3 shifts that changed my grooming business and life

That’s a wrap on Season 1! To close the season, I’m sharing three changes I’ve made in my own life and business that made a real difference. Take even one of them into the winter and I promise it’ll change things for you. First, though: if you’re waiting until the week between Boxing Day and New Year to plan 2027, don’t. Q4 is when you have this year’s accounts, customer numbers and results in front of you. Use them to see what worked, what didn’t, and what deserves more of your energy next year. **In this episode:** **1. 90-day cycles** - How 90-day cycles differ from calendar quarters, and why they can start whenever suits your business - A simple T&Cs cycle: prep in December, then hand them out to every client over January and February (most clients on a 6–8 week schedule will be in during that window) - Why three weeks, or even a month, is too short to judge a new service, and how a 90-day test settles the “just go for it vs. prepare properly” debate - How one groomer with dog grooming, cat grooming, teeth cleaning and a self-wash station focused 80% of her sales posts on one service per 90 days, and stopped local owners saying “I had no idea you did that!” - The 90-day cycle hiding in plain sight: this podcast **2. Value over visibility** - Why looking after the clients you already have grows your reputation faster than chasing more followers - Why I don’t run my salon like a tapas menu: one all-inclusive price, no upselling every extra - My take on Christmas spa packages, and the small touches that keep clients loyal through price increases - Why the Academy has never had a minimum term, and how that holds me accountable - An expensive lesson I learned from a locked-in payment plan - Why competition in the industry can raise all our standards, as long as you’re one of the groomers improving **3. Change the narrative in your head** - Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to someone you love (or your dog!) - Why being kind to yourself isn’t the same as being lazy - Being self-employed vs. being your own boss: you need to play both roles - Using boundaries around your working hours to protect your home life and avoid burnout - A gentle reminder for December: something will slip, and that’s OK **Mentioned in this episode:** - **Annual Strategy Planning Session**: inside the Academy this November. We plot your whole 2027 into your diary, from price increases to policies. - **Monthly membership closes Saturday 31 October at 10pm** and stays closed all winter. Annual membership is still open. Thank you so much for listening to Season 1. I’ll see you in the spring for Season 2, and on social media over Christmas. Have an amazing end of 2026!  **Want to dive deeper?** Watch Karen's free Dog Grooming Business Engine training here and discover the framework behind a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. **Want to build a calmer, more profitable dog grooming business?** The Dog Grooming Business Academy helps ambitious groomers master pricing, marketing, branding and customer experience so they can build a business that works for their life - not the other way around. **Enjoying the podcast?** If you're listening while grooming today, Karen would love to see what you're working on! Share a photo or selfie to your Instagram, Facebook or TikTok Stories, tag @thedoggroomingbusinessacademy, and she'll share your post. At the end of each month, one listener will receive a grooming goodie bag full of treats from some of Karen's favourite brands. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show. It helps more dog groomers discover the business education they never received in grooming school.