OK, so I am sitting here with Jessica who owns one of the first companies to beta test our MethodPet grooming software. Thank you for taking the time. 

Sure, no problem!

So let’s start off with your name and where you’re located 

I live in Illinois

Illinois is where you operate your business, I assume?

Yes

When did you start grooming?

I started shortly after highschool, I originally went to school for cosmetology, but it was hard for me to find steady work and I actually stumbled across dog grooming and fell in love.

How long have you been a groomer then?

Um, that would make it about 12 or 13 years

What made you want to start your own grooming business?

I would work 7 days a week full time at one shop and part time at another and I always knew one day I would have my own shop. It’s just like, one of those things. A lot of groomers want to be solo owner/operators and I guess I’m the same. Even when I worked for other shops I always thought about how I would do it my way if I were the owner. So yeah, it was always a dream but I didn’t have the money to do it for a long time.

When did you open your grooming business?

I opened in..2015.

Is your business storefront or mobile ?

We’re mobile.

Is it just you or do you employ groomers also?

Oh, no not just me. I have 3 vans and 4 groomers including me.

What made you decide mobile?

I had mobile experience and I liked it. The solo – part was pretty nice. I made more money too when I worked mobile so I thought it might be easier to find groomers. But I guess the main reason would be money. I got a pretty cheap van with a loan from a friend to get me going. The van was awful, but I made it work. We don’t have that van anymore thank god!

What are some challenges you face as a mobile grooming owner/operator?

I think everyone with employees will tell you having employees can be stressful. Van maintenance and all that is another thing too. Finding good groomers is tough, I know we’re all looking for them.

What scheduling software have you used or tried in the past? 

I’ve used 123Pet for years, I tried Moego and Pawfinity as well. They had like, free trials and I talked to the support people and stuff.

What made you start looking for an alternate solution?

Umm, well one thing was price, 123Pet was getting expensive because they charge you a fee for everyone to have mobile access and there’s a few of us. The other thing is, they made me use my own computer as like a hub or something, so I can’t turn my computer off or else no one can access their app.. or if there’s a storm and the internet is down I will have to like write down everyone’s schedules and text it to them. The price just didn’t seem to be justified, you know?

What made you sign up for our beta trial?

I never ended up switching grooming software companies, so when I saw the post online and I read some of the things you guys were offering I was interested.

What did you like most about MethodPet Grooming Software?

It was very pretty and laid out nice – all the color options are cool too, I also liked the appointment suggestions you know? When you like start to book a client and it’s like “oh you’re in this town on the 5th” so it’s nice to have that. Oh, also when you bring all the client ticket info over from the last appointment thats a nice one.

What did you like least? 

Um, I don’t know… I didn’t really look at the help center stuff or the videos. I guess if I had to say something, its the data part – it doesn’t live on your phone so you can’t see things if the internet is out. But I get it, you know… I know why it’s like that.

Do you feel the pricing was fair?

I didn’t have to pay for the beta (hahaha), but yeah, I think when you factor in what you’re getting its more than fair.

Do you think others will like the MethodPet Grooming Software? 

Once groomers get into the features and like, get familiar with all the little details that make using it easier, I think people will love it. Seriously.

Will you continue your subscription with MethodPet when it is officially released?

Yes!