How did you get into pet grooming?
I have always loved animals. In fact, I wanted to be a veterinarian but parental pressure forced me to take up jewellery designing. However, my heart was not in it. After a year, I began assisting my mother in her garment designing business, but this too didn’t interest me. Two years ago, I discovered pet grooming and immediately ventured into it.
Have you had any formal training?
No, I have acquired knowledge through books and my interaction with international pet groomers.
What services do you offer?
We offer ‘functional’ and ‘superficial’ grooming. The former is conducted every week for six months and focuses on improving the overall condition of the dog. Superficial grooming is a onetime treatment usually done during pet shows.
What kind of response have you received?
It has been good so far. When I started, 80% of my clients were expats, but in the past two years, I have noticed a considerable change in the attitude of Indians, who now comprise 60% of my clients.
What are the grooming charges?
The cost ranges from Rs 5,500 to Rs 25,000. The charges for functional grooming are higher than those for superficial grooming; the breed and condition of the dog also determine the cost.
How much investment is required?
It depends on the services you offer and the products used. I started with an initial investment of Rs 3 lakh. About 60% of this was used to purchase products like shampoos, clippers, etc, while the rest was kept for day-to-day expenses.
What are your future plans?
I intend to open a pet grooming and training facility. It will provide ‘house training’ to stray dogs and train them for policing purposes.
