The Mobile Groomer's Bible

By Mary Oquendo and Beth Cristiano

Stuck in neutral? Scared of dropping a large sum on a grooming vehicle and not know where to begin? Maybe you are already making payments and need to get your business to flourish. Perhaps, you already have an established mobile grooming business and are looking to grow.    

No matter where you are in your business

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Oquendo
• Release date: May 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780982883150

Book preview

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WorkingChihuahua Press

Sequim, WA

www.SpiritedDog.com

LCCN 2019903683

Print ISBN 978-0-9828831-4-3

Ebook ISBN 978-0-9828831-5-0

Copyright ©2019, WorkingChihuahua Press

Copyright information available upon request.

All rights reserved.

Cover Design: Alchemic Creations

Interior Design: J. L. Saloff

Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

v. 1.00

First Edition, 2019

Contents

Forward

From Mary

From Beth

Start Your Business

Are You Sure You Want to Do This?

Research

Putting It on Paper

SWOT Analysis

Vehicle Choices

Support Your Business

Support Systems

Professional Support

Continuing Your Education

Supporting Materials

Retirement

Control Your Business

Setting Client Expectations and Boundaries

Pricing and Number of Pets Needed

Routing and Scheduling

Forms

Mobile Groomer Vehicle Safety

Pet Safety

Personal Wellbeing and Safety

Sanitation

Spares

Security

Payment Options

Going on the Go

Pet First Aid Kits

Love Your Business

Niche Yourself

Love Your Vehicle

Love Yourself 

Love Your Business

Storing and Winterizing Your Vehicle

Listen to Your Business

What Do Your Clients Want?

Educated Clients Are Good Clients

Showcase Yourself

Marketing

Press Release

Live Events

Retail

Imagine Where Your Business Can Take You

Document Your Process

Organizational Chart

Employees Yes Or No?

Help Wanted!

Applicants and the Hiring Process

Legal Requirements

New Hire Orientation

Handbooks

Training Employees

Worker Classification

Employee Compensation

Discipline and Termination

Come Full Circle

What’s Your Endgame?

Selling Your Mobile Unit

Parting Thoughts

Mary’s Parting Thoughts

Beth’s Parting Thoughts

Resources

Resources and Forms

Forward

Over the course of my 35 years in the pet grooming industry, I have worked in private salons, at a huge boarding kennel, at an upscale spa, and for veterinarians. I was an early pioneer in house call grooming, and for a happy time I was a Mobile Pet Stylist. As a mobile groomer, I did almost everything wrong, but still enjoyed it tremendously. I had profitable business and happy customers. However, I would have made far less mistakes, had fewer frustrations, and even happier customers if I’d had a book like this to help guide me.

I first met Mary and Beth many years ago at a grooming convention. I was there giving grooming demonstrations and as a lecturer, and they were there teaching pet first aid. I heard many favorable comments about their classes, so made a point to go say hello and introduce myself. From that meeting lovely, lasting friendships were formed.

It is was my great honor to read pages of this book as they were writing it. I was impressed to find that they managed to cover everything from planning and starting a mobile business to looking ahead towards preparing for retirement. There is even a helpful chapter on employees, something I have not seen in other mobile guides.

You will be certain to learn much when you read chapters filled with knowledge gleaned from the combined wisdom of 45-plus years immersed in the mobile pet grooming industry. Mary and Beth consolidated their hard-won wisdom into crisp, easy-to-read sections. There is a strong focus on the business side of grooming, an area often overlooked in our industry.

If you are considering a career as a mobile pet stylist, or already are one but want to sharpen your game, this book will be of help. If you want your mobile business to include miles of smiles, add this book to your must read list.

Daryl Conner, Master Pet Stylist, Meritus, Master Cat Groomer, author of 101 Tips for Real World Groomers and co-author with Mary Oquendo of Holistic Pet Grooming. Recipient of multiple Cardinal Crystal awards and the Barkleigh Honors award for journalism. Owner, FairWinds Grooming Studio, Appleton, ME.

I sure could’ve used a book like this when I first started mobile grooming in 2007! It’s comprehensive and detailed, yet written in a way that anyone can understand. Mary and Beth bring years of business experience and grooming wisdom together to create a definitive guide to becoming a successful mobile groomer.

They approach the business from all aspects, and provide clear guidance on nurturing and growing your mobile grooming business, regardless of what your goals may be. Whether you’re a franchisee or a solo operation, this book has all the information you’ll need, from marketing and advertising to maintenance and taxes.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is exploring the idea of becoming a professional mobile groomer.

~ Lori Monian, Lori’s Grooming, Paradise, CA

From Mary

I got my start in grooming in 1999 when I went to work as a bather for a nationally-branded company. I will forever be grateful to them for introducing me to a career I love, and giving me a solid base in grooming basics. I also met Beth through their internship program. In addition, I credit them with pissing me off enough to put a deposit down on a mobile grooming van in 2001 at Groom Expo.

There was little to no education particular to mobile grooming in those days and experience was the best teacher. I made a ton of mistakes. But I learned from each and every one of them.

This book is a labor of love and represents, between Beth and I, a cumulative experience of 45+ years.

This book could not have been written without encouragement and opportunities.

First I would like to thank my husband, Ernesto, for going with the flow all these years. Love ya!

Beth Cristiano for agreeing to not only write this book, but her unwavering confidence in whatever I throw her way.

Daryl Conner and Barbara Bird for encouragement and kindly criticisms.

Todd Shelley, Judy Breton, and Stephen Mart for all the opportunities they have offered me over the years.

And to the ladies of The Kitchen Table. You know who you are.

From Beth

For me it started in a Yonkers, NY shop back in 92’ where I was officially introduced to professional pet grooming. It was love at first sight! Through much blood, (mostly my own), sweat, and tears, I found a way to love what I do and do what I love. I am grateful for the kind and generous people sent to me on this journey

Glenna and Val, thank you for teaching me the art of grooming. A good groomer will never go hungry.

The nationally-branded company who was great for learning both how-to and how-not-to run the business side of things.

Mary, glad I can count on you to poke me forward and for not accepting status quo.

Craig, my love, thank you for your unwavering devotion and for teaching me how to just be.

Mom, from when I was a child, you encouraged me to dream big. You empowered me with the tools needed to be a self-sufficient, educated woman and have ALWAYS been my biggest cheerleader.

Billy, thanks for the gifts of critical thinking and the mechanical education needed to fix just about anything.

My staff, throughout the years each one of you have touched my life and continue to teach me valuable lessons that can not be gleaned from any text or class.

I thank you all for making me the person I am today and for shaping who I may become tomorrow.

1

Start Your Business

GOAL:

Find quality-building materials to begin construction of your business.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

~ Colin Powell

Are You Sure You Want to Do This?

The truth of the matter is not everyone is suited to mobile grooming. You are on your own, without the camaraderie of a shop. Traffic and school buses can be the bane of your existence. It’s way too easy to run into the gas station while filling up and grabbing junk to eat. Mechanical failure can leave you on the side of the road. The list can go on and on. But for those of us that love mobile grooming, there is simply no alternative.

Before you spend a lot of money and get into debt over a vehicle, spend some time with a mobile groomer. Do a ride along. Do it more than once. You will run into one of two types of mobile groomers when you start asking around. One type will shun you and the other will welcome you with open arms. Fortunately, there are more of the welcoming types around. Network with them.

Join a couple of mobile grooming forums on Facebook. There is a wealth of information and experience at the tip of your fingers. Perhaps see if you can find a reputable mobile groomer to consult with for a fee. The more information you have, the better educated your decision will be.

In short, do your homework.

Research

Do Your Research

Resources