When it comes to your job, do you feel stuck in what seems like a dead-end existence? If you are one of the many people in this world unsure about what to do with your career, you may feel like you’ve hit another red light. This couldn’t be further from the truth! You have plenty of options, and today, 3 lovable labs explores one awesome choice: starting a pet care business.  

Why Pet Care? And, Why Now? 

Pet care is a booming business, and being around animals has many benefits, including helping you stay active and reducing stress levels. If you’ve been bogged down with anxiety, running a pet grooming, boarding, or walking business might be a great fit for you, especially if you consider yourself an animal person. Given the number of pets adopted while people were at home, more people than ever before have become pet parents. And with rising rates of these pets being returned, it’s clear owners need help learning to care for and keep up with their new pets.

How to Get Started

Your first step toward starting a pet business is to decide what you want to do. You have options, including:

• Pet sitting. A pet sitter is an individual that goes to people’s homes or brings animals into their own home to care for them overnight or during the day while their humans are away. If you opt to bring a dog into your home, you’ll want to invest in a sturdy crate to avoid any potential disasters when you have to leave or at night when you go to bed.

• Dog walking. A dog walker does exactly what the name implies: walks dogs. There are some essential purchases for this profession as well. The RSPCA notes that a quality leash and poop bags are essential. And be careful of pups’ sensitive paws on hot asphalt during the hotter months.

• As a dog groomer, you’ll get to pamper pooches and pussycats by washing their fur, clipping their nails, and cleaning their ears. For this, you’ll need at least a high school diploma and, ideally, some type of formal training. You also need to decide between working as an independent contractor or running your own business as a mobile dog groomer. If you choose the latter, you can buy a pet grooming trailer, which costs less than a brick-and-mortar storefront.

Business Savvy 

It’s not enough just to know what kind of business you want and to gather the supplies. There are plenty of other steps that you can take:

• Choose a business name. Select a name that is easy to remember and that lends well to a logo.

• Work with a formation service. Knowing how to start a business can be difficult to figure out alone. If you want your business’s paperwork to get filed quickly and correctly, working with a formation service can make this process much easier. However, take some time to research different options to ensure you’re getting the best formation service for your money.

• Create social media pages. Your social media pages let your customers interact with you and see what’s new. You can use these platforms to drum up new business. And with the right pet and personality combo, you could even go viral!

• Determine your marketing strategy. Decide if you want to engage in paid marketing or strictly word-of-mouth. There are plenty of strategies out there, so choose what works best for you. And if you need help, consider hiring or contracting with a marketer to get you started. You’ll be able to send them copies of marketing materials you find inspiring.

• Return to school. If you feel comfortable with your pet knowledge but less so with your business knowledge, consider earning an online accounting degree to help make up the gaps. An online degree is easy to earn on a schedule that works for you, so you can balance your school and business responsibilities simultaneously.

• Create business cards. Business cards leave a lasting impression on your customers and give them something to remember you by. You don’t have to pay someone to design yours, however. You can use an online tool to create professional-quality business cards easily. Best of all, it’s free!

• Get insurance. Business insurance protects you and your customers, and it’s a worthwhile investment. That way, if an errant Great Dane destroys your grooming station, you can recover some of the loss and keep your business moving forward.

• Make your home safe for different pets. Keep your home and yard free of toxic plants, insecticides, fertilizers, and any dangers.

• Design your website. Your website will be a valuable tool in helping your customers contact you and schedule appointments. If you don’t have web development experience, look into ​​software developers for small businesses. Many are available for contract work and can be hired fairly and affordably. You can read reviews and request a digital portfolio to see their work before you commit.

Your new pet-based business may be your first step toward living a financially independent life. Plus, you get all the snuggles you can handle and can give belly rubs every day. It’s hard work, but it is a win/win situation for you and the animals that you’ll soon bring into your life

For adorable greeting cards for any occasion, visit 3 lovable labs today!