Go Mobile and Succeed

Ten Minutes

I never really understood how precious ten minutes was until I became a mobile groomer. If I could only carve ten minutes off each dog I groomed, I could groom one more dog each day or I could get home one hour earlier.

 

The rest of the world just doesn’t understand my situation. I recently had a customer who was moving to another town. When she told me the name of the town, my eyes widened. When I said I wasn’t sure if I would be able to service her in her new location, she said “It’s only ten minutes away!”

 

Ten minutes here. Ten minutes there. They add up.

 

Sometimes, I think of the mobile groomers who have been at it a very long time and I’m envious. They can book their appointments one hour apart. They groom way more dogs in a day than I ever could with excellent results. How the heck do they do it?

 

In thinking of the ten minutes I would like to save, I have divided that number in two. That would be saving five minutes off the prep, bath, and dry portion and five minutes off the trim. That would turn my one hour groom into fifty minutes, my goal. Anyone reading this who is not a groomer, would probably laugh and say, “Who cares about five minutes?” I’m raising my hand and I’m saying “I do!”

 

In analyzing the first half of my groom, I try to carve one minute off the nail trim, two minutes off the bath and two minutes off the drying process, which is most often the biggest time eater. I tackle the other five minutes by consciously grooming systematically. As I am working, I sneak a peek at the clock. How am I doing? Well, it depends on a few factors. If I’m grooming a statue, I’m good to go. If I’m grooming a matted, dancing, squealing, snapping turtle who knows what will happen!

 

I always think of this when I put the dog on the table and get started. How long will it take me today? How long did it take me last time? What can I do now to save precious moments without compromising the dog’s experience or the outcome of the groom? It’s a little game I play with myself. Sometimes I will look at the clock and shoot for a certain time for each portion of the groom. I find it helpful to have a number, a realistic number to focus on.

 

If I succeed, I feel happy and proud of myself. I groomed the dog in fifty minutes! WooHoo! There is no one to share this with but I don’t care. I feel my own sense of satisfaction. I think about how far I have come. When I started my mobile grooming business, I was fresh out of grooming school. Every dog took me an hour and a half, even two hours.

 

Although my goal is always the “fifty minute groom” I don’t hold myself to it. The time factor is always looming but I push it to the back of my mind. I don’t rush and I need to enjoy what I do. I’m kind to myself and the dog, no matter what. That’s my style and I’m sticking to it, even if it takes me ten more minutes.

The Importance Of Policy/Release Forms 3/22/09

 

A Policy/Release Form is a very important piece of paper for every mobile, shop, or house call groomer. This form sets the tone and lays down the ground rules for your business. I have a Policy/Release Form that I ask every pet owner to sign at the first appointment. I go through it with them, step by step, asking them if they have questions before they sign it. This way, there are no surprises down the road.

 

Groomers shoulder a huge responsibility because we care for living, breathing creatures that may have pre-existing conditions. Many of our canine clients are elderly and/or have serious health issues. Some of these dogs visit us when their coat is matted or pelted forcing us to tell their owner we have to “start over.” What if a dog should become ill in your care? What if, upon shaving a dog, you find a skin condition? A Policy/Release Form can help protect you because it states that all the risks and fees involved in the grooming process have been explained to the pet owner up front.

 

I’m writing about this topic today because two situations caused me to refer to my Policy/Release Form this week. My form also includes my no show/and cancellation fees.

 

Customer #1  After verbally confirming her grooming appointment two days prior, the night before her appointment this client left me a voice mail asking me if I could move her time from the morning to the afternoon or she might have to cancel. I returned her phone call leaving this message: “Hi Mrs. Smith. This is Ellen from Royal Canine Mobile Grooming. I’m so sorry but I’m unable to change Fluffy’s appointment time tomorrow as I have six dogs scheduled after him. I really need 24 hours notice to change an appointment. This gives me enough time to fill your grooming slot or move other appointments. I’m so sorry but since your appointment was confirmed and it’s so last minute, I will have to ask you to pay the $50.00 cancellation fee if you must cancel. You can reschedule this appointment but I just want to let you know, I won’t be back in your area for four weeks. Thanks so much. Let me know what you would like to do.” In the morning, I received a return voice mail from her. “Hi Ellen. This is Mrs. Smith. I will see you at the appointed time. I was able to work it all out as I really want to have Fluffy groomed.” 

 

Customer #2  Every four weeks I groom a grouchy, elderly pom. This old timer has lots of aches and pains, has no patience for grooming, and needs to wear a muzzle. The day I arrived for the grooming appointment there were workman in the house and the owner and her friend were eating lunch. Not the usual routine. Perhaps this is why the dog reacted the way he did. Every time the owner went near him with the muzzle, the dog went ballistic, barking, yelping, and growling. The owner became concerned about the dog’s stress level and asked if she could reschedule the groom when the house was quiet and food was out of sight. She then took out her checkbook, paid the cancellation fee without being asked and made an appointment for the following week.

 

This Policy/Release Form turned what have could have been a negative experience into a positive. Upon grooming the dogs, both customers rescheduled, paid the fees and tipped. I made a total of $225.00 for two

little dogs.

 

If you are starting a new business, it’s a good idea to have a Policy/Release Form in place. If you don’t have one, it’s never too late to implement one. Don’t be intimidated about asking your existing customers to sign it. When you get dressed in the morning, don’t forget to put your “backbone” on, no matter what your age. This form is for your protection and makes good business sense.

 

When I do my bookkeeping on Saturday, I know I’ve earned every penny and every hour is accounted for. I see myself as a business owner, who is honest and fair, who has the respect of her clients. I give my heart and soul to every dog on my table. I work hard. Time is precious when you are a groomer. Make every minute count.

 

Ellen Ehrlich

GO MOBILE AND SUCCEED

Atlanta Pet Fair

I know why I’m crazy about grooming! All I need to do is spend three days at the Atlanta Pet Fair. This is a fabulous show. From an attendee’s perspective, it is well run, organized, and fun. This is my forth APF in five years. Since I go to three or four major conventions a year, I’m always comparing shows. Since it’s such a terrific value, I place Atlanta Pet Fair at the top of my list. 

For the price, Atlanta Pet Fair can’t be beat. There’s a free shuttle bus that takes you back and forth from the airport to the hotel. The stylist seminar package is only $109.00. If you split a hotel room with two or three grooming friends, it’s affordable. Groomers...save your tips. Put Atlanta Pet Fair into your calendar for next year. I know I am.

The seminars are first rate. My four favorites were:

1:  Mobility Success with Kristen Fulton.  With knowledge and enthusiasm, Kristen covered many topics that are important to mobile groomers. She asked an important question. “Do you know what it costs you to groom each dog in  your van?" How many of us know the answer to this question? I know I don’t but I am going to take the time to find out.

2.  101 and 102 Grooming Tips with Daryl Conner.  I am a groomer who is always looking for ways to save time, work efficiently and improve my final result. In her fun and entertaining style, Daryl shared many tips and ideas that she has collected over the years.

3.  Forced Air Drying with Melissa Verplank.  In my world, drying the dog on the table is the biggest time eater. Nothing is more important then getting that dog dry as quickly as possible, especially when you groom one dog at a time in a mobile van.

4.  The Popular Vote Counts…. with Christina Pawlosky and Judy Hudson.  Wow! Those ladies are good! They did three cute pet trims on a maltese, yorkie, and a shih tzu, in an hour. I enjoyed listening and watching them as they described what they did and how they did it.

The grooming contests at Atlanta Pet Fair attract the very best competition groomers. You have to remember, many of these groomers fly with their pets or travel hundreds of miles to get to the show with a car or van full of dogs. Some of these dogs belong to their customers and are groomed for free throughout the year. Dogs are also rented. Many competitors own a houseful of full coated cockers, bichons, and standard poodles so they have the dog(s) they need to compete. It’s a huge commitment, and it’s expensive, time consuming and stressful. They do not have the same experience we have when going to a grooming show. They wake up early, to care for the dogs and prepare for the show. There are a lot of nervous jitters. Anybody that competes is a winner in my book, especially first timers. I give them all so much credit! Groomers that compete give us, the spectators, the opportunity to observe the best of the best. We appreciate all the hard work and effort it takes.

If you’ve never been to a grooming show, let that be your goal this year. There are so many reasons to attend.

1. There is always something new to learn in our industry.

2. You can make new friends with others who have the same interests as you.

3. You will have the opportunity to see all the new tools and products on the market.

4. You have the opportunity to watch award-winning groomers demonstrate trims on the trade show floor and in the competition ring.

5. You can purchase the things you need and save money because many of the vendors offer show specials and you won’t have to pay shipping costs.

6. A grooming show is the perfect place to purchase shears because it gives you the opportunity to have a custom fit.

7. Fun! Fun! Fun! A grooming show is my vacation. How many business owners can say that?

April 3-5 I’ll be at the Backer Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show in Baltimore, Maryland. This show is geared toward the pet industry and includes educational seminars. One of my fellow bloggers, Mary Oquendo, will be there, giving a seminar in Pet First Aid and CPR.

Some of the Internet groomers got together for a Mexican dinner at Uncle Julio’s on Friday night. Chuck, from the Groomers Helper, was gracious enough to treat all the ladies to a round of margaritas. It was fun meeting you all in Atlanta!  I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

We are a very lucky bunch!

 

Welcome To My Blog!

Welcome to my blog! This is an exciting day for me. I look forward to spending time with all of you as I write about grooming, with my focus on mobile grooming. My life has taken so many exciting turns and changed dramatically since I got my standard poodle, Jesse, in 2002. He opened my eyes to the world of grooming and I’ve never looked back. I went to grooming school when I was fifty years old and embarked on a new career, mobile grooming. Three years later, I have a successful business and I’ve never been happier. This second career has blossomed into a third career, much to my surprise! I’m a writer now and the author of GO MOBILE AND SUCCEED, The MUST HAVE Manual for Starting and Growing Your Mobile Grooming Business. Grooming has become the driving force in my life. It is my healthy obsession. I never tire of thinking, reading, and writing about grooming. I’ve never had so much fun using my talents, running my own business, and hanging out with my grooming buddies.

One thing for sure, I would never be where I am today if it wasn’t for all of you, the Internet groomers. I have learned so much online by asking questions and reading the questions and answers of others. This is our college, our graduate school. Continuing education is crucial in kicking your skills up a notch, especially for someone like myself, who works alone. I’ve come a long way since I got started thanks to all of you. 

Many of you may know me on this site. My screen name is: wet noze. I will be at Atlanta Pet Fair next week. If you would like to see the book or have any questions about it, please send me an email or a PM. Happy Mobile Grooming!