by Amanda McGrath
s professional groomers, we’re experts at planning our days. We carefully schedule appointments, estimate grooming times, coordinate staff and make sure every pet receives the attention they deserve. Yet many of us never stop to intentionally plan the business itself.
Instead, we spend the year reacting to rising costs, staffing challenges, difficult clients and every other issue that comes up. By the time December rolls around, we’re exhausted, and before we know it, we’re doing it all over again. But successful businesses aren’t built by reacting—they’re built by reflecting, planning and making intentional decisions before the chaos begins.
That’s why every salon owner should schedule an annual business planning day—or even two. Close the salon for the day if you need to and go to your favorite coffee shop, sit on your back porch or find anywhere you can think without interruption. Bring your planner, financial reports, calendar, notebook, and maybe even a highlighter or two.
The goal is to finally give yourself permission to think like the CEO of your business instead of the person holding the clippers. And you can start by asking yourself these 25 questions that are worth revisiting every year.
1. What am I most proud of accomplishing this past year?
We often rush from one goal to the next without celebrating our wins. Whether you hired your first employee, survived a challenging season or simply found a healthier work-life balance, acknowledge your progress.
2. What challenge taught me the biggest lesson?
Every difficult client, staffing issue or unexpected obstacle has something to teach us—if we’re willing to learn from it.
3. What drained the most energy from me this year, and why did I allow it to continue?
Sometimes the biggest opportunities for growth aren’t about adding something new, but about removing what no longer serves us.
4. What gave me the most joy in my business this year?
Pay attention to what energizes you. Those moments often point toward the kind of business you’re meant to build.
5. If this year repeated itself exactly as it was, would I be happy with that?
That single question can reveal whether you’re simply maintaining your business or intentionally improving it.
6. Does my business still reflect the reason I became a groomer?
Many of us started grooming because we loved helping pets. Somewhere along the way, invoices, staffing, payroll and scheduling may have overshadowed that purpose. Reconnect with your “why.”
7. Have my personal values changed, and does my business still support them?
The business you wanted five years ago may not be the business you want today, and that’s okay.
8. What do I want this year to feel like; for me, my staff and my clients?
Notice this question isn’t about revenue. Maybe you want your salon to feel calmer, more organized, more joyful or less rushed. Those feelings often influence the decisions you’ll make throughout the year.
9. Am I making decisions based on my long-term vision or simply reacting to today’s problems?
Reaction solves today’s issue. Planning builds tomorrow’s business.
10. What am I saying yes to that no longer aligns with the business I’m trying to create?
Every “yes” requires your time and energy. Make sure you’re spending both intentionally.
11. What part of my business is most profitable, and am I intentionally growing it?
Many salon owners know they’re busy, but they don’t actually know which services generate the greatest return. Look beyond total revenue and consider profit, time and demand. You may discover that the service bringing in the most money isn’t the one you spend the most energy promoting.
12. What service, process or expense deserves a closer look this year?
Every business develops blind spots over time. Maybe you’re offering a service that clients rarely book, paying for software you barely use or spending extra time on a process that could be simplified.
13. Where am I investing money that isn’t producing meaningful results?
Every expense should have a purpose. Whether it’s advertising, equipment, subscriptions or inventory, ask yourself if each investment is delivering enough value to justify its cost. Sometimes the best way to improve profitability is eliminating unnecessary spending.
14. What financial goal would make the biggest difference this year?
Rather than trying to improve everything at once, choose one meaningful financial target. It might be increasing average ticket prices, paying off debt, building an emergency fund or reaching a specific revenue milestone. A focused goal is far more achievable than a vague desire to “make more money.”
15. Am I building a business that supports my life or a life that only supports my business?
Success isn’t just measured by revenue; it’s measured by whether your business allows you to enjoy your family, protect your health and pursue the life you envisioned when you became a business owner.
16. Does every member of my team clearly understand what success looks like in their position?
People perform best when expectations are clear. If employees aren’t meeting your standards, ask yourself whether those standards have actually been communicated. A written job description and regular conversations often solve problems before they become frustrations.
As groomers, we spend our careers helping pets look and feel their best. We owe ourselves the same level of care when it comes to our businesses.
17. Have I invested in my employees’ growth as much as I expect them to invest in mine?
Great teams don’t happen by accident. Providing continuing education, coaching, constructive feedback and opportunities to grow demonstrates that you’re invested in their success.
18. What is one thing I could do this year to make my salon a better place to work?
Improving workplace culture doesn’t always require a large budget. Sometimes it’s updating break areas, improving communication, celebrating accomplishments or simply asking employees what would make their work day better.
19. Am I solving every problem myself, or am I developing problem-solvers?
Many salon owners unintentionally become the answer to every question. While that may feel efficient in the moment, it creates dependence and limits growth. Teaching employees how to think through problems builds confidence and creates a stronger team.
20. If I asked every employee what our salon stands for, would their answers be the same?
A strong culture is built on shared values and consistent expectations. If every employee describes the salon differently, it may be time to communicate your mission more intentionally. When everyone understands the “why” behind the business, decision-making becomes much easier.
21. What task do I repeat every week that could become a system instead?
Repetition is often a clue that a process should be documented. Whether it’s onboarding new clients, ordering supplies or closing the salon at the end of the day, systems reduce mistakes, save time and create consistency.
22. What should I stop doing because it no longer serves my business?
Growth isn’t always about adding more. Sometimes it’s about letting go of habits, services or commitments that no longer fit your goals.
23. What could I delegate, automate or simplify this year?
Your time is one of your most valuable resources. Look for tasks that don’t require your specific expertise and consider whether technology, staff members or better systems could take them off your plate.
24. Have I intentionally planned my year, or am I hoping it somehow comes together on its own?
Successful salon owners don’t wait to see what happens; they create a roadmap for where they want to go. Even a simple quarterly plan provides direction and makes decision-making much easier throughout the year.
25. When I look back next year, what accomplishment will make me say, “This was a successful year?”
Define success before the year begins. If you don’t decide what you’re aiming for, it’s easy to spend 12 months staying busy without making meaningful progress. Your answer to this question becomes the compass for every other decision you’ll make.
As groomers, we spend our careers helping pets look and feel their best. We owe ourselves the same level of care when it comes to our businesses. So before another year slips by, schedule the day to find a quiet place where you can think clearly, dream a little bigger, and honestly evaluate where you are and where you want to go. Because the most successful grooming salons aren’t built one appointment at a time—they’re built one intentional decision at a time.