Reviewed by Bill Betts | July 2026
Case Study Snapshot
Meet Amey
Amey Garguilo is the founder of Hazelgrove Hounds, a UK dog grooming business she built while also working as an electrician.
Where She Started
Working alone from a grooming trailer, charging as little as £45 per groom, offering discounts to attract new clients, Amey had reached a point where the business felt stuck. Despite working hard and filling the days she was available, annual revenue had plateaued at around £21,000, repeat bookings were inconsistent, and the isolation of running everything alone was beginning to take its toll.
The Solution
Amey joined the Pet Passion to Profit Pet Groomer Programme, where she received business mentoring, pricing guidance, mindset coaching and support from a community of fellow groomers.
The Result
Within 12 months, revenue increased from £21,000 to £44,000. The business is now on track to reach £66,000 Alongside the financial growth, Amey and her husband Matt became debt free, closed their electrical company and now run Hazelgrove Hounds together full time from home.
The Challenge: The Reality of Running a Dog Grooming Business Alone
Amey Garguilo was living a scenario familiar to many solo groomers across the UK. Working three to four days a week from a mobile trailer, she was splitting her energy between grooming and her primary job as an electrician.
To try and secure bookings, Amey had dropped her prices to rock bottom, starting at £50 per groom before lowering it further to £45, alongside a 10% discount for first-time clients.
Despite filling the days she was available to work, the business model was unsustainable.
Stagnant Revenue
Annual business income had plateaued at around £21,000.
Inconsistent Bookings
Rebookings were rare, making weekly income unpredictable.
Day-to-Day Challenges
Managing the physical demands of dog grooming in a trailer while battling the British weather and strict time slots created constant pressure.
Isolation and Mental Toll
Working entirely by herself felt lonely and beneath the day-to-day struggles was something even harder to manage: a fear that the business might fail.
After three years of building Hazelgrove Hounds, Amey was trapped in a cycle of working long hours without the financial reward to show for it.
The Turning Point: Moving from Dog Groomer to Business Owner
Amey had followed Bill Betts from Pet Passion to Profit on Facebook for months, watching other UK groomers grow their businesses, increase their income and create better work life balance.
After attending one of Bill’s seminars at a grooming trade show, she heard a message that stayed with her.
“Charge your worth, no one should be charging anything that starts with a three.”
While a busy December followed, January 2024 looked quiet and the challenge of securing repeat clients remained. During a later coaching call, Bill identified the issue that was holding her back.
“You’re a dog groomer, but you’re not a business woman.”
That conversation changed the way Amey viewed her business. She realised that passion and technical ability alone would not create the future she wanted. To grow, she needed to start thinking like a business owner.
Soon after, she joined the Pet Passion to Profit Pet Groomer Programme.
How the Pet Groomer Programme Transformed Hazelgrove Hounds
The programme helped Amey tackle the areas that had been holding her back for years, from pricing and confidence to organisation and support.
Charging What Her Skills Were Worth
By implementing the pricing strategies taught within the programme, Amey stopped discounting and aligned her prices with the actual value of her skills and experience.
The increase in revenue was only part of the transformation.
Reflecting on her journey, Amey says:
“It has made me ambitious, more confident, and empowered me to build a successful business from the ground up.”
Learning to charge appropriately for her skills gave her confidence not only in pricing, but in the future of the business itself.
Year 1 Results: Revenue increased from £21,000 to £44,000.
Year 2 Outlook: The business is currently on track to reach £66,000.
Looking back at where she started, Amey describes the difference simply:
“This business truly works for us.”
Instead of trying to fit life around work, she and Matt have built a business that supports the lifestyle they want to live. The loneliness of working as a solo operator was replaced by a structured support network.
A significant change was no longer feeling like she had to figure everything out on her own.
“I now genuinely feel like I’m part of a team.”
Having access to experienced mentors and fellow pet groomers meant there was always someone to turn to when challenges arose, whether they were related to pricing, clients, confidence or business growth.
Amey had direct access to a dedicated team of mentors including weekly business coaching with Bill Betts, bi-weekly mindset support with Louise James and quarterly money mindset masterclasses with certified coach Fanny Snaith.
Instead of worrying during quiet periods, she learned to use her time productively, planning schedules, building social media content and learning new skills alongside a supportive community of fellow groomers.
Streamlining Administration and Bookkeeping
A major source of stress was the evening admin work. After a full day of physical grooming, there were still invoices, accounts, enquiries and social media tasks waiting to be completed. Through the programme, Amey changed the way she managed the business.
She appointed a specialist accountant recommended by the programme to take over bookkeeping and annual accounts. Administrative tasks were scheduled into the working week rather than spilling into evenings and weekends. And, introduced systems and spreadsheets to better manage client records and track business finances.
These changes brought greater structure, clarity and control to the business.
What is Included in the Pet Groomer Programme?
The Pet Passion to Profit Pet Groomer Programme is a practical business mentoring programme designed specifically for UK pet groomers, whether they are mobile, home based or salon owners.
Expert Business Mentoring
Weekly group coaching with Bill Betts, who co-founded the programme after helping build A-Z Animal Care alongside his wife Emma.
Industry Specific Insight
Practical support and guidance from Emma Betts, who brings more than 22 years of hands on grooming experience.
Specialist Masterclasses
Members also benefit from regular training sessions covering topics such as:
– Pricing and profitability
– Branding and business identity
– Social media marketing
– Local digital marketing
– Money mindset and business growth
FAQs – Running a Profitable UK Dog Grooming Business
How do I know if I’m charging enough as a dog groomer?
Pet grooming prices should reflect your time, experience, overheads and the quality of service you provide. Many groomers undercharge because they fear losing clients, but pricing too low can make it difficult to build a sustainable business.
How can a lonely or isolated dog groomer find support?
Joining dedicated business communities, peer groups and mentoring programmes allows solo groomers to share advice, discuss challenges and celebrate successes with people who understand the industry.
How do you get repeat bookings for a dog grooming business?
Encouraging repeat bookings often starts with clear communication, excellent service and booking the next appointment before the client leaves.
What is the best way for a dog groomer to manage bookkeeping and admin?
Scheduling dedicated admin time during the working week and outsourcing specialist tasks such as bookkeeping can reduce stress and free up valuable time.
Could Your Business Be Next?
Amey’s story is not unique. Many of the pet groomers who join the programme are highly skilled at grooming. What they need is support, structure and confidence to build a business that works for them. Perhaps the most important transformation was mindset.
The fear of failure that once held Amey back has been replaced with confidence in both herself and her business.
As she puts it:
“I haven’t failed, and I won’t fail.”
If Amey’s journey feels familiar, you may also find joining our pet groomer business programme can help your business.
Transform Your Pet Grooming Business
If you are working alone, feeling isolated, or struggling to make a profit despite being fully booked, the Pet Groomer Programme provides the support, tools and guidance needed to move your business forward.
Ready to see what is possible for your own business?
Complete the form and we will get back to you. Bill Betts will discuss where you are now, where you want to be and how the Pet Groomer Programme could help you get there.
