The way we work is evolving, with the new gig economy growing every day. It is estimated that currently 34% of the American workforce is an on-demand worker, and that number is expected to continue to rise.
This is affecting many industries out there, including the pet grooming industry. But what is the gig economy and what does it mean for pet groomers?
We’re going to answer all that and more, so keep reading!
Gig Economy Definition
So, what exactly does the gig economy refer to?
A gig economy is when many companies tend to hire contractors and freelancers, rather than full-time employees. It’s a move away from the traditional full-time salaried work that we’ve become used to.
This means that within a gig economy, most of the workforce would not be permanently employed by any one company. They would instead have temporary contracts or freelance work with their employers.
Over recent years, we’ve seen evidence that we are shifting into a gig economy. Large companies such as Uber are fully reliant on temporary and freelance workers, and many more companies with a similar structure have been springing up.
We’ve also seen it in the pet grooming industry. Companies such as Rover, Wag, and our very own service Groomit, hire their groomers on a freelance basis.
This shift in how groomers work has been met with great success, with these companies thriving in the current environment. But why? What is so special about it?
Gig Economy Benefits
The gig economy offers a lot of benefits over the more traditional full-time salaried work.
First of all, it allows for a lot of freedom. Workers in the gig economy have a lot of flexibility; as they aren’t full-time employees, they can choose their own hours and work when it is most convenient for them.
It also benefits the businesses themselves. With a higher availability of skilled temporary workers, businesses can hire them to cover their current needs, where hiring a full-time worker would be inappropriate and financially difficult.
For pet groomers, working within a gig economy comes with unique benefits. The flexibility of this kind of work would allow groomers to specialize in the breed or geographical area they prefer. They would have much more control over how they work.
There is also a huge financial benefit; while full-time pet groomers at traditional pet salons are usually paid at the minimum wage, freelance groomers with Groomit earn an average of $90-$100 an appointment.
Groomit also covers their marketing, supplies, and insurance along with help finding clients. There is no need to worry about their pay either, as that is all handled by Groomit. This resolves many of the common headaches that come with being an independent pet groomer.
What Can We Expect in the Future?
Many modern workers like what the gig economy can offer; it allows them the flexibility they desire and the option to spread their talent across multiple avenues.
With the businesses that are moving away from the traditional employment structure continuing to thrive, we will likely see the workforce keep shifting into a gig economy over the next few decades.
Groomit is leading the way for such businesses in the pet industry, offering unique benefits to their groomers that allow them to make a much better living than they would be able to otherwise. Such companies are only expected to grow.
If all of this sounds good to you, why not take a look at what you’d need to become a pet groomer yourself? We have an article here that details how to get started in this exciting industry and how you could one day work with Groomit!
Thanks for reading and we look forward to continuing to help your pets look and feel fantastic!
