Yeah booked my first mobile appt.today

[happy trails]

I booked my first mobile appt. I was a little nervous to tell them my price its 20.00 more than salon price.My husband was standing behind me making sure I didn't chicken out and not charge enough.But shoot he said heck thats only 10.00 more than petsomething and your driving to us.My vans will be here friday Im getting excited now and a little scared I'ts been quite costly to get started.

[diamienono]

OH, the first groom I almost puked I was so nervous. It took me forever because I was nit picking everything. Congrats. It is second nature now. But I just wish I was busy. I had the holiday rush and all, but I did one today and have nothing else the rest of the week. I did not get in the phone book in time. Plus there is another groomer with the same business name as me in the book and her machine says she is not accepting new clients. That is also hurting me. So. Enjoy your van. You will find yourself in and out of it a lot moving things etc. I still re-arrange things.

[Pawsitively Purrfect]

Yay for You!!!!! Enjoy these early days because it will take off before you know it. Have you hooked up with any more established mobiles in your area? They may serve as a great source of referrall if they get overbooked...

[furrybestjob]

I was lucky, my first 5 dogs booked in my new van and business were all ones that I've been grooming for a long time. That made things so much easier, and they kind of gave me the extra boost of confidence I needed. Its great that you've already booked an appointment. There will be many more to come. It is so much fun setting up the van exactly the way you want it. The only bad thing is that I enjoy working in my van so much it actually takes me longer to groom a dog. Congratulations! What is the name of your business?

[dogsdayspa]

Congrants on your new van it will take you about 6 months to get busy enjoy the slow time it won`t last long. Be sure to charge the right price it is hard to go up on prices once they get used to you. Have fun!

[PAWS]

Oh my gosh! I remember the feeling. Congrats!!! And Damien...my gosh, why don't you call the other groomer and ask if she can refer her overflow to you? She could just pass on the numbers to you and you can call them back! I am sure if she agreed you could think of something nice to do for her.

[happy trails]

Everyone thanks for the incouraging words.I will be bringing some of my regular customers some can not afford the extra cost so they will stay at the shop.
Furrybestjob the name of my company is Happy Trails Mobile Grooming salon.
as far as hooking up with other mobiles we have 5 Aussie being 2 of then and there not to friendly they approached me about working for them wanted to pay me 25% that wasn't going to happen.One is new also building up her business. So I plan on introducing myself to the other 2 I know one of them is expecting twins this spring.

[PoodlePal]

Where are you in CA? There is a mobile groomers group getting started in San Diego. So far there are approx. 15 of us.

[kari]

Hi congradualations to you.How exciting some day you will be very busy and look back on this momment with a huge smile and a sigh of relief that it has all passed.Don't back down on you pricing if youj figured out what you have make you will feel more justified on your pricing.Remember to sound friendly but be very confident in what you do and say.People can scense it.

[happy trails]

Poodle Pal I'm in Bakersfield thanks Robin

[plushpuppy]

Congrats, I remember my first real client that was not a friend or relative I was so sick to my stomachGood luck, be confident and you will be great. but most of all HAVE FUN

[diamienono]

Oh my gosh! I remember the feeling. Congrats!!! And Damien...my gosh, why don't you call the other groomer and ask if she can refer her overflow to you? She could just pass on the numbers to you and you can call them back! I am sure if she agreed you could think of something nice to do for her.

She already does that. But most people don't even leave her a msg becuase her machine say she not accepting new clients.

[Kim in SD]

Congrats!! Ah, that feeling. Just remember it's harder to raise your prices if you've priced to low to begin with. Like Lisa I didn't get into the yellow pages. It was slow first, seems like you have a head start. I was lucky I already had a clientell too. That will help a whole lot.
Also, if you are in the SD area or close, come to the meeting in March. I'll be there too.

[Arrooh]

It was a nervous time.

I remember how every customer was new. I couldn't wait till I got ones that were good old customers that I knew the deal well about. Every single day, new. It was exhausting, but didn't take long to get some regulars, and what a joy to go back again and again. It helped me a lot to groom a few friends, neighbors dogs right away, so that when I went to the new customer I had more confidence. First dog I did, with my new Housecall grooming set up, was bath my B/F's dog, no charge of course, whether she needed it or not.

Congratulations, and happy trails to happy tails.

[jbates]

OH, the first groom I almost puked I was so nervous. It took me forever because I was nit picking everything. Congrats. It is second nature now. But I just wish I was busy. I had the holiday rush and all, but I did one today and have nothing else the rest of the week. I did not get in the phone book in time. Plus there is another groomer with the same business name as me in the book and her machine says she is not accepting new clients. That is also hurting me. So. Enjoy your van. You will find yourself in and out of it a lot moving things etc. I still re-arrange things.

Can't you get on a yellow page on line? Dex has it here. I pay 256 a mn. for copy of logo on van bus card size= 4-5 dogs a mn. toooo hi never got Dec bill mailed double yesterday ouch. Pam you know from here same town gets all and more clients on line ad.live n learn from all of us . Lucky to have this board!