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We’ve all been there as pet groomers: the super anxious dog, the senior -wobbly on his legs- dog, the dog that hates the blow dryer in his face, a total sweetheart who goes wild the second you reach for this paws… Sometimes, the best we can deliver might not be the best haircut or the most perfectly trimmed nails. That is ok! And as groomers we have to learn to be ok with that. Still ’til this day I hate to have to return a dog to his owner with a damp face or a so-so haircut

Rude client and you snapped back at her? Things keep breaking in your business and you’re so done with repairs all the time? Another slow financial month? Whatever your disappointment or frustration is, either with yourself, your business or a client, you need to learn how to handle it, how to face these moments head on, how to improve skills where needed and, most importantly, how to not fall apart! Many businesses fail, close down or go downhill, because the owner(s) did no

Last week, I had an unexpected encounter with a long-time client and the ending of this story might surprise you... Before scheduling his next grooming appointment for his two dogs, I informed him about a $10 increase due to the current economic situation. I gave him a grooming date, and he responded positively. On the day of his appointment, during grooming, he Venmoed me the money. I heard the typical text chime when a Venmo comes in, but I left it unopened because I was bu

This song came to mind when I started writing today's newsletter. The reason that I started singing it though was that I had the lyrics all wrong. Instead of singing "A little less conversation..." I sang "A little more conversation...". Lol. And the reason I thought of this song to begin with was after a 15 minutes mindful conversation with an older, retired woman that lives by herself. Last week I drove up to a long time client of mine. I knocked the door and Mrs. Blanch* a

Every time I travel, I'm reminded how much is out there and how much is there to explore far beyond the walls of our businesses and personal lives. We build these little boxes for ourselves: the same routines, the same way of grooming, the same way of doing business, and handling problems... and sometimes we stay stuck in this box we built for ourselves. Then you land somewhere new, watch other people and other cultures solve everyday problems in completely different ways, an

The dog is on your table and you realize "a little matted" is actually a pelt from head to toe or "might be a little nervous" turns into a dog fighting you at every chance he gets. Here's what to do today when the job is suddenly bigger than the quote. 1. Stop the groom. Put your tools down before you're getting frustrated. It's not dramatic, it's professional. Take a deep breath and step back for a second. 2. Call the client, don't text. Voice carries tone and tone is what

When It’s Not “Just a Client’s Dog” The other day I got the dreaded text : "Max has crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you for all your years of loving him, caring for him and making him look so handsome!" Nobody tells you that somewhere around year 2 or 3 or 4 with a regular client, you stop grooming A dog and start grooming YOUR dog. The one who knows your voice and your presence before you even open the door. The one whose paw print is basically etched into your heart. And

Last week I asked you one question on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok: “What’s the funniest or weirdest thing a client has ever begged you to do during a groom?” I expected maybe 20 replies. I got over 300! I read every single one, laughed out loud in a parking lot, and had to stop reading at one point because I had tears rolling down my cheeks (the good kind 😂). So today’s issue is just for us. Grab your coffee, or a cocktail, no judgement. Here’s a taste of what came in: K.

In looking at groomers’ websites and socials, one of the first things I look at is their images. The images you use tell a story, your story! It’s oftentimes the client’s first impression. Therefore, it’s essential that you not only choose them wisely but that you take these images consciously as well. Here are some things to keep in mind using images on your website and social media platforms: ❌ Bad pictures ✅ Great pictures: good lighting, positioning of the dog (sitting, s

Have you ever thought: “Why is that pet groomer THAT successful with only half of my technical grooming skills??!” Because that pet groomer and many others like them focus more on their mindset, business and communication skills. Sure, they’re good groomers as well, but maybe not half as good as you are. They do, however, succeed wildly and are more prosperous than many of their colleagues in the industry. We have touched base on business and communication skills in other new

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