by Mary Oquendo
magine the power that you, as the business owner, hold to set the tone for the day. What if everyone who entered your facility had a smile on their face? A smile from you when you first turned the key in the lock in the morning, from the staff as they came in for work, from beaming clients as they arrived for their appointment, and even proverbial smiles from the pets that present as wagging tails.
That first, second or thousandth impression that everyone gets of your business starts with the environment, and it’s all about the wellbeing within your walls. But when this layer of your holistic grooming system is out of whack, equipment breaks down due to lack of maintenance, injuries occur, many of the pets seem to have skin issues, your facility is never quite clean or outright smells (to which you have become nose blind because you’ve acclimated to the odor), and you sigh rather than smile when turning that key in the lock. However, when you strive for a well-balanced, holistic grooming environment, it brings positive changes to your business, from improved staff morale to enhanced client satisfaction.
Let’s start with the “mind” aspect of a holistic environment, which prioritizes a safe space. Are you providing safety from drama and abusive clients? You have a legal obligation to keep your employees safe from known issues, including knowing when to call 911 if anyone feels threatened by clients. Problems at work can spill over to the personal lives of those working in the salon, affecting their home life.
In addition, you should set expectations for grooming, maintenance and sanitation in your employee manual. You can also establish a sense of order and control in your business by creating comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS). This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and operating at their best.
Empower your team with knowledge through continuing education. Workshops on OSHA, emergency and disaster planning, and self-defense can equip your staff with the skills and confidence to handle any situation professionally. Be receptive in employee meetings and listen with an open mind. It can be tough to be introspective regarding your role in dissatisfaction, but a business coach can help you navigate these issues.
Is the business well-organized? Are things easy to find and reach? Do you know what’s in the products you use? The term “greenwashing” is labeling that sounds good, but there is no real therapeutic value to the product. No state or federal agency oversees how a product intended for topical use on a pet is labeled, so make sure you know what’s in the products you’re using for both the safety of the pets as well as the groomers.
How do you bring joy to the environment? It can be as simple as the correct temperature for bathing pets and bathers. Aromatherapy can be tricky because what is pleasing to people may be overwhelming to pets, especially cats, who may have difficulty processing essential oils regardless of form.
Using color is another way to bring joy. There’s a reason the three major fast-food joints use reds, oranges and yellows—they want you hungry but in and out fast. High-end restaurants use more blues and browns, which encourage you to relax and enjoy the meal, so you order that second bottle of wine and dessert. Do a deep dive into colors and how they affect moods, and also look at your buying choices and the colors you are more likely to buy from.
It’s said that music soothes the savage beast. My absolute favorite artist to play in my mobile grooming van was Steven Halpern, specifically Chakra Suite. It had a relaxing effect on me and the pets in my care. You can source music designed for pets through Amazon, YouTube, and music apps like Spotify and iTunes.
Plants can also add a pleasing aesthetic to an environment, and they keep the air fresh. However, it’s important to exercise caution if you groom cats or have free-roaming shop cats, as many varieties of plants are poisonous to cats. Also make sure that your space has adequate sunlight for plants to grow.
When the environment layer of your holistic grooming system is in perfect balance, clients are greeted with genuine smiles and a warm atmosphere when they enter your facility. This positive energy enhances the experience for everyone—clients, pets and groomers—creating an inviting environment that fosters connection and happiness.