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Be honest! Has this ever happened to you? A pet parent messages you, seems interested, asks a few questions... and then just goes quiet. No booking, no explanation, just gone. You probably chalked it up to price, or bad timing, or "not everyone's a good fit." But what if it was something else entirely? Something you never even considered? Here's the uncomfortable truth: while you were busy posting on TikTok and Instagram, that pet parent Googled you. And what did they find? A

It happens to every groomer eventually: a client picks up their dog, and their face falls. Before you get defensive, remember: most complaints aren’t really about the haircut. They’re about feeling unheard or surprised. The first thing you probably want to do when this happens, is dig a hole in the ground and disappear. But this is not a moment to run and hide. Take a deep breath and then follow the following framework: 1. Truly listen & acknowledge first, explain second Don

Life happens, equipment fails, tools break, groomers get injured or sick... At any point in time one or more of these things will happen to you or your business. I'm not here to feed your inbox with negativity or jinx your good luck, instead I'd like to address how you can face these challenges and keep the impact on your bottom line to a minimum. Let's start with a challenge almost every mobile groomer gets to face at some point: generator or inverter failure and repairs. If

May I paint a picture for you? A beautiful, wonderful picture where the mental, emotional and physical well-being comes first? Where joy and enjoyment of life come first? I hope I peaked your interest with that intro. You see, I was born and raised in Europe - in The Netherlands to be exact - a small country nestled between Belgium to the south and Germany to the east. In Europe we live life differently than we do here in the USA. Try going to a store in Italy anywhere betwe

The following is an excerpt from my book "Grooming Gold - Secrets To a Lucrative Pet Grooming Career". Why would I be gifting you almost a whole chapter from my book? And more specifically, the most accclaimed chapter of the book? Because this book has been life-changing for many pet groomers and I want you to be able to experience that same competitive edge. If you enjoyed reading this blog post, you can get the book here. This book is 100% human, no AI, and based on 25+ yea

Grooming For Good & Growth Fundraisers do good and feel good. Over the course of my grooming career I’ve set up dozens of fundraisers. In the beginning of my career many of them fell flat though, because I didn’t really know how to reach people and how to make a real impact. Nowadays with social media, many of you just create an Instagram fundraiser and hope that the money for your charity will just roll in. In most cases, you’ll learn real fast that people don’t just shell o

Hi! Welcome to Marilou's Method! My name is Marilou Lekanne: author, groomer and pet business coach. Spring is in the air…. The flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising. Let's talk: Spring Cleaning Your Mind & Business. First off: Spring clean your mind, my dear fellow groomers! Let go of limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, like “I can't do this” or “I’m not good enough” or “I won't buy that mobile pet grooming van - what if I fail and won't be able to make paymen

We need to talk about YOUR boundaries! Answering texts at 11pm, grooming a client on what was supposed to be a date night with your spouse... Sounds familiar? There are dozens of scenarios where groomers allow their boundaries to be crossed. Let me start of by saying: setting boundaries ≠ being rude! It simply means protecting your time, energy, and peace. Hi! I’m Marilou Lekanne: pet groomer, author, and pet business coach. Today we’re talking about setting boundaries in yo

MARILOU'S METHOD NEWSLETTER Blowout Love Keeping your dryers and your career running clean Here's something we don't talk about nearly enough: our dryers. Whether you're running a full salon, doing house calls, or rolling up in a mobile van, your pet dryer is basically your right-hand tool. And just like any hardworking piece of equipment, it needs a little TLC to keep performing at its best. Today we're talking motor brushes, those small but mighty carbon components inside y

For the talented, big-hearted, and slightly underpaid groomer Introduction Let's talk about something that most grooming coaches are afraid to bring up. You got into this industry because you love dogs. You are talented, dedicated, and your clients' pets are practically family to you. That is a beautiful thing and it might also be quietly draining your bank account. 💜 The Heart of the Matter: You Chose This Career From the Heart Pet grooming is one of the most heart-centered

🐾 Know Why They Choose You (Before They Even Walk In the Door) Pet parents don't just pick a groomer at random. They're making a surprisingly thoughtful decision. From their dog's breed quirks to their own Saturday morning schedule, a whole checklist is running in their head before they ever dial your number. The good news? Once you understand what's driving that decision, you can position your business to be the obvious answer. 🐩 Breed Expertise: Speak Their Language If a

The uncomfortable truth about middle pricing — and why you need to pick a side. THE PARADOX Getting Told You're Too Pricey? Good News. Here's the thing nobody tells you: if potential clients regularly push back on your prices, it almost never means you're too expensive. It usually means you're not expensive enough! You've landed in a no-man's-land where nobody really wants to be. Think about your local grooming scene. There are budget groomers charging bargain prices, and the

GROOMER WELLNESS Your well-being is part of the job. A wellness guide for grooming business owners who care deeply for every dog - and deserve that same care for themselves. You got into grooming because you love dogs. But somewhere between back-to-back doodles, no-show clients, and skipping lunch (again), the joy can quietly slip away. The good news? Burnout isn't inevitable. A few smart boundaries can change everything. YOUR SANITY-SAVING TIPS Cap your daily dog count More