The Barkroom Chat
The Home Groomers Podcast - Start & Scale your home-based dog grooming business
Welcome to The Barkroom Chat — the go-to podcast for women who dream of turning their love for dogs into a thriving home-based grooming business.
Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow your grooming side hustle into a full-time career, you're in the right place.
Each week, we dive into real talk, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you build a business that fits your life — not the other way around. From pricing, bookings, and customer service to holiday promos, mindset shifts, and staying sane behind the scissors — we cover it all.
Hosted by Linda Roche, founder of Glossy Pup Academy, The Barkroom Chat is your cozy corner of the internet where passion meets profit — with a splash of dog hair.
Grab a cuppa, step into the Barkroom, and let’s grow your grooming biz — Together we can change the world, One dog at a time 🐾
Episodes
33 episodes
Ep 33 - The ‘Old-School’ Marketing Trick That Filled My Grooming Diary Fast
When you’re building your home-based dog grooming business, it can feel like everything has to happen online… social media, websites, algorithms.But what if one of the most powerful ways to get clients was actually much simpler ...
Ep 32 - How to Get Recommended by Everyone in Your Local Area
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most powerful (and underrated) ways to grow your home-based dog grooming business — local partnerships.You’ll learn how to connect with businesses already serving your ideal clients, build tr...
Ep 31 - Word-of-Mouth Magic: How to Get Clients Talking About Your Home Salon
Want more dream clients without spending money on ads or constantly posting online?In this episode, we’re diving into the magic of word-of-mouth marketing — and how you can intentionally create a home grooming experience ...
Ep 30 - How to Cut Down Waste in Your Grooming Business (Without Increasing Costs)
Running a home-based grooming business comes with its own set of challenges—tight margins, limited space, and the constant pressure to stay organised.But one thing that often goes unnoticed?Waste.In this episode, we’...
Ep 29 - How to Market Yourself as an Eco-Friendly Dog Groomer (Without Greenwashing)
Sustainability matters more than ever—but when it comes to marketing your dog grooming business, it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even a bit… performative.In this episode, we’re breaking down how to position yourself as an eco-con...
Ep 28 - 10 Tips for Making Your Business Eco Friendly While Saving You Money at the Same Time
In this episode, we’re talking about how home-based dog groomers can make their businesses more environmentally friendly — without spending a fortune.Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to pet owners, and making eco-conscio...
Ep 27 - The Customer is not always right (Recent personal experience / Rant Episode)
As business owners we hear it over and over again - The customer is always right.Truth Bomb - The Customer is not always right. They are human just like us which means sometimes they are wrong and sometimes they are mean too.In th...
Ep 26 - The Biggest Beginner Grooming Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them in Your First Month)
Starting your dog grooming journey is exciting… but it can also feel overwhelming.In your first month, you’re learning new skills, working with real clients, handling real dogs, and building a business all at once. It’s a lot — and mista...
Ep 25 - The true cost of undercharging in your business (And how to fix it)
If you’re a home-based dog groomer who feels uncomfortable charging more — this episode is for you.Undercharging is one of the biggest reasons groomers feel exhausted, resentful, and stuck. In this episode, we dive into why pricing too l...
Ep 24 - Why Monthly Themes Make Marketing Easier for Groomers
Marketing doesn’t have to mean posting every day, chasing trends, or feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the simplest ways to stay consistent with your marketing — monthly themes.If you’ve eve...
Ep 23 - Why “More Clients” Isn’t Always the Best Goal – And What to Focus on Instead
If you’ve ever felt like the answer to growing your business was simply getting more clients, this episode is for you. In this conversation, we explore why chasing volume can lead to burnout — especially in home-based businesses — and ...
Ep 22 - These 5 Goals Separate Hobby Groomers From Confident Business Owners
Do you feel busy in your grooming business but not truly progressing? In this episode, we’re breaking down the five essential goals that help home-based dog groomers move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to confident...
Ep 21 - Seven Steps Realistic Goal Setting For Home-Based Dog Grooming Businesses
The New Year often brings pressure to do more, be better, and change everything at once — but that mindset doesn’t always suit home-based dog groomers.In this episode, we’re talking...
Ep 20 - Beat the Holiday Burnout: Essential Tips for Busy Groomers
The holiday season is one of the busiest — and most profitable — times of year for home-based dog groomers. But with extra bookings, festive add-ons, and non-stop client communication, burnout can sneak up fast. In this episode, we’...
Ep 19 - Creating a Cosy and Magical Christmas Experience for Clients this Christmas
The festive season isn’t just the busiest time of the year for dog groomers — it’s also the most magical. In this episode, we’re diving into simple, cosy, budget-friendly ways to transform your home grooming salon into a warm, memorabl...
Ep 18 - Christmas Magic: Budget-Friendly Christmas Gifts to Wow Your Grooming Clients
In this festive episode, we’re diving into creative, budget-friendly ideas for Christmas go-home bags that will delight your grooming clients and their pups. Learn how to add thoughtful touches, boost your client experience, and make your festi...
Ep 17 - The Must-Have Christmas Marketing Tool You’re Probably Missing
The festive season is one of the busiest — and most magical — times of the year for home-based dog groomers. But beyond the tinsel and tails, it’s also a golden opportunity to connect with your clients and keep your calendar full....
Ep 16 - Festive Marketing Made Simple: Simple Ways to Boost Your Grooming Business This Christmas
In this episode, we’re getting into the Christmas spirit with six fun and effective festive marketing ideas for home-based dog groomers. From giveaways to gift vouchers, and even using your own dogs as walking adverts, these ideas will help ...
Ep 15 - How to create a calm and professional atmosphere
Running a home-based dog grooming salon can feel beautifully chaotic — but staying calm and professional doesn’t have to be hard. In this episode, we’ll explore simple ways to keep your space (and your mindset) calm, confident, and organised — ...
Ep 14 - From Halloween to Christmas: Time Management Tips to Handle the Holiday Chaos
The holiday rush is here — and for dog groomers, it can feel like total chaos. In this episode, we share simple, practical time management strategies to help you glide from Halloween to Christmas without burning out. Learn how to set boundar...
Ep 13 - How AI can work its magic in your home grooming business
Running a home-based dog grooming business is rewarding — but it can also be a juggling act. In this episode, we dive into how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you simplify your workload, save time, and get organised. From content planning to ...
Ep 12 - Don’t Let Your “Imposter Syndrome” Haunt Your Business This Halloween
This Halloween, the scariest thing haunting your business isn’t outside — it’s inside your head. In this episode, we’re talking about the “Imposter Syndrome” — that sneaky voice that tells you you’re not good enough, ready enough, or experie...
Ep 11 - Want to attract more clients? Dog-Friendly Halloween Event Ideas for Your Home-Based Dog Grooming Business
Halloween is the perfect excuse to add some seasonal sparkle to your home-based dog grooming business. In this episode, I’m sharing five creative, dog-friendly Halloween event ideas that will help you connect with your local community, delig...
Ep 10 - Boost your Dog Grooming Business on Social Media this Halloween
Halloween isn’t just for kids and costumes — it’s also a golden opportunity to give your grooming business a seasonal boost on social media! In this episode, I’m sharing five fun and easy ways to make your socials spook-tacular
Ep 9 - Spook Up Sales: Halloween Marketing Made Simple
Seasonal marketing isn’t just for the big players! In this episode, I’m sharing how creating a bumper Halloween newsletter can help you engage your clients, boost pre-Christmas bookings, and set your grooming business apart in your community...