The Tip Jar                                                                                      

The Tip Jar

 

Article #1/Intro.

 

     Grooming smarter is a wonderful thing to aspire to!  Anyone who has ever groomed a dog knows that our job, while rewarding, can be sheer hard work.  Luckily, there are ways to make our daily work more pleasant, safer and more time efficient.  The old adage, “Time is Money” is very true for pet stylists.  By learning to groom smarter, we can increase both our skills and our income.

     How do we learn to groom smarter? By continuing our education.  We are blessed to be in our industry at a time where new tools are constantly becoming available to make our jobs easier.  New ideas abound, and they are out there waiting for us to discover them and incorporate them into our daily routines.  We can continue our education in a number of ways:

 

1.       If you are reading my words, you have discovered the wonders of learning on the Internet.  Stylists who where previously isolated from others in their profession can now share all aspects of our industry on web sites that are just for us!

2.       Attend grooming seminars and trade shows as often as you can.  There is nothing like a seminar to give us some “getaway” time and learn from some of the top groomers all at once! One great way to fund a trip to the next trade show near you is to put a tip jar out on your counter.  Design an eye-catching jar, and post a flyer or other information for a seminar near the jar.  Put up a sign that says something like,  “All gratuities go towards furthering your pet stylist’s education!”  Be sure to “seed” your tip jar with some visible cash, a $5.00 or $10.00 bill peeking thru the glass will help encourage your patrons to be generous.  Put all your tips in a safe spot, and see how quickly you can save enough to have a fun filled, educational, tax deductable trip!  

3.       Try to make some friends with other groomers in your area.  You may meet with some resistance at first, but it is such a delight to have good relationships with people who can truly understand what our work is all about.  I have hosted several successful “Groomer Gathering’s” in my home. I invited local stylists, and had everyone bring some food to share and/or a beverage. I popped a grooming video in the VCR and we all chatted, ate, laughed and learned at the same time. 

 

One of my favorite aspects of my career is that there is always more to learn!  My job never gets stale when I am discovering new tips and tricks to apply to my work.  Grooming Smarter can help you enjoy success and satisfaction in your chosen field, as well! 

 

Ó Daryl Conner, June 1, 2003

 

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