The Daily Groomer

🚐 Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van (Free Masterclass)

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Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van: How to Choose, Finance, and Purchase the Right Vehicle

​Presented by The Daily Groomer and @WagnTailsMobile

​Buying a mobile grooming van is one of the biggest investments you'll make but how do you know you're choosing the right one?

​In this Mobile Grooming Masterclass, we'll walk through the entire buying process with someone who's helped countless groomers purchase their first (or next) mobile grooming vehicle.

​From choosing the right layout to understanding financing or leasing, budgeting, and avoiding costly mistakes, this workshop is designed to help you make a confident decision before you sign on the dotted line.

​💬 What You’ll Learn

​Ninoshka will break down what goes into buying a mobile grooming van and what every groomer should know before making such a major investment.

​We'll cover:

​How to determine if you're financially ready to buy a mobile grooming van

​What to look for when comparing different van layouts and features

​The pros and cons of buying new vs. used

​Financing options and what lenders typically look for

​Common buying mistakes that can cost you thousands

​Questions you should ask before purchasing any mobile grooming vehicle

​Tips for budgeting beyond the purchase price, including insurance, maintenance, and operating costs

​…plus YOUR questions, answered live

​🎤 Guest Expert

​Ninoshka Tashira

​Ninoshka Tashira is the owner of Groovy Pups, a successful mobile grooming business built from the ground up.

​After discovering grooming through her own rescue dog, she started with a $300 investment, grooming from clients' homes and her garage before launching her mobile business. Known for her calm, compassionate approach and commitment to one-on-one, cage-free care, Ninoshka has become a respected voice in the mobile grooming industry.

​She is passionate about helping groomers confidently make the leap into mobile, sharing practical advice on buying the right van, overcoming early challenges, and building a thriving business centered on exceptional client and pet experiences.

​📍 Mobile Grooming Masterclasses

​This workshop is a part of our Mobile Grooming Masterclasses, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.

August 3

​Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van: How to Choose, Finance, and Purchase the Right Vehicle

August 10

​Pricing for Profit: How to Build a Smarter Mobile Grooming Pricing Strategy

​August 31

Build a Brand That Books: Marketing Your Mobile Grooming Business and Winning More Customers

​🐾 Why Attend?

​If you're serious about launching a mobile grooming business, buying the right van is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

​Understand what you can realistically afford

​Learn how to compare vans with confidence

​Avoid expensive purchasing mistakes

​Get practical advice on financing and budgeting

​Leave with a clearer understanding of what to look for before you buy

​Whether you're just starting your research or ready to purchase, this session will help you move forward with confidence.

In this episode of After Hours, I talk about what it really means to be yourself and how easy it is to lose sight of who you are when you’re caught up in everyone else’s expectations. We explore what makes you unique, how to reconnect with the person you’ve always been, and how to let go of the things that have changed the way you show up in the world. Through honest conversations and practical exercises, I challenge you to stop trying to be who you think you should be and start embracing who you are. It all comes back to showing up as yourself with calm, confidence, and consistency.

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I bring together Elizabeth Gibbs, Megan Murphy, Brittany Moon, and Josh Fitzgerald from Zoomin’ Groomin, Salty Dog, and across the grooming industry to discuss the launch of a brand-new grooming academy. We explore why hands-on training and passionate people matter, how to shape a standout curriculum, and what it takes to build a positive grooming culture. Hear stories from business owners about what makes a successful groomer beyond just technical skills, and get an inside look at our vision for expanding grooming education nationwide. Whether you’re a groomer, pet lover, or entrepreneur, you won’t want to miss this one!

Timestamps

07:11 Career journey and industry insights

12:56 Finding Passionate Employees

21:19 Promoting dog grooming as a career

28:25 Encouraging passion and resourcefulness

32:54 Company benefits and support initiatives

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @gibbsgrooming, @saltydawgatlanta, @brittshousecallgrooming and Josh Fitzgerald. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

Part III of the Start Series​

Presented by The Daily Groomer and  @WagnTailsMobile 

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If you’ve been thinking about going mobile — this is where it all comes together.​

After covering the decision and the reality of mobile grooming in the first two sessions, this final workshop is about putting the pieces together into a clear, actionable plan.​

We’re breaking down what it actually takes to go from “thinking about it” to running a real mobile grooming business.​

No guesswork. No overwhelm. Just a roadmap you can follow.​

💬 What You’ll Learn​

Bailey will walk through the key components of launching and operating a mobile grooming business — giving you a clear picture of what to expect and how to prepare.​

We’ll cover:​

The true start-up costs of going mobile (and how to plan for them)​

What day-to-day operations actually look like once you’re up and running

​How to approach pricing and profitability from the start​

The fundamentals of marketing your mobile business locally​

What kind of lifestyle changes to expect when you go mobile​

How to set yourself up for long-term success (not just getting started)

​…plus YOUR questions, answered live and unfiltered​This session is designed to give you a clear, practical roadmap so you can move forward with confidence and direction.​

🎤 Guest Expert​

Bailey Hope​

Owner, Picture Pawfect 101 (DFW, Texas)​

Bailey Hope is the owner of Picture Pawfect 101, a luxury mobile dog grooming service based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Known for her high-end grooming experience and attention to detail, Bailey has built a standout brand that blends premium service with strong customer relationships.

​As a business owner and mobile grooming advocate, she actively shares her journey online — educating pet parents, motivating fellow groomers, and offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a successful mobile operation.​

📍 Part of the Start Series​

This workshop is Part III of the Mobile Grooming Growth Summit – Start Track, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.​

Part I – May 4

​Salon & Mobile: What It Takes to Build Beyond One Model

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Part II – May 18​

What It’s Really Like to Run a Mobile Grooming Business

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Part III – June 1​

The Roadmap to Going Mobile: How To Start, Launch, and Grow Your First Van

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🐾 Why Attend?​

If you’re serious about going mobile, this is the session that ties everything together.​

Get a clear understanding of what it takes to get started​

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls early on​Build a realistic plan for your business

​Walk away with a roadmap you can actually follow

​Bring your questions. Leave with a plan.​

🔜 Coming Later This Year​The Scale Track — focused on multi-van owners and operators looking to grow — will be announced later this summer.

After Hours Episode #113: In this episode of After Hours, I had a chat with Jayne Gallagher and Sashsa Riess to talk about family constellations and how our family history can shape the way we show up in life and in grooming. We get into generational patterns, ancestral wounds, and even how our relationships with animals can sometimes bring things to the surface that we didn’t realize were there. We also challenge each other to take on a 40-day writing journey to reconnect with our roots. It’s a really honest conversation that might have you looking at yourself, your relationships, and your own story a little differently.

After Hours Episode #112: In this episode of After Hours, I sit down with Marcie Arnold of Pretty Pooch and Kitty Too for a real, honest conversation about life in the grooming industry. We talk about everything from burnout and confidence to difficult clients, proper prep, industry changes, and why getting out to expos can make such a difference. We also share a few war stories, some laughs, and talk about the importance of supporting and giving back to the grooming community. Whether you’ve been grooming for years or you’re just getting started, there’s plenty here to relate to.

Part II of the Start Series
Presented by The Daily Groomer and @WagnTailsMobile

Starting a mobile grooming business looks great from the outside.

Flexible schedule. Higher prices. Independence.

But what does it actually feel like once you’re in it?

In this session, we’re going beyond the highlight reel and getting into the real day-to-day experience of running a mobile grooming business — especially in the early stages.

No theory. No sugarcoating. Just an honest look at what it takes to get up and running and build something that lasts.

💬 What You’ll Learn

Tess will walk through what it’s really like to start and run a mobile grooming business — especially in the early days when you’re figuring everything out.

We’ll cover the real decisions, tradeoffs, and lessons that new mobile groomers face, including:

What the first few months actually look like after going mobile

How to think about buying your first van (new vs. used)

Different ways to finance your van — and what to watch out for

The biggest mistakes new mobile groomers make early on

How to handle your first clients, scheduling, and daily operations

What surprised her most when starting (the stuff no one tells you)

…plus YOUR questions, answered live and unfiltered

This session is designed to give you a clear, honest picture of starting mobile — so you can move forward with confidence and avoid costly missteps.

🎤 Guest Expert

Tess Oliver

Owner, Best in Show Pet Spa (Miami, FL)

Tess Oliver (IG: @best.in.show) is an award-winning dog groomer based in Miami, NDGAA certified in Non-Sporting breeds and Long-Legged Terriers. She shows and competes with Bedlington Terriers, and is an educator for Groom Haüs with several courses ranging from every day doodle trims to showing the Shetland Sheepgod. With over 15 years in the grooming industry and 10 years as a business owner, she brings a unique blend of technical grooming expertise and real-world business experience.

📍 Part of the Start Series

This workshop is Part II of the Mobile Grooming Growth Summit – Start Track, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.

Part I – May 4
Salon & Mobile: What It Takes to Build Beyond One Model

Part II – May 18
What It’s Really Like to Run a Mobile Grooming Business

Part III – June 1
The Roadmap to Going Mobile: How to Start, Launch, and Grow Your First Van

🐾 Why Attend?

If you’re thinking about going mobile — or just getting started — this is the session that shows you what it’s actually like once you’re in it.

Get a realistic view of the early-stage experience

Learn from someone who’s built and operated multiple vans

Avoid common mistakes that slow new operators down

Understand what it takes to build a fully booked business

Bring your questions. Leave with clarity and confidence.

🔜 Coming Later This Year

The Scale Track — focused on multi-van owners and operators looking to grow — will be announced later this summer.

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @best.in.show⁠ . Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at The Daily Groomer. Join and be part of The Daily Groomer Community!

Part I of the Start Series

​Presented by The Daily Groomer and  @WagnTailsMobile  ​

Thinking about going mobile — or already running your first van — and wondering what the bigger picture looks like?​

In this first session of the Start Track, we’re sitting down with an operator who’s built both a mobile and salon business to break down what it actually takes to grow in this industry.

​No theory. No fluff. Just a real conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and how to think about your next step.​

💬 What You’ll Learn

​Elizabeth will share what it’s really like to operate across both mobile and salon — and what that means if you're early in your journey.​

We’ll cover:​​

✅ The real differences between mobile grooming and salon ownership​​

✅ Why many groomers are choosing mobile — and when a salon still makes sense​​

✅ What to think about before you commit to your first van​​

✅ The early-stage realities of running a mobile grooming business​​

✅ How to approach growth without overcomplicating things too early​​

✅ Lessons learned from building both sides of the business

✅ ​…plus YOUR questions, answered live and unfiltered

🎤 Guest Expert​

Elizabeth Gibbs​

Owner, Barkwood Grooming (Salon & Mobile, Texas)​

Speaker • Educator • NCMG • Groom Team USA 2021/22​

Elizabeth is a nationally certified master groomer, HBO Max Haute Dog winner, and two-time Groom Team USA member. From grooming celebrities’ pets in Los Angeles to founding Barkwood Grooming back in her hometown, she brings a rare blend of high-end grooming skill and real-world business experience across both salon and mobile.​

📍 Part of the Start Series​

This workshop is Part I of the Mobile Grooming Growth Summit – Start Track, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.​

Part I – May 4​

Salon & Mobile: What It Takes to Build Beyond One Model​

Part II – May 18

​What It’s Really Like to Run a Mobile Grooming Business​

Part III – June 1​

The Roadmap to Going Mobile: How To Start, Launch, and Grow Your First Van​

🐾 Why Attend?​

If you’re thinking about going mobile — or just getting started — this is your chance to learn from someone who’s seen both sides.​

Understand your options before making a big decision​

Learn what actually matters early on (and what doesn’t)​

Avoid common mistakes new mobile groomers make​

Get clarity on whether mobile is the right move for you​

Bring your questions. Leave with a clearer path forward.​

🔜 Coming Later This Year​

The Scale Track — focused on multi-van owners and operators looking to grow — will be announced later this summer.

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media ⁠@gibbsgrooming. Curious about Teddy? You can ⁠sign up here⁠. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

After Hours Episode #111: In this episode of After Hours, I sit down with Jayne Gallagher for a real conversation about the physical and emotional side of grooming. We talk about dealing with difficult dogs, knowing when to set boundaries with clients, burnout, injuries, and the importance of standing up for yourself. We also get into the “inform, educate, require” approach and why confidence and self-respect can make such a difference in this industry. If you’ve ever felt burned out, overlooked, or like you’re giving more than you’re getting back, this one will hit home.

After Hours Episode #110: In this episode of After Hours, I talk about why self-respect is the foundation of real confidence. I share some personal experiences, practical ways to build trust in yourself, and why keeping small promises to yourself matters more than you might think. We also get into setting boundaries, breaking the cycle of self-doubt, and what it looks like to become someone you genuinely respect. If you've ever felt stuck or want to build more confidence from the inside out, this episode is for you.