Go Mobile and Succeed

Celebrating The Holidays

Groomers love the holiday season! Some spend quite a bit of time thinking of and preparing gifts for their canine, feline and even their human customers. Why do groomers do it when no other service industry does? I’ve never gotten a gift from my hairdresser or my accountant nor do I expect one. This season I promised myself I wouldn’t do holiday gifts but as December drew closer I couldn’t resist getting into the spirit. Off I went ordering coffee and handmade soap for my extra special customers and cookies and toys for my furry friends. Out came my camera and I started taking pictures of the dogs in November so the photos would be ready for their holiday appointment in December. For someone who wasn’t going to do anything, this year I was way over the top!

 

 

 
  
 I know why I do it. I just can’t resist. I enjoy giving my customers and their pets something special. It’s fun. It’s how I express my gratitude and lets my customers know they are appreciated. Giving and receiving a gift makes both sides happy.

 

Many groomers have talents besides grooming so it’s also a task they enjoy. We tend to be creative folk who like to work with our hands. We’re caretakers too. We don’t sit at a desk surrounded by computers, paper and phones. We have warm and fuzzy critters on our table all day so there’s an emotional bond. I know I don’t have to give a gift. I want to.

 

That’s why I think groomers are so fabulously awesome. They put time and effort into it, trying to outdo what they did the year before. I know that some groomers make ornaments and cast paw prints in cement. They bake their own cookies and make their own hair, bows, collar bows, bow ties and even fleece blankets. They set up a spot in their shop or van with holiday backdrops and props. Who else on the planet would do these thing? Only groomers, of course! Groomers also love to share their ideas and tips on the Internet, with many posting pictures. Quite often it’s a hot topic on the grooming boards in the fall and there are always old threads to look up all year round.

 

Many of these gifts can be done on a shoestring budget. I usually buy high quality dog toys in the sale category of online pet catalogs. Sometimes I purchase goodies at grooming shows. You can also find toys on ebay as well as holiday and seasonal fabrics for bandanas. A holiday gift might be something as simple as putting dog cookies in a cellophane bag and tying it with festive ribbon. (www.nashvillewraps.com)

For groomers on a tight budget, you can always give each customer a holiday card with a coupon for a free blueberry facial, tooth brushing or nail trim.

 

In giving our gifts, we just need to be sensitive to one thing. We need to be prepared for all the holidays. We’ve got Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, some celebrate two holidays some don’t celebrate at all. I try to have all my bases covered. When I pull up for a mobile appointment and I see the Christmas lights or the menorah in the window, that’s a no-brainer. And if I’m not sure, I just ask. Not only do I have all the holiday toys (red and green and blue) but I also have lots of generic toys and bandanas. I’ve got something for everybody!

 

 
 This is also the time to send a holiday card to customers that haven’t had their dog or cat recently groomed. This might serve as a gentle reminder for them to call you and book an appointment for January when you will have appointments available.

 

Wishing all my friends, near and far, a happy, healthy, wonderful holiday and New Year. I know we'll

all be up to our eyeballs in dog hair until December 24^th! I hope everyone get lots of grooming goodies for holiday gifts. Let’s make 2010 a year where we all work smarter, not harder, grow and learn together and take some time off to smell the roses.  

 

Ellen Ehrlich  Author of the book Go Mobile And Succeed

 

 

 

 

If You Love What You Do....

It’s hard to believe that five years ago I didn’t know a thing about pet grooming. The only experience I had with grooming goes back to when I was a kid. We took our brown mutts in the back yard, purchased for $5.00 from a local pet shop, and washed them with a hose. Wow! Things have changed. 
 
When I graduated from grooming school and started my mobile business, I faced the scariest days of my life. Not only was I terrified driving my brand new Sprinter, I was also on my own when it came time to groom the dog. There was no instructor to advise me on what blade to use: there was no one to hold the dog if I needed help. I’ll always remember that first dog. I picked up my scissor and my hand was shaking! In addition, I was working in a brand new grooming van so I was in unfamiliar territory. Looking back, I have to laugh. I must have been crazy! 
 
Well, I was crazy. I was crazy about grooming and mobile grooming. Even with all my newbie nerves, failure was not an option. I ran my business like an old pro and it wasn’t an act. It felt so right. I groomed the dogs the very best I could, printing out pictures from the Internet or referring to Notes From The Grooming Table. I made reminder calls and showed up on time. My van was always spotless and I looked neat and professional. I never had a complaint about my grooms. My customers were happy. Sure, I was winging it but I was giving it all that I had. Every night and to this day I continue to read every word written about grooming. 
 
Now I’m on an exciting new path as I travel the road through cat grooming school. This was something I turned down while in grooming school. I just wasn’t ready. I’d never had a cat or really interacted with cats. I knew grooming cats was risky and could be dangerous. I’m not sure exactly what happened and why I changed my mind. One day I just got tired of turning all those kitty’s away and began to reconsider grooming cats. Now, I’m so glad I did! I’m really enjoying learning about cats and when I graduate I will be prepared and trained. 
 
Truth be known, my life would never be the same. That was a good thing and I was so ready. My kids were growing up and flying from the nest. It was time to shut the door on my sewing business after fifteen years. It all started when I got that crazy poodle in 2002. Who would have ever known! It just goes to show you that at fifty years old you can reinvent yourself and start a whole new life. Every night I come home and tell my DH how much I love my van, about my wonderful customers and pets. I’m so blessed. There’s an old saying that goes: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day on your life.” I know this rings true for me and many of my friends here at petgroomer.com. 
 
I just want to say thank you to all of you that read my blog. I got some exciting news from Stephen last week. I’ve gotten over 5,500 hits! I was amazed! If you read it, I’ll continue to write it! 
 
Wishing you all a happy, healthy Thanksgiving! 
 
Ellen Ehrlich Author of the book “Go Mobile And Succeed” 

Animal Planet 11/12/09

You know it’s your lucky day when Animal Planet calls. They had found my website on the Internet when they were looking for a grooming assistant and a mobile van for their show “From Underdog To Wonderdog.” It was just too good to be true. “Can you clear your calendar for Thursday?” they asked. “Of course I can” was all I could say, in total shock. I could not believe something like this was happening. As it began to sink in, a strange calm came over me. I wasn’t a bit nervous. I was ready, willing and able. Everything I had ever done in my grooming career gave me the confidence I needed. 
                            

 
I arrived an hour early at the location. When the crew arrived, everybody started working. There was a director, sound engineer, and three production assistants. They looked over the van and started setting up the shots. I met the head groomer, Ali, who made me feel welcome and part of the team. She had never worked in a mobile van and was looking forward to the opportunity. 

    

           
As the day progressed, I enjoyed watching the entire process. Many times I was there to support Ali, acting as back up, as I ran the grooming portion of the van. When I was asked to jump in, I did my very best. The highlight of the day was at the second appointment where two dogs needed to be groomed. Ali and I groomed and bathed the dogs, side by side. Everyone marveled at the efficiency and “look” of my van. I was so proud! 
 

                    
To finish up “the shoot” the director interviewed Ali, asking questions and doing sound bites. And then they turned to me. “It’s your turn!” As I faced the camera, I took a deep breath and organized my thoughts. This was my moment and I embraced it with my heart and soul. I will never forget this very special day. I felt like the luckiest groomer on the planet. 

Ellen Ehrlich Author of the book Go Mobile And Succeed