The pet industry is booming right now, with an estimated 70% of households containing at least one animal, and that’s why it’s a great time to start a pet-based business. With so many different pet care needs to fulfill, you can choose from a number of business ideas depending on your skill set, availability, and the type of animals you’d like to work with. Not only is this a potentially lucrative career move, you’ll be doing something you truly enjoy, and it can even be beneficial for your well-being; studies have shown that spending time with animals can reduce stress and anxiety for many people.
Ready to get started? You’ll need to think about the type of business you’re interested in, how much time you can commit to it, and how to find training or certification courses.
Choose the best business fit
With so many options to choose from, it’s important to take the time to research a few business ideas to find the one that fits your needs best. You might need a flexible schedule, or you may want to only work with a particular type of animal. Consider offering a beneficial service such as grooming or selling handmade pet items–such as collars or treats–online. Do some research on the need for pet sitters in your area by putting out some feelers on neighborhood apps. This is a great option for individuals who need to work from home; however, you’ll need to ensure that you can perform all the necessary tasks required of you, which might include feeding and playing with the animal, letting him outside, and possibly making trips to the vet if the owner is unable to.
Get the training you need by going back to school
Once you know what type of business you want to start, it’s essential to figure out what kind of training you need. You might want to focus on an animal-specific certification to become a groomer, or you might decide to boost your business skills by going back to school for a degree. You can start an online program in accounting, business, management, or communications and work on a bachelor’s degree from home while you get your business up and running. Need more information? This may help you figure out where to begin.
Set up a web presence
Before you can start looking for customers, you’ll need to set up a website and social media pages that are professional, informative, and engaging. Having a web presence is absolutely essential for small businesses these days, and yours will need to help you stand out from the competition. Utilize videos, images, and memes on your social media accounts to show off your brand’s personality; make your website easy to navigate and ensure that it’s accessible for all abilities. Utilize online tools, such as a search engine business profile, to enable customers to find your site easily.
Start your marketing strategy in earnest
Once you have a stellar web presence set up, you can start putting together a marketing strategy that will help you reach customers and draw them in. Focus on what makes your business unique; why should they choose you over your competitors? Create a brand identity for your business that includes a logo and slogan, along with a mission statement that helps customers get to know you better. One of the key things to keep in mind is that any pet-based business is built on trust, as you’ll be working with beloved animals that are more like family to many owners. As you create your identity, do some research on both traditional and digital marketing tactics and choose the best ones for your needs, noting that you can use a mix of both.
Starting a pet-based business can be an extremely lucrative venture with the right moves. Consider going back to school to earn a business degree, which can help you build confidence and grow your company successfully.
Interested in learning more about pet adoption? Contact McGuire Family Goldendoodles today.
Ed Carter – http://www.ablefutures.org