No, we do not want to advertise L'Oréal here. ;-) So why this message? Because we want to show groomers that change does not have to be frightening.
One of the areas where we as professional dog groomers are all clearly seeing change today is in the financial area. The market is constantly changing and so are prices. There is no denying it: in many countries, we are currently facing high inflation. Many prices are skyrocketing. Everything is becoming more expensive: gas, water and electricity, raw materials, transport, etc. Not only products, but also services are getting more expensive.
The only way is up
Dog groomers are usually very creative people who do not like to deal with arithmetic and accounting. Moreover, the profession of dog grooming is still all too often seen as a well-paid hobby. Have you ever been in a situation where you spent much more time on a grooming task than expected or planned and were completely exhausted? Did you feel frustration and fear? Yes, you were proud of having groomed a dog with a very matted coat, but charging your client for that extra time would have been too much, wouldn’t it? What if your client is not satisfied with a price increase and thinking of going elsewhere? These thoughts have no doubt already crossed your mind.
Are you also afraid of disappointing or losing customers? Let us reassure you straight away: you are not alone in having fears! However, fear is a hindrance and a poor motivator for change. If you want your grooming salon to continue to do well, change is sometimes needed. A grooming salon is a business, where you have to take into account a lot of things. One of them is expense management and bookkeeping. We have always learned that a satisfied customer is one that keeps coming back. And you can only keep a satisfied customer by maintaining your prices constant, right? But is this really the case? If you want to remain successful and grow professionally, sometimes price increases are necessary. Maybe when you started your business, you charged far too low prices. In the future, these will often no longer be sufficient to keep your business running, avoid a financial hangover and make a profit.
It's okay... to make money
If you want to grow to match the market, it is sometimes necessary to change your mindset and crucial to adjust your prices to the current economic situation. The message is simple: increase your 'granting factor’! Grant yourself and your company the chance to earn enough money to grow with the market. You are the one who determines the future of the industry. If we as groomers do not upgrade our industry, the next generation will not be satisfied.
Which prices you charge depends on various factors. For one thing, they are largely determined by your expenses, the costs you are making in your business. If you know how many expenses you incur per hour, it will be easier to get an idea of what price increases are necessary. On the other hand, it is also important to consider what your performances and creations are worth. Think about this for a moment and see where you can create added value for your clients. If they are satisfied with the treatment you offer their four-legged friends, they will usually be prepared to pay a little more for it. How exactly you can create added value and how you can make price changes in a commercial and customer-friendly way, we will tell you in our next blog post.
Do you still have questions or would you like to get in touch with other dog groomers? Then join our Facebook group GroomersCARE. Within this online community, founded by groomers for groomers, we share our passion and help each other where needed!
