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Post by Patter on Feb 22, 2016 13:15:11 GMT
To add: She did training with Cesar Milan, which I know appeals to some of her customers. Agh, yes, good point. The lady that owns the daycamp/boarding/training facility I posted about above is a certified animal behaviorist. They have lessons 2x a week (evenings), and she also travels and does private in-home lessons. She is one busy, busy lady!!!
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Julie W
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,209
Jun 27, 2014 22:11:06 GMT
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Post by Julie W on Feb 22, 2016 13:19:20 GMT
I don't have suggestions on the business end, other than like others suggested, actually working at one before you commit your money.
Our doggie daycare is very successful. They have video cams in the various dog areas so you can look in on your dog anytime.
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tonya
Shy Member
Posts: 44
Jun 27, 2014 13:56:56 GMT
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Post by tonya on Feb 22, 2016 13:20:29 GMT
I'm good friends with our dog walker/sitter. She is amazing and our dog loves her. However, she struggles to make a consistent income and I live in Boston. You have to factor in weather, how many dogs you can walk at a time (not all dogs can walk with other dogs), travel between houses, people changing their mind/schedules, etc.
It seems like a cash cow but often it is not.
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Post by auntkelly on Feb 22, 2016 13:21:02 GMT
I don't think I'd start a new business in Houston right now with oil prices so low. So many companies are laying people off and everyone is worried about the economy. The first thing people will cut from their budget are luxuries like doggie day care. I'd maybe try and find a part time job in the industry to get some experience while the economy is down and wait until oil prices go back up to start your business.
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Post by PenandInk on Feb 22, 2016 13:25:29 GMT
We used Rover.com quite a bit when we lived in California for overnight stays for our dog. Our favorite house belonged to two gentlemen who were semi "retired" who had tricked out a fenced play yard for their own rescue dog. The yard was safe, relatively small, and they had a booming business. They were selective in the dogs they accepted, and after your dog's first stay, they would tell you if he was invited back. They also did doggie day care. They were hugely popular and my dog loved being there. She would mope around whenever we picked her up after a trip--I think she missed all her buddies at "camp".
We moved to the east coast last year and discovered that we have a dog walker in our neighborhood. He is a 50-something guy who was sick of the rat race. He does day care, overnight stays and walks dogs during the day for people who work. He is also selective, and will tell you if your dog is not welcome for overnight visits, i.e. They don't get along with his dogs. With all the walking, he is very fit and that's his only workout. My dog loves him, and again, hates when we return for a trip because his house is way more fun.
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Post by whipea on Feb 22, 2016 14:31:57 GMT
The daycare I use is connected to an animal hospital. It is a huge business and took tons of capital. We are in south Florida, urban area and land is very expensive. There are about 15 full time staff, built in dog pools with fountians, lounge chairs around the pool, misting system, "tiki bars", grassy agility fields and indoor kennels with couches and TVs so the dogs can rest in the air conditioning. Just the property, kennels, pool and fields must have been a million plus to develop but it is always packed and it has probably paid for itself several times.
Do tons of research, check zoning restrictions and like others said the best bet is to work in a facility to learn the business.
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Deleted
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Sept 27, 2024 22:58:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 14:43:51 GMT
I can't offer any advice on the doggie daycare, but maybe start with something smaller like others have said.
Dog walking, to build up a client base with no overhead.
Dog grooming, you can take courses online (I have a friend that is a dog groomer that did this) and she grooms out of her home. The start up costs were minimal (table, clippers, dryer, shampoos, etc) She used her own bathtub and an extra bedroom, it would be another good way to build up clients.
I'd be hesitant to start on credit. If you can do another option first, have a base of clients when you start, along with cash to start, that would be a good thing, then you can also offer those services when you open a doggie daycare.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Feb 22, 2016 14:43:46 GMT
Thank you all for the valuable input. I wasn't thinking of running this from my home, but rather renting a commercial space and having it built out to suit. Yes, I would envision having employees and dealing with bookkeeping, and while I know there would be headaches involved, at least they would be different headaches, KWIM? No job is trouble free. And as much as I'd love to find a job where I never had to deal with people, those are pretty thin on the ground. It might be a better idea as some have suggested to start with a dog walking business. I'm not sure working as an employee in someone else's doggy day care would pay enough to be worth my time, though it would give me a good idea if it's a business I really want to run. Thanks all for the input - obviously I have a lot of thinking to do! The place we used to get the dogs groomed at was in a strip mall. They refitted an old video rental place and put in a grooming salon and a decent sized room for the daycare. The woman who owns it is young and friendly. She has a staff of about 8 people working for her and then there are the dogs. I don't know how well the grooming part does. I could always get an appointment right away. The daycare was always busy and the dogs either looked relaxed or like they were having fun. She would need her own accountant and she hired a decent sized staff. The place she has leased went unused and unloved since the video place closed years ago. The location for me is beyond convenient. They stopped grooming my old man because he was just too old and it took too long to do him. I was sad as their grooming charge was so reasonable and he came back looking beautiful. (My girl who passed away in May was just as beautiful). From the outside the business looks like it's booming. It is the only daycare I have seen so far but there are other ones, too. They are open 6 days a week. They have also just started doing dog boarding/overnights, but I don't know how that works. It could be one employee takes dogs home for the duration or they board them at the daycare or other? We used to board our dogs at a lady's house. She had acres on the side of a mountain and she is a dog show judge and a groomer. There were lots of dogs there. She was completely socially inept until you talked to her about her knowledge of dogs. She shone then. She knows everything about every breed, what the standard is/was, she had this massive old house and again this property that was all fenced in and the dogs could come and go at all times of the day and night. She was $15/day and that was reasonable! She provided all food and water and snacks as needed. We loved Lesley, but I am not sure she is still alive. She was about 75 when we used her 10 years ago so I haven't heard. She doesn't live in my area and I don't know anyone else who took their dog(s) to her. Money well spent.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 22, 2016 16:08:15 GMT
I can't offer any advice on the doggie daycare, but maybe start with something smaller like others have said. Dog walking, to build up a client base with no overhead. Dog grooming, you can take courses online (I have a friend that is a dog groomer that did this) and she grooms out of her home. The start up costs were minimal (table, clippers, dryer, shampoos, etc) She used her own bathtub and an extra bedroom, it would be another good way to build up clients. I'd be hesitant to start on credit. If you can do another option first, have a base of clients when you start, along with cash to start, that would be a good thing, then you can also offer those services when you open a doggie daycare. This is the type of business one of my friends has. She started with dog walking and added a space at her house for a few dogs. She is very small 4-5 dogs at a time max. But she is very good. The things I've noticed is to always expect to have extra dogs especially when you want to do something. She would almost always have to bring dogs with her to our 4-H weekend events. This worked for her, but I can't imagine it working for everyone. The thing to remember about dog sitting is that people want/need it during the holidays and vacation time. Do you want to spend all your holidays caring for other people's pets? Will you be able to find employees that want to work holidays and pick up dog poop?
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Post by AN on Feb 22, 2016 16:13:09 GMT
As my aunt, who is a veterinarian says... the problem isn't the animals, its the owners. Loving animals is actually probably one of the worst reasons to start an animal-related business. That is a really, really precarious, involved, risky business to start as your first venture. I'm also not a big fan of most franchise models, although it really depends on the brand/investment/your situation.
I think it's awesome to be exploring independent businesses though!!! My mom has, very quickly, built a quite successful business selling customized items using a vinyl cutter. She started on local Facebook groups and has moved to selling online. It is pretty impressive.
Also, check out some of Christy Wright's blog/writing/videos, she is a Dave Ramsey "personality" and focused on women entrepreneurs.
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Post by AN on Feb 22, 2016 16:15:40 GMT
I've thought of this too and it will be interesting to read this thread. We have a large yard that really doesn't get used now and also a pool (not sure about the dogs using that but it's an idea). I'd like something with more hours than my current job but I'd also like to be home for the kids more (older teens that don't really need me but just being here would be good). Check your zoning laws - there's a good chance that even if you aren't in a HOA, your city/county would not allow a doggy daycare or boarding facility on your property. Depends on the location and that isn't necessarily true for the really unincorporated/rural areas, but that is probably something that 1) most areas are going to be pretty strict about and find any way to stop it even if it's a little-known rule 2) will easily be found out when you advertise or if you have neighbors within a mile.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Feb 22, 2016 16:17:51 GMT
I don't have experience running one, but we take our dog to a pet resort when we go out of town. He really loves it there, he knows when we pull into town where he is and he gets really excited. They have big play areas for the dogs to play together (but they make sure they get along with other dogs before putting them together). Also, he's a large dog so he goes in a kennel/run at night, NOT a cage. That was a big deal to me. If they put him in a kennel I'll stop taking him.
This place is all indoors so it's pretty good sized and they have a cat room too. If you stay more than 2 days the dog gets washed before they come back home which is kind of nice.
I wouldn't do a franchise if it were me. Seems like a lot of money to output when it's something you could do on your own.
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Deleted
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Sept 27, 2024 22:58:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 16:28:59 GMT
I have to agree with whoever posted about Houston's economy. People will cut expenses as jobs get lost and non-essentials will go first -- we are in property management in that area and I can tell you most people renting space from us just don't make it in the long run unless they are an essential business. The build-out costs are going to be more than you expect probably along with ongoing bills, provided you can find a landlord that will let you use the space for animals. We rent to an independent Pet Store on the SW side that does grooming, day stays and overnight kenneling. The owner is making just enough to stay open and he has been open for close to 20 years with a large clientele. And he also had lots of issues with employee turnover.
If you can start smaller, like say over the summer when lots of people seem to vacation, you might get a better idea on whether you truly like dogwalking/grooming/kenneling or not.
I know the one by me here in NC does a good business but they set up multiple yards with fences and inside kennels. I have no idea whether anyone actually lives in the house with the dogs but I do know someone is there overnight. I am not sure how they got the business approved through our city since it is a residential area but with no zoning or HOA. In the end we had to stop using them when DDoggie got diabetes and they can't give any shots. The one we go to now is run by a vet and her husband and is attached to a vet clinic and has a huge area to run and play and they give shots for a certain $ per day. I suspect though that they put hundreds of thousands into it (land alone had to have been at least $100k based on where it is).
I know you are looking for something else. It's tough to transition from education...but I would highly suggest that you transition over time versus putting a whole lot of $$$$$$s on the line. I think it is Dave Ramsey that talk through having a job while starting a new business. It's tough, but better than too much debt.
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Post by AN on Feb 22, 2016 16:29:11 GMT
It might be a better idea as some have suggested to start with a dog walking business. I'm not sure working as an employee in someone else's doggy day care would pay enough to be worth my time, though it would give me a good idea if it's a business I really want to run. Thanks all for the input - obviously I have a lot of thinking to do! You can pretty much guarantee you'll make less as the owner for the first year or two (if things are going WELL) than an hourly employee. Just something to think about when you're planning your timeline for transition from teaching to entrepreneurship. I think your instinct to start with dog walking is a good one, although I really think you might be even better off looking outside an animal business altogether. With something like selling on Etsy, you can get the business up and running while you still have your day job. There are a handful of books out there, I haven't read any of them but one I hear recommended a lot is "Start" by Jon Acuff. I realllllly encourage you to look for something you can start on the side and grow into your full-time gig, and please please please be careful with credit. If you can start a business on the side with maybe $1K, reinvest the profits while you are still working, and then wait until the right moment to jump over to it full-time, I think you'll be so much less stressed and the business won't be as risky. Lots of local libraries or SBA offices have seminars to learn more about running your own business, and there are lots of great free webinars (always trying to sell you something too, but good info provided if you sit through the pitch).
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Post by AN on Feb 22, 2016 16:40:02 GMT
Okay, just brainstorming here - I know I'm posting a lot but this is an area I really have a lot of passion for. My SIL is looking to move out of teaching to stay at home (which I know is different than what you're looking for), and we've been brainstorming ideas too.
Can you tutor? I know you're a music teacher, could you teach voice lessons? Or can you tutor in a totally different subject altogether? Just having that background of being a teacher is a HUGE leg up when trying to get new clients for tutoring. Tutors can make some killer money per hour, you set your hours, you don't have all the hassles of employees/etc (although it could eventually grow to a larger business where you manage and have multiple tutors working for you), and it is something you can start without a lot of upfront cost. We did the math for my SIL, and if she can tutor just 10 hours a week, she'll bring home as much as she was teaching full time. (Obviously that doesn't account for benefits, etc but she can get those through her husband, so we were just talking about straight take home dollars.) She lives in a college town, so in addition to high schoolers, the college students are an excellent target market.
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Feb 22, 2016 16:51:14 GMT
The insurance implications alone would tell me to run away from this idea.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Feb 22, 2016 17:09:58 GMT
I would second AN idea about voice lessons - or piano or other instruments that you can teach. I don't know what the Houston market is like, but here it's around $100 an hour to have a music teacher come to your home. It wouldn't take many regular students with weekly lessons to provide a nice supplemental income - and there would be very little up front costs.
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Post by Merge on Feb 22, 2016 17:27:12 GMT
Thanks again, everyone.
Voice lessons are not a viable full time option - they're better as a side income. Plus the hours are exclusively evenings and weekends forever, which isn't what I want to do. I also - to be honest - don't enjoy teaching individual voice lessons.
I would be useless at tutoring anything else. The way they teach things has changed so much since I was in school.
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Deleted
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Sept 27, 2024 22:58:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 20:10:06 GMT
Any chance you would be willing to do a combination of things for a while? I know churches don't pay a lot, but often do have paid positions -- children's choirs, etc. And then work the doggie business during the other times?
Can you do stuff to sell on "teachers pay teachers"? My niece is an elementary school music teacher in FBISD and is always looking for creative ideas....I however don't know how big the market is and what you could make $-wise.
I have a feeling no matter what you decide on, one big change is going to be your flexibility and what hours you will have to work compared to education hours. I have found that is the largest hurdle from education to any other type of job. Even from teaching to the admin building.... While timeoff isn't paid, it is much more available for teachers than any other profession....that's the hardest hurdle along with the pay issues.
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calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on Feb 22, 2016 20:34:05 GMT
What competition are you up against in your area? For example, our dogs go to a local dog hotel (no kidding, it's like a hotel). We had to be interviewed before she would board the dogs and once she agreed, she also had to meet the dogs and see how they behave/interact with other dogs. Private home, 4 acres of fenced yard plus swimming pool. The owner will go to any lengths you do as the dog owner (meals at specific times/medication/loves/hugs/etc. Depending on the weather, the dogs sleep in huge cages either in her home or in one of the heated garages. While we're away we received several e-mails and photos. For this we pay $50 per dog per day.
It's not cheap, but we trust her 100% and she's pretty much always at home. Apart from a quick errand, if she's gone for more than a couple of hours she hires someone to watch the dogs.
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Post by scrapmaven on Feb 22, 2016 21:04:31 GMT
Merge Left's music school sounds like a good thing. You could lease space and give music lessons or go to people's houses w/the only investment being sheet music and time. It's going to be slow going as you get started, but you'll get referrals and build business over time, if you can afford to wait.
Starting a business w/credit cards is a way to get into big debt. It's so risky and the last thing you need is to risk your family's financial security. I would think long and hard before using a credit card to start a business. Having a home business is brutal. You are responsible for everything from overhead, to payroll to Worker's Comp, to liability, to taxes. I am not trying to be Debbie Downer, but I just want you to be fiscally safe.
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Post by mnmloveli on Feb 22, 2016 21:33:15 GMT
A friend started with dogvacay.com about 5 years ago. She signed-up with them and they get you the bookings and handle all payments. She never had problems getting paid and you are covered under their insurance policy. The past few years the repeat clients have come directly to her. It was a great way to get started. I don't know how she handles insurance since most of her clients now are not thru the agency. Very risky to not have coverage for a risky business.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,428
Jun 26, 2014 2:34:35 GMT
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Post by luvnlifelady on Feb 22, 2016 23:13:20 GMT
I've thought of this too and it will be interesting to read this thread. We have a large yard that really doesn't get used now and also a pool (not sure about the dogs using that but it's an idea). I'd like something with more hours than my current job but I'd also like to be home for the kids more (older teens that don't really need me but just being here would be good). Check your zoning laws - there's a good chance that even if you aren't in a HOA, your city/county would not allow a doggy daycare or boarding facility on your property. Depends on the location and that isn't necessarily true for the really unincorporated/rural areas, but that is probably something that 1) most areas are going to be pretty strict about and find any way to stop it even if it's a little-known rule 2) will easily be found out when you advertise or if you have neighbors within a mile. Good point. We're not in an HOA but there may still be zoning laws against it.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Feb 22, 2016 23:41:18 GMT
We love our doggie daycare, take both dogs regularly, and every time we travel.
One thing to think about is your high occupancy times are every holiday, every spring break, and a lot of people take vacation when there are school holidays.
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Deleted
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Sept 27, 2024 22:58:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 23:48:41 GMT
Just a comment that credit for start-up businesses is very difficult to come by. There are some SBA loans that could work, but they are comparatively expensive. Most banks and credit unions won't extend credit to a business (beyond a business credit card that it approved based on your personal FICO) until there's a minimum of 1-3 years in business.
You should be prepared to self-fund and/or get investors for at the first year at the very least.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 23, 2016 0:14:23 GMT
We love our doggie daycare, take both dogs regularly, and every time we travel. One thing to think about is your high occupancy times are every holiday, every spring break, and a lot of people take vacation when there are school holidays. I wonder if the holiday/vacation differences between education and a doggie daycare might be a huge transition/shock. I don't think I'd want to be tied to work every single holiday.
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Post by bc2ca on Feb 23, 2016 0:45:07 GMT
If you are seriously thinking about starting your own business, even a dog walking service, I highly recommend looking at what classes/workshops the US Small Business Administration offers in your area. They are a tremendous resource.
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Post by elaine on Feb 23, 2016 1:16:53 GMT
Thanks again, everyone. Voice lessons are not a viable full time option - they're better as a side income. Plus the hours are exclusively evenings and weekends forever, which isn't what I want to do. I also - to be honest - don't enjoy teaching individual voice lessons. I would be useless at tutoring anything else. The way they teach things has changed so much since I was in school. FWIW, you will be working evenings and weekends if you run a doggy daycare. People won't pick up their pets until after work, and someone(s) will invariably be late, so you will be hanging around after hours for them to pick their dogs up. Ask anyone who works at kiddy daycare - it is a chronic problem - and I'm guessing people will be even less likely to rush to pick up Fido. And some people work on weekends and will want you to be open then, or they will choose a place that offers 7 days per week daycare. It it sounds like you don't want to do music right now - I hear the sound of burn out in your posts. If you can afford to take a break to rest before jumping into your next endeavor, that might be a good chance to regain perspective. I get the sense that you may be underestimating the overwhelming costs in terms of time, energy, and money it will take to open a new business in a service industry. You won't have evenings or weekends for years until it is in the black. It may take being less fried and desperate to get out of teaching before that becomes apparent. You would stand a chance at limiting your hours if you produced and sold something (like Burning Feather's vinyl cutting, or selling homemade jams) rather than provided services which demand you be available when people want and need your services - something like doggy daycare will involve being open from 7 am to 7 pm daily. And then there will be all the bookkeeping, cleaning, ordering supplies, the running of the business, some of which will take place after hours, so someone will be at the shop from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm (if all the dogs are picked up on time).
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Post by kat on Feb 23, 2016 2:41:14 GMT
The dog daycare/boarding here is open 7am-7pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm on Saturday, and 7am to 11pm on Sunday. Weekends are their busiest as far as boarding goes. Daycare is 26. per day, boarding is 46. and up per night which includes daycare activities. It is set up like a hotel, the dogs stay in small rooms with beds and private outdoor areas instead of crates. Heated floors as it gets cold here in the winter, air conditioning, TV's in the rooms, webcams, an indoor and outdoor dog park, a small store, grooming, and certified trainers. Someone is on site 24x7. There is an emergency vet down the street. They will give medication if needed. Someone takes the dogs for walks (on a leash), there is supervised group playtime, nap time and one on one time with the staff. All dogs that are being boarded get a bath before going home. You cannot bring a dog into the building without proof of current rabies and kennel cough vaccines plus flea medication.
The building is near a highway that runs between 2 interstates. It is located in an industrial/office complex so there are a lot of potential customers working in the area. It is very easy for commuters and anyone going to NYC for the day or skiing in VT for a weekend to get there.
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ellen
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Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Feb 23, 2016 2:53:06 GMT
I think if I were looking to do something dog related, I'd learn to groom dogs. You could set your hours and be as busy as you want. You wouldn't have to hire other people. There is a woman in our area who will come to your home with her grooming trailer. I've seen her trailer in my town a few times. We bring our dogs to a place where they have three people working - they are always busy.
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