As life becomes increasingly busier, consumers are looking for ways to simplify their lives and get more done with less time. Pet lovers across the globe have proven that they will go to great lengths to ensure their animals are properly cared for. For the busy pet owner, a mobile dog groomer is the perfect solution, offering both convenience and individual attention for each animal.
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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
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.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
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:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
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 state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a mobile dog grooming business?
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.
What are the ongoing expenses for a mobile dog grooming business?
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.
Who is the target market?
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.
How does a mobile dog grooming business make money?
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.
How much can you charge customers?
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.
How much profit can a mobile dog grooming business make?
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.
How can you make your business more profitable?
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
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your mobile dog grooming business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your mobile dog grooming business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a mobile dog grooming business business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Mobile Dog Grooming Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Mobile Dog Grooming Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a mobile dog grooming business
When first starting out, offer your services free of charge to friends and family. If they are happy with the result, encourage them to spread the word. Approach veterinarians, dog breeders, and pet stores in your service area and ask them to display your fliers. Until your calendar starts to fill up, consider setting up shop in the parking lot of a vet’s office or pet store. This is a great way to let people know about the services you offer.
Give back to the community and build a reputation for your company by volunteering with a local rescue or shelter. Adoptable pets get a fresh new look, ready to go to their new families.
How to keep customers coming back
In this industry, reputation is everything. Each animal should be handled with respect, as should their “parents.” If an animal shies away from you when greeted, chances are their owner will seek out another groomer.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
While you will have some interaction with pet owners, much of a mobile dog groomer’s day is spent alone with the animal. Therefore, this business venture is best suited for the individual who is comfortable working solo a majority of the time. If your plan is to manage the business and hire an experienced groomer to care for the animals, it’s important that you understand the intricacies of the industry and carefully consider a groomer’s portfolio during the hiring process.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a mobile dog grooming business?
Greeting clients and their pets will be an inevitable part of each day and is a critical aspect of creating a strong client base. The rest of your time will involve care and maintenance of your vehicle, physical spaces, and your marketing and online presence. Normal duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Performing dog grooming activities, such as: wash, dry, haircut, and nail trim. Additional services should be available upon request.
- Since you are a mobile unit, part of each day will be spent on the road, traveling from location to location.
- Service and maintenance of your vehicles and workspaces.
- Administrative duties such as taking appointments, answering phone calls, accepting payments, and paying bills.
- Implementing marketing strategies
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful mobile dog grooming business?
While no formal education or licensing is required in most states, it is critical that you gain hands-on experience before opening a mobile dog grooming business. Either for your own personal knowledge, or to help in the hiring process, you must understand how to read an animal’s signals. Each personality is different and dictates how the grooming session proceeds. Since the mobile dog groomer is working alone, they must be able to pick up, move, and handle dogs of every size, requiring both strength and patience.
The National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc offers a variety of workshops and classes. They are also a great resource for marketing your business and networking with other grooming professionals. Industry leaders also recommend gaining experience through volunteer work at a local shelter. This will help in becoming familiar with different breeds, what goes into running such a business, and will help you build relationships with potential customers and business partners.
What is the growth potential for a mobile dog grooming business?
Since space is limited in your mobile unit, one groomer is the most you will want for each workspace. This does not, however, have to limit your business’ growth. As profits increase, consider building a fleet, with at least one unit for each area of town. You could also increase your business to include permanent locations, based on the area’s demands.
Not sure if a mobile dog grooming business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a mobile dog grooming business?
Since this is usually a small, independent business in the beginning, work to keep your overhead costs low. Additionally, have a business plan and prioritize your needs to become successful and well-known within the industry relatively soon.
- Carefully consider your service area. Spend some time at local dog parks, talk to veterinarians in the area, etc. This can offer valuable insight into what services you can offer that set you apart from the rest.
- When shopping for a vehicle, do your research. Check out both new and used mobile units.
- Proper pricing is critical. Remember, you’re offering a convenience service; price accordingly.
- To maximize profits, stay aware of industry trends and innovations.
How and when to build a team
With limited space, your business usually only needs one groomer per vehicle. Many entrepreneurs opt to handle administrative duties as well, eliminating the need for a team. If you do not plan to groom the animals yourself, carefully consider each grooming candidate. Check out their references and work history, requesting a portfolio when available.