What does it really take to grow a successful grooming business?
When your calendar starts to fill up and you receive a steady stream of new clients through word of mouth, it’s a clear sign that your business is ready to evolve. Scaling a pet grooming business involves refining your setup, upgrading your tools and collaborating with suppliers who understand the pace and precision required by your salon.
Every product and decision must support performance, from the slicker brushes in your hand to the consistency of your deliveries. Let’s explore how to scale your grooming business with smarter product choices and reliable partners, laying the groundwork for professional growth that feels just as good as it looks.
How to scale a pet grooming business: smart growth strategies
If you want to expand your pet grooming business, you need to establish a framework that supports sustainable, long-term growth. When your schedule is full and demand is increasing, it’s time to change your approach from reacting to planning. Here are five smart strategies to help grooming professionals grow their business with confidence and control.
Optimise your workflow before you expand
Make sure your current operations run smoothly before scaling up. Are appointments streamlined? Is client communication reliable? Do you have systems in place for inventory, billing and staff scheduling? Addressing these areas now will prevent bottlenecks later and establish a solid foundation for growth.
Invest in marketing that speaks to pet parents
As your grooming business grows, attracting new clients becomes just as important as retaining existing ones. However, to grow effectively, your marketing needs to connect emotionally with pet owners and demonstrate the quality of your services.
Focus on building visibility where your ideal clients are already looking:
- Local SEO: optimize your Google Business Profile by including grooming-specific keywords (e.g. “cat grooming near me” or “dog grooming salon in [your city]”) to appear in local search results. Positive reviews and updated service descriptions will help to boost your visibility and credibility;
- Email marketing: use automated campaigns to promote seasonal packages (e.g. “spring deshedding special” or “holiday grooming bundle”), rebook existing clients and send appointment reminders. Personalise content based on pet type or previous visits to increase engagement;
- Social media marketing: share before-and-after photos, client testimonials, behind-the-scenes clips and pet care tips to demonstrate your expertise. Maintaining a consistent tone and visual style will reinforce your brand and help you build a loyal online community;
- Content marketing: posting educational content such as “how often should you groom a Shih Tzu?” positions your business as a knowledgeable resource. This improves your SEO and earns the trust of pet owners researching their options;
- Referral programmes: encourage satisfied customers to recommend you to their friends by offering them small incentives or discounts on future services.
Strengthen client retention with loyalty tactics
According to the Harvard Business Review, acquiring a new customer can cost five to 25 times more than retaining an existing one. For this reason, investing in client retention strategies is a powerful way to build long-term stability in your grooming business.
Referral incentives transform satisfied customers into brand ambassadors, helping to expand your reach organically. Personalised follow-ups, such as appointment reminders, pet birthday messages or after-visit check-ins, build trust and connection over time.
These small, consistent gestures reinforce the quality and care that clients have come to expect from your salon, ensuring that it remains their go-to choice as your business grows.
Choose the right suppliers to support growth
As your grooming business grows, the reliability of your suppliers directly reflects the quality of your service. Inconsistent deliveries, poor-quality tools or a lack of support can slow down operations and damage client trust. That’s why selecting the right partners is a strategic decision, not just a logistical one.
Look for suppliers who can consistently provide the stock you need, so you’re never left without essential grooming tools during peak times. Prioritise those who provide ergonomic, professional-grade equipment that can be used for long periods while minimising groomer fatigue. Most importantly, partner with brands that understand the demands of high-volume grooming salons, from sanitation and durability to speed and precision.
Choosing the right supplier: what professional groomers should look for
Selecting the right supplier involves more than just cost or catalogue variety. As a grooming professional, your ideal partner must align with your service standards, growth goals and day-to-day workflow.
For example, qualities such as reliability, consistent products and responsiveness all play a part in ensuring smooth operations and satisfied clients.
Local vs. overseas production: what works best?
The origin of production can significantly impact your business when sourcing grooming tools. Local (US-based) production offers several advantages, such as shorter lead times, more predictable shipping, easier communication and higher compliance with safety and hygiene standards. For high-volume salons, this reliability is especially important, as delays in replenishing tools can disrupt service schedules.
Conversely, while overseas suppliers may offer lower prices, they often come with longer wait times, inconsistent product quality and reduced flexibility for customisation. For groomers focused on scaling up in a precise and accountable way, local manufacturing like Minelli PETS’ 100% Made in USA production is a smarter, safer investment.
Private and white label: expand without the overhead
As your grooming business grows, so does the opportunity to build a recognisable brand. However, developing your own product line from scratch can be costly and time-consuming. White label solutions offer the perfect middle ground, allowing you to offer branded tools and accessories without taking on the manufacturing burden yourself.
With white label partnerships, you can customize products with your logo, colours or packaging, while benefiting from the supplier’s tried-and-tested designs and manufacturing expertise. This boosts your brand visibility and opens new revenue streams through retail sales, without the need to invest in R&D or production infrastructure.
Minelli PETS specialises in white label grooming tools for salon professionals, combining customisation with industrial reliability. It’s an ideal way to grow your brand alongside your client base.
Tools that work as hard as you do
A groomer’s toolkit is the foundation of their craft. The right tools can reduce strain, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of every session. When choosing brushes, combs or deshedding tools, consider the following:
- Ergonomics: tools should feel balanced and reduce wrist fatigue;
- Durability: materials must withstand frequent cleaning and daily use;
- Suitability for coat type: match tool design to breed and hair length;
- Hygiene: antibacterial or washable features are essential in salon settings;
- Grip and control: non-slip handles support precision, even when wet.
Minelli PETS addresses these priorities with purpose-built lines for professionals. The Prime Line offers elegant, ergonomic wooden tools that are ideal for precision work. In contrast, the Maestro Line is designed for high-throughput salons and features antibacterial plastic, full washability and thermal resistance. Both lines are 100% made in the USA and are designed to support grooming professionals who value efficiency and craftsmanship.
Looking for grooming tools that can grow with your business? Get in touch with our team to find the perfect solution for your salon.
