Pet Franchises

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The Best Pet Franchises to Invest In Now

There has never been a better time to own a dog franchise. Nearly half of all American Households have dogs, thats an estimated 90 million dogs and growing. Pet ownership has been on the rise every year during the past two decades with no end in sight. All of the factors above contribute to strong revenue growth in the Pet Franchise and dog grooming industry

So what does this information mean for possible pet franchise owners?

Investing and managing your own pet franchise has never been easier. Pet care services is a $80 billion (and growing) industry, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Now is the perfect time to capitalize on the increasing demand and invest in one of the many successful pet franchises available. It’s not only time to achieve your financial goals and dreams, but to exceed them. The best part about owning a pet franchise is that it is one of the most stress-free careers possible, you’re dealing with adorable little doggie clients coming in for their dog grooming. No more typical office job, your daily routine will look completely different compared to corporate America.

should i invest in a dog groomer franchise

Should I invest in a pet franchise?

This depends, are you a pet/animal lover? The most successful franchisees are in love with dogs. This isn’t a skill that can be taught, however it is one needed to be truly successful in the pet franchise industry. No matter how much franchise training is completed, you need to be passionate about animals.

Do you need previous business experience?

Although previous business ownership is not required, it is important for a prospective franchisee to have the ability to make quick decisions and show good judgement. You want to be involved in the community in whichever city you end up operating your dog franchise in. It is important to be respectful and respected by the community in order to become a successful franchise.

dog groomer investments

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a Pet Franchise?

Pros:

  • The biggest advantage of buying into an established franchise is the strength of the brand and loyalty of the customers.
  • Marketing support, Franchises often have the support of a national campaign, as well as prepared marketing materials for a local campaign.
  • The business support, there’s a saying in franchising “You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself”, this is important because it’s less-stressful when you know you have a network of support always behind you.
  • Training, this is important because they know the best techniques to become the most successful franchisee possible.
  • Financial assistance, this is great because many franchisors provide loans and other assistance to help franchisees.
  • Billionaire Investors such as Jimmy Buffett (Krispy Kreme) recommend investing in franchises that have the most yearly growth.

Cons:

  • The initial payout is always inevitable, however some Franchise fees and start-up costs can be very expensive.
  • Royalty payments can be also very expensive, and as long as you are a franchisee you will have to pay some percentage of the monthly gross back to the franchisor.
  • Limited Creativity can also become a factor considering most franchise contracts have very explicit standards (however this isn’t the biggest “con” considering these are usually in place for you to be as successful as possible, franchisors know the most successful techniques and they WANT you to be successful).

 

What is the best pet franchise for me to invest in?

Now that you have decided you want to invest in a franchise, specially a pet franchise, which one is the best franchise to invest in? We have chosen the best and most successful pet franchises available to invest in. All of these franchises have their own “pros” and “cons” so it’s ultimately up to you as the investor to choose which one best suits you.

franchise investment dogs

The Best Pet Franchises (no specific order)

 

Dogtopia

Dogtopia is one of the biggest names when it comes to Dog Franchises, and for good reason.

Dogtopia is an award-winning dog daycare, boarding and spa provider. Dogtopia, prides itself on being a place where pets are valued as family and dogs enjoy playtime. Dogtopia does not breed discriminate and welcomes social dogs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. The company was founded by Amy Nichols in 2002 and began franchising in 2005.

From the Dogtopia website:

“Our modern facilities provide a health, safe and fun environment for dogs to socialize and play in, supervised by a highly trained and loving team. Our multiple, spacious playrooms allow us to separate our guests by size and temperaments.”

Dogtopia Pros:

  • Their target customer is the largest demographic in North American history – the female millennial, the secondary customer is the second largest, the baby boomer.
  • Strong business model with labor costs as the only key variable expense
  • Best-practice sharing workshops with leading franchises.
  • Being one of the biggest names means good brand recognition

Dogtopia Cons:

  • High turnover rate, which leads to owners having to constantly train more employees (quoted by a former employee)
  • The main problem with accepting every breed of dog no matter what is that many can cause conflicts and this can end with dogs being injured (or worse) from fights. (quoted by a CURRENT employee)
  • Overall negative employee outlook about the company and the high reported incidents of dog bites and dog fights.
  • Huge Upfront Investment (Nearly 200% greater upfront investment needed compared to the competitors on this list).

 

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique is a relatively new and fast growing dog franchise that has been breaking growth records along the way. Splash and Dash has been featured in the Inc. Magazine’s 500 list of the country’s fastest-growing companies, not once but three times.

From the Splash and Dash website:

“Walking into a Splash and Dash is a unique experience. A bright and eye-pleasing color palette is the first thing customers notice – an inviting, upscale ambiance. Splash and Dash offers the healthiest all-natural foods and treats for their dogs. The toys are eco-friendly. The haircuts are adorable. Remarkable, the prices are affordable and very competitive compared to other pet franchises.”

Splash and Dash Pros:

  • The signature service membership is one of a kind and easily the biggest advantage when investing in a Splash and Dash franchise. No other franchise has anything like this. The signature service offers customers unlimited monthly bath & brush for a fixed price, which means a shop owner profits from the signature service with a recurring revenue stream.
  • Top of the line IT support and Proprietary software, this allows the owner to know that a franchisor is always 100% behind you. Their proprietary software helps a franchise owner run and operate their business, a key element for success. Shop owners receive extensive training to learn the Splash and Dash terminal software and have the corporate team at their disposal for IT support.
  • The marketing resources provided by Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique allow the franchises to be backed with a proven business plan. The company aims for franchisees to break even, six months after opening.
  • The online reviews are always 4 & 5 star unlike many other dog groomers. This is because of the extensive training and small business-type model Splash and Dash have created. The best thing that comes from these online ratings is that your Splash and Dash will rate the highest on Google Search so that customers will always see your business at the top naturally.
  • Modest overall investment compared to the competitors on this list. Low initial franchise fee.

Splash and Dash Cons:

  • Being a new and growing company means that Splash and Dash doesn’t have the highest name recognition yet.
  • Strict guidelines that are emphasized in order to keep franchisees on track, although this has been very successful for Splash and Dash dog franchisees in the past.
  • Big-Box competition from warehouse pet stores like Petco, although these type of dog groomers don’t offer niche products and services like small-scale franchises.

 

Camp Bow Wow

Camp Bow Wow provides a fun, safe and upscale environment for dogs to play, romp and receive lots of love and attention. They provide doggy day camp for clients wishing to drop their dogs off in the morning and pack them up in the evening, as well as overnight boarding for travels.

From the Camp Bow Wow website:

“Overnight campers play in the day camp program during the day and have their own individual cabins at night. Some of our camps also offer a variety of other services including grooming, training, and an assortment of retail items, including Camp Bow Wow branded dog bowls, collars, clothing, bandanas and more.”

Camp Bow Wow Pros:

  • Overnight dog boarding is a great service provided by Camp Bow Wow that isn’t common for many dog franchises.
  • Facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Great business model that comes with good brand recognition.

Camp Bow Wow Cons:

  • Unfortunately the biggest “con” on this list is that the CEO Christina Russell has one of the worst ratings (2.6 out of 5) on Glassdoor. This can negatively impact the outlook possible future consumers can have on your franchise.
  • “Not a good screening program for dogs so some were very mean and hostile, breaking up dog fights and not being allowed to get band-aids from bleeding”. (quoted by a former employee).
  • Similar to Dogtopia and Woof Gang Bakery, there is a very high turnover rate which involves more training needed for new hires, and more bad reviews by former employees which gives your franchise a bad name.

 

Woof Gang Bakery

Woof Gang Bakery is a specialty retailer of pet food, pet-related supplies and pet grooming. The company is committed to the well-being, health and happiness of pets. Woof Gang Bakery is considered a dog spa while maintaining the dog franchise tag within local communities. Woof Gang Bakery Dog Franchise is mostly located in the South-Eastern part of the United States, with many of those locations being in Florida.

From the Woof Gang Bakery website:

“At Woof Gang Bakery, we know that pets are a part of our families, our faithful companions and they bring us great joy. We’ll help you show your love and appreciation for their unconditional affection and devotion.”

Woof Gang Bakery Pros:

  • Woof Gang Bakery offers quality products and a unique concept that aligns with a growing, million dollar industry.
  • Extensive training provided so that you can operate your own successful Woof Gang Bakery dog spa.
  • Woof Gang Bakery dog spa assists you with site selection.

Woof Gang Bakery Cons:

  • Brand recognition is very limited to only the South-Eastern part of the united states which is already overpopulated with Woof Gang Bakery dog spas.
  • Similar to Camp Bow Wow and Dogtopia, there is a very high turnover rate which leads to the need for owners to consistently train new employees. “Owner is very unprofessional, the high turnover rate with show that” (quoted by former employee).
  • Although it’s a small-business pet spa franchise, the CEO operates Woof Gang Bakery pet spa like it’s a corporation with very strict guidelines that owners must follow. “and to corporate, it is dangerous to put clueless people in charge of an animal’s well being, you should be fully educating your franchisees”. (quoted by a former employee).

pet groomer franchises comparison

The Final Say

Before deciding to own a pet franchise or dog franchise, one should do their due diligence and research prospective companies from inside out. Understanding how consumers already feel about a certain pet franchise and brand should be very important to a prospective franchisee. Also, understanding how current and former employees feel about the franchise should give you a great inside look on how operating a specific dog franchise will be like.

Investors should have a comprehensive understanding of local store marketing and community involvement to drive sales and a clear understanding of the real estate development process. Owning a pet franchise can be a very rewarding experience for an investor who is passionate about animals.

 

How to Become A Part of the Booming Pet Services Industry

The Pet Services Industry’s Growth Provides Opportunities to Combine Business with Passion

Even before the American Pet Product Association (APPA) announced the good news—U.S. Pet Industry spending at $66.75 billion—many have been watching with fateful eyes and their dog’s tail wagging at their feet to open up shop in the developing industry. Economic forecasts report robust growth en masse throughout various segments within the industry. For entrepreneurs, however, the most accessible of these segments is undoubtedly food and pet services.

The opportunities to franchise, invest, and open an independent small business are paralleling the industry’s growth as a whole. How do you get  involved without acquiring  huge capital or graduating from a four-year post-graduate program?

There are many ways of breaking into this growing industry. However, the combination of these two segments is how many companies were able to ride the fiscal tidal wave up. Starting a business in pet services with retail capabilities might be the most straightforward and safest route with the highest return on investment (ROI), but the industry is full of opportunities and career pathways.

Let’s break down the numbers.

U.S. Pet Spending

Year             Billions

  • 2017                 $69.36 Estimated
  • 2016                 $66.75 Actual
  • 2015                 $60.28
  • 2014                 $58.04
  • 2013                 $55.72
  • 2012                 $53.33
  • 2011                 $50.96
  • 2010              $48.35
  • 2009              $45.53
  • 2008              $43.2

Sales in U.S. Market

Industry Segment:                                      Sales

Food                                                              $28.23 billion

Supplies/OTC Medicine                           $14.71 billion

Vet Care                                                        $15.95 billion

Live animal purchases                              $2.1 billion

Pet Services: grooming & boarding       $5.76 billion

(Source: American Pet Products Association’s Pet Industry Market Size and Ownership Statistics)

In the U.S., 89.7 million dogs are owned by 60.2 million households according to the APPA. This number has grown steadily over the past thirty years and is not the only number rising.

Collectively, Americans spent $66.75 billion on their dogs, cats, birds, fishes, and any a variety of other animals that people own as pets in 2016. Of course, this was great news for those in the pet industry as this figure surpassed predictions by $4 billion. U.S. spending is expected to spike again next year—projected to close at $69.36 billion, but if the upward momentum continues, this number will close higher than predictions, as it did last year.

So, what is driving this juggernaut force?

Shift in Consumer Demographics

Along with the announcement of the U.S. expenditures, the APPA also reported that a new face was doing the spending. The famous (and sometimes infamous) Millennials are now the primary pet owners in America, as published in a comprehensive consumer report. The findings showed that 35% of national pet ownership falls in the age group that qualifies as millennials—any individual born after 1982. The Generation beat out the boomers by three percentage points.

In the past, the retiring baby boomers were the ones buying and adopting pets. Many boomers sought companionship derived from their pets and cared for them in a different way than the new majority pet owners. Millennials are more experimental in their purchasing—preferring natural pet food formulated without questionable ingredients. The Generation comprises the digital era consumer. They are more inclined to shop on mobile devices which enable them to compare prices in real-time, crave a social and shareable experience while shopping, and are more likely to buy compulsively.

Pet Ownership Still Rising

The National Pet Owners Survey has collected data since 1988. The survey tracks rates that Americans are shifting from Fido being tied up outside to Fido having his own Christmas stocking. When the APPA first started collecting data roughly 56% of American Households owned a pet. Currently, 68% of American Households own a pet. With more pets, come more demands. This is one of the most evident reasons why the industry is developing so hugely.

Pet ownership records are bolstering market trends. With 84.6 million homes, or one in four households stating they own at least one pet, the demand for Wishbones is inevitably going to go up.

The numbers have been steadily rising over the years and there is no indication these numbers are going to drop anytime soon. In fact, many theorize most millennials are more likely to own a cat or dog over having children. “Pets are becoming a replacement for children,” Jean Twenge,  a psychology professor at San Diego State University tells the Washington Post. “They’re less expensive,” Twenge says. “You can get one even if you’re not ready to live with someone or get married, and they can still provide companionship.”

Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

  • Bird                               20.3
  • Cat                                94.2
  • Dog                               89.7
  • Horse                            7.6
  • Freshwater Fish        139.3
  • Saltwater Fish           18.8
  • Reptile                         9.4
  • Small Animal             14.0

(Source: American Pet Products 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey)

Increased Interest in Natural Food and Healthy Alternatives

An impacting trend labeled ‘humanization’ or ‘premiumization’ is sweeping the marketplace. Many consumers are becoming more conscious of the lifestyle choices they are making. Americans are eating healthier, and as more information comes to light over diet sensitivities like GMOs and gluten intolerance, the demand for alternative consumer options increases.

This trend is carrying over into the pet services and food industry. This is why many pet industry experts explain humanization as the driving force for product innovation. For example, many individuals are discovering their own gluten intolerance and in turn, are taking the same considerations for their pets. It’s no surprise to find that 37% of U.S. sales in the pet food sector is grain-free pet food.

Also reported, 19% of dogs owners and 15% of cat owners are actively seeking out grain free foods. These percentage points will continue to rise as consumers become more immersed in marketing material that focuses on promoting grain-free foods. Notions like dogs eating their wild ancestral diet–free of carbohydrates—are the main aspects promoting grain-free diets.

A survey organized by Packaged Facts—a leading source of market research on consumer good and pet services—found that half of the pet owners surveyed stated a preference for natural and organic pet foods, believing them to be safer than traditional pet food. Around 56% of cat owners and 64% of dog owners consider product safety when making purchases for their pet.

Consumer literacy of food labels is also improving. Many consumers report checking food labels and understanding ingredient lists. This makes the need for consumer guidance essential to compete with online shopping.

 

Consumer understandings like these invite customers to purchase high-quality products with higher margins.

Top-Selling Natural Pet Products:

  • Holistic Food
  • Natural Flea and Tick Repellants
  • Holistic Grooming products
  • Freeze Dried & Raw Food Products
  • Toys Made with Natural Fibers

Shifting  Parts: Company Mergers and Business Acquisitions

Mars Inc. a company that owns Pedigree, Caesars, and Royal Canin food companies, as well as three veterinary hospital networks, agreed to acquire VCA Inc., who operate the largest chain of Veterinary hospitals in North America. This acquisition is a $9.1 billion deal.

The deal is set to close after the summer and many believe this will bring huge medical positives to the pet care industry. With the procurement, come plans to provide veterinarians with more intensive training to benefit pets across the U.S.

This time last year, another huge merger was occurring and the implications are still being dealt out. Ethos Veterinary Health is currently forming a new company acquiring IVG hospitals, Premier Veterinary Group, Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, and Veterinary Specialty Hospital. Ethos is known for delivering high quality advanced medicine in various fields like surgery and cardiology. As the technical details are enacted the company believes the merger will build a national model. This model will impact the standard care and business solutions and set a precedent for pet healthcare.

It is possible that merger deals of this magnitude could not have been possible if pet ownership trends showing that Americans not only own more pets but are treating animals more like family. Pet owners are more willing to pay for the health expenses that come with owning a pet.

Rise of Pet Healthcare

A segment that is gaining traction in the industry is pet healthcare. The U.S. pet insurance industry is growing steadily. The growth comes naturally as more pet owners are beginning to see the value of insuring their animals to avoid costly veterinary visits. Companies are now providing the option to buy pet insurance through company plans. According to consumer reports, pet health insurance is the fastest growing optional employee benefit. This indicates that more than likely the 1.4 million pets insured at the end of 2014 will not be alone as more pet insurance sales spike.

Another number that is broadening are the number of veterinarians available. The profession is growing to account for the swelling number of pets in need of medical care. Fueled by student loan repayment programs, the number of vets increased by 78% in the last three decades to keep up with the number of pets in the U.S.

With improved care, inevitably, comes greater longevity for pets—animals are now living longer. According to a 2016 state of Pet Health report from privately owned Banfield Pet Hospital, dogs are now living an average of 11.8 years. Dog’s lifespans are up from 11 years in 2013, and 10.5 years in 2002. There are pros and cons to these findings.

Just like humans, a longer lifespan means more intensive medical attention to combat the ailments that come with aging. Common health issues like arthritis, obesity, and cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent for senior pets. An army of medical professionals are consistently improving veterinary medicine. A new innovation in pet healthcare is the emergence of physical therapy for dogs, specifically hydrotherapy. A rehabilitation center called Water4dogs specializes in hydrotherapy with underwater treadmills, low-level laser therapy, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Most veterinarian programs take four years of post-graduate schooling and the national average salary is between $80,000 and $120,000 a year, according to Glassdoor.

Technology Carving the Way

From the quirky products like CATTERBOX—a translating collar that turns your cat’s meows into human voices—to application-based services like Tagg, a GPS locator that attaches to your dog’s collar, innovative products are proliferating the pet market.

Tagg is not the only GPS navigation device entering the pet services and products market. Garmin has also developed a product line catering to pet parents who are wary of their dog’s barking. The technology includes a ‘bark odometer’ which humanely measures how many times a dog barked while owners are out of the house.

Another pet services app used in dog training is called simply, Pooch. The app is a digital training resource that is convenient for dogs of all training levels. Pooch uses humane training principles to establish a good relationship between dog and pet parent. The company states the app delivers training results fast with positively reinforced behavior modification.

Not only are there huge surges in the innovation behind cool new products, but technology has also opened the doors for online shopping and native marketing to inform and insight consumers on mobile platforms.

Personifying the Pooches

The process of personifying, or anthropomorphizing, meaning to ascribe human attributes to animals, is evident in the myriad of celebrity pets making Forbes lists lately.

The most famous of these celebrity pets is Grumpy Cat—who at one time was just a cat, but is now an internationally recognized brand. This grouchy cat’s face went viral on Reddit and has now evolved into merchandise spanning stuffed animals, T-shirts, postcards, posters, and more. It was a viral sensation on steroids. The internet’s favorite kitty is estimated to have a net worth of over $100 million, marking a now-filled market gap within the pet industry—celebrity pets.

The pet craze has also driven product manufacturers to design products around pet owner pride. Everything from a dough rolling pins to a bumper sticker that announce, ‘Proud Beagle Owner’ are now widely available. These novelty items celebrate the zealous pet parents and of course their pets. This craze marks a pivoting point for dogs being indoctrinated into the American consumer psyche. A survey conducted by Rover stated that 95% of pet owners will buy their dog a Christmas gift, with 61% saying the same for birthdays, and even 11% buying their dogs gifts on Valentine’s Day.

Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey planning to bequest millions of dollars of her inheritance to her dogs is the most glaring evidence of unapologetic pet love. Then there’s media mogul, Ellen DeGeneres, who is also jumping on the spoil-your-pets bandwagon with her pet product line ED. The line premiered in Petsmart with a three-year deal. The line of products features designs Ellen drew herself coating everything from dog beds to dog clothing.

These are the forces driving the growth of the pet industry, but how do you get involved in pet services yourself? How can you make money in this industry?

Let’s explore different segments of the pet industry.

Sectors of Pet Services

Pet Sitting/Dog Walking

If you are the type of person that finds sentimentality in the furrier oriented professions you should consider pet sitting. As a professional pet sitter, you could spend your day playing with your client’s four-legged companions.

When people take vacations and business trips they’re going to need someone to come check-in on the animals. Pet sitters play, feed, brush, medicate, and walk the dogs left in their care. Pet sitters usually offer other lifestyle services too. Many pet sitters clean up accidents, bring in the mail, water plants, take out the trash, and ensure lights are turned off while stopping in to give Fido some much deserved loving.

Pet walkers also make up the segment and are gaining in popularity especially among congested cities like New York where it is nearly impossible to get back to your apartment to let the dog out on a lunch break. Dog walking is a booming business. According to IBISWorld’s market research report, the dog walking industry makes $901 million with a current 3.1% growth rate.

Not bad for a walk with the dog in the park. Popular pet services apps include Rover and Wag!. These apps help pet owners secure a trustworthy dog walker and include employment opportunities.

Dog Training

With almost 90 million dogs in the country, dog training has become a huge source of income for lovers of animal behaviorism. Effective dog training requires half psychology, half people skills. Trainers are not only modifying the dog’s behavior, your teaching the skills to keep the training reinforced by their owners. .

It takes patience, knowledge, and a cordial personality to fully embrace the skill-set for this segment of pet services. There are no official statistics on the number of professional dog trainers because of loose regulations—dog trainers are not licensed. A dog trainer can contact the Association of Professional Dog Training (APDT) for certification. The APDT is around 5,000 members strong. The organization  focuses on humane efforts in training backed by scientific research of domestic dog behavior in the specialized industry. From here, a dog trainer can find a job at local training schools, shelters, or a small training business.

Breaking into this sector as a self-employed dog trainer will require rogue marketing and building community clout. Prospect dog trainers can begin by building a resume based on their dog training experience credentials. A thorough list of references—initial satisfied clients—will be essential to building a clientele base to sustain self-employment.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary for a dog trainer is $33,600 with higher paid trainers earning around $57,170.

Pet Grooming

Many have found huge joy in working in the pet grooming industry as a pet stylist, or put mundanely a groomer. From an outside perspective, it might seem frivolous but many groomers view themselves as an artist and have the numbers to back it. Last year the grooming segment made $6.11 billion. Of course, groomers follow this career path for more than the monetary gains.

The roughly 70,000 pet groomers in America provide physical and emotional care for their clients. A reputable groomer does a health and wellness check of every animal they handle to safeguard preventative measures against any medical issues. This helps save pet owners thousands in annual veterinary bills. Groomers are the first line of defense against skin conditions, flea and ticks, and other medical issues that need to be brought to the attention of a pet owner.

Grooming is an affectionate and rewarding pathway that delves into a true love for animals. Groomers need to be able to physically lift pets of all sizes onto grooming tables and tubs. Imagine lifting a 200 lbs English Mastiff in need of a scrubbing. Not to mention groomers also need to be attuned to emotional responses of animals. Groomers should be wary of biters and scratchers. They will often need to soothingly coax dogs into feeling comfortable enough to relax into the grooming process.

The demand for pet groomers rose 12% after the recession years and has been rising since. Career opportunities are seemingly infinite in this career field as more pets are owned within the country continually widening market opportunities.

Food and Pet Supply Retail

Both brick-and-mortar sales floors and virtual pet food shopping websites specialize in providing pet food—which comprises 42% of total U.S. spending on pets in the U.S. market. More than ever, pet owners are willing to pay top dollars to provide the most high-quality options for their four-legged child. This makes entering the pet food schematic a very profitable move that enables retailers to provide both expensive healthy options and lower-quality items. It is important to provide a variety of options that cover all consumer price points.

Owning a small business—whether virtual or brick-and-mortar—requires identifying a niche that will give you a vantage point over competitive businesses. You will want to position yourself as a leader in this segment for providing these particular items like holistic dog treats.

There are countless options in pet food inventory choices. Human-grade pet food, specialty foods for diabetic or overweight pets, raw-food, freeze dried foods, and a variety of feeds for livestock and exotic pets make up the huge array of niches to explore. Many specialty pet retail shops are offering treats made in bakeries. These dog biscuits are typically all natural and baked locally. Pet retail extends into the pet supplies outside of food that many retailers offer. Items like collars, leashes, and grooming products should all be considered. Discerning whether to carry pet supply products depends on how much you are willing to invest and if you have the means to store products before being shipped out or placed on a sales floor.

According to IBISWorld, there are presently 17,714 pet stores in the country with an annual growth rate of 2.7%. As the industry grows so do the individual segments that are meeting the demand and needs of pet ownership.

Upscale Pet Services & Products

A trip to the dog park isn’t the same as it was two years ago. Many pet owners are stepping up their pamper game and putting their pooches in luxury strollers. The fad doesn’t stop here. Pet parents buying lavish and indulgent commodities is popularizing across the nation. Extravagant purchases from designer bags made by Louis Vuitton to a $700 doggie birthday party complete with champagne and a D.J. on the Upper East side of Manhattan are more commonplace these days. (At least for the ultra rich).

For those interested in the ultra-premium product lines the same rules apply. There are two methods of approach. The first is specialty brick-and-mortar retail and the latter is operating a digital outlet. Opening a retail store requires a lot of research into consumer demographics in the area. You will want to secure a clientele base that is going to be interested in the upscale products your shop will feature. These products should be exclusive.

This means extensive research and networking to secure a product line that is unique and in demand. Taking this approach makes finding a location that is in an affluent shopping district like Rodeo Drive or the Soho neighborhood of New York essential. Rent prices in locations like these are going to be expensive. Yet the location is worth the price when it grants you access to shoppers with disposable income searching for rhinestone lined tiaras for their Pomeranian. These are the hyperbolic examples, but you get the picture.

Where to Start?

This is the most important decision entrepreneurs face when launching into a new endeavor. What drives you? What brings out your passion? It will take passion fueled ambition to pursue a business venture through the inevitable snags of business and into successful territory.

Let’s say for example you choose to open an independent pet grooming business and intuitively recognize that you can use extra space in the store for retail opportunities. You will offer both pet services and products. Great start!

Financing

You need to inventory your net worth and liquid assets. Organizing your assets will help you find a price range for allotted investment. You can also look into getting a small business loan from the small business administration. You may also want to consider hiring or seeking the guidance of a certified personal accountant to help maintain your finances until you start receiving a return on your investment.

Location

Next, you need to secure a location. Your search should be determined by three criteria points. First, are there local businesses around the location that are already driving foot traffic to this area? The shop location should be in a strip mall or other area with high visibility. Second, what permits and licensing does this area require for animal kenneling and grooming? Depending on your county, or state, you will have to fill out the appropriate applications to receive permits and licenses. Finally, you will need to make sure the location has adequate space, plumbing, and infrastructure to host grooming.

Construction

Once you have secured a location you will need to hire a contractor and start your build-out. Ask around a home supplies store, search Angie’s List, or Craigslist to start finding a distinguished contractor with the team that can do your shop’s build-out within your budget and timeline.

Building a Team

You will need to hire a dog groomer with the proper licensing or certification required by your area. You will also need to hire a salesperson to work the counter and sales floor. As your business expands you will need to hire more employees and management as needed.

Back Office Logistics

Small business owners will need to organize their back office structures like accounting, buying a point of sales system, and purchasing an initial stock order. You will also need to write training manuals and establish a brand.

Marketing

Prior to your grand opening and going forward you will need to establish a marketing plan. Before opening, you will definitely want to advertise to the local community through marketing using digital platforms like email campaigning, signage, and social media. As you expand you will want to innovate marketing material and dissemination methods to stay competitive.

This just scratches the iceberg of the work a small business owner must do before even opening. The workload will be immense but if you have chosen a field of your interest and passion, the reward will be the challenge itself.

Franchising

Another option future small business owners can research is franchising. Many entrepreneurs choose to partner with a franchise because many of the time-consuming elements of the business are already fine-tuned in a proven market. For example, a franchise concept offers training, support, access to proprietary software, and an established brand, just to list a few advantages.

Franchising offers the stability of investing with a calculated risk over gambles of independent business.

Finding the right franchise is like finding the right car—it must be congruent with your needs. Company culture, brand, capacities for support, pricing, and most importantly goals for the company all need to be taken into consideration before you invest in a franchise. Evaluate what you want out your small business and see if this aligns with the goals of the franchisor? If you see strong parallels then you’re off to a good start.

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique wishes all entrepreneurs luck with embracing the booming pet services industry, and as always, Play Dirty. Live Clean!

 

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