Questions... Dog Grooming

[LittleMonster]

I have posted in another part of this Forum earlier but i think this is most relative to the topic!
Sorry for all the questions!

I'm starting a dog grooming business in the next few years but i need help as i'm thinking of doing a survey and putting it through the doors of people around my area to get an idea of what they are looking for in a dog groomer. Is this a good idea?

I was going to also offer an exclusive free groom to the people that answered my survey to try and boost word of mouth!
I'm thinking i should do this after i have got all my equipment ect set up and ready to go (will have a part time job hopefully when starting up!) but there is a slight catch... i would like to take pictures of their dogs before and after with consent to use in my leaflets and on my website.


I was thinking maybe an online survey but don't know how to set one up?
Where can i start a website?
One more? Anyone know about insurance for Dog Groomers? (i will based at home)

Thank you in advance for reading

 

[california dreaming]

Hi. I am a qualified dog groomer and run my own business from home. My experience of what the public want is this. They want you to be all things to all people, and this is of course impossible. You need to be professional and profitable. go on a good dog grooming course that will teach you how to run a profitable dog grooming business as well as how to groom all breeds of dog to a high standard. It's nice to be busy but not a busy fool if you know what I mean. There are plenty of good tech people to help you set a website up. Good luck.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Best bit of advice I can offer you is to join the English Grooomer's Group on Facebook.

Doing a survey is great -- and people might take you up on the freebie groom. Don't expect that they'll come back once you've started charging. People can be funny and only go when it's free or cheap - and then want you to give that same deal to them again and again.

Go to grooming school, build a portfolio (people don't mind using their pets in advertising I've found) and expect a sloooooowww start.

 

[LittleMonster]

Thank you for your replies!

I have been looking at courses and i know it will take me a while to get started! ]
There is a course i have found and it is an intensive 25 day course, (city and guild qualification) which i'm really considering and it will take me some time to build up the money!
So have decided i don't want to rush too much into it knowing that the starting up process will be slow! So i will be doing part time hours around a part time job to keep myself a float!

California dreaming - thank you! nice to hear advice from a dog groomer! i will be setting up the website and telephone (pay as you go) once my course is complete and i can offer the best service i can!

Thank you PucciNPoni i shall have a look!

Merry Christmas btw!