Starting your own mobile grooming business is not as hard as you might think. We will help you by providing a start-up checklist!
First of all, the information on this page is general in nature. Second, a professional advisor should be consulted with in matters of law and accounting.
Do a name search.
Check with your Department of Revenue and Secretary of State to see if the name of your business is available. Some states offer this service over the Internet.
Decide on a legal structure for your business.
Make sure you contact your Department of Revenue, Secretary of State, and the Internal Revenue Service so you can fill out the appropriate paperwork.
Choose a grand opening date.
Make sure your business cards and mobile grooming trailer signage is taken care of.
Website?
If you think you will ever be interested in having a web site for your new business, act now! Sometimes, it can take up to half a year for search engines to place your ranking. Ask your GT Grooming Trailer salesperson for details if you are interested in a site that performs for your industry and geography.
Open a checking account.
We do not recommend accepting credit cards for your grooming services. In approximately seven years of being in the mobile dog grooming business ourselves, only about five customers asked if we even accept them. Accepting only cash and checks keep your costs down and simplifies your recordkeeping.
Get a cellular phone with plenty of minutes.
Don't be stingy with minutes. The phone is your pipeline to every dollar you make.
Contact the Department of Agriculture in your state.
Check to see if there are any special fees or licenses that you will need to groom dogs. In Colorado, there is about a $200 fee for the "privilege" of grooming dogs.
Cover your insurance bases.
Decide on what, if any, insurance you will need for your business. You may not even be required to insure your mobile grooming trailer.
Protect your ideas.
Your ideas are your property. You don't want your business name or logo stolen. Unless your plans are to go national with your business, you're pretty safe just registering with your local offices as mentioned above. If you have larger plans, check out legalzoom for Online LEGAL Documents.
