Pet Grooming Business Plan
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Below is a template to help you create each section of your Pet Grooming business plan.
Executive Summary
Business Overview
Tangles Pet Grooming is a startup pet grooming company located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company is founded by Sandy Cooper, who has experience in pet grooming. Now, with the expertise of knowledge and business acumen, she has determined she can confidently start and effectively grow a successful pet grooming company. Sandy believes her experience of strategic growth, marketing skills, financial capabilities, and wide and deep knowledge of pet grooming practices will provide everything needed for long-term growth and profitability.
Tangles Pet Grooming will provide a comprehensive array of services and products for a variety of clients. Tangles Pet Grooming will be the most loving and caring grooming center, providing services and products to each client while supporting the strategic goals of the company. Tangles Pet Grooming will be the ultimate choice in Raleigh for clients to ensure that every need of the customer is fully and completely met.
Product Offering
The following are the services that Tangles Pet Grooming will provide:
- Dog and cat grooming
- Dog and cat bathing
- Dog and cat nail trimming
- Dog and cat dental care
- Dog and cat muscle massage
- Dog and cat nutritional balance check
- Dog and cat mini-break treatments
- Dog and cat wellness and play accessories
- Online reservations for all appointments
- Discounts for return and regular customers
Customer Focus
Tangles Pet Grooming will target all dog and cat owners within the Raleigh region. They will also target veterinarian offices. They will target natural health stores and retail pet stores. They will also target pet training companies.
Management Team
Tangles Pet Grooming will be owned and operated by Sandy Cooper. She recruited her former administrative assistant, Kerrie Thompson, to be her grooming center manager and over the administrative office and operations.
Sandy Cooper is a graduate of the North Carolina Pet Grooming Academy, where she earned certification in natural wellness for dogs and cats. She has a depth of experience in pet grooming due to the ten years she served as the head groomer for a dog and cat pet salon in Raleigh. Her customers appreciated the care and concern she demonstrated, as well as the helpful suggestions she gave for healthful eating and healthful patterns of living for the cats and dogs.
Kerrie Thompson was an administrative assistant in the dog and cat grooming salon where Sandy Cooper was employed. Kerrie served the owner of the business, as well as assisting ten groomers in their daily activities, supplies and special requests. She earned the deep respect and appreciation of all the groomers in the company. Her new role will be as the grooming center manager, also in charge of the administrative office and operations.
Success Factors
Tangles Pet Grooming will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:
- Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team of Tangles Pet Grooming
- Comprehensive menu of services and products for dog and cat owners
- Specialized cat and dog muscle massages for health and wellness
- Customized cat and dog natural wellness assessments
- Dog and cat health and wellness play toys and accessories
- Tangles Pet Grooming offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition.
Download the Pet Grooming business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Financial Highlights
Tangles Pet Grooming is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its pet grooming company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the grooming center space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:
- Grooming center space build-out: $20,000
- Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
- Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
- Marketing costs: $10,000
- Working capital: $10,000
The following graph outlines the financial projections for Tangles Pet Grooming .
Company Overview
Who is Tangles Pet Grooming?
Tangles Pet Grooming is a newly established, full-service dog and cat grooming company in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tangles Pet Grooming will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and naturally-healthful pet choice for animal owners and lovers in Raleigh and the surrounding communities. Tangles Pet Grooming will provide a comprehensive menu of grooming services for any dog and cat owner to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a comprehensive menu of services geared toward healthful pet living.
Sandy Cooper will be able to manage the staff and personnel at Tangles Pet Grooming. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in dog and cat grooming, as well as natural health for pets and massage services. Tangles Pet Grooming works to improve the lives of the pets as staff members remove dirt and daily grime from dogs and cats. Grooming includes trimming and beautifying the coats of each animal, as well. Tangles Pet Grooming will enhance the lives of pets, as well as increase their natural health and wellness. Tangles Pet Grooming will offer the best customer service, as well.
Tangles Pet Grooming History
Tangles Pet Grooming is owned and operated by Sandy Cooper, a former pet groomer who has a degree from North Carolina Pet Grooming Academy. She has worked for a large pet grooming company for over ten years and managed a large portfolio of dogs and cats who came to her station exclusively for grooming, muscle massage, dental care and other treatments. She has gained the trust and confidence of her clients who now number in the hundreds, with many of them already committed to follow her as she opens her new Tangles Pet Grooming company.
Since incorporation, Tangles Pet Grooming has achieved the following milestones:
- Registered Tangles Pet Grooming , LLC to transact business in the state of North Carolina.
- Has a contract in place for a 10,000 square foot grooming center at one of the largest area malls
- Reached out to numerous contacts to include Tangles Pet Grooming for their animals
- Began recruiting a staff of associate groomers and office personnel to work at Tangles Pet Grooming
Tangles Pet Grooming Services
The following will be the services Tangles Pet Grooming will provide:
- Dog and cat grooming
- Dog and cat bathing
- Dog and cat nail trimming
- Dog and cat dental care
- Dog and cat muscle massage
- Dog and cat nutritional balance check
- Dog and cat mini-break treatments
- Dog and cat wellness and play accessories
- Online reservations for all appointments
- Discounts for return and regular customers
Industry Analysis
The pet grooming industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $13 billion.
The growth will be driven by the increased attention the U.S. population now gives to their pets, including cats and dogs. The growth will also be driven by the recognition of pet owners that their own animals require adequate natural health therapies as much as their human family does. The pet grooming industry also will grow driven by the increased interest in sustaining the iconic breeds of historical importance, including exotic breed dogs and cats.
Costs will likely be reduced by an increase in product availability, in particular from global alliances with large food manufacturers. Costs will also be reduced as consumers recognize the need for natural wellness in their animals, which will help defray serious health issues in their pets. Costs will also be reduced due to the increased use of technology to take over the day-to-day tasks of clerical and back office duties, which will free staff to work on front-of-house customer service and other tasks.
Download the Pet Grooming business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Customer Analysis
Demographic Profile of Target Market
Tangles Pet Grooming will target all dog and cat owners within the Raleigh region. They will also target veterinarian offices. They will target natural health stores and retail pet stores. They will also target pet training services.
The precise demographics for Tangles Pet Grooming are:
| Total | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,680,988 | 100% |
| Male | 838,675 | 49.9% |
| Female | 842,313 | 50.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 114,872 | 6.8% |
| 25 to 34 years | 273,588 | 16.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 235,946 | 14.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 210,256 | 12.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 105,057 | 6.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 87,484 | 5.2% |
| 65 to 74 years | 116,878 | 7.0% |
| 75 to 84 years | 52,524 | 3.1% |
Customer Segmentation
Tangles Pet Grooming will primarily target the following customer profiles:
- Dog and cat owners
- Veterinarian offices and owners
- Natural health and retail pet stores
- Pet training services
Competitive Analysis
Direct and Indirect Competitors
Tangles Pet Grooming will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.
Paws Pet Grooming Salon
The owner of Paws Pet Grooming Salon, Jason LeBron, has dedicated his salon to the following services: baths, haircuts, nail trimming, and dental care. The salon has been in business since 2019, when during the pandemic, Jason LeBron maintained the care for the pets in his regional area by driving to each customer’s home. The premier destination for pets has garnered a steady following of customers; however, the pricing is in the “luxury” category and most of the general population can find similar services in a lower price range.
Specialized spa treatments are offered for dogs and other animals who do well with bathing and grooming treatments and, in addition, specialized services are provided for various exotic cats and dogs. Ultra large dogs are also treated at the Paws Pet Grooming Salon, using oversized tubs and grooming areas.
Raining Cats n’ Dogs
Due to the weather conditions in Raleigh, North Carolina and the surrounding areas, the owner of Raining Cats n’ Dogs determined that the location was perfect for a cat and dog grooming business focused on dogs that are particularly in need of grooming, including hunting dogs, canine service dogs, feral ranch cats, and other working animals.
The Raining Cats n’ Dogs grooming business was opened in 2020 by the owner, Ron Reynolds and his family. The generations of family born and raised in Raleigh have always been fans of outdoor sports and exercise, including their special family animals. Because there was no competition in the Raleigh area, Ron and his family opened the Raining Cats n’ Dogs grooming business, where it became an immediate hit with ranchers, farmers, hunters and others.
Happy Cats! Grooming
Happy Cats! Grooming was started in 1999 by Alice Anderson and her daughter, Nancy Anderson. Alice and Nancy were formerly cat groomers for a national chain pet grooming company and, after winning the appreciation and encouragement from former customers, they opened their own grooming company. The two executives work with a staff of three grooming employees.
With the focus on cat grooming, the company has targeted the cats throughout the southern area of the U.S. who are in competition for state and national championships. The company also targeted exotic cats of high value owned by celebrities, high net-worth individuals and others who prefer cats from exotic locales. The cat grooming company has continued to build a steady roster of clients, albeit within a large geographical area that requires the groomers to travel, cover travel expenses, and include time and distance charges on the total bill.
Download the Pet Grooming business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Competitive Advantage
Tangles Pet Grooming will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:
- Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team of Tangles Pet Grooming
- Comprehensive menu of services and products for dog and cat owners
- Specialized cat and dog muscle massages for health and wellness
- Customized cat and dog natural wellness assessments
- Dog and cat health and wellness play toys and accessories
- Tangles Pet Grooming offers the best pricing in town. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective compared to the competition
Marketing Plan
Brand & Value Proposition
Tangles Pet Grooming will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:
- Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide a comprehensive set of products and services for dog and cats of all breeds
- Specialized cat and dog muscle massages for health and wellness
- Customized cat and dog natural wellness assessments
- Dog and cat health and wellness play toys and accessories
- Tangles Pet Grooming offers the widest selection of natural wellness choices for cats and dogs, along with a pricing structure that is the most cost-effective compared to the competition
Promotions Strategy
The promotions strategy for Tangles Pet Grooming is as follows:
Word of Mouth/Referrals
Sandy Cooper has built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service and expertise to dog and cat clients. The contacts and clients of Sandy Cooper will follow her to her new company and help spread the word of Tangles Pet Grooming .
Professional Associations and Networking
Sandy Cooper will join all regional professional associations, including civic groups and volunteer organizations, in order to introduce Tangles Pet Grooming to the region. She will also join the national trade and networking groups to further introduce Tangles Pet Grooming to new opportunities and alliances with other companies.
Print Advertising
Two weeks prior to the launch of Tangles Pet Grooming, a direct mail piece will be sent to every home in Raleigh, announcing special discounts at the grooming center for the first 60 days of business. Customers will receive special incentives upon opening and coupons for further use of the grooming center.
Website/SEO Marketing
Tangles Pet Grooming will fully utilize their website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Tangles Pet Grooming provides. The website will also list their contact information and provide a portal for online reservation for dog and cat services. The website will engage in SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “pet grooming company” or “dog/cat groomer near me,” Tangles Pet Grooming will be listed at the top of the search results.
Pricing
The pricing of Tangles Pet Grooming will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.
Operations Plan
The following will be the operations plan for Tangles Pet Grooming .
Operation Functions:
- Sandy Cooper will be the owner and president of the company. She will oversee all staff and manage client relations. Sandy has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
- Kerrie Thompson, who was an administrative assistant in the dog and cat grooming salon where Sandy Cooper was employed. Her new role will be as the grooming center manager, also in charge of the administrative office and operations.
- Hoagie Newsom, a former accountant for a retail pet store, will become the accountant for the new company, providing all client accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
- Cindy Stillson will become the part-time Marketing Manager who will provide all marketing for Tangles Pet Grooming and each client it serves.
Download the Pet Grooming business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Milestones:
Tangles Pet Grooming will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.
- 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease grooming center space
- 5/15/202X – Finalize staff employment contracts for the Tangles Pet Grooming
- 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for Tangles Pet Grooming vendors
- 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
- 6/22/202X – Begin moving into Tangles Pet Grooming center
- 7/1/202X – Tangles Pet Grooming opens its doors for business
Management Team
Tangles Pet Grooming will be owned and operated by Sandy Cooper. She recruited her former administrative assistant, Kerrie Thompson, to be her grooming center manager and over the administrative office and operations.
Sandy Cooper is a graduate of the North Carolina Pet Grooming Academy, where she earned certification in natural wellness for dogs and cats. She has a depth of experience in pet grooming due to the ten years she served as the head groomer for a dog and cat pet salon in Raleigh. Her customers appreciated the care and concern she demonstrated, as well as the helpful suggestions she gave for healthful eating and healthful patterns of living for the cats and dogs.
Kerrie Thompson was an administrative assistant in the dog and cat grooming salon where Sandy Cooper was employed. Kerrie served the owner of the business, as well as assisting ten groomers in their daily activities, supplies and special requests. She earned the deep respect and appreciation of all the groomers in the company. Her new role will be as the grooming center manager, also in charge of the administrative office and operations.
Financial Plan
Key Revenue & Costs
The revenue drivers for Tangles Pet Grooming are the fees they will charge to customers for their services and products.
The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff Tangles Pet Grooming . The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.
Funding Requirements and Use of Funds
Tangles Pet Grooming is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its dog and cat grooming center. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the grooming center space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:
- Grooming center space build-out: $20,000
- Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
- Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
- Marketing costs: $10,000
- Working capital: $10,000
Download the Pet Grooming business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Key Assumptions
The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.
- Number of Customers Per Month: 650
- Average Revenue per Month: $71,000
- Office Lease per Year: $100,000
Financial Projections
Income Statement
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | ||||||
| Total Revenues | $360,000 | $793,728 | $875,006 | $964,606 | $1,063,382 | |
| Expenses & Costs | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $64,800 | $142,871 | $157,501 | $173,629 | $191,409 | |
| Lease | $50,000 | $51,250 | $52,531 | $53,845 | $55,191 | |
| Marketing | $10,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | |
| Salaries | $157,015 | $214,030 | $235,968 | $247,766 | $260,155 | |
| Initial expenditure | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Total Expenses & Costs | $291,815 | $416,151 | $454,000 | $483,240 | $514,754 | |
| EBITDA | $68,185 | $377,577 | $421,005 | $481,366 | $548,628 | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | |
| EBIT | $41,025 | $350,417 | $393,845 | $454,206 | $521,468 | |
| Interest | $23,462 | $20,529 | $17,596 | $14,664 | $11,731 | |
| PRETAX INCOME | $17,563 | $329,888 | $376,249 | $439,543 | $509,737 | |
| Net Operating Loss | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Use of Net Operating Loss | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Taxable Income | $17,563 | $329,888 | $376,249 | $439,543 | $509,737 | |
| Income Tax Expense | $6,147 | $115,461 | $131,687 | $153,840 | $178,408 | |
| NET INCOME | $11,416 | $214,427 | $244,562 | $285,703 | $331,329 |
Balance Sheet
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | $1,149,286 | |
| Accounts receivable | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Inventory | $30,000 | $33,072 | $36,459 | $40,192 | $44,308 | |
| Total Current Assets | $184,257 | $381,832 | $609,654 | $878,742 | $1,193,594 | |
| Fixed assets | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $54,320 | $81,480 | $108,640 | $135,800 | |
| Net fixed assets | $153,790 | $126,630 | $99,470 | $72,310 | $45,150 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $338,047 | $508,462 | $709,124 | $951,052 | $1,238,744 | |
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | ||||||
| Debt | $315,831 | $270,713 | $225,594 | $180,475 | $135,356 | |
| Accounts payable | $10,800 | $11,906 | $13,125 | $14,469 | $15,951 | |
| Total Liability | $326,631 | $282,618 | $238,719 | $194,944 | $151,307 | |
| Share Capital | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Retained earnings | $11,416 | $225,843 | $470,405 | $756,108 | $1,087,437 | |
| Total Equity | $11,416 | $225,843 | $470,405 | $756,108 | $1,087,437 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $338,047 | $508,462 | $709,124 | $951,052 | $1,238,744 |
Cash Flow Statement
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $11,416 | $214,427 | $244,562 | $285,703 | $331,329 | |
| Change in working capital | ($19,200) | ($1,966) | ($2,167) | ($2,389) | ($2,634) | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | |
| Net Cash Flow from Operations | $19,376 | $239,621 | $269,554 | $310,473 | $355,855 | |
| CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS | ||||||
| Investment | ($180,950) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Net Cash Flow from Investments | ($180,950) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING | ||||||
| Cash from equity | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Cash from debt | $315,831 | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | |
| Net Cash Flow from Financing | $315,831 | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | |
| Net Cash Flow | $154,257 | $194,502 | $224,436 | $265,355 | $310,736 | |
| Cash at Beginning of Period | $0 | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | |
| Cash at End of Period | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | $1,149,286 |
Pet Grooming Business Plan FAQs
What Is a Pet Grooming Business Plan?
A pet grooming business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your pet grooming business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.
You can easily complete your Pet Grooming business plan using our Pet Grooming Business Plan Template here.
What are the Main Types of Pet Grooming Businesses?
There are a number of different kinds of pet grooming businesses, some examples include: Mobile pet grooming, Home-based pet grooming, and Pet grooming salon.
How Do You Get Funding for Your Pet Grooming Business Plan?
Pet Grooming businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.
What are the Steps To Start a Pet Grooming Business?
Starting a pet grooming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.
1. Develop A Pet Grooming Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed pet grooming business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.
2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your pet grooming business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your pet grooming business is in compliance with local laws.
3. Register Your Pet Grooming Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your pet grooming business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.
4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your pet grooming business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.
5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.
6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.
7. Acquire Necessary Pet Grooming Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your pet grooming business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.
8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your pet grooming business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.