A solid dog grooming business plan is your roadmap to success. Whether you're seeking funding from a bank, pitching to investors, or organizing your ideas before launch, a well-crafted plan forces you to think through every part of your business.

This guide walks you through each section of a professional grooming business plan, with templates, examples, and practical tips.

Why You Need a Business Plan

Many groomers skip planning because they’re eager to start taking clients. But a business plan helps you:

• Clarify your vision and identify problems before they become expensive
• Secure funding from banks or investors who require formal documentation
• Set benchmarks to measure progress
• Make better decisions during challenges
• Stay focused on what matters most

Even if you’re not seeking funding, spending a weekend creating a plan can shape your business for years.

Business Plan Overview

A complete grooming business plan includes:

1. Executive Summary
2. Company Description
3. Market Analysis
4. Services and Pricing
5. Marketing Strategy
6. Operations Plan
7. Management and Organization
8. Financial Projections
9. Appendix

Section 1: Executive Summary

Write this section last, but place it first. It’s a 1–2 page overview of your entire plan.

Template

Business Name: [Your Business Name]
Business Type: [Home-based / Mobile / Salon]
Location: [City, State]

Mission Statement:
[1–2 sentences describing your purpose and differentiation]

Services:
[Brief list of primary services]

Target Market:
[Who you serve and why]

Financial Highlights:

• Startup costs: $[amount]
• First-year revenue projection: $[amount]
• Break-even timeline: [X months]

Funding Request (if applicable):
[Amount needed and intended use]

Section 2: Company Description

Describe your business in detail.

Legal Structure: [Sole Proprietorship / LLC / S-Corp / Corporation]
Ownership: [Owner names and percentages]

Location and Facilities:
[Describe your physical space or vehicle]

Business History (if applicable):
[Founding date and milestones]

Vision Statement:
[Where you see the business in 5–10 years]

Core Values:

• [Value 1]
• [Value 2]
• [Value 3]

Include:

• Why you chose this structure
• Your background and qualifications
• Your inspiration
• Competitive advantages
• Long-term goals

Section 3: Market Analysis

Show that you understand your market and customers.

Industry Overview

Pet Grooming Industry:

• Market size: $11+ billion (U.S.)
• Growth rate: 5–7% annually
• Trends: Mobile grooming growth, pet humanization, premium services

Local Market Analysis

Geographic Focus: [Service area]

Market Size:

• Estimated dog-owning households: [number]
• % using professional grooming: [percentage]
• Average annual grooming spend: $[amount]
• Total addressable market: $[calculation]

Demographics:

• Average household income: $[amount]
• Homeownership rate: [percentage]
• Age distribution: [breakdown]
• Common breeds: [list]

Competitor Analysis

Competitor: [Name]
Type: [Salon/Mobile]
Location: [Area]
Price Range: $[range]
Strengths: [List]
Weaknesses: [List]

(Repeat for 2–3 competitors)

Target Customer Profile

Primary Customer:

• Demographics: [age, income, family status]
• Psychographics: [values, lifestyle]
• Pain points: [problems they face]
• Buying behavior: [grooming frequency, price sensitivity]

Secondary Customer:
[Repeat breakdown]

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

• [Internal advantage]
• [Unique value]

Weaknesses:

• [Limitation]
• [Area for improvement]

Opportunities:

• [Market gap]
• [External advantage]

Threats:

• [Competition]
• [Economic or regulatory risks]

Section 4: Services and Pricing

Detail what you offer and what you charge.

Core Services

Full Groom
Description: Bath, dry, haircut, nails, ears, glands
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price Range: $[X–X]

Bath & Brush
Description: Bath, dry, brush out, nails, ears
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Price Range: $[X–X]

Nail Trim
Duration: 15 minutes
Price: $[X]

(Add additional services as needed)

Add-On Services

Teeth Brushing: $[X]
De-Shedding Treatment: $[X]
Flea Treatment: $[X]

Pricing Strategy

Explain:

• How prices were determined
• Comparison to competitors
• Your positioning (budget, mid-range, premium)
• Planned increases

Revenue Streams

Grooming Services: [X]%
Add-Ons: [X]%
Retail: [X]%
Other: [X]%

Section 5: Marketing Strategy

Brand Positioning

Brand Promise:
[What customers can always expect]

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):
[What makes you different]

Brand Voice:
[Friendly, professional, playful, etc.]

Marketing Channels

Digital Marketing:

• Google Business Profile optimization
• Facebook page and local groups
• Instagram content
• Website with SEO and online booking
• Paid ads

Traditional Marketing:

• Business cards
• Flyers
• Vet partnerships
• Local pet events

Customer Retention

• Automated appointment reminders
• Loyalty programs
• Referral incentives
• Follow-up messages
• Personalized service notes

Marketing Budget

Digital Marketing: $[X]/month
Traditional Marketing: $[X]/month
Promotions: $[X]/month
Total: $[X]/month

Section 6: Operations Plan

Location and Setup

Salon:

• Square footage
• Lease terms
• Layout
• Capacity (dogs/day)

Mobile:

• Vehicle type
• Service boundaries
• Route planning
• Maintenance schedule

Home-Based:

• Space description
• Zoning compliance
• Capacity limits

Hours of Operation

Monday: [Hours]
Tuesday: [Hours]
Wednesday: [Hours]
Thursday: [Hours]
Friday: [Hours]
Saturday: [Hours]
Sunday: [Closed/Hours]

Policies

Client Policies:

• Vaccination requirements
• Cancellation policy
• Payment policy
• Aggressive dog policy
• Matted dog policy

Health and Safety:

• Sanitation procedures
• Emergency protocols
• Injury reporting

Technology

Scheduling Software: $[X]/month
Payment Processing: [X]% per transaction
Accounting Software: $[X]/month
Communication Tools: $[X]/month

Modern grooming software can centralize scheduling, reminders, payments, and client management.

Suppliers

Shampoos: [Vendor]
Equipment: [Vendor]
Supplies: [Vendor]
Retail Products: [Vendor]

Section 7: Management and Organization

Ownership

Owner: [Name]
Role: [Title]
Ownership: [X]%
Capital Contribution: $[Amount]

Organization Structure

Solo:
Owner/Groomer — handles all functions

Growing Business:
Owner/Manager
Lead Groomer
Groomer
Assistant/Bather
Receptionist

Hiring Plan

Position: [Title]
Hire Date: [Month/Year]
Wage: $[X]/hour
Hours: [X]/week

Professional Advisors

Accountant
Attorney
Insurance Agent
Industry Mentor

Section 8: Financial Projections

Startup Costs

Equipment: $[X]
Supplies: $[X]
Vehicle: $[X]
Buildout: $[X]
Licenses: $[X]
Insurance: $[X]
Marketing: $[X]
Working Capital: $[X]

Total Startup Costs: $[X]

Monthly Operating Expenses

Rent: $[X]
Utilities: $[X]
Insurance: $[X]
Loan Payments: $[X]
Supplies: $[X]
Marketing: $[X]
Software: $[X]
Miscellaneous: $[X]

Total Monthly Expenses: $[X]

Revenue Assumptions

Average Groom Price: $[X]
Dogs per Day: [X]
Working Days per Month: [X]
Projected Growth Rate: [X]%

Break-Even Analysis

Fixed Costs ÷ (Average Revenue per Groom – Variable Cost per Groom) = Break-Even Grooms

Example:
$[Fixed Costs] ÷ ($[Revenue] – $[Variable Cost]) = [X] grooms per month

Break-Even Timeline: [X] months

Section 9: Appendix

Include supporting documents:

• Owner resume
• Certifications and licenses
• Service menu
• Floor plan or vehicle layout
• Equipment list
• Lease agreement
• Insurance quotes
• Supplier agreements
• Market research
• Competitor analysis
• Reference letters
• Photos

Tips for a Winning Business Plan

Do

• Be realistic with financial projections
• Research thoroughly
• Keep it concise (15–25 pages for funding)
• Use charts and visuals
• Proofread carefully
• Review quarterly

Don’t

• Inflate projections
• Ignore competitors
• Skip financials
• Use unnecessary jargon
• Avoid discussing risks

Common Mistakes

• Underestimating startup costs (add 20% buffer)
• Overestimating early revenue
• Ignoring cash flow
• Skipping market research
• Failing to differentiate

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should it be?
15–25 pages for lenders. 5–10 pages for personal planning.

Do I need one without funding?
Not required, but highly recommended.

How often should I update it?
Quarterly review, annual updates.

What if data is limited?
Use informed estimates and clearly state assumptions.

Final Thoughts

A dog grooming business plan isn’t just paperwork — it’s your strategic roadmap. The process forces you to think critically about your pricing, positioning, operations, and profitability.

Take the time to build it properly. Your business will be stronger because of it.