The idea came from the need for a few days cover and wondering why such an app didn’t already exist. I teamed up with Jade Payne and Hannah Gibb, both experienced grooms and competitors and understand the role of a groom at varying levels from both their side and the clients.
The way it works is a groom looking for work will register on the app and fill in the relevent skills and experience, as well as the their location and the radius they are prepared to travel to jobs. We will then get in contract to explain how the service works, provide contracts to be signed, T&C’s etc. and advise to be an active member they must be a member of BGA and have public liability insurance as a minimum. Their certificates for this must be uploaded on the app, and they can also upload documents such as qualifications and CV’s.
A client looking for a groom will register on the app and fill in the details of the job they would like covering. There are options stretching from general yard work to show grooms, driving, clipping, plaiting, exercising, teaching and everything in between. The grooms that fit all the criteria will then be notified and asked to quote. We are passionate about grooms earning a fair wage for the long hours and hard graft that goes into the job, so our app allows the groom to set their own rates and remain fully self employed.
The client then selects the best fit quote and accepts the job. They pay the app directly, in full, at the time of booking, and a 15% booking fee will be added on top of the grooms quote. This will then be held by us until the job is complete, and assuming no problems, the groom can then request a payout. The client can then rate the groom out of 5 which will then go on their profile.
Until 1st July 2022 the membership will be free to grooms, and after then will be £3.50 per month.
For this they will get
- Access to the app and the ability to accept jobs
- A members only Facebook group with guest experts of a range of subjects such as business, mindset and all things equestrian.
- Tutorials and tips on various things like plaiting, sheath cleaning, equine first aid, etc
- A digital “Supergrooms Approved” members badge to display on their own social media
- Membership to Live It Exclusives Discounts
The App benefits to the groom -
- Set their own rate
- Guaranteed payment
- Only suitable jobs will be presented to them
The App benefits to the clients
- Knowing that the groom has at least the minimum required insurance
- Convenience and ease of use
- A choice of only suitable candidates has been presented to them
The app will not just be limited to grooms either, we will be able to push it out to other equine series such as saddlers, farriers, physios, dentists, etc.