bathers and groomers

Question
I own a shop and I do not groom it was never my intent to run the shop I have another full time business but the partner I had who was to run the shop passed away so now I am off set most of the day.  My payroll is out of control. I have 4 groomers who are receiving from 50 to 70% and we pay bathers $8.00 per dog. I am told I am too high and I need to restructure I do not know how to restructure and I am ready to close the doors.  They way it is now we do not have enough after pay day to pay rent, taxes or insurance much less buy supplies etc. I am told we do better than average in business but I am the first to admit I am so naive about how this business should run and this is a bad time to sell. So my husband and I decided to try and hang on but we can't if we keep going the way we are. What are your suggestions? How much should a groomer receive? What about bathers pay? How many bathers should you have? Thank you so much.  Dawn Lowder

Answer
I never owned a shop for just these reasons- I have done residential work for 20 years. Grooming is a tough business and groomers earn every cent they get and if a groomer is really good they rarely have to work for anyone and can earn a living on their own. 50-70% is the norm from all the folks I know and your other payouts seem comparable. Sounds to me like you need to raise your base prices. When was the last time you did it?  My business is so specialized  that there is no comparison between what you and I do, and I have very little overhead, even when I had an employee. I do very, very well. But then I am the business and it is all very intimate. I have over 200 clients and we are all like family.
The Pet industry is the one of the strongest growth businesses in this country and depending on where you are, you should be able to hold your own even in this economy. Location, however could be your achilles heel.
Why not consider selling it to the groomers who already work it. What sense is owning something that you can't work at? I don't see many small operations that succeed who don't have hands on owners.
There are plenty of books out there- you may need to do some real research if you plan on staying in it for the long haul. Take a look in here;
http://www.petgroomer.com/Guides/locator/grooming-business-for-sale-or-lease.htm
good luck