The Dog Groomers' 2026 Prep School

The Dog Groomers' 2026 Prep School

As we step into 2026 let me share 10 actionable tips that might just change the way you think about your dog grooming business in the next 12 months. 

5 in this Blog Post.  5 in my next.. 

I shared these on my Instagram over the Christmas and New Year Break, but in all honesty, it doesn’t matter when you read them; early January, mid August, a Monday morning or a random Thursday afternoon, change can start at any time, it's never too late..

Mindset…

1. Have a regular social media declutter and detox!

 Comparison will fuel your imposter syndrome like nothing else and constantly feeling inadequate isn’t healthy. 

Ask yourself.. Does this account educate me? Inspire me? Motivate me? Fantastic! Keep following. 

However, if you find that an account intimidates you, makes you feel like you’re constantly coming up short or feeling threatened in some way (usually a business in direct competition), then do yourself a favour and take a break. Unfollow!!

The same goes for Facebook Groups. I could go off on a rant here, but I won’t so feel free to check out my Instagram post on this, (Day 1 of the Dog Groomers’ 2026 prep school”) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS2-5ziiIqa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==,

,but let me ask you: 

If the only way you felt safe to enter a room in real life was to wear a mask and stay anonymous.. Why would you choose to enter that room? 

You wouldn’t!! 

Yet we remain in Facebook groups, so full of judgement, that the only way many groomers feel safe to ask a question is anonymously!? 

What’s wrong with this situation? 

Look back at your interaction in Facebook groups in the past 12 months. In which did you find value or empowerment? In which did you find noise, drama and judgement?  

You know what to do!! Pick your favourite. Ditch the rest. You’re missing nothing but confusion, rants and drama, I assure you. 

2. You will make mistakes in the next 12 months. 

It's called being human. Some will be forgotten within 24 hours, but if you’re unlucky, some will sit with you for much longer. Imposter syndrome eating away at you for weeks, reminding you what you did wrong. 

You can’t prevent making mistakes the first time, they just happen. None of us try to be careless or silly, but occasionally things just go wrong. 

But every single mistake is a lesson. Don’t shy away from it. Sit down, accept what went wrong, even if you weren’t completely at fault. For example, in an interaction with a rude customer; Peel back, how did you get there? What could help avoid the incident repeating itself? Own your role in what happens this year. 

It’s how you grow. Accountability is a strength that too few hold in the modern world. 

Finance..

3. Move your salary higher up the hierarchy of your outgoings. 

All too often, we ensure we pay the essential bills, the rent, the utilities, the wages of staff..but then we see what we have left to get the rest. 

By “the rest” I mean the things that are negotiable on price. The shampoos, products, perhaps new scissors.. Then? Well then we finally pay ourselves! Which means that any financial impacts, (no-shows etc), to our business affect what we take home.

If this sounds familiar, this is where we can make some changes. 

The essential bills don’t change. You can’t negotiate your rent or utilities. But let’s add one more non-negotiable: your salary!! 

Let’s make the things that are negotiable, such as how much you spend on shampoos or whether you can go shopping at Groomfest or not, the things that are impacted by the financial knocks on your business. 

Because in all honesty, you can buy cheaper products or choose not to go on an equipment shopping spree and your business can survive. It’s not nice but it's possible.

Whereas, underpaying yourself? Reducing your own wage due to a bad month? How long will that last before you start to burn out and wonder why you bother? 

It’s the “put your own oxygen mask on first, before helping others” scenario.

You will have the energy and motivation to work on the financial leaks and protect those shopping trips and better quality products so much more, if you have a consistent salary coming in. 

4. Know what financial independence means for you. 

Whether you need it or not, know the figure that will sustain you, should you need it to.

What do you need to live a financially stable life without the support of others? If you’re working full time, that should be what you’re currently making now.

If it’s not, Ok, that's your aim (You know who can help you with that right?).  Listen to episode 2 of the “Dog Groomers 2026 Reset Podcast” where we go deep on this one. - https://youtu.be/TITTXCp3sng

Marketing

5. Speak to your Ideal Client

Every piece of content you make this year, from website pages to social media posts, speak to just one person. Think of your favourite customer. You know, the one you wish you could clone and have a diary full of them? We’ve all got at least one. 

And always address everything you create to them, obviously not personally or with names, but with them in mind. 

We need to realise, our best customers both current and future don’t need convincing. They don’t need chasing. They simply need attracting! Nurturing! Shown appreciation!

Do that and not only will your ideal customers never leave, pay you any price you dictate, but you’ll attract more of the same! 

Hustle culture is over. Nurture what you have and watch it grow!!

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Part 2 of “Dog Groomers 2026 Prep School” is coming in a few days!

Don't forget. The Doors to The Grooming Goddess Academy are CLOSING to new members on 7th Jan at 9pm.

We help dog groomers build no-hustle businesses that feel good and pay good money. And, as we practice what we preach, we don't like to constantly sell all year round. Our energy is better spent supporting those on the inside. Therefore doors open only 3 times a year to new members. 

https://www.thegroominggoddessacademy.com/membership-home-page