Is everyone staying in mobile grooming with these gas prices

[groominglife]

They say its only going to get higher(as usual). This is one of the big things holding me back from mobile

[luvpups]

I am staying in, no doubt. I love mobile and don't think I would work in a shop again unless I had to. I am raising my prices. I have a big investment in time building the biz for the last year and money in my equipment. If I had known that gas would get so high, I might have gotten the sprinter, but I am extremely happy with my WNT. I am also tightening up my area a bit.

[Admin]

Why?

The rise in gas prices are simply forcing more efficiency, I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from mobile grooming. As many have said you tighten your area book neighborhoods on certain days of the week. People will understand.

But everyone should realize that rents, supplies, tools, literally everything is going to go up. Everyone uses gasoline in manufacturing, in servicing etc, every cost of doing business, mobile or stationary, is going to go up.

What is so odd is that we never hear about inflation. Remember in the 70''s, 80's and 90's even we would hear about inflation statistics, low or high. It is not, but nearly, a taboo subject because for decades a 10 percent rise in gasoline was ALARMING because everything else would go up. Now we are at 100+ percent rise in the last 4 years, and no alarm bells? There were times in the U.S. not so long ago when wage and price freezes were called until things were worked out to prevent inflation, a 25 percent increase would not have been allowed. Odd. But as a businessperson you have to realize that your cost operation will rise, and it's going to hit everyone, no matter what type of grooming business you own.

I also know many owners that commute to their commercial locations more miles a day than what a mobile van can drive in a tight area. They stay in business and look to ways to save.

While gas is high and going higher, think about the thousands of pet groomers in California commercial locations that had their electricity TRIPLE in one year during the "electricity crisis" a few years back. The industry survived, prices were increased, customers understood, groomers became more efficient in the use of the power.

Making such decisions should be based on a financial spreadsheet like that in Grooming Business in a Box. For example, I have 5 years ahead charted with all my income projections and cost projections. For mobile, I can increase the cost of gas in 5 seconds or less for the next few years and see the bottom line in 1 second. I can then adjust my prices on the sheet in 5 seconds to perfectly compensate for huge gas price increase even, and voila. In seconds I was able to say this is how much I am going to have to raise my prices if gas goes to $5 a gallon, and then you only have to say, will the market bear it? Etc. This is why all professional people use these sales and costs forecasts, in 30 seconds or less I have a new financial projection and analysis, SPECIFICALLY, and I don't go into limbo wondering should I or shouldn't I.

Business and career decisions are best made by having hard facts in writing as a result of business and career planning. We have already done the $5 a gallon analysis for several Grooming Business in a Box clients, neat things are going on with users that y'all don't hear about on this board. Pretty amazing to hear groomers talking about financial spreadsheets when they didn't know what one was a few months ago. I had hoped more of that would spill on the board here but it's more conversational so we chat by email for now...that will change later once the Box is all done.

All the mobilers I am working with now using the Box forecasts are using $5 a gallon estimates for next year, and they will be in business. They know precisely how much to raise prices to compensate in a matter of minutes. They also easily booked 10% to 20% increases in the cost of supplies etc. It looks OK, but depressing yes having to go through price increases more often for some, but customers will understand and the efficient mobiler will MASTER how to serve clientele with the least amount of mileage. I think we have all know mobilers who did little planning and drove entire regions crazily back and forth in a day.

A mobiler in general needs roughly about 150 very loyal clients who book every 4 to 8 weeks, and that keeps them busy year round. That's such a tiny amount compared to salons that need 500 to 1500, or more. So what are the 150 clients like, upscale, located in what areas, income brackets etc. Are they in my area, or this area? They will pay increases to accommodate costs of operation, but you have to do your studies of your areas and gain the confidence. In all major metro areas there is going to be room for mobilers to get these small goal client bases, and it becomes more important how well you serve these people and get them to become totally loyal and steady and your business then booked year round.

[Dixie9]

Selling

I have loved being mobile, especially having my own business but the gas is casting a shadow on my optimism. I sat and did some adding and subtracting and of course you make more money being mobile and your own boss BUT when you subtract the gas, liability insurance, car insurance, advertising, supplies and of course the taxes you are making just a few hundred more a month than working in a salon.

I am posting my 1998 Wagntails Ford Econoline 350 on Petgroomer.com this afternoon. I'm headed back to being someone elses employee. They can pay the insurance, supplies and not much gas needed for my little car to get to work.

[Dixie9]

Reply

Please don't get me wrong. If this was my primary career choice and my only income of course I would stick with it. I love it!

I should have mentioned that I am retired from law enforcement and this is a side job to keep me busy and happy. I love mobile but lately the headaches have out weighed the happy. I have earned a quiet and enjoyable retirement. I love grooming but this is extra money for fun stuff.

Most of you do mobile as your primary source of work income and for crying out loud stick with it. It is freedom and a great job. Trust me if I could do three dogs a day, four days a week and take care of expenses there is no way I would quit this, again, I love it!!

If I work full speed a head to make up for the gas cost by doing 5 or more a day I am defeating my purpose of enjoying retirement.

I love dogs and I was lucky enough to have some great people who owned salons train me. I accumulated over 100 clients in four months when I went mobile due to an article in the paper, I was lucky.

I like doing this so much I have thought about buying a small trailer that fits in a garage and pulling it with a small used truck just to stay in the business.

I just have to sell this large van. I have put a lot of work into it but I have to put in 120 dollars a week in gas.

[furrybestjob]

When I started last year in July, gas prices were at $3.15, so right now we'reabout 30 cents more a gallon. Even a small price increase will cover cost of raising gas prices (and other costs). Although I hate paying the higher price, because I know I'm getting screwed by someone who'd making outrageous amounts of money on the deal, I don't worry that its going to make my business fail. I'm still working on being more efficient as far as scheduling and distances that if I really buckle down I can make up for the difference. I know that the services I provide are desired by people, and that there are many people who will continue to see spending money on their pet as a priority. These are the types I want anyway.

[eli]

I'm going to start mobile

& I don't worry about the gas $ issue. I just don't get what the big fuss is. It's gonna keep going up like everything else. But we do have a choice in the matter.

But don't get me started on HO insurance. Like I am required to have my block home with non smoking residents, central heat & air, a newer roof, with a small mortgage insured for about 4 times what we owe. That trips my trigger!

Credit card interest & late charges. Nevermind.

I admit my business savvy is not up to pare with most of you here.

I do believe people pay for what's important to them,
& have what I consider wealthy clients who are not as concerned about having a neat dog. I have those not who I consider as wealthy (but who really knows) who treat their dogs better than most people on the planet.

Erica

[diamienono]

When I started in Oct gas was $2.03 a gallon now it is $3. I am going to have a $5 price increase. BUT, if I have a multi dog house I will only increase by $5 not $10. I just want to cover my gas. Gosh I wish I had the $ to pay Doug to do an inverter for me right now so I did not have to gas up the gene. Doug, I will gladly pay you tomorrow for one hamburger today lol.

[mustluvdogs1]

I believe that all the info we need is here.

'Tho I am no business woman and hate math, I believe all the info we need to succeed is right here right now. Thanks to Stephen and the books we can make it continue to work. I was never low for this area always anticipating increase in costs. Now I have less profit but still make it ea mo. Water bill will increase a lot but somehow I will carry on. I need to target my own back yard so to speak and network with others farther out. I give refs but don't receive many. New website soon should help by the time my phone book logo ad goes away. I loved the garage sale/grooming ad....Gotta try it even if it is some neighbor having the garage sale! There really are enough dogs for everyone here. Still truckin I would be happy to lower prices if more dogs were a few streets away. I drive 20+ out and another to get home with some inbetween and some not.I always push my mile counter in to 0 to check miles.

[kari]

Hi even with gas prices I still intend to stay in the mobile business.I don't think I ever want to work for a shop out here our drive seventy miles a day to work in the San Fernando Valley again.I will just continue to raise prices accordingly and tighten up my route as much as possible and get new clients that are willing to pay if the old ones don't want to.Most people are willing and those that don't I tell them I tottally understand and It's been a pleassure and if things don't work out with thier new groomer they are welcome to give me a call.Make a business plan out and try to stick with it.

[hillclimber]

'VERRRRYYY Well Said.' There is no way I would give up mobile over the price of gas.

(WHY??)

Remember, the customer would have to bring their pet to a shop, then go and pick the pet up....that's four trips of using their own gas....not to mention the inconvience of it all.

I've tightened up my area, do more in one day, then take a day off during the week. I really like the way I'm doing it now, less driving makes it nicer.

The rise in gas prices are simply forcing more efficiency, I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from mobile grooming. As many have said you tighten your area book neighborhoods on certain days of the week. People will understand.

But everyone should realize that rents, supplies, tools, literally everything is going to go up. Everyone uses gasoline in manufacturing, in servicing etc, every cost of doing business, mobile or stationary, is going to go up.

What is so odd is that we never hear about inflation. Remember in the 70''s, 80's and 90's even we would hear about inflation statistics, low or high. It is not, but nearly, a taboo subject because for decades a 10 percent rise in gasoline was ALARMING because everything else would go up. Now we are at 100+ percent rise in the last 4 years, and no alarm bells? There were times in the U.S. not so long ago when wage and price freezes were called until things were worked out to prevent inflation, a 25 percent increase would not have been allowed. Odd. But as a businessperson you have to realize that your cost operation will rise, and it's going to hit everyone, no matter what type of grooming business you own.

I also know many owners that commute to their commercial locations more miles a day than what a mobile van can drive in a tight area. They stay in business and look to ways to save.

While gas is high and going higher, think about the thousands of pet groomers in California commercial locations that had their electricity TRIPLE in one year during the "electricity crisis" a few years back. The industry survived, prices were increased, customers understood, groomers became more efficient in the use of the power.

Making such decisions should be based on a financial spreadsheet like that in Grooming Business in a Box. For example, I have 5 years ahead charted with all my income projections and cost projections. For mobile, I can increase the cost of gas in 5 seconds or less for the next few years and see the bottom line in 1 second. I can then adjust my prices on the sheet in 5 seconds to perfectly compensate for huge gas price increase even, and voila. In seconds I was able to say this is how much I am going to have to raise my prices if gas goes to $5 a gallon, and then you only have to say, will the market bear it? Etc. This is why all professional people use these sales and costs forecasts, in 30 seconds or less I have a new financial projection and analysis, SPECIFICALLY, and I don't go into limbo wondering should I or shouldn't I.

Business and career decisions are best made by having hard facts in writing as a result of business and career planning. We have already done the $5 a gallon analysis for several Grooming Business in a Box clients, neat things are going on with users that y'all don't hear about on this board. Pretty amazing to hear groomers talking about financial spreadsheets when they didn't know what one was a few months ago. I had hoped more of that would spill on the board here but it's more conversational so we chat by email for now...that will change later once the Box is all done.

All the mobilers I am working with now using the Box forecasts are using $5 a gallon estimates for next year, and they will be in business. They know precisely how much to raise prices to compensate in a matter of minutes. They also easily booked 10% to 20% increases in the cost of supplies etc. It looks OK, but depressing yes having to go through price increases more often for some, but customers will understand and the efficient mobiler will MASTER how to serve clientele with the least amount of mileage. I think we have all know mobilers who did little planning and drove entire regions crazily back and forth in a day.

A mobiler in general needs roughly about 150 very loyal clients who book every 4 to 8 weeks, and that keeps them busy year round. That's such a tiny amount compared to salons that need 500 to 1500, or more. So what are the 150 clients like, upscale, located in what areas, income brackets etc. Are they in my area, or this area? They will pay increases to accommodate costs of operation, but you have to do your studies of your areas and gain the confidence. In all major metro areas there is going to be room for mobilers to get these small goal client bases, and it becomes more important how well you serve these people and get them to become totally loyal and steady and your business then booked year round.

[Yoshi]

Box?

Hello Admin.
I was curious about this Grooming Business in a Box. Is this something new or did I miss the bus again?
Thank you!

[Doug]

Admin

You right about the word "inflation" it never gets used any more.