Archive for the ‘Pet Sitting’ Category

Have you ever thought about running your own pet grooming business? In 2009, pet owners in the U.S. spent 45 billion dollars on products and services for their pets, and in 2010 the projected number is 47.7 billion dollars. We are a country that loves and cares for the comfort and well being of our pets! It is not unusual to find pet-friendly outdoor restaurants that offer iced water bowls and treats to include your pet in the dining experience and hotels are also becoming pet-friendly by offering free stays for Fido while hooking him up with pillow services, doggie baskets and spa appointments with a dog masseuse. Hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and Yoga to pamper and connect with your dog are also new trends in luxury pet care.

Pet businesses collectively represent the 7th largest retail segment in the U.S. – and that segment is still growing!  If you have a passion for pets and an entrepreneurial spirit, now is the time to start a business doing what you love. The profit margin for a pet care business can be as much as 68 percent. But like any small business, a successful grooming salon requires a business strategy and plan. Before taking the leap into the pet grooming business, look into the following areas to map out a plan for your dream pet spa.

Conducting Market Research for a Pet Grooming Business:

Focus your research on industry trends, customer needs, and your local competition. Enroll in professional associations, newsletters and blogs and become part of the conversation; insider industry information is disseminated through these channels. Discover which services and products customers value in the pet grooming salon by talking to pet owners and spa owners. Visit your competition as a customer to see what services they offer and what you can bring to the industry that sets you apart from the other service providers. If an area is saturated with grooming salons, consider a mobile pet grooming business.

Licensing for a Small Pet Grooming Business:

Check with your state to learn about regulations and permits required for operating a pet grooming business. Pet groomers are not required to become licensed groomers to provide grooming services. However, to increase your credentials, and give credence to your skills, the National Dog Groomers Association of America certifies dog groomers and holds ongoing professional development seminars and workshops.

Developing an Integrated Marketing Plan for a Pet Grooming Business:

The ultimate goal of any small business is to turn a profit while offering a quality service. An integrated marketing plan combines four core components to make your small business successful. These are Products and Services, Price, Promotion and Distribution. What specific services will you provide? In the grooming business  you can have a basic bath, cut, dry and nail clip service or you can include more trendy stylized services like fur dying. Your market research should guide these decisions. Consider the cost of equipment, the venue and overhead required to provide these services. Will you sell products in your spa? A sizeable 10 billion dollars was spent in 2009 on pet products!

Pet Grooming Business Promotion:

How will you market your new pet grooming business? You might want to consider a mixture of  traditional print media and 21st century technologies to get the word out on your salon. Posting flyers in veterinarian offices and pet stores will target customers in your community directly. Direct mail marketing and newspaper classified ads are also effective marketing strategies. These days, most people seeking information turn to the Internet. Building a website and joining social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to generate word of mouth business.  There are some online companies, such as demandmart.com, that offer online marketing suites for small businesses that facilitate coupon promotions, customer loyalty programs, virtual storefronts and other SEO marketing tools, all in one in place, to bring you more customers from the Internet.

Pet Grooming Business Distribution:

How you distribute your services depends on the need in your area, the nature of your pet grooming services, and the type of customer service and vision you have for your pet spa.  There are a variety of ways to service your clients. Some options include a storefront – preferably high traffic areas where people will see your business -your home, a partnership with a veterinarian or pet shop, or a mobile grooming business where you bring your services to your clients.

These are just a few tips for getting your pet grooming business of the ground. As a small business owner, the important thing to remember is to provide quality services and products without growing too rapidly. The pet grooming industry offers many resources online, in print and across the country in expos and conventions to support your business and the industry. Now is the time to turn your passion for furry companions into a lucrative pet grooming business – and anything that improves the health, behavior and overall well being of  your pet has potential for success!

Dog owners value professional and dependable pet services; such as pet sitting or a dog walking business and are willing to pay for them – helping to make the pet segment the 7th largest retail segment of the U.S. economy. Operating a pet-care business from home brings the added bonus of convenience for you and your client. Stay at home moms, students, or people looking for a second income can easily and inexpensively build a small business from home by offering pet services such as dog walking, dog sitting, dog training or pet photography. In this article you will find helpful information to get you started on a dog walking business. This is a great small business idea for those who love dogs and who genuinely enjoy participating in a dog’s life!

Starting a Dog Walking Business

Full time professionals who have pets at home alone all day often hire a dog walker to visit once a day to walk, play with or feed their canine friend. This is typically less expensive and more convenient than a doggy day care and in many urban professinal areas this valuable service is in high demand. You may already have walked your own dog hundreds of times, so you have some experience.

Here are Some Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting Your Own Dog Walking Business:

•    Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about dogs, differences in breeds, and temperaments – especially if you are expecting to walk more than one dog at a time.

•    Decrease liability: Get yourself bonded and insured.  Evidence of police background checks will make your clients feel more secure when you enter their home regularly, and make your dog walking business seem more legitimate.

•    Establish credentials: Take dog training and first aid classes. Your clients will appreciate this expertise.  Also learn how to handle aggressive dogs, and dogs in heat, as you are likely to encounter such circumstances at some point.

•    Add value to your services: Set competitive prices but undersell your service; charge a fair price and add value by offering services that set you apart from other dog walkers in the area. A brushing after a walk? On leash training? Socialization with like-minded dogs?

•    Be prepared: Keep phone numbers of veterinarians and back up walkers as well as all clients on you while walking the dogs. Make sure that treats and toys are out of reach of the dogs as you walk and keep extra supplies available, such as collars, poop bags, water and portable water dishes

Marketing Your Dog Walking Business

Word-of-mouth is the most important marketing tool for any dog walking business. It is important to establish a good reputation with your initial customers to help your business grow. But beyond word-of-mouth, good marketing strategies can help accelerate that growth – here are some inexpensive ideas to bring you more customers:

•     Post flyers and business cards on community bulletin boards, and in pet shops, vet offices and apartment building lobbies.

•    Keep business cards with you always, especially when you are providing dog-walking services. Visit dog parks and make friends with pet owners.

•    Build a website and social network page to create a community of customers and expand your network.

Successful dog walkers enjoy the freedom of being their own boss, earning money, doing what they love, and providing an invaluable service people need.  A happy, well cared for dog generates happy humans! The dog walking business is a win-win enterprise.

If you have experience working with animals or are just an animal lover, then starting a work at home pet sitting business may be right for you. Pet sitters offer an important role to pet owners and help keep the one hundred and forty-five million pets in this country healthy and happy. As a pet sitter, you’ll offer a valuable service to busy pet owners who are on vacation or who need someone to take care of their pets during the day.

Getting started in pet sitting is very simple. To begin with, you’ll need to decide if this really is a business that you want to pursue. First off, ask yourself if you really love animals? If you are considering pet sitting just because you think it will be an easy job, then it is not right for you. You must enjoy spending time with animals and have at least a little experience in being around them. While most pet sitting jobs involve dogs and cats, you may occasionally be asked to care for rabbits, birds or reptiles. Make sure you are comfortable with these pets before accepting assignments involving them.

Legal Pet Sitting Business

Start your business by becoming legal. Obtaining a business license doesn’t cost much and will give you a professional edge when getting new clients. You’ll also be able to take advantage of many tax write-offs, including your costs for mileage to and from your customer’s homes and any necessary business supplies.

Speaking of business supplies, all you’ll really need are business cards and an appointment book to keep track of your assignments. Unlike other work at home businesses, the start up necessities for pet sitting are relatively low.

Pet Sitting Fees

Next, you’ll need to decide on what services you offer and how much you are going to charge. Play detective and find out the going rate for pet sitting services in your area. Try to stay in the same range. Offering lower prices may seem like a way to beat the competition, but it also makes your services appear less valuable to potential clients. You can print your rates on the back of your business cards, or make up a small flyer with prices listed on it.

Growing Your Pet Sitting Business

Getting clients for your pet sitting business may be the most difficult part of running the business. However, with a little effort you can build a client list rather quickly. The best way to get clients and assignments is by word of mouth. Offer to pet sit for neighbors and friends to help build your reputation. Once you’ve done a good job for them, they’ll tell their friends and so on.

You can also use a few free and low cost advertising methods to get the word out about your business. You can distribute your cards at local pet shops, or post a flyer on their bulletin boards. Ask your vet if they would put some of your business cards on their reception desk, or recommend you to other pet owners. A small ad in your local paper can really help get the ball rolling for your business.

Once you have clients calling you for pet sitting appointments, make sure to keep them by treating them with great customer service. Always arrive on time and prepared to watch their pets. Respect their home and their property. If they enjoy your pet sitting service, they’ll be more likely to call you in the future.