The Daily Groomer

After Hours Episode 34: It's summer so you know what that means?? Gemini season!! Shannon talks about how to prepare for a summer of grooming, taking vacations, summer policies and even bartering. Get more grooming content online at thedailygroomer.com

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I had the privilege of speaking with Arielle Scavnicky, founder of the Cleveland Grooming Academy. With 14 years of grooming experience and double certification as a Master Groomer, Arielle shared insights on the importance of proper education and hands-on learning in the grooming industry. She emphasized the need for comprehensive programs, like her academy's 300-hour course, which covers everything from bathing to styling. Arielle believes grooming is both an art and a science, requiring attention to detail and continuous learning. She also stressed the significance of quality tools and certifications for groomers. Our conversation shed light on the evolving standards of grooming education and its impact on the industry. Timestamps 03:50 Digital education, pros and cons, grooming school 07:34 Specializing in hand stripping for dog grooming 13:06 Enthusiastic comments on dissecting grooming kit contents 16:09 Debating certifications' impact on grooming industry outcomes 19:18 Encouraging students to stay informed and connected Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @cleveland_grooming! For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠. Then, Join the Pack at ⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community

After Hours Episode #33: Jane Gallagher is BACK! Shannon and Jane talk all about breed standards, burnout, once a years, and the dawn groomers!

Summary In this episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with the dynamic duo, Monica and Shannon Delafuente, owners of a successful mobile and salon grooming business in Chicago. We discuss their journey from corporate grooming to launching their own business, how they manage growing demand, and the importance of education, top-quality tools, and employee satisfaction. Key topics include strategies for preventing burnout, motivating staff with high commissions, and their involvement in animal rescue. They also share their community-focused approach and future expansion plans. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiring stories from these innovative entrepreneurs. Timestamps 00:00 Entrepreneurial advice and origins of business 03:40 Successful business owners transition from corporate to private 14:33 How do you keep your employees happy? 21:30 Initial doubts led to successful pricing strategy 34:52 Communication and understanding key for groomers' success Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media ⁠⁠What A Wonderful Woof Chicago⁠⁠ For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, visit our website at ⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠. Then, Join the Pack at ⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community

After Hours Episode #32: Claudia Castellanos sits down with Shannon to talk mobile grooming! We talk about opening a mobile salon, DIY, & building up mobile experience.

Summary In this enlightening episode of The Daily Groomer, join me, Alex Martin, as I dive into the bustling world of salon ownership with the dynamic duo, Doug and Lisa Meyers. We'll explore the intricacies of customer rebooking tactics, the fairness of employee commission structures, and the nuts and bolts of transforming a grooming salon into a thriving business. Grab your notepads, fellow groomers, as the Meyers share invaluable insights from their journey to a remarkable monthly revenue. Got dreams of salon success? Don't miss this insider look at the grooming game. Timestamps 00:00 Couple bought a salon, easier than construction. 06:04 Evaluating a business opportunity before making a decision. 08:55 Owner was friends, guilt feeling, successful business. 11:18 Prospective entrepreneurs inquire about financial options and processes. 16:25 Upgraded dryers for quicker dog drying process. 18:57 Grooming prices started at $44, now $60. 21:41 Maintain same schedule, software, and handwritten logs. 25:19 Salon purchased for $50k, revenue improving. 27:00 Impressive progress; essential grooming tool for Lisa. 30:31 Impressed and appreciative, thanks for sharing.

After Hours Episode #31: Amy Paddock joins Shannon all the way from Newfoundland, Canada to talk all things handling, energy, and learning!

Summary On today's episode of The Daily Groomer, we're joined by Michael Hill, founder of Well Groomed Pets, who shares invaluable insights on managing costs, the benefits of hourly wages, and the responsibility of groomers in pet wellness. We delve into leveraging technology for business efficiency, and Michael introduces his 50-point canine wellness check system that's revolutionizing the industry. Prepare to be inspired by Michael's paradigm shift from just grooming to comprehensive canine care, and learn how you can make a meaningful impact in your grooming business and beyond. Join us for this enlightening session with Michael Hill! Timestamps: 00:00 Podcast host interviews franchise founder on grooming. 06:20 Veterinarians reactive, groomers proactive in pet health. 08:57 Controversy over grooming's role in pet health. 11:53 Non-professionals can train to monitor pet wellness. 14:12 Amazing collaboration for pet care industry success. 17:41 Dog groomers use calipers to monitor lumps. 21:52 Franchise revenue validates market demand, consider costs. 26:31 Balancing revenue, cost, and animal wellness in grooming. 28:00 Delegate, focus, grow: key to business success. 32:04 Over 2 million canine wellness data points. 36:00 Indie stores not in competition, enough demand. 36:45 Grateful for industry insights, eager for more.

After Hours Episode #30: Coming at you LIVE from Virginia with Josh Davis to recap the week in mobile grooming!

Summary In this eye-opening episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with the legendary John Hewitt about the transformative power of exceptional customer service in the pet industry. We delve into John's innovative strategies for ensuring customer satisfaction, his journey with Zoom and Groom, and his insights on pricing models that foster loyalty and success. Plus, John offers a generous giveaway for our listeners. Don't miss this deep dive into building a thriving mobile grooming empire with one of the titans of franchising. Tune in for invaluable advice that could change your grooming business forever! Timestamps: 00:00 Built successful tax chain in US, Canada. Competed, thrived. 04:24 Loyalty brands offers business support and experience. 09:48 Curiosity about pet industry acquisition process summarized. 13:44 Entrepreneur focused on expanding in pet industry. 14:53 Mobile business vs. retail: key differences? 18:49 Inquiring about van layout, scaling, and marketing. 23:46 Franchisees take calculated risks, love pet industry. 27:21 Experienced business student emphasizes inspecting expectations. 28:27 Inspect expectations, seek customer feedback for accuracy. 35:06 Most groomers fail to ask for referrals. 36:26 Resolved issue of asking for referrals effectively. 41:42 John, truth speaker, shares wins and mistakes. 45:30 Manager returns money, avoids future customer issues. 46:21 Incorporate cost of spoilage into service fees. 50:07 Customer retention improves when problems are solved.

After Hours Episode #29: Shannon gives a recap of the weekly grooming gossip!

Summary: Welcome to The Daily Groomer! I'm your host, Alex Martin, and today we're diving into the meticulous world of cat grooming with the founders of Happy Cat, Chris Raimo and Hillary Lanning. We unravel the delicate art and necessity of feline grooming, debunk myths, and explore how Happy Cat Hotel caters to our whiskered friends' well-being. Timestamps: 00:00 Demand for extended cat care led to hotel concept. 05:50 Education needed for routine cat grooming services. 09:12 Cats need grooming and specialized care. 10:05 Groomers play proactive role in pet wellness. 13:50 Successful cat grooming requires passion and skill. 18:02 Grooming cats is both technical and spiritual. 22:18 Cats can be like dogs, but not. 25:24 Special tools and consultations for cat grooming. 29:34 Solving severe cat allergies through bath routine. 32:16 Pet grooming benefits pets and owners, health-wise. 36:50 Praise for cat grooming business, future interview. 37:54 Can be both a dog and cat person.

After Hours Episode #28: Shannon and Vanessa talk all things life, love, creating grooming, and the pursuit of happiness!

Summary Welcome to The Daily Groomer! I'm your host, Alex Martin, and today I'm joined by Rian Thiele, co-founder of Pet Evolution. We dive into the dynamic world of pet grooming, discussing how self-serve dog washes shape the grooming industry and opening up about the holistic approach to pet care. Join us as we explore the importance of early health detection, the success behind Pet Evolution's mobile nail trimming service, and the impressive results of their membership program. It's all about enhancing our pets' lives through thoughtful nutrition, grooming, and fostering strong community ties. Tune in for some truly insightful tales of tails! Timestamps: 00:00 Founder started pet food store to address allergies. 05:28 Full service pet grooming, self-service dog washing. 06:56 Switching pet food can alleviate allergies. 10:58 Discussing pet nutrition and health benefits. 16:27 Pet grooming builds relationships and shows care. 17:47 Discussing retail-centric membership model's impact and potential. 23:04 Self-serve washing benefits pet grooming business. 24:12 Questioning self-service dog wash on company's website. 27:52 Mobile pet grooming service expands during COVID. 32:12 Start with nail trim services, gather feedback. 34:48 Embrace collaboration, it's a win-win situation.

After Hours Episode #27: Alyssa and Shannon dive into the world of creative grooming!

Summary Hey, fellow groomers and pet enthusiasts! I'm Alex Martin, your host for The Daily Groomer, and in today's episode, the inspiring Miki Gayle joins us. Miki's journey from taking over a rundown boarding facility to creating the flourishing Alpha Pet Resort is a must-hear. We'll dive into how aesthetics, relationships, and smart additions like grooming and training services can transform a pet business. Join us to discover the power of evolving services, learning from peers, and embracing social media. Get ready for an insightful conversation on growth, community building, and the art of grooming success! Timestamps: 00:00 Man responds to dog ad, starts business. 06:05 Turning facility into inviting dog-friendly environment. 07:25 Improving facilities for dogs; aesthetic and process changes. 11:07 Started grooming, learned from others, improved techniques. 13:12 Finding skilled groomers can be difficult. 17:22 Dog park had no bather, dogs got muddy. 21:59 Dog experts suggested learning via social media. 24:16 Use social media to showcase dogs at facility. 27:55 Considering expanding our rural business; potential growth. 29:34 Compliments on social media, website, and resort.

Summary Hey, Alex Martin here! On today's episode of The Daily Groomer, we're diving into the savvy business insights of Jackie Kilgore, founder of Paw City Pet Care. Jackie shares her journey from pet sitting to launching three grooming salons with a unique, stress-free approach. We'll uncover how bath dogs boost profitability, the smart overlap of grooming and pet sitting services, and tips on building trust to grow your client base. Jackie’s inspirational story is all about optimizing operations and a long-term mindset. Tune in to learn how you can finesse your grooming business for success! Timestamps 00:00 Started independent pet sitting, then partnered up. 06:06 Boldly taking chances pays off, creating success. 08:23 Pandemic led to pet grooming services. 11:56 Added second groomer, met special needs demand. 14:08 Sent messages, events, and suspense for clients. 18:59 Exploring business model for dog grooming utopia. 22:18 Different markets: dedicated salon vs pet sitting. 23:26 Promoting pet sitting alongside grooming services. 29:00 Signed lease, renovated salon, attracted new clients. 31:03 Build reputation, trust, and word-of-mouth advertising. 34:29 Free nail trimming as a client magnet. 36:53 Jackie, you're the best, a rock star.

After Hours Episode #26: Jess and Shannon get DEEP! Talking all things marketing, authenticity, and mobile grooming.

Summary In this episode of The Daily Groomer, I, Alex Martin, dive deep with grooming industry mavens Chris Lacquement and Ben into the heart of pet grooming entrepreneurship. We explore the power of customer retention, the effectiveness of word-of-mouth marketing, and the delicate balance between traditional and competitive grooming. Chris shares insights on fostering team growth, and both guests highlight the tactics they use for expanding their thriving grooming empire. Listen in as we uncover the secrets to not just running a successful grooming business but elevating the industry standard. Timestamps: 00:00 Old school grooming apprenticeship taught quality work. 08:43 Offered opportunities, no chasing, respecting individual choices. 10:36 Encourages growth, avoids limitations, values individual progress. 19:03 Modify breed-specific grooming techniques for faster results. 23:57 Efficient processes, challenges in hiring groomers. 26:07 Grooming process ensures consistent look for all dogs. 36:03 Business requires sacrifice, focus, and understanding. 37:04 Starting a business is overwhelming and complicated. 44:07 Delegated grooming work surpassed low expectations. 50:36 Balancing work, life, and video creation challenges. 52:52 Building a store, clashing with established methods. 01:00:59 Corporate work may entail low pay, grooming jobs pay more. 01:03:31 Mobile industry growth and small business challenges.

After Hours Episode 25: Shannon talks all things mobile, self confidence, and pricing with her friends Harley and Hannah.