I have been working in a corporate grooming salon making $18 an hour, while doing 3-4 grooms a day and 7 baths. I got burnt out recently and chose to interview somewhere new today, I am curious on any opinion about this new work environment because I am nervous. I would be working as an independent contractor and doing my own taxes/building my own clientele. I have never been a part of something like this, the shop is also $1000 monthly to use their table and tub, yet making 100% of everything I do. I desperately want to move on from my current shop, I am not sure if this is a good choice, I am excited about it.

What do you guys want to get out of this group that you haven’t gotten elsewhere? Can you give me 1-3 things?

I started my dog grooming journey at a corporate, but lesser known salon as a bather back in March. I was very quickly thrown into grooming due to our head grooming quitting. Our salon ranks dogs by size from 1 to 3 and expects very speedy grooms. A level 1 being 45min, bichon, shihtzu or anything of that size and nature. 5lbs to about 35lbs. A level 2 being 1 hour, miniature doodles of every sort, miniature poodles. 40lbs to about 60 to 65lbs. A level 3 being 1 hour and 15min, standard poodles, large doodles, even a saint bernard would fall in this category. 65lbs and above. I have been grooming for nearly a year now and feel I really have been pushing myself for time, and my salon pushes quantity over quality always. I have not been giving myself enough grace and feel dense amounts of anxiety when I do not meet my time standards; which I hardly ever do. My question is are these standards for most salons and are they accurate? How should I go about managing my time better? How do I not beat myself up over everything? Are any of you dealing with the same thing? A side note to add, my salon does not allow standard haircuts. We are only allowed one length all over the body and a slightly longer clip comb for the head. There is absolutely no room for creativity. Attached is a groom I did a couple months back that took me close to two hours, not including bathing time, blow dry or prep.

I know puppies aren’t for everyone, but ahhhh I love them!!

Mostly for newer groomers!