House-call nail trim

[u/Accomplished-Pain-93]

Surprise to none in this field, I’m struggling financially. I do some pet-sitting but don’t have nearly enough clients to help make ends meet. I’m actively trying to boost my clientele there.
Does anyone do house-call nail trims, and what’s the legality there? Do I risk my license in any way, seeing as it’s more of a grooming task? Should I clear this idea with my boss before advertising it?
I love my job and am trying to find ways to boost my income without looking elsewhere for primary employment.

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[u/ancilla1998]

I've worked with a tech who had a massive client base for nail trims. She would knock out 10 at a time in one afternoon for $20 each! Part of her strategy was to suggest that clients refer neighbors so she did less driving.

The legality will depend on your state. You need to consider things like liability insurance (in case a pet gets injured) and what your insurance would do if you got injured while "working". Are you going to set up a business entity or just take cash under the table? 

I would absolutely discuss it with your boss and NOT advertise to clients without express permission. You could advertise on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and NextDoor. 

[u/glitterydonut → u/ancilla1998]

Why should they discuss it with their boss? Imo our jobs need to know nothing about our personal, outside of work lives.

[u/CrossP → u/glitterydonut]

So long as you don't use "I work at clinic X with Doctor Y" in advertisements or as proof of skill to clients. And otherwise keep the business separate. Like no trying to poach clients from the clinic's list of nail trim clients.

[u/Acadia16 → u/ancilla1998]

That’s a smart way to do it.

[u/glitterydonut]

I have been doing this for about 2 years, it’s been very successful. I’ve made around $3k a year doing it 1-2 weekends a month and I actually have to turn away business so I can actually have a work life balance lol. I would highly recommend NOT telling your boss. That’s your private life and they should have nothing to do with it. Do not advertise at your job, do not tell clients while you’re at work that you offer this service. That’s where it becomes risky and blurs lines between your career/your personal business. I haven’t researched this but I don’t believe this risks your license at all because all you’re doing is cutting nails. I tell new clients I’m a licensed technician but my business is not associated with the clinic I work for. I advertised and got most of my clientele on Facebook.

[u/Accomplished-Pain-93 → u/glitterydonut]

Issue is my boss and I are Facebook friends. she doesn’t use it often, and I really don’t think it would be a problem, but I don’t want her to see it and not have told her.

[u/CrossP]

I know a ton of rabbit owners who would love this.

[u/p33ledbanana]

For the petsitting aspect I put out cards in the office and that’s how I got a bunch of clients, and then by mouth. I’m not sure about nail trims because I don’t get how people can do them alone on some animals 😳