As a customer, you might think that mobile grooming and grooming in a salon have the same job, should make the same pay, and should have about the same level of job satisfaction, right? It is so reasonable to think that the jobs are the same — even salon groomers who have never tried mobile grooming might think so too. Until they try it! Some dog groomers love the quiet and serenity of mobile grooming and others passionately prefer a fast-paced salon as a workplace. In this article we will look at the differences between mobile grooming versus salon grooming from the groomer’s perspective.
While the tasks involved in mobile grooming and salon grooming are the same, the experience for the groomers is very different. The main reasons that groomers may prefer operating a mobile salon are control, pace, relationship, creativity and safety. We’ll look at these one at a time.
Reasons groomers love mobile grooming
1. My salon, my space.
The first (and most important) reason groomers prefer mobile grooming is control over the environment. Mobile groomers are able to keep things clean, keep everything organized just so, and concentrate completely when the work is being performed. The mobile groomer can set up lighting and sound to the set the conditions for the groomer’s best working environment. The groomer can even tailor this experience to the dog’s preferences (e.g., classical vs. bouncy music). The groomer can talk and even sing to the dog to cultivate the trust and cooperation needed to get a truly excellent haircut.
2. My salon, my pace.
The second thing that groomers love about mobile grooming is the ability to set their own pace. In a brick and mortar salon, volumes may be high on a given day and everyone is working fast to get all the work done. This makes for a high-stress environment that isn’t enjoyable for some. For mobile grooming, the schedule is set well in advance based on a balance of dogs and distances to make up a complete day. The groomer knows to leave space at the end of the day for cleanup and re-setting the van so it is ready to go for the next day.
3. My salon, my customers.
The third area that groomers like better with mobile grooming is the ability to interact directly with clients: Mobile groomers have the opportunity to build closer relationships with their clients and their pets, as they interact directly with them in their homes or neighborhoods.
4. My salon, my creativity.
Having a mobile practice allows the groomer to unleash her (or his) creative flair. The groomer has more time to talk to the customer, exchange ideas, and come up with great looks that give the groomer the ability to express her artistic vision and give the customer an eye-popping gorgeous dog.
5. My salon, my protocols.
The final reason groomers prefer a mobile grooming salon is safety. Because there are fewer distractions and fewer animals and fewer people, the mobile environment is just plain safer. Mobile is safer from an animal-to-animal infectious disease perspective also.
Reasons Groomers Don’t like Mobile Grooming
If mobile grooming is so great, why haven’t all groomers switched over to this model, leading to the demise of the brick and mortar grooming salon? The answer is, of course, the mobile approach is not for everybody. Here are some of the challenges that keep many groomers happy in their traditional salon environment.
1. Difficult pets – and no one to help.
Groomers may encounter challenging or aggressive pets in a salon or a mobile setting. This can be stressful and even dangerous if not properly managed. The benefit of being in a salon is that there are others who can fly over and help the groomer when there is a major behavior flare-up. In a mobile grooming salon, all the burden falls on the groomer.
2. Large pets.
Groomers do have tools that help restrain larger pets and keep them steady on the table during the grooming process. But, when the pet is not having it, the groomer has to keep the pet safe and still get the work done. When the pet who is not having it is a jumbo sized pet, that lifting, hefting, lunging and twisting takes a toll on the groomer’s spine. The result is that more groomers leave the field due to back and shoulder issues than any other reason (this is true for mobile grooming and salon grooming). What makes large pets more difficult to accommodate in the mobile salon is a) the lack of help assuming your groomer is working solo, and b) in some models there is just not enough space for the groomer to work efficiently with a larger dog.
3. The Companionship of Coworkers
As with any other working environment, “other people” are sometimes a mixed blessing. For some groomers, mobile grooming is lonely. Your groomer is spending the bulk of the day by his or herself with only limited interactions with other humans. Interpersonal dynamics among salon staff can lead to conflicts or tensions in the workplace, but for some this is much preferable to day after day of silence.
4. Client Interactions.
Dealing with unhappy or dissatisfied clients, whether due to grooming results, scheduling issues, or communication breakdowns, can be emotionally taxing for groomers.
5. Constant Cleaning
Maintaining a clean and hygienic salon environment is essential, but groomers may find it challenging to keep up with cleaning tasks, especially during busy periods. The mobile salon is a small space and gets dirty quickly. It takes constant vigilance to keep the van pristine, which sometimes makes the groomer feel more like a janitor than a grooming professional.
6. Career growth
The mobile groomer, especially when practicing solo, must wear many hats: sales person, marketing lead, technician, janitor, accountant. For some the variety is a blessing. For other groomers, it’s just too much. A salon environment might offer clearer segmentation so that the groomer can try on different kinds of work and develop true expertise in each role. As with any other job, the same routine day after day can lead to feelings of stagnation or frustration.
Conclusion
As with any issue where there are two extremes, groomers may feel strongly that the mobile or salon environment is best for them. The answer often depends on personality traits and personal preferences that are specific to your groomer. One thing is for sure: opinions are strong and passions run high on this topic. We would encourage you to ask your groomer about the difference between the two models – but budget some time and be prepared for a long and spirited answer. 😊
