Own or Work for someone else

[itsadogsworld]

Do you think it is better to own your own business or work for someone else? And if you own should you buy an established business or start up a new one?

[baddog]

The way groomers get paid (usually 50%) , sometimes I think I'll just sell my shop and go work for someone. It would be nice not to think about all the stresses of being a business owner. Remember you as the owner take 50% of the groomers work however, out of that 50% you have to pay:

Rent
Insurance
water
electric
shampoo
phone
advertising
employees
taxes

If you were an employee none of that would be "your problem"

[KarlaSnyder]

I don't think anyone should own their own grooming biz until they have put in some time working at several quality shops. You need the experience that will improve your skills and give you the confidence you need to go out on your own. There's a lot more to it than just grooming a pet. That being said, owning a biz is not for everyone. It can take a lot of sacrifice and hard work to succeed. Business owners do not work a 9-5 day, and then go home. You may or may not have what it takes. I sold my last biz, one that I started from scratch and worked hard to build it for 14 years, to a very good groomer. Unfortunately, she was not the owner type, and after a couple years, the business went out of business. It broke my heart to see all that work go down the tubes. The last I heard, that groomer is still an employee at another shop.

If you're serious about grooming as a career, this board is the place to be. We may bark, but we don't bite! Get as much formal training as you can, attend as many seminars as possible. Go to dog shows and get to know the many breeds of dogs, and read From Problems To Profits. Attend a few business classes at your local college.

Welcome to this great board, and good luck in your pursuits!

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

The way groomers get paid (usually 50%) , sometimes I think I'll just sell my shop and go work for someone. It would be nice not to think about all the stresses of being a business owner. Remember you as the owner take 50% of the groomers work however, out of that 50% you have to pay:

Rent
Insurance
water
electric
shampoo
phone
advertising
employees
taxes

If you were an employee none of that would be "your problem"

This is true, but if you read From Problems to Profits (by Madeline Bright Ogle), the "commission" thing becomes a thing of the past. Hourly is a great way to pay, but all the details about it are in the book. IT's worth looking at.

Tammy in Utah

[itsadogsworld]

I vote Own

I purchased a business shortly after switching careers and going to grooming school. It was the best thing I ever did. I think if you have a good business sense and you hire good workers and buy an established business in a good area it is the best way to go. Owning a business always means hard work, howver it also gives you ALOT of benefits.

[ejmj30]

I've done both, and own my own right now. I love working for myself, but when it gets really crazy, you're the one who has to pick up any and all slack.

Tammy mentioned From Problems book, they give you 7 (I think) separate job descriptions, and until you become a successful business, you alone are doing all 7 of those jobs. Ugh. Not fun. Responsibility is the name of the game owning your own place...obviously, but before you get into it, you really have to think about each day what it takes.

Working for someone else, you do your work, and go home. That's it. If something happens, or if it's super duper busy, you don't HAVE to stay overtime. It would be nice, but you can't be forced.

Now, on buying a preexisting, or starting from the ground up. It depends on why you're going into business for yourself, IMO. Do you want to offer something different from other shops? Or do you just want to start making money, and manage a place? If you want to add something to the grooming world that you feel is lacking, I think it's best to start from the ground, cause then you offer that particular type of service and build your clientelle around that. Vs. buying a place that works one way, and changing it, then losing customers because they're not happy with how you do it. I think that would be discouraging. You start making changes that you think will benefit people, and they leave.

I think both have their bonuses. Just decide whether or not you want to bust your butt, or just want to make money and make compromises on how you groom or what you use to groom.

[Wisconsin]

Wow, lots of great info. There are some smart cookies on this site.

IMO, the biggest single mistake people make when opening their own business is thinking they are on easy street because they are the boss now and can set their own hours and make the rules. This is true to a point but this thinking can be a recipe for disaster.

To start your own business from the ground up takes a lot of effort and planning. A business plan is key. In the planning process, make sure you plan on being a shop owner 24/7, no less. Everything falls on your shoulders. Any hours you work that end up being less than 24/7 are bonus hours for you so use them wisely.

Once you're up and running is another story but never let your guard down and think you're on easy street. Always strive to be the best and continually evaluate where you are and where you want to be. That's the recipe for success.

If you don't want the burden of working 24/7, working for someone else is the way to go. It all depends on your drive and what you want out of life.

[CountryCanines]

I opened my business from scratch when we moved here from a different state. Talk about SCARY!!!!!!!!! LOL I am SO glad it worked out. Its been open just 5 1/2 mos and I have over 200 clients.

I think you have to have way more then just grooming skills too. You HAVE to be a people person and know how to deal with things responsibly & maturely. I groomed for 12 years before I thought I was ready for this commitment. I love that I now own it, and wouldnt change that for the world!

[scrubapup]

I own my own shop. I've never worked for anyone else, although I would have loved to if I could have gotten a job at a reputable place.

I love owning my own shop, but I admit I went into it blind. I had been grooming out of my home for quite a few years - but now I have overhead, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with it. Although I did raise my prices a little bit recently, I'm still having issues and the busier I get, the more depressing it gets knowing I should be making a lot more then what I'm pulling in. I need to hire help, but with my prices what they are, I can't afford to pay anyone what they would be worth, so I'm on my own. I work Monday through Friday and occasionally on Saturdays. On a good day, I'll spend 9-10 hours at the shop. Lately it hasn't been so good, and most days I've been pulling 12 hours, with no breaks. This past week I have come home every night completely exhausted because I'm swamped, and next week is going to be the same. I'm a little bit concerned how I will manage spring on my own, and that is kind of scary.

This was probably a bad week to respond to this thread. LOL

Seriously, so far, other then this past week and a few in between, it's been great and if I had to chose whether or not to open my own shop all over again, I would go for it. I do love it. I just wish I would have done a little bit of "pricing" homework before I put the Open sign up.

OTOH, I think I would have been content to work for somebody else too - just so long as I was grooming I never cared much.

[K-9 Designs]

I personally always thought starting a business would be like having children. Your not just responsible for yourself any more; You can't close up and go on vacation; lastly the only time your are considered "clocked-out" is when your sleeping (and most of the time your are either dreaming about the business or having nightmares about it).

After working for someone else for almost 7 years, I now own my own business. I've only been open 3 1/2 months and I am already booked a week out.

As for the 24/7, I only feel that when I have to go to my night job. On Saturdays I work 8 hours at my salon and then go to my night job and work 8 hours there. I thank God that those days are coming to an end. My last day at the night job is 3/25.

[baddog]

This is true, but if you read From Problems to Profits (by Madeline Bright Ogle), the "commission" thing becomes a thing of the past. Hourly is a great way to pay, but all the details about it are in the book. IT's worth looking at.

Tammy in Utah

Ok so I'll tell my groomers , that have worked for me for over 6 years, sorry "the book said" I should pay you by the hour, sorry. Get real, until you've owned a business it's irrelivant what a book says.

[Chuck]

How much money do you want to make?

Dear World,

You will never get rich working for someone else. You can make a fine "Living" but if you want to retire from grooming you need to duplicate yourself many times over.

When you are making 50-75% of six groomers and the retail from your "Botique" that is making money. The answer is Your own shop, preferrably a pre-existing one (already has a cash flow, most new business fail in the first two years because the clientel does not keep up with the debt service) and pay salary and benifits. If you want the big money this is the way to go.

The book is "Good" turned our shop around from $75K a year to over $300K last year. "People do not plan to fail, they fail to plan." If you do not have a copy of "From Problems To Profits" buy one as soon as you can.

Good Luck,

Chuck

[misscatahoula]

Owning my own grooming shop was my dream for many years, but I worked at a few different grooming salons & a petsomething before I took the plunge. I would have loved to start my own biz sooner, but feel in my case if I had , I'd probably gone under the 1st year. I didn't have the confidence in my skills and probably wouldn't have charged what the dogs are worth. Working for others gave me some ideas about how I wanted my business to run, what works and what doesn't. I have my own business now, but I'm still learning & fine tuning the way things are done as I go. It's taken alot of time & money to get it off the ground, but worth it for the rewards.

[furrybestjob]

Um....Tammy was responding to a theoretical question for someone possibly thinking about opening their own shop, or going to work for someone else...not answering a question for someone working someplace for 6 years or having employees for 6 years. In no way did I get from her post that she was saying how others paid their employees was wrong. She was referring that person to a book written by someone who is probably more succesfull business wise than most of us on this board will ever be, suggesting, that possibly the ideas in that book work...hence, the "worth taking a look at" statement. I also know of business owners that have changed their strategies and have become more successful. Sorry, Tammy, I hope I'm not speaking for you, but that's just my take on it.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Ok so I'll tell my groomers , that have worked for me for over 6 years, sorry "the book said" I should pay you by the hour, sorry. Get real, until you've owned a business it's irrelivant what a book says.

Wow, that was a harsh answer for a non-harsh statement. Tell that to Stephen, the webmaster here, HE is the one who helped write the book. If you are charging enough, and offer great service, you can pay hourly and do well. Even better than commission.

I worked at a shop that went by this method, the most successful shop I have ever seen, booked 3 months out, great clients, great dogs, state of the art salon, and making a profit.

She asked a question and I stated my opinion as opoosed to others offered out there. Did I break a "rule?"

Tammy in Utah