Ok so since I got laid off in December I haven't been working. I've been on a few interviews but nothing has really led to anything nor has it peeked my interest. I'm not really hurting for money since my FH can support us. However I feel weird asking him for money for me to shop. So my friend came up with the idea of me doing dog walking in the summer. I adore animals and I'm really good with them. I figure $10 a dog, 5 days a week that's $200/month per dog. Not bad if I get enough clients. So what I'm getting to here after my ramble is. What do you ladies think of this idea? Suggestions on how to go about marketing myself? And do you think I would need a liscence to do this or insurance in case say I lost an animal ( fat chance but you never know). Suggestions advice?
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I'm thinking balls are to men what purses are to women. It's just a little bag, but we feel naked in public without it.
Carrie Bradshaw
Do you belong to a country club or community organization? I think word of mouth is the best thing for something like this. Friends and neighbors will be the best advertising and your first customers! There is no license for something like this, but I'm sure some customers would appreciate knowing you have some extra insurance. JMO.
I would get the extra insurance also just in case something happened when you were walking and the dog bit someone or something like that. You don't want to get sued over a dog that isn't even yours!
Price depends on where you live, but don't sell yourself short. In my neighborhood $10 would be an absolute bargain.
You should definitely get licensed, bonded, and insured.
I would start by getting the word out to friends, family, maybe former coworkers, and your husband's coworkers. Let them know that you are interested in getting this business started and maybe give them a discount. I'd do this in order to get more experience before marketing yourself to a wider audience. Have you ever taken your own dog to an obedience class or volunteered at an animal shelter? You might try those things too. I'm only suggesting these things because as a dog owner I personally want my dog walker to have more animal behavioral knowledge than the average person.