Tell me how you start your business

[Redneck Groomer]

I have a dream that I will own a business; a grooming mobile. I have been see people saying that they start with loan, family's money, and other stuff. Really, I HATE HATE HATE LOAN! But however with my 14 years experiences of grooming. I had been grooming in city for 6 years then moved to other city for 3 years then move to other city until now. IT costs me a mistake because how do I get my customers to know who I am. Anyway, just curious how you did it? I know from what I see, you are all sucessful! Let's Pat on your back! Thanks

[Gracy Rose]

Unless you have been putting money away for the last 14 years that you have been grooming then LOAN is your only option. Whether it be through a bank, friend or family it is still a loan in most cases.

[charlieB]

Same here. A little bit of our saving for down payment and loan from a bank. My husband and I have good credits so it was easy to talk to our bank.

[Starshan]

If you have a handy man or someone handy in the family you could buy a motorhome that runs good but might be a little rough on the inside, hopefully not too rough. You don't want to deal with the ceiling too much so you don't want roof leaks etc. It really depends on what your handy man can handle. We first did a truck camper, the kind that go in the bed of the truck. It got me through the first 2.5 yrs. It was a learning experience but fun. We just gutted out a high top camper van, we took our time, finished & had it on the road in June & I love working in it. I can now start saving for a professionally built one. Although I love that my husband kept the bench seat in mine. Its a place my 5yr daughter can play while I groom. Once she's in school, if a client wants to sit & watch etc they have a place. I wouldn't get that with a Wagntails. Maybe Hanvey would do something like that custom but don't know. I know a 2 lady business a little north of me bought a new Class B motorhome & had the company custom build it a huge tub but kept alot of the other stuff so they could make their own lunch on the road or go camping etc I might just go this route next time, not sure. It would be alot cheaper then a Wagntails or Hanvey etc.

For the truck camper we paid $500. Then for the van we paid $500, it was rotten inside & had title issues so was cheap. For the van to convert it & deal with title issues it came to alittle over $5,000, that is with the cost of buying it too added in. If you want to see pictures I have a shutterfly link on my website when you click on the van picture. www.thesoapypuppy.com

Shannon
The Soapy Puppy

[Redneck Groomer]

I know about putting away money since 14 years. But divorce, remarried and have a child. It is not regretting but I can start putting it away. Have you tried government grant? does it help other people?

Is commission (self-employed) about 50 percent make no different because business owner paid 50 percent to pay business stuff and other 50 for you?

I like camper in truck for beginning it is a great idea!

[Meesh]

The only way to do it is with self-financing if you've been saving money or get an inheritance or a loan, or, more likely a combination.

I started mobile grooming straight out of grooming school so I didn't have any previous clients. I advertised, networked with vets, got myself and my van out there. Once I started to get a few clients through the ads I started to get word-of-mouth, most of my clients rebooked and I got them on regular schedules and I just built up the business.

I STRONGLY suggest you purchase a copy of Go Mobile and Succeed (http://www.royalcaninemobilegrooming.com/book.html) which will answer a lot of your questions about how to get started and solve lots of practical problems.

Meesh

[Starshan]

If you have a handy man or someone handy in the family you could buy a motorhome that runs good but might be a little rough on the inside, hopefully not too rough. You don't want to deal with the ceiling too much so you don't want roof leaks etc. It really depends on what your handy man can handle. We first did a truck camper, the kind that go in the bed of the truck. It got me through the first 2.5 yrs. It was a learning experance but fun. We just gutted out a high top camper van & I love working in it. I can now start saving for a professionally built one. Although I love that my husband kept the bench seat in mine. Its a place my 5yr daughter can play while I groom. Once she's in school, if a client wants to sit & watch etc they have a place. I wouldn't get that with a Wagntails. Maybe Hanvey would do something like that custom but don't know.

For the truck camper we paid $500. Then for the van we paid $500, it was rotten inside & had title issues so was cheap. For the van to convert it & deal with title issues it came to alittle over $5,000, that is with the cost of buying it too added in. If you want to see pictures I have a shutterfly link on my website when you click on the van picture. www.thesoapypuppy.com

Shannon
The Soapy Puppy