If you love animals and have always dreamed of working with them, it’s time to turn your hobby into a real business. The number of pets in Ukraine is growing, and with it the demand for professional care. More and more people want their pets to look good and happy, and these are just the perfect conditions to open your own grooming salon! Of course, making everything perfect requires some careful planning, business ideas and preparation, so we’ve prepared a step-by-step plan for you to help make this dream a reality.

Step 1. Market analysis and salon concept

Before you invest time and money in your salon, do a little research to help you see the whole picture. Take a few days to find out how pet-friendly your neighborhood is. Pay attention to how many people with dogs and cats are around, which grooming services are popular, how many salons there are already and whether there is really a demand for a new one. This will allow you to understand business ideas and which salon will be a favorite place for your future customers and which services will make it special.

Think about what you want to focus on: will it be a universal place for all animals or do you want to specialize in something separate, perhaps caring for a specific breed? Also think about whether you want to create one stylish salon or see yourself as the owner of a whole chain. Or maybe you are interested in a franchise option?

Step 2. Business plan of a beauty salon for animals: how to open your business?

A pet grooming business plan is your road map to creating the salon of your dreams. It will help to collect all ideas in one clear plan, where you can understand how much money is actually needed, how to organize everything and what will bring profit. Here are some important points to include.

  • Interior description. Think about exactly what services you want to provide and to whom, what will be the highlight of the salon.
  • Market analysis. See what the competitors around you are offering, what their prices are, if there is anything special, and what you could do better.
  • Marketing strategy. How exactly will you tell the world about your salon: maybe you will hold interesting promotions for the opening, and on social networks you will organize raffles or show the behind-the-scenes of grooming?
  • Financial plan. Be sure to calculate how much money you will need to start, how much for monthly maintenance, and how much you plan to earn.
  • Operational plan. Describe how the salon will work every day: work schedule, number of employees, service standards.

Such a plan will help not only to see the full picture, but also to avoid unnecessary costs and uncertainty. And if you doubt that your business plan is viable, we have great news.

V.O.G DOG ACADEMY launched the Mentorship project, where our wonderful mentors and teachers share their knowledge and experience, so you will succeed in opening your own grooming salon on the first try.

Currently, there are three types of packages: “Lite”, “Standard” and “Premium”, and choosing any of them, you will have the opportunity to acquire concentrated knowledge from our director on all business processes.

 

Step 3. Preparation of documents and business registration

What is needed to open a grooming salon? First, you need to officially register your business. In Ukraine, you can register it as a FOP (individual entrepreneur) or LLC (limited liability company). Here, everything depends on how you imagine your salon: compact and cozy or large-scale and with a large team of professionals. Further, certain permits and licenses may be required, so it’s worth finding out what is required in your city. For example, there may be requirements for sanitary conditions and fire safety. And another good idea is to take out insurance. It will save you from unnecessary worries if unexpected situations with animals or equipment suddenly arise.

 

Step 4. Selection of premises and purchase of equipment

Choosing a place for your salon is a responsible matter, because you want customers to feel comfortable from the first seconds. Therefore, pay attention to the convenience of the entrance, especially for those who will bring their large dogs. It is ideal if the salon will be in an area with a high population density, near parks for walking, training schools or veterinary clinics. These are precisely the places where the owners most often spend time with their pets.

Also consider that the room should be well lit and spacious enough to accommodate a reception and waiting area, several comfortable work areas for groomers, a place to sterilize tools and a bathroom with wool filters.

By the way, installing video cameras in work areas adds transparency to work and helps avoid misunderstandings if questions suddenly arise.

Regarding equipment: start with basic things, and then gradually expand the set. You will definitely need:

  • Grooming tables with fixings;
  • Bath;
  • Silent hair dryers, boosters or drying boxes;
  • Tools for haircuts: scissors, machines with nozzles, combs, fluffers, coat cutters, grinders, trimmers;
  • Disinfection equipment for cleanliness and safety;
  • Washing and drying machines;
  • Cash register;
  • Computer or laptop.

Step 5. Recruitment of personnel

The team is the heart of the grooming salon: they know how to take care of animals, they really love them and feel that your salon is a special place. At the beginning, if you have experience in grooming, you can work independently, and then, so that everything goes like clockwork, invite specialists. An ideal team consists of:

  • Groomers who know how to find an approach to each client, remaining patient, caring and calm even in stressful situations.
  • Assistant groomers who provide comfort and order.
  • Administrators, who are always in touch with customers, take calls, keep records and ensure that harmony prevails in the salon.

Eventually, you may need an SMM manager for social media to show the world all the beauty of your salon, an accountant to keep your finances in order, and a cleaning lady to maintain coziness.

By purchasing the “Standard” package of the “Mentorship” project from V.O.G DOG ACADEMY, you will receive advice on hiring employees, a great opportunity to train a groomer and administrator, and when purchasing the “Premium” package, you will also receive a future salon manager.

 

Step 6. Development of pricing policy and services

Compiling a price list is an interesting process, because you create a list of services so that they are affordable and attractive to your customers, but at the same time correspond to the level of local prices. Divide services by breed type and weight category. It is only logical that the care of a small dog or a large one will differ, and this should be taken into account in the pricing.

You should also think about additional services. Dental care, moisturizing mask, cleaning of paraanal glands and express shedding are excellent additions to basic care. Such small things will make your salon even more attractive and show customers that you are ready to take care of every detail.

 

Step 7. Marketing and advertising

Branding should be done with love for details. First, come up with a name that would immediately evoke positive associations and not be similar to others. Check that the name is not used anywhere else, register it as a domain, and you can start creating a recognizable logo. Fantasize and choose the best design option for your space. It should be something cozy and warm so that your customers want to come back again and again.

And now let’s talk about how to attract customers:

  • Social networks are your main assistant. Create a profile on Instagram and TikTok, post photos of transformations, customer reviews and show behind-the-scenes grooming. It is interesting, informative and increases the reach of the audience.
  • A site with online registration will make the registration process much easier for customers and will give them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with all your services, limited offers and pricing policy.
  • Promotions and discounts. Who doesn’t love discounts for the first visit or bonuses for regular customers? This will help them feel special value.
  • Word of mouth radio is an award for conscientious work. Satisfied customers will tell all their friends and acquaintances about you.
  • Cooperation with vet clinics and pet stores will help to find new customers among those who already care about the health of their pets.

Step 8. Opening the cabin

After all the stages of preparation, you are almost at the finish line. You need to decide on the date of the grand opening of the grooming salon and think of business cards, small gifts for the first visitors, discount certificates and special offers to create that first impression that will stay with your customers forever. Invite friends, family, local bloggers, vets, and anyone who would be excited to see your dream come to life. We are sure that the support of loved ones, the shining eyes of new visitors and the atmosphere of care and love will be with you for many, many years.

 

Step 9. Assessment and business development

After a great opening day, keep in touch with customers: follow feedback, respond to comments, take their wishes into account. This will help you make adjustments to existing services, improve them and maintain warm relations with those who believed in your salon from the very beginning. And if you want something new, you can consider the idea of ​​creating your own pet store, veterinary clinic or grooming school. This is a great opportunity to expand your business and give customers even more pleasure.

So, now you know how to open a grooming salon from scratch, how to create your own world where you will be surrounded by happy animals, happy owners and true love for your business. And if you want to adopt our experience, take into account our mistakes when creating your own salons, speed up the process and have the support of our team 24/7 before the opening of the salon and one month after – you are welcome to join our “Mentorship” project from V.O.G DOG ACADEMY.