Home-based businesses may face zoning restrictions and regulatory hurdles. You might need special permits or have to adhere to specific local ordinances, which can be time-consuming and costly to navigate. Finding out any and all zoning restrictions should be the very first step in your journey to a work-from-home lifestyle. Along with local and state government regulations, you will also need approval from any HOA or homeowners associations if you live in a community that has them.

It is not advised to open up a home-based grooming salon if you are not able to legally have one in your area. While it may seem like a “harmless” thing to operate outside of the law, all it takes is one upset client or neighbor to alert authorities, and then you could be dealing with fines, court fees or worse.

Operating a business at home can lead to more distractions and interruptions from family members, personal pets or household duties, potentially impacting your productivity and the quality of your grooming services. In order to have a thriving grooming salon on your property, you will need the buy-in from any family members living with you. They must be able to respect your time at work and keep interruptions to a minimum. Members of your household will also need to feel comfortable with having clients come onto your shared personal property.

Clients may find it difficult to access your home, especially if you live in a remote area or a place with limited parking. This inconvenience can deter potential clients from choosing your services. While it is entirely possible to have a thriving business in a remote or rural area, you will need to take this into account when marketing to new clients, and it may take longer to build an established client base.

Marketing for a home-based salon is a bit different from more traditional storefront grooming salons and should be taken into account when considering starting this type of business.

Running a business from home can blur the lines between work and personal life, making it difficult to separate your professional responsibilities from your personal space and time. Many groomers dream of simply walking across their property or into another area of their home to start work. However, the proximity of your workspace to your living area can make it difficult to mentally disconnect from grooming, leading to extended work hours and a sense of always being “on the clock.”

Distractions from family members, household chores and the comfort of home can further blur the lines, making it challenging to maintain productivity during work hours and to fully relax during personal time.

Having a home-based salon offers the invaluable benefit of a flexible schedule, granting groomers the ability to determine their own working hours. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for a groomer who has responsibilities such as raising children or caring for elderly family members.

By setting their own schedules, groomers can seamlessly integrate their professional commitments with their family obligations, ensuring they can be present for important life moments, while still pursuing their passion for grooming. With the right organizational systems and routines in a home-based salon, it is possible to throw in a load of laundry or start dinner in a crockpot during your day.

Whether it’s adjusting working hours to accommodate school pickups, doctor’s appointments or caregiving responsibilities, the ability to tailor your own schedule is a huge benefit of working out of your home. When done right, it can foster a healthier work-life balance.

Perhaps as a groomer who has worked as an employee, you have encountered situations that you did not agree with. With a home-based salon, you have full control over business operations, allowing you to make decisions independently and implement your vision of the perfect grooming salon without interference.

Everything from the number of dogs you groom a day and how long each groom takes you to shaving double-coated breeds or dematting doodles, every decision will now be up to you. Owning your own home-based business will give you the freedom to groom in whichever ways you truly desire.

Operating from home typically involves lower expenses compared to renting commercial space, therefore saving you money on rent, utilities and other overhead costs. Among the various types of grooming salons, including storefront and mobile options, a home-based salon generally offers the most economical operating costs. When combining low overhead costs with the ability to set your own prices and charge what you feel your time is worth, you will have total control of how much money you make each year.

The ability to offer specialized services is a significant advantage of operating a home-based grooming salon. With the flexibility that comes from this model, groomers have the opportunity to focus on niche grooming services or cater to the unique needs of specific breeds or individual pets.

This specialization not only allows groomers to showcase their expertise and passion for particular grooming techniques, but also attracts clients seeking specialized care for their pets. Professional grooming services such as feline only, hand stripping, creative grooming or working with challenging pets can do very well in a home-based setting.

Starting a home-based grooming business presents a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. The advantages of reduced overhead costs and personalized client experience can make it an attractive option for many professional groomers. However, it’s essential to weigh these advantages against potential drawbacks, such as limited space, zoning regulations, and the blurred lines between work and personal life.

By thoroughly considering these pros and cons and preparing accordingly, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your professional goals and personal circumstances. Whether you choose to embark on this entrepreneurial path or continue exploring other options, the key is to create a business environment that fosters growth, satisfaction, and success for both you and your clients.

Amanda McGrath is a Certified Feline Master Groomer and the owner of a successful home-based grooming salon. Amanda has a unique talent for time management and organization, and hosts “The Groomer’s Game Plan,” a two-day strategic planning event specifically for grooming businesses. She is the co-owner of Hause of Bones, a small business that creates humorous stickers for the witty side of grooming, and she serves on the board of the Pet Stylist Relief Fund. Currently, Amanda is developing a podcast focused on the unique aspects and advantages of home-based grooming salons.