a groomer, they will earn 50% of each grooming. The average mobile groomer reports grooming six dogs a day, at an average of $65 per dog. This comes out to $390/day if you are your own groomer, $195/day with an outside groomer.

    There are a number of ways to ensure maximum profitability for your mobile dog grooming business:

  • Make your own shampoo
  • Offer a variety of different services and extra “treatments” that increase the overall cost of each grooming
  • If you live in the area, offer pet sitting and boarding services
  • Open a brick and mortar shop in an area with high demand
  • Service different areas on different days, or invest in multiple mobile units
  • Offer grooming training, both online and in person
  • Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Mobile Dog Grooming Business Name Generator

    If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

    When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your states business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability.
  • Its very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

    How to start a mobile pet grooming business in 6 steps

    Mobile grooming business owners enjoy flexibility, freedom, and the opportunity to work with some of the cutest customers around.

    Still, it can’t be said that grooming is all sunshine and doggie kisses.

    If you handle all the work yourself, it will be a physically demanding job. You might consider hiring a groomer for your mobile grooming shop and stick to the business side of things.

    Of course, caring for fur babies is hard work, and it can take one to two hours to groom an average-sized dog.

    Bathing, hair cutting, drying, brushing, styling, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, trimming nails, and — brace yourself — expressing anal glands are all part of the job.

    This means hours on your feet. And even with some comfy shoes, this can take a toll.

    The grooming process includes a certain amount of risk as well.

    Plus, not all puppers and doggos enjoy going to the groomer’s. Bites and scratches do happen.

    You’ll have to learn to be familiar with the signs of fear or aggression in dogs to avoid these incidents.

    There’s also a condition called “groomers lung” to be aware of. There’s a chance you’ll be breathing in a lot of tiny hairs as you groom. Wearing a mask is one step you can take to protect yourself.

    Ready to get your new business rolling? Here are the steps you should take:

    How to Start a Mobile Dog Grooming Business With No Experience | Very Easy-to-Follow Guide

    People love their pets and want to care for them the best way they can. Most pet owners know that grooming their pets is essential for quality care and keeping them clean, healthy, and pest free. Grooming is a luxury service that many people don’t have a lot of time or the ability to do on their own. They prefer to turn to a professional with the equipment, skills, and know-how to get their pet groomed while simplifying their lives.

    Although pet owners will do whatever it takes to ensure their pets are properly cared for, many don’t have the time take them to the groomer. Pet owners are always looking for services that will come to them. That’s where mobile pet grooming businesses come in.

    Mobile pet grooming businesses provide a convenient pet grooming service for pet owners. Professional groomers come to clients’ homes to clean their animals rather than requiring clients to come to them, which is more convenient for the clients.

    If you have a passion for animals and want to become a business owner, starting a mobile pet grooming business may be a great business venture for you. Here’s what you should consider before you begin.