đĄ What If You Could Grow 30% Without Gaining a Single New Client?
Imagine increasing your revenue by 30% and boosting your business growth by up to 15%âwithout spending a dime on marketing or acquiring a single new client. No ads. No fancy funnels. Just by reframing how you present the services you already offer. Thatâs the power of intentional, ethical upselling. And yet, so many groomers hesitate to implement itânot because they donât care, but because it feels pushy, awkward, or even dishonest. Letâs bust that myth wide open.
In a perfect world, every grooming business would operate on an all-inclusive model:
đŸ These are the services your pet needs.
đČ Hereâs what they cost.
đ Please sign this estimate.
Simple, transparent, and holistic.
But not every facility has adopted this model. And by not doing so, they may be leaving serious incomeâand sustainable growthâon the table. The truth is, many groomers are offering additional services⊠theyâre just not getting paid for them. Others hesitate to upsell at all, often for reasons like these:
đ« “Upselling Feels Like a Scam”
Letâs get something straight: upselling isnât sleazy when the service has real value. The issue usually comes down to a disconnectâeither the groomer doesnât fully understand the benefit, or theyâre unsure how to clearly communicate that value to the pet owner.
Take toothbrushing, for example. Most groomers know brushing only works if maintained at home. But are you framing it as a life-extending wellness practice? Poor dental health can reduce a petâs lifespan by up to 30% and cause chronic pain that results in behavioral issues. Thatâs powerful information. Imagine offering a take-home kit that includes a free brushing with every refillâa better upsell, better compliance, and better pet health.
Or consider brush and comb sales. Instead of simply selling tools the owner likely wonât use, what if you offered a kit bundled with a 15-minute tutorial? Help them understand how regular, proper use leads to cleaner homes and less stressful grooming for their pet. Youâre not selling a comb. Youâre selling peace of mind.
đž “I Donât Want to Nickel and Dime My Clients”
No one wants sticker shock. And yes, jumping from $50 to $85 on a grooming ticket can feel like overchargingâunless the value is clearly communicated. Clear pricing distinctions matter, especially for services like de-shedding. Is it a light touch-up included in the bath? Or a full treatment with masks and soaks?
Spa add-ons, like conditioning masks or paw soaks, arenât frivolous if they address real concerns. But the key is confidence and competence. Is the groomer trained to explain how a skin-soothing soak helps relieve chronic itching? Can they explain the value of deep conditioning for coat health and mat prevention?
đ¶ “Iâm an IntrovertâI Donât Want to Have These Conversations”
Even the shyest groomer can upsellâif the system supports them. Relying on posters or countertop signs doesnât cut it. How many of us push a door that clearly says pull? đââïž
Instead, imagine using custom carbonless estimate forms during check-in. As you evaluate the pet, check off the services they need. The owner now sees exactly whatâs recommended, whatâs optional, and what it all costsâwithout a sales pitch.
Add smart line items like âCollar Washingââa small, convenient service that solves a real problem. Or offer an in-salon-only discount on a new collar. Itâs about showing options, not pushing them.
đ “Thereâs No Incentive for Me (or My Team) to Upsell”
Letâs be honest: if the upsell doesnât benefit the groomer, why should they bother? Build in fair, motivating compensation. Start by calculating what each upsell costs in time and product. Then, design a system that rewards the groomer while still delivering excellent value to the client.
đ What Does Effective Upselling Actually Look Like?
It looks like this:
For my husbandâs birthday, he wanted a $70 bird sculpture from a John Oliver segment. Simple purchase, right?
đȘ¶ Add to cart.
đȘ¶ âWould you like a $20 figurine to go with that?â Yes.
đȘ¶ âSpend $20 more for free shippingâhere are some $20 items.â Sure.
Suddenly, my cart jumped from $70 to $150. Not because I was pressuredâbut because I was offered choices that made sense to me. That’s the secret sauce: educate, donât sell.
đ§Œ The Takeaway
You donât need to be a smooth-talking salesperson. You just need systems, services you believe in, and groomers who can communicate value. When you nail that? Upselling naturally evolves into all-inclusive pricingâand your business becomes simpler, stronger, and more profitable.
đ Want a tip? Create your own carbonless estimate forms at Vistaprint.