New groomer seeking advise....

I would love to have some feedback from folks here that are professional groomers. I will be graduating from dog grooming school on December 19th (300 hour course) and will be required to groom 4 dogs to pass the course. I am not too worried about being able to pass... but I am worried about what direction I'm going after I finish school.

My goal is to eventually have a small grooming biz based in my home (and have started purchasing equipment as I can (table, dryers etc.) but I know that what I really need right now is more experience in a grooming shop to continue learning and gain more experience. There are not many small grooming shops advertising for groomers, and those that are, seem to ask for 2 - 5 years grooming experience.

I would be happy just starting out as a "bather" to get a start.. but I guess I hesitate to call and ask if they might need a bather if they are not advertising for one? Also wondering about Petco & Petsmart.. that have their own training... would they accept the training I've had... or would I need to go through their own training as well?

One other question... since I'd like to eventually start my own grooming shop at home... what is the "normal" as far as working in another shop as far as signing a statement that I won't groom separately from my job? I know when I signed up for school (which is in a regular grooming shop) I had to sign that I wouldn't open a grooming shop within 5 miles.

Thanks for any advise you might have for me!!

Just wanted to say I'm doing my apprenticeship now too! Luckily for me, we have a serious shortage of groomers in my area, 3 different places have already offered me work and I still have another month and a half before I finish (3 month apprenticeship). I would recommend going to different places in your area who do groom and let them know that you will be looking for work. Good luck!

PetSmart does have their own training, but if you apply to be a PetStylist there, you can inform them that you have previous training. They will test your abilities on five different trims. If you pass, then you won't have to take their training course.

The problem I've found with the Petsmarts out here is that they all just seem to take everything down at a 10 and be done with it. Before I got my apprenticeship, I used to take my Lucky there, and even if I'd ask for a lion clip or a ruff or ANYTHING, they'd just ten him and call to say he was ready.
I'm not saying that's the case with every Petsmart, and I've never had my dogs groomed outside of Arizona, but that's my experience with them.

Just don't be shy about it. You'll never get anything done if you don't have a go get it attitude. I had a hard time convincing myself to ask my regular groomer if she needed or wanted an apprentice. I took my dogs in four times after I'd decided I wanted to be a groomer before I finally got the guts and asked. And you know what she said? "I thought you'd never ask!"

Petsmart does make you sign an agreement to not be "in the biz" for six months after your termination, be it self or thier choice. Petco does not. Petsmart is the better of the two companies to work for though.

great that you are going to be a groomer soon. good luck with your testing. as for what to do about working. go to petco or petsmart and get more training. i know that they like to take everything with a ten. i find that it depends on the groomer that works at petco whether they take the whole coat or not. most do. but with the training you have i think the owners would love to finally have someone that would listen to what they want. you can only try and see what happens. then when you feel that you have had enough of the store grooming you can start your own. customers will follow you. continue to buy your equiptment. you have a wonderful goal. good luck

petco and petsmarts are pretty equal. i worked for petco, and know many petsmart groomers, and can honestly say i would prefer petco. if you are trained they will accept your training, but you have to pass a technical. while i worked there, one girl did this, and all she had to do was a schnauzer cut and she got the job (she was a good groomer). we were also in serious need of a groomer, so they didnt prolong her testing. if the store your working at really only does strips, then it only benefits you. i bet most of those haircuts are done b/c the groomer convinced the owner to do it in some way (probably b/c they cant do much more than a strip). if one person goes to you and wants a strip and you say all the things you could do with the cut, they will like you better and request you.

ill tell you that if you can make a good following at a petco or petsmart, then i really think it is a better job than most private salons. first off, if you are a good groomer, you will get all of the business. people can request who does their dog, and you can make your own appointments (so your requests come in when you want to). at petco, you are allowed to take 10% off of grooms if the customer is a repeat. this gets people coming to you all the time. the groomer i worked with made $2000 during busy weeks. 2nd, they offer benefits, which many private places cant afford to do for their employees.

also, i worked for petco, and know many others working for both stores and no groomer i know has had to sign a contract stating they wont work within a certain distance from that store. i worked there and never signed one.

anyone in Toronto Ontario looking for some new customers? we're in Scarborough, and if you're trying to set up a business, we're open-minded and would love to give you a try. let me know, okay???

Just for the record, even though this is an old thread, those non-compete clauses are not legal. They cannot legally prohibit you from earning your living in your profession.

Thanks Renee... I've heard on different groomers boards that sometimes they do try to enforce the non-compete clauses, but not that often. That may be if they provided the schooling originally at no charge.

I did end up opening my own shop (remodeled garage) at home last May... and now am so glad I decided to just jump right in... I'm just lovin' it!!