o matter how clear a word’s meaning may seem, it is always open to interpretation. This is why two groups can argue over a concept; each side convinced that their understanding of a word is correct. Anything that is up for interpretation is subject to misinterpretation.

Back in the day, when grooming forums ruled, the mention of the word “holistic” brought on ridicule and arguments. And while we’ve come a long way in embracing this concept, it is still misunderstood. The heart of the problem lies in how the term holistic grooming is interpreted rather than defined.

Let’s start by defining holistic. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “holistic is characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.” The whole is divided into three parts: mind, body and soul. For the reference of holistic as it applies to grooming, I am going to substitute joy for soul.

We can all incorporate holistic elements into our businesses. For example, you might provide a break room for your employees, use energy-efficient lighting and recycle plastic materials. Pieces of the whole are better than doing nothing, but what if you embraced a holistic system; a set of procedures and policies interconnected to all aspects of your business?

Imagine, if you will, a five-layer birthday cake, where each layer represents a crucial aspect of your business: pets, clients, staff (including yourself), the environment and the business itself. To provide structural support to this cake, we add three cake dowels, which symbolize mind, body and joy. If your business is balanced, the cake will remain stable if it’s turned upside-down. If someone takes a bite out of your cake, the remaining layers will stay intact while you address the issue. However, ignoring these challenges could trigger a cascading effect that leads to the entire cake collapsing.

Let’s put it into practice: A mobile grooming van is the business layer. The electrical and fuel systems are the van’s mind, while the work area represents its body. Pricing reflects the joy of the business. Each layer of your cake is interconnected with the van. Pets are groomed inside the van, clients make payments, and you or your staff do the grooming work there. Additionally, sanitation and organization contribute to the overall environment.

If even one aspect of your business is off, it can impact all the other layers. Maybe you postponed some essential maintenance on your van, and now it’s sitting in a repair shop after being towed there. You’re not a priority since you didn’t establish a relationship with this repair shop. This situation forces you to reschedule clients. Some are frustrated and might choose to go elsewhere, while others may stay, but the pets are going much longer between grooming appointments. Not only are you losing money, but van repairs are costly. You can now see how interconnected your entire business is.

If you have made the necessary adjustments to ensure your business operates holistically, you will find it easier to get everything back on track. You have established a good relationship with your repair shop, and they won’t keep your van for too long. You’ve built strong relationships with your clients who are willing to wait until your van is back on the road. Although the pets may have to wait slightly longer, you can rely on other groomers you’ve networked with to assist you if needed. Additionally, you have safeguarded your business by setting aside funds for repairs and covering any downtime.

No matter where you are in your grooming business, integrating a holistic system will yield significant benefits.