From Zero to Fully Booked: How NZ Pet Grooming Specialists Get Their First 10 Clients

Starting a pet grooming business in New Zealand is exciting but landing those first few clients can be tricky. With practical strategies tailored for Kiwi communities and pet owners, you can build your bookings steadily and confidently. This guide shares 10 useful tips to help pet groomers attract and retain their first 10 clients.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Start with Family and Friends

Your initial clients are often closest to you - family, friends, and neighbours. Offering discounted or first-time grooming sessions helps you gather authentic testimonials and photos, which are gold in this business.

For example, a pet groomer in Hamilton offered free nail trims and basic grooming for her friend's dog and quickly received referrals through her local community.

These early clients give you the confidence, feedback, and content you need to market yourself effectively.

2. Engage in Local Online Community Groups

Facebook groups like “Auckland Pet Parents” or “Canterbury Dogs and Pets” are perfect spots to connect with pet owners seeking grooming advice or services.

Weirdly enough, these groups favour genuine advice over sales pitches. Share grooming tips, before-and-after photos, and answer questions to build trust.

Neighbourly is also an underused Kiwi platform where community-focused posts get good traction - especially in smaller towns and suburbs.

3. Create a Simple, Trustworthy Website

A straightforward site with easy-to-find contact info, service lists, grooming photos, and testimonials builds professionalism.

Many local groomers use platforms like Wix or Google Sites to craft mobile-friendly sites quickly and affordably.

Featuring examples of how you handle different breeds or common issues, like matting, reassures potential clients.

4. List Yourself on Yada and Relevant Directories

Yada offers a free, local Aussie and Kiwi-friendly platform where pet groomers can connect with clients without lead or commission fees.

Its rating system helps trustworthy groomers stand out, especially when starting out.

Also consider local directories like TradeMe Services and Pet Grooming NZ for broader visibility.

5. Offer Introductory Discounts or Packages

Attract those first bookings by offering time-limited discounts or bundled packages (e.g., bath plus nail trim).

This approach helps reluctant clients try you out without a big commitment.

A groomer from Dunedin mentioned using ‘first groom free’ for dogs under a certain size, which helped fill slow weekday slots.

6. Partner with Local Vets and Pet Shops

Local vets and pet stores have steady foot traffic of new and existing pet owners.

Leave flyers, offer staff discount grooming, or sponsor community events to build relationships that lead to referrals.

A Wellington groomer found that partnering with a busy pet store led to a steady stream of new clients over several months.

7. Use Happy Clients to Spread the Word

Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on Google, Facebook, or your Yada profile - and to share photos of their freshly groomed pets.

Word-of-mouth and glowing testimonials carry huge weight in close Kiwi communities.

Some groomers also offer small referral rewards like discounts or free nail trims for bringing in friends' pets.

8. Share Practical Grooming Tips Regularly

Post helpful content such as "How to Keep Your Dog’s Coat Healthy Between Grooms" or "Signs Your Pet Needs a Grooming Check".

This positions you as a caring expert, planting seeds for future bookings without the hard sell.

A Napier groomer’s simple before-and-after videos on Instagram created a ripple of engagement and direct client enquiries.

9. Advertise in Local Community Spaces

Flyers on community noticeboards at libraries, cafes, and New World stores still attract enquiries, especially from older pet owners less active online.

Vehicle magnets with your branding also boost visibility around your neighbourhood - a quiet but effective reminder.

Rural areas like Raglan respond well to grassroots advertising paired with word-of-mouth.

10. Stay Organised and Professional

Keeping track of appointments, client notes, and payments is crucial for returning clients and smooth operations.

Use simple tools like Google Calendar and invoicing apps designed for NZ small businesses to stay on top of your schedule.

A Tauranga groomer emphasised that being punctual and professional helped secure regular clients and referrals.