Napkin math: is a mobile pet grooming van worth it?
Before we build anything, we do the math on a napkin. Here is the one for a grooming van in Las Vegas. The numbers are made up to show the method.
The idea
A van with a grooming table, water and power. It drives to the customer's home. One groomer, four days a week.
The math (illustrative)
| Price per groom | $85 |
| Grooms per day, 4 days a week, 50 weeks | 5 |
| Revenue per year | $85,000 |
| Running costs (fuel, insurance, supplies, software), about 30% | - $25,500 |
| Groomer wage | - $35,000 |
| Left over per year | $24,500 |
| Van and equipment, one time | $45,000 |
Payback on the van: about 1.8 years. That is fine, not amazing.
What would make us say no
- The price people will pay is under $65.
- A groomer cannot do 5 a day.
- Fewer than 8 of 100 visitors join the waitlist.
The next step
We do not build the van. We put the idea on its own web page and count sign-ups. You can see that page here: the pet grooming waitlist.
Got an idea with a clear customer and a clear price? We do this math with you for free, and we do not publish your idea without your written OK.
This idea has its own test page: Mobile pet grooming. A groomer comes to your driveway. Book in 2 minutes.