In this episode of The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast, host Denise is joined by guest Laurren, a bookkeeper with an extensive background in both grooming and accounting. They discuss the importance of understanding your business's financials, especially when scaling or planning for the future. Lauren shares her journey from working in a CPA firm to running a successful grooming business, highlighting the significance of business education for groomers. They also delve into the advantages of outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping to focus on what you're truly passionate about. Additionally, the conversation touches on the challenges and strategies for new business owners, and the value of having a community to support expansion and improvement in the grooming industry. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow your grooming business, this episode offers insightful advice and encouragement.

Welcome to The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast! In this episode, I'm diving into a hot topic that has been swirling around our industry: the classification of employees as 1099 contractors versus W2 employees. I'm joined by Crystal, a seasoned accountant who specializes in the pet grooming industry. Together, we'll unpack the complexities and legalities surrounding this critical issue. As we explore the history and current challenges faced by groomers, you'll gain insights into why the proper classification of workers is crucial—not just for compliance, but also for fostering a thriving business environment. Whether you're an employer or an employee in the grooming industry, understanding these distinctions can protect your interests and pave the way for a more professional and equitable workspace. Tune in as we share essential knowledge, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to help you navigate this legal labyrinth and ensure your business practices are on the right track.

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In this episode of The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast, host Denise and guest Samantha Palya discuss recognizing and managing business patterns throughout the year. They explore how seasonal changes, economic fluctuations, and human behavior affect pet grooming businesses, employees, and clients. The conversation covers managing winter blues, handling slow seasons, maintaining positive workplace culture, and supporting both staff and customers through challenging times. Both experienced business owners share practical strategies for being proactive rather than reactive to these predictable patterns, including team building activities, continuing education, and maintaining a positive mindset. They emphasize the importance of building a support network in the industry and offer themselves as resources for other pet care professionals who might be struggling.

Samantha Palya, with 30 years of grooming experience and multiple business ventures, brings valuable insights as the owner of Absolutely Popping Pet Styling and the enrichment stylist consulting business. Together with Denise, they provide actionable advice for pet care business owners to better navigate the cyclical challenges of the industry while maintaining strong business relationships and personal well-being.

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In this episode, host Denise Heroux sits down with Cassondra, owner of Club Posh and known as "The Unlimited Groomer," to discuss effective communication and pricing strategies in the pet grooming industry. They explore how to remove emotion from business decisions while maintaining empathy with clients, the importance of giving clients options, and why transparent communication leads to better client relationships and higher revenue. The conversation covers how to properly raise prices, communicate value, and create specialized service offerings that align with both the groomer's expertise and client needs. Both experts share real-world examples of successful client interactions and pricing strategies that have helped their businesses thrive while maintaining strong client relationships.

🌟 Unleash the Power of Preparedness! 🌟

Join us for a riveting episode of The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast as host Denise Heroux sits down with disaster planning expert Mary Oquendo. Dive into essential strategies for safeguarding your pet care facility against emergencies, emphasizing the importance of hands-on training and comprehensive disaster planning. From thrilling personal anecdotes to crucial industry insights, this conversation is packed with invaluable tips on evacuation drills, insurance intricacies, and employee preparedness.

Highlights Include: 🔹 The significance of live classes and on-demand options for emergency planning 🔹 Real-life stories illustrating the need for disaster readiness 🔹 Insider tips on navigating insurance coverage for natural disasters 🔹 Practical advice on maintaining secure, accessible documentation 🔹 The critical role of employee training in managing emergencies

Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice to protect your business, your team, and the pets in your care. Listen now and ensure you're ready for any unexpected challenges!

Tune in and empower your pet care business with vital preparedness skills!

Welcome back to another episode of The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have a special guest, Lisa Menze, the owner and founder of Internet Staffing Solutions, join our host Denise. Lisa brings a wealth of experience in the pet care industry and offers unique services through her company, which focuses on training virtual assistants (VAs) specifically for pet-related businesses.

In this episode, we dive deep into the misconceptions and benefits surrounding virtual assistants, especially how they can revolutionize small business operations by managing social media, enhancing brand identity, and even handling customer relations. Lisa shares insights on the importance of personal branding, the shift in consumer behavior post-Covid, and the introduction of innovative solutions like automated chatbots.

Furthermore, Lisa discusses her upcoming course on business credit and the value of understanding the distinct roles of personal and business credit. Denise highlights the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility of using VAs, recounting personal experiences and success stories.

Whether you're looking to streamline your business operations, enhance your brand, or simply understand the evolving landscape of virtual assistance in the pet industry, this episode is packed with actionable insights. So plug in your earbuds and get ready to transform your business with the power of virtual assistants!

Welcome to The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast! In this episode, host Denise Heroux chats with Bridget, a dedicated grooming business owner who transitioned from the horse industry to dog grooming. Bridget shares her journey, managing her growing team, and the challenges of setting prices in a low-income area. Denise offers expert advice on tiered pricing, luxurious grooming products, and creative employee compensation.

Listen in as Bridget highlights the importance of community among groomers, her dream of offering specialty services, and the support she receives from her team. This episode is full of actionable tips for grooming business owners at any stage, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their practice.

Welcome to another engaging episode of The Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast! Today we're diving deep into the world of pet grooming businesses with our fantastic guest, Christina. Christina is the owner of Imperial Canine, a thriving brick and mortar grooming business based in Pickerington. She started her journey working in a vet clinic but soon transitioned to running her own shop in 2023, overcoming several challenges along the way.

In this episode, we'll explore Christina's and my own experiences with managing our grooming businesses with minimal debt, navigating the tricky waters of client communication, and the importance of setting boundaries for both pets and their owners. From handling difficult clients to using visual aids and consent forms for better communication, we share insights and strategies that can help you run your grooming business more smoothly and professionally. Christina will also discuss her approach to handling online reviews and the effects on her confidence and business.

Whether you're a veteran groomer or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical tips and heartfelt advice to inspire and guide you in your grooming venture. So tune in, as we get ready to unleash a wealth of knowledge that could transform the way you manage your pet grooming business!

Welcome back to the Ambitious Groomer Business Podcast! In today's episode, join our host Denise as she embarks on a personal journey through her storied career in the grooming industry and the unveiling of her latest passion project. From her early days finding serendipity in a newspaper job ad to transforming into a seasoned business owner with multiple locations and a team of 26, Denise shares the trials and triumphs that shaped her path. She talks candidly about navigating tough times, pioneering her leadership stance, and embracing the gray areas of owning a business. Stay tuned as Denise also opens the floor for conversations with other grooming business owners, aiming to foster a supportive community by sharing collective wisdom and tackling common challenges together. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or dreaming of your grooming empire, this episode promises invaluable insights and practical advice to enrich your journey.