Q & A with Tania, Blue Wheelers Noosa
Celebrating 10 years of Grooming with Blue Wheelers
BW: Wow Tania, you’re celebrating your 10 year anniversary as a Blue Wheeler Groomer. That’s an incredible milestone. Did you ever think you would still be grooming dogs ten years later?
T: No, I didn’t think I’d still be here 10 years later but here I am. I always thought I’d do at least 5 years. Most franchisees I had spoken to during my due diligence, or heard about, stayed for about 5 years. This seemed to be the average, so I assumed I’d probably do the same.
After the first few years, I really got into a rhythm, and everything became more familiar so running the business became easier and more enjoyable. Getting to really know the dogs and customers and taking the business relationship into the long term shifted things to the next level for me.
BW: I know it’s hard to remember that far back, but do you remember starting out and what are the 3 top things you have learned from running this business?
T: It’s hard to remember the early days, to be honest. It was a bit of blur but I never lost sight of having the support from the experienced team at Blue Wheelers which played a vital role.
In business, over time, I think it’s important to set your own boundaries of what suits your lifestyle. Sometime you have to learn to say no. Make sure to schedule time off which is easier when you only have to seek holiday permission from yourself. It took time to be efficient with my scheduling, ensuring customers from the same streets are booked in on the same day to avoid too much driving.
BW: What does it feel like to be running a successful long term business? What are the top 3 things that makes your business so successful?
T: It feels truly wonderful. I think my success comes from my punctuality, reliability and communication with customers. Listening to how they would like their dog groomed. Also regularly learning new techniques to improve my grooming skills so the dogs always come out looking as good as they can.
BW: After all these years of dog grooming and earning money with your Blue Wheelers business, what do you feel when you look back over the past decade?
T: Looking back on the last 10 years I feel incredibly proud that the business is still going and is, in fact, stronger than ever. I’m so grateful that I have such wonderful, long term, regular customers. Many I have known really well for 10 years. They make every day different and there’s so much trust built up over the years between the pawrents, dogs and myself.
BW: Do you have any funny stories from your many years as a dog groomer?
T: It’s hard to think of all the funny moments. But one that comes to mind is a panicked phone call from a customer who had tried to trim her schnauzer in-between my visits. The vet suggested shorter hair around her mouth would help her dental hygiene so she attempted this herself which is never something I would advise. She said ‘I’ve turned her into an arrow, it looks like the wind has permanently blown her hair back, I don’t know if you can fix it’. A few days later when I saw the dog she did, indeed, looklike an arrow, all the hair trimmed around her nose was very short and longer towards her eyes. I did my bast to even it out and within a few grooms it had grown out. She won’t try that again. 🤣
BW: What’s been the biggest learning curve for you running your own business?
T: There’s been a lot of learning but the biggest learning curve is being responsible for running your own business and everything that goes with that. There’s the grooming, obviously, but all the accounting, admin, marketing and maintenance has to become part of your business accountability. Thank goodness Blue Wheelers has a great CRM system and offers up a community to assist you in all aspects of the business.
BW: Do you still feel supported by Blue Wheelers, despite 10 years of experience?
T: I don’t speak to the team so often now, but I know if I need help with anything they’re just a phone call away. Amber, our Qld support person is great to talk to. There’s also an internal Forum for all the team if you need help. We also have Annual Meetings that are sometimes held in person and sometimes on Zoom. It’s always great to catch up with all the Groomers and the National Support team. You do feel part of a bigger picture.
BW: Franchising has ups and downs, regardless of industry. Actually, I guess all jobs and businesses have the good and the bad. What are the ups and downs for you with your Blue Wheelers franchise?
T: It’s been challenging sometimes, of course. Dealing with customers who forget their appointments, and then wanting to make a new one within 24 hours. Cancellations; Grooming tricky dogs is all part of my business. Not every day runs smoothly, but that’s life and I think you learn more from the stumbling blocks anyway. It’s a physical role so it can be tiring on some days but again, this is normal. The positives far outweigh the negatives like all my thankful happy customers. Dogs who are so excited to see me. Always being busy.
BW: What advice would you give someone thinking about joining Blue Wheelers?
T: Do your research; speak to other franchisees; then you’ll know what to expect as much as possible. There is a lot of learning, fur, licks and love involved, if all that still sounds good then go for it and follow your heart. The rest will fall into place.
Thanks Tanya and Happy 10 Year Anniversary to you. Groom on.