Tweet
I am in a shop, as the only groomer, where one of our selling points is "appointment only." Meaning, there is an appointment, like at a human hairdresser, and "most dogs are done in about an hour." Most dogs meaning probably 85-90%. St. Pooodles, sheepdogs, labradoodles, some cockers, some wheatons, etc...take longer. But "about an hour" means 45 min - 1.25 hours. To me, with my experience with other groomers, I know this may seem unbelievable. (And fancy cuts, poodles, bichons = 2+ hours, I'm talking clipper cuts or clipper/comb attachment/hand scissor legs/face type here) Trust me, 3 years ago I'd have said "NO WAY."
Please note I'm doing high quality work. Dogs spotless. I've got my certification from the NDGAA in Sporting and Terriers (and hand stripping except for the written test which is not out yet.) I rarely have an unhappy client. Most are thrilled. Luckily in the past year I've gotten a routine and generally can make this work. No cage dryers, but have fans and if people bring in 2 dogs from the same house (i.e. two westies, two scotties, 2 maltese can get them both done in 1.5 hours) will do first part, bathe, set in front of fan do the other, finish one finish the other.
If I'm booked up I'll call an assistant in to help bathe & dry, just as I would bathe & dry (and honestly, I think sometimes this young adult may be better than I am at bathing! I drilled it in him at the beginning that I wanted them spotless, and boy they are.)
Anyway to get to my point here, there are days I groom 11 dogs on my own, almost one at a time, and other days 15 with someone helping me. In about 8 hours. The shop I'm at is getting to the point where we are bursting at the seams (we've won some local awards, gotten press, and word of mouth has been great!), we're trying to hang in there until next Oct because in Florida the slow season is May - Nov I've explained to my boss that the way we're doing this is great, but that (In my opinion) most groomers would be shocked at this and balk at the idea of grooming one dog at a time in about an hour. Not that I'm "all that" I'm just a A personality who works at high pace, under high stress well. I have excellent communication skills and a desire to make everyone in the whole world happy. That just somehow works with this situation. And I'm telling my boss.."gee, you may have a hard time finding another groomer who thinks a dog an hour is feasible."
I know from past working positions how NICE it is to get them all in 7:30 - 8:30 am and then whenever you are done you're done goes. Part of me really misses that. The good part is I'm not walking dogs, cleaning cages, feeding (although they will not eat), getting phone calls "is spot done'?" But at the same time I'm there until 5 or whenever the last appointment is done instead of being able to get out early. And god forbid someone be late, or early. Late throws things off, early I have to put up what I'm working on and go check the next one in then go back to the one I just put up. Luckily, somehow, it all works out.
I guess part of what I'm getting at here is if you were to see an ad for a dog grooming position or talk to someone about one where you had to do it this way what would you think? I need some feed back. So far I've told my boss that "most groomers would think how we do things is insane." Right or wrong??What do you think.
In many ways I like this set up, it's QUIET in the groom room this way. No, I'm not charging for expedited service, but we are a little higher than other shops in the area, by like $5.00 or so. Everything is included, dremeling nails too. The only extra charge right now is for LaPooch Medecidic shampoo - the only medicated shampoo I've found I think works well thus far. Oh, and I grade my "clients" A,B,C,D,F....D or F gets $5 - $10 extra. (I only have one "F" and if he wasn't a yorkie I'd tell the owner to take him to the vet for grooming. In my head most F's mean go to your vet.)
What do you think?
Please note I'm doing high quality work. Dogs spotless. I've got my certification from the NDGAA in Sporting and Terriers (and hand stripping except for the written test which is not out yet.) I rarely have an unhappy client. Most are thrilled. Luckily in the past year I've gotten a routine and generally can make this work. No cage dryers, but have fans and if people bring in 2 dogs from the same house (i.e. two westies, two scotties, 2 maltese can get them both done in 1.5 hours) will do first part, bathe, set in front of fan do the other, finish one finish the other.
If I'm booked up I'll call an assistant in to help bathe & dry, just as I would bathe & dry (and honestly, I think sometimes this young adult may be better than I am at bathing! I drilled it in him at the beginning that I wanted them spotless, and boy they are.)
Anyway to get to my point here, there are days I groom 11 dogs on my own, almost one at a time, and other days 15 with someone helping me. In about 8 hours. The shop I'm at is getting to the point where we are bursting at the seams (we've won some local awards, gotten press, and word of mouth has been great!), we're trying to hang in there until next Oct because in Florida the slow season is May - Nov I've explained to my boss that the way we're doing this is great, but that (In my opinion) most groomers would be shocked at this and balk at the idea of grooming one dog at a time in about an hour. Not that I'm "all that" I'm just a A personality who works at high pace, under high stress well. I have excellent communication skills and a desire to make everyone in the whole world happy. That just somehow works with this situation. And I'm telling my boss.."gee, you may have a hard time finding another groomer who thinks a dog an hour is feasible."
I know from past working positions how NICE it is to get them all in 7:30 - 8:30 am and then whenever you are done you're done goes. Part of me really misses that. The good part is I'm not walking dogs, cleaning cages, feeding (although they will not eat), getting phone calls "is spot done'?" But at the same time I'm there until 5 or whenever the last appointment is done instead of being able to get out early. And god forbid someone be late, or early. Late throws things off, early I have to put up what I'm working on and go check the next one in then go back to the one I just put up. Luckily, somehow, it all works out.
I guess part of what I'm getting at here is if you were to see an ad for a dog grooming position or talk to someone about one where you had to do it this way what would you think? I need some feed back. So far I've told my boss that "most groomers would think how we do things is insane." Right or wrong??What do you think.
In many ways I like this set up, it's QUIET in the groom room this way. No, I'm not charging for expedited service, but we are a little higher than other shops in the area, by like $5.00 or so. Everything is included, dremeling nails too. The only extra charge right now is for LaPooch Medecidic shampoo - the only medicated shampoo I've found I think works well thus far. Oh, and I grade my "clients" A,B,C,D,F....D or F gets $5 - $10 extra. (I only have one "F" and if he wasn't a yorkie I'd tell the owner to take him to the vet for grooming. In my head most F's mean go to your vet.)
What do you think?
(If they had a "Whateva" personality...I could be that!)
Comment