Imagine this: Happy dogs, wagging tails, and loyal customers who trust you to care for their furry friends.
Sounds amazing, right?
But running a grooming business takes more than clippers and cute Instagram posts. You’ll need a clear plan to keep things running smoothly. That’s what Shirley Lewis learned the hard way.
Recently, I had a chat with Shirley, a groomer who’s built a thriving business from the ground up. She shared how she started and navigated challenges along the way.
From those insights, I’ve created this guide to help you get started! But first…
Why do you need a business plan for dog grooming services?
Starting a dog grooming business isn’t just about loving dogs. But it’s about turning that passion into a real, working business.
That’s where you need a business plan that helps you think through important details like:
- How to find and attract ideal customers?
- How much to charge for dog grooming services?
- How to make enough money and reach a break even point?
It's great to start a dog grooming business, but without a plan, you might make mistakes. But keeping a plan lets you identify what's working, what needs to be changed and prevents you from wasting time or money.
If you’re applying for a loan or looking for investors, they’ll want to see a clear plan. This proves that you’ve done your homework and are serious about building a successful business.
Key elements of a strong dog grooming business plan
Here are the key elements of a dog grooming business plan you shouldn’t miss:
1. Executive Summary
The executive summary is the first thing investors or lenders will read. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression and give a quick overview of your dog grooming business.
Think of it as a short, clear pitch that highlights the key points of your entire dog grooming business plan.
Here’s what to include in your plan summary:
- Business name, location, and concept
- Unique services offered
- Target customers
- Marketing tactics
- Financial goals and highlights
- Any funding needs
Try to keep this section brief and engaging—just a preview of what makes your dog grooming business unique!
"Writing the executive summary felt harder than I thought it would.
At first, I tried to explain everything—what services I offer, prices, the tools I use, even my cleaning routine. It got way too long and didn’t make much sense.
Then I stepped back and thought—what do people really need to know? So I just wrote who I am, what my dog grooming business does, what makes it different, and why it matters. That made it so much easier."—Shirley Lewis
2. Business Overview
This section introduces what your pet grooming business is about in more detail. It explains what you do, how your business works, and what you want to achieve in the long run.
While planning, consider highlighting these key things:
- What you do: What kind of grooming service do you offer, and where do you do it (shop, home, or mobile)?
- Business type: LLC? Sole proprietorship? Or corporation?
- Background story: What made you start this business? How and when did you start?
- Ownership: Who runs the business?
- Goals: What’s your key purpose and mission? What do you want to do now and later?
In short, your business overview section helps people thoroughly understand your business. So, write like you’re talking to a friend—clear, honest, and easy to follow.
“Writing the business overview was a little hard at first. I didn’t want it to sound like every other dog grooming place.
I just thought about what matters to me—being gentle, taking good care of each dog, and making sure they feel safe. I picked a spot that’s easy for people to get to.
Once I thought about how this business could help people and their pets, the rest came easier.”—Shirley Lewis
4. Grooming Services
This section describes what your dog grooming business has to offer.
Start by listing your services, such as basic grooming, full-service, nail trimming, teeth cleaning, or special procedures for various dog breeds.
Next, identify the unique aspects of your business. Do you utilize natural products? Provide individualized grooming? Maintain a stress-free facility? These points make you unique.
Moreover, discuss pricing. Are you going to charge by the service, packages, or membership plans for loyal customers? A tiered pricing system—basic, premium, and luxury—can give options for different budgets.
In case you’re providing add-ons such as mobile pet grooming, off-hours appointments, or live updates for pet owners, list them. These may increase value and create trust.
Lastly, ensure your services and charges are in line with what customers need and what is in demand within your locality. This will help your business grow.
"Picking the right services for my dog grooming business was a bit of a challenge.
At first, I planned to stick with just the basics. But after hearing what customers were really looking for, I added things like nail trimming, spa treatments, and mobile grooming.
Offering more options helped bring in a wider range of pet owners—some just needed a quick trim, while others wanted their dogs to get the full pampered treatment.
A tiered pricing model made it easier for people to choose what fit their needs and budget."—Shirley Lewis
5. Industry and Market Research
Market research means learning about the pet grooming industry and showing that there’s a real need for your services. It helps answer questions like:
- Who are my customers?
- What do they want?
- Who else is grooming dogs nearby, and how can I do it better?
Don’t just list what you find—explain how it supports your business idea.
For example, if more people in your area are looking for mobile pet grooming or gentle care for senior dogs, you can show how your services are a perfect match. If your location is near busy pet shops or elderly pet owners, that’s a big plus.
You can also do a quick competitive analysis—look at other groomers and show what makes your business different and better.
If you have data on your total market size (TAM), serviceable available market (SAM), and share of market (SOM), include it. This shows there’s space for your business to grow.
Another helpful step is adding a simple SWOT analysis. This shows your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—and helps you understand where you stand and how to move forward.
"When I started, I thought dog grooming was just about giving a good haircut.
But I learned that knowing what people want and what they’ll pay is just as important. I had to watch what others were doing and really listen to my customers.
It’s something you learn over time. The more you understand, the easier it gets to grow your business."—Shirley Lewis
6. Marketing Strategy
The marketing strategy explains how you’ll get pet owners to try your grooming services—and how you’ll keep them coming back. It’s your strategy to stand out and build trust in a busy pet care market.
To plan this section effectively, first, understand your customers and find the best ways to reach them.
Here’s how to approach this section:
Know your audience:
- Who are your customers? Are they busy pet owners, senior citizens with older dogs, or families with puppies?
- Understanding who they are helps you offer the right services and speak to their needs.
Ways to reach them:
Once you know who you’re trying to reach, think about the best ways to connect with them.
Here are a few simple strategies:
- Local advertising: Hand out flyers, post in community centers, and partner with local pet stores or vets.
- Promotions: Offer first-time customer discounts or loyalty cards (e.g., get the 5th groom free).
- Events: Host small pet events or grooming demos to bring people in and build awareness.
Go online:
Being online helps people find you easily. You don’t need to be everywhere—just focus on the basics:
- Set up a simple website and run targeted social media ads.
- Use Google My Business so locals can find you easily.
- Post updates, photos of happy dogs, and special offers.
Overall, a well-thought-out marketing plan lets you attract more clients and learn how to keep them coming back to you while tracking your marketing budget over time.
“Marketing was a bit hard at first since I didn’t have much money to spend.
I started with social media, handed out flyers, and worked with a local pet store. I also gave first-time discounts and used a loyalty card to bring people back.
Planning small steps—like a launch week and regular offers—made things easier to manage.”—Shirley Lewis
7. Operations Plan
Your operations plan explains how your business will work smoothly every day while giving pets the best care.
It typically covers all the operational details, like how you’ll handle bookings, serve customers, manage supplies, and keep everything running behind the scenes.
While writing this section, ask yourself a few questions:
- Will customers book online, by phone, or in person?
- How will you check in pets, groom them, and keep them safe?
- What tools and shampoos will you need? How will you stay stocked?
- How will you track pet details and appointments?
- Are you planning to hire staff? How will you train them?
- How will you keep your space and tools clean?
Answering this question will help your business run smoothly, keep customers happy, and make sure pets get the best care.
"Staying organized made a big difference in my dog grooming business. From managing bookings to keeping track of pet details and cleaning tools—it all added up fast.
Having a simple system in place helped me stay on track and focus more on the dogs.
Grooming is only one part of it. Running things smoothly behind the scenes is just as important."—Shirley Lewis
8. Management Team
A strong management team is important for running a dog grooming business smoothly and keeping customers happy. Whether you’re working alone or have a team, this section explains who does what.
Start by introducing yourself. Share your experience with pet care, any grooming training, and why you’re the right person to run this business.
If you have a small team, including a lead groomer, marketing manager, receptionist, or assistant pet groomers, present them as well. Outline their responsibilities, educational background, and industry experience. Don’t forget to highlight their expertise that benefits your business.
Further, you can add a visually appealing organizational chart that clearly shows how your team is structured and who reports to whom.
Even if you’re starting small, having a clear structure sets expectations and keeps everything organized. Here’s a simple example of organization structure:
If you have a mentor, business consultant, or financial advisor, mention them. Their advice can help your business grow successfully.
"When I started my dog grooming business, I thought I could do it all myself. But I realized having the right people makes a big difference.
I found team members who really care about animals and treat every dog with kindness. With their help, things run smoother, and I can focus on growing the business."—Shirley Lewis
8. Financial Plan
Financial planning is an important part of your business plan. It shows how your dog grooming business will make money and stay open.
So, plan for the first 3 to 5 years to see how your business will grow, how much you might earn, and when you’ll start making a profit. This helps you stay focused and make smart decisions.
Here are some critical financial statements and reports that you should consider adding to your dog grooming financial plan:
- Profit and loss statement
- Balance sheet
- Cash flow statement
Besides these financial projections, you can estimate how much you expect to earn from grooming services each month and when you expect your business to start making a profit, as well as predict the operating expenses.
It may seem like a lot, but these numbers will help you plan for the future and show others that your business is set up for success.
"The hardest part was calculating all the ongoing costs—things like shampoos, grooming tools, rent, and utilities.
At first, I focused on big expenses like equipment and licenses, but I soon realized that smaller daily costs could add up fast and impact profits.
Once I factored in everything, I had a much better understanding of my business’s true earnings."—Shirley Lewis
9. Funding Request (if any)
If you need money to start or grow your dog grooming business, this section explains how much you need and how you’ll use it. Being specific helps build trust and shows you're prepared.
The following are a few key aspects to include in this section:
- How much you need – The total amount for startup costs, equipment, or expansion.
- What the money is for – Things like grooming equipment, rent, marketing, or vehicle maintenance.
- Where the money will come from – Will you get a loan, find investors, or use your savings?
- How you’ll pay it back – If taking a loan, explain how your business will cover repayments.
- How it will help – Show how the funding will help your business grow and make more money.
If needed, add a simple diagram to show how much money you need and where it will go. This makes it easy for investors to understand.
If you don’t need outside funding, just say your business will be self-funded through customer payments.
"I didn’t realize how important it was to plan for funding—until I actually started my grooming business.
It wasn’t just about buying grooming equipment and paying rent for grooming space—I had to plan for everyday costs, marketing, and even unexpected expenses.
Saving extra for surprises, like repairs or slow months, made a huge difference and kept my business running smoothly."—Shirley Lewis
Download a free dog grooming business plan template
Ready to start drafting your dog grooming business plan from scratch? But not sure where to begin? We've got you covered—download our free dog grooming business plan template in PDF.
This ready-to-use template has helped many successful dog grooming business owners get off the ground. I hope it helps you as well. You can customize it to match your unique vision or use it as a guide to create a solid plan.
Summary
After exploring this comprehensive business plan guide and free template, you're now all set to create your own dog grooming business plan.
However, if you need extra support or have questions along the way, our expert business plan consultants are here to help. They’ll provide professional advice and ensure your plan is polished and investor-ready.
So, don’t wait; start planning for your dream dog grooming business!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a detailed business plan for my dog grooming services?
To create a detailed business plan for your dog grooming services, include the following sections:
- Executive summary
- Business overview
- Grooming services
- Industry and market research
- Marketing strategy
- Operations plan
- Management team
- Funding request
- Financial plan
Why is market analysis vital for writing a pet grooming business plan?
Market analysis is important for a pet grooming business plan because it helps you understand your customers, analyze competition, map out pricing strategies, and assess target market demand. It also shows investors that your business has the potential to grow and succeed.
What financial projections should be covered in a solid business plan?
A solid business plan should include the following financial projections:
- Sales and revenue forecasts
- Expense budget
- Income statement
- Cash flow statement
- Balance sheet
- Break-even analysis
Is it worth hiring professional consultants to write a plan?
Yes, hiring professional consultants can be worth it if you want to create a polished, professional business plan but don’t have the time or skills to do it yourself. Also, they’ll give you expert-level advice and help refine your plan that cover all the essential details.
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