If you’ve ever felt like staffing your pet care business is an endless headache, you’re not alone — and this episode of the Overdog Podcast is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss. Fern sits down with Joe Latona of Walker Scout, a recruiting pro who’s helped countless dog daycare and boarding businesses find and keep the right people. They dive into the real reasons you’re not attracting great applicants, how your job postings might actually be scaring people away, and what you should r...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 216
This week on the Overdog Podcast, Fern opens up about his own unconventional journey — one filled with risks, pivots, and a relentless drive to outwork and outsmart the competition. From his early career experiments to finding his way in the dog business, Fern shares how hard work, creativity, and a willingness to fail forward have shaped his success. You’ll hear personal stories that prove you don’t need to be the most talented person in the room if you’re willing to put in the work and take so...
Aug 05, 2025•41 min•Ep. 215
Ever wondered what it really feels like to work in your own dog daycare or boarding business? This episode flips the script by diving deep into the staff’s perspective — straight from someone who lived it. With stories from both small, tightly-run teams and massive, fast-growing facilities, you’ll get a candid look at what it’s like on the front lines: the good, the frustrating, and the things that truly make a difference to your employees. It’s not just about managing people — it’s about unders...
Jul 29, 2025•57 min•Ep. 214
Are your phones helping or hurting your business? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern uncovers a common but overlooked problem in dog daycare and boarding facilities — how phone calls are handled. From missed calls and inconsistent messaging to clunky voicemail systems and outdated automation, he explains how these mistakes can turn hot leads cold fast. You’ll also hear how smart businesses are using technology and AI to create a better, more consistent experience for customers while sa...
Jul 22, 2025•33 min•Ep. 213
Ever wonder how you can seriously stand out in the pet care industry? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern shares a game-changing insight sparked by his recent vacation to Mexico—and it has everything to do with crafting an unforgettable VIP experience. From private butlers to rooftop pools, the trip offered more than just relaxation—it served up inspiration for how pet businesses can create elevated service tiers that keep clients loyal and begging for more. Tune in to hear why offering...
Jul 15, 2025•29 min•Ep. 212
You're halfway through the year—are you where you thought you’d be? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we hit pause to take stock of the first six months of 2025. It’s the perfect time to assess what’s working, what’s not, and how to pivot for a stronger finish. Whether you're crushing your goals or feeling like you're stuck in neutral, this mid-year check-in might be exactly what your dog business needs to reset and realign. But the real focus? Delegation. If you're still mopping floors or...
Jul 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 211
Ever wonder how mega-brands like Apple, Nike, and Disney build such loyal followings—and how you could channel that same magic into your dog daycare or boarding business? In this episode, Fern dives into what makes these iconic names tick, uncovering the branding strategies behind their cult-like fanbases. From Taylor Swift's superfan engagement to In-N-Out Burger's laser-focused simplicity, you'll hear fresh ideas that could reshape the way you connect with your customers. Get ready for a fun, ...
Jul 01, 2025•35 min•Ep. 210
Get ready to go behind the curtain of one of the pet care industry’s most influential yet often misunderstood organizations—IBPSA. In this episode, Fern brings on Carmen Rustenbeck and Brian Remo to share the real story of how this trade association came to be, what it actually does for your business, and why now might be the most important time to get involved. It’s not just about standards and certifications—this is about community, advocacy, and giving you a serious edge in an industry that’s...
Jun 24, 2025•45 min•Ep. 209
Are you so busy eyeing the competition that you’re missing what’s really stalling your pet business? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern digs into a surprising truth: it’s not the new dog daycare down the street that’s threatening your success—it’s your own complacency. Tune in to hear why staying stagnant is the real danger and how obsessing over what others are doing might be costing you valuable growth opportunities. Fern also unveils a game-changing tool that could revolutionize how...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 208
In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into the often-overlooked blind spots that could be silently sabotaging your pet care business. From failing to follow up with new leads to treating clients like fleeting transactions, Fern lays out seven common mistakes he's seen time and time again in dog daycares and boarding facilities. These aren't just minor issues—they're growth blockers that could be costing you money, loyal customers, and even staff retention. If any of that hits home...
Jun 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 207
What if growing your pet care business wasn't about guessing your way through it, but following a step-by-step formula that’s already been proven to work? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern dives into what he calls the “algorithm of success”—a repeatable path built from patterns he’s seen in the most successful entrepreneurs. From vision and mindset to resilience and strategy, this episode walks you through what it really takes to thrive in a competitive market. Fern pulls back the cur...
Jun 03, 2025•35 min•Ep. 206
Think you're asking the right questions about your business? Think again. In this episode, Fern and Overdog’s own Director of Operations, Kasey Jervis, dig into the questions dog daycare and boarding businesses should be asking—but usually aren’t. From understanding the lifetime value of your clients to uncovering why customers quietly drift away, this conversation challenges you to take a deeper look at your business operations and mindset. You’ll also hear real talk about burnout, delegation, ...
May 27, 2025•45 min•Ep. 205
Is your dog business just a set of services, or is it a brand that people feel something about? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're taking a deep dive into the crucial difference between running a business and building a brand. If you've ever thought your logo and color scheme were the extent of your branding, think again. This conversation unpacks how to truly become unforgettable in your community and the industry—by crafting emotional connections, elevating customer experiences, and...
May 20, 2025•29 min
In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into what it really takes to make your pet care business stand out in a crowded market. It’s not just about looking professional — it’s about being unforgettable. You’ll learn why simply having “satisfied customers” isn’t enough, and how creating bold, emotional, and consistent branding can leave a lasting impression on your clients. From logos to taglines to the tone of your messaging, discover how to shape every element of your business to c...
May 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 203
Today we're diving into the big debates shaking up the dog daycare and boarding world. From whether you should offer discounts, have seven-day-a-week daycare, or let employee dogs join playgroups, Fern lays out the pros, cons, and his personal takes to help you make the best calls for your business. You’ll get a straight-shooting look at topics where strong opinions fly—and where there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Plus, Fern shares a clever marketing tactic he picked up from his college tours ...
May 06, 2025•43 min
Thinking about starting your own dog daycare or boarding business? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern brings on two seasoned experts from The Dog Gurus, Shawnte and Amber, to break down what it really takes to set up a pet business for long-term success. From the big essentials like business planning and defining your core values, to the often overlooked (but critical) pieces like building the right team and creating systems that actually work — this is the insider knowledge you didn’t...
Apr 29, 2025•50 min•Ep. 201
To celebrate the 200th episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern is joined by Patrick and Dana Lyons for a quick recap of the recent Overdog Business Retreat—an event designed to help pet business owners reset, recharge, and rethink what’s possible. But the real meat of this milestone episode is all about mindset, and specifically, the beliefs that are quietly holding you back. If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “I can’t,” “That won’t work,” or “I’m not ready,” this episode is your wake-up call....
Apr 22, 2025•55 min•Ep. 200
If you think enrichment is just about tossing a few toys into the play area, think again. In this episode, Fern sits down with Kim Buchanan of Fetch Dog Resort to dig into the creative and wildly effective world of sense-based enrichment. Kim shares how she transformed her traditional daycare setup into a fully immersive experience that’s as rewarding for the dogs as it is for her staff—and yes, it’s been a game-changer for her bottom line too. From themed sensory rooms to pricing strategies tha...
Apr 15, 2025•49 min•Ep. 199
In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into one of the most frustrating challenges pet care businesses face—keeping up with client vet records. If you're tired of chasing down vaccination updates and wrestling with outdated systems, you're not alone. But what if there was a seamless, automated way to handle it all? That’s exactly what today’s guest, David Servodidio from VetVerifi, is offering. He shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a powerful tech solution that could ...
Apr 08, 2025•51 min•Ep. 198
Feeling overwhelmed in your pet business and wondering how to keep up with all the tech talk flying around? You're not alone. In this episode, Fern pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest shifts hitting the business world today—AI—and what it actually means for dog daycare and boarding businesses like yours. From the messy reality of running a small business to the excitement (and hesitation) around new tools, this is a real-deal conversation about how to stop fearing the future and start u...
Apr 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 197
In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, it’s all about answering your biggest questions. Fern not only dishes out valuable advice for dog daycare and boarding business owners, but also brings on a special guest you probably already know—Kasey Jervis, Overdog’s behind-the-scenes powerhouse. If you’re wondering how to attract more customers, where your marketing dollars should go, or why your Facebook ads are flopping, you’ll want to soak in every minute of this one. Kasey brings her firsthand exp...
Mar 25, 2025•48 min•Ep. 196
The pet care industry is evolving fast, and staying ahead means being open to change. In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Sarwas from Bark Avenue Day Camp to talk about how she’s pivoted her business over the years—constantly innovating, adapting, and pushing the industry forward. From transitioning to an enrichment-based daycare model to introducing solo play options and a scent room designed for canine mental stimulation, Michelle shares the strategies that have helped her business thri...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 195
Running a pet care business is stressful—there’s no way around it. But what if you could change the way you experience stress instead of letting it wear you down? In this special episode, Fern sits down with someone who knows a thing or two about handling high-pressure situations—his dad, Dr. Fernando Camacho Sr. As an oncologist for over 40 years, he faced some of the toughest emotional and mental challenges imaginable, yet he remains one of the most positive people I know. How does he do it? A...
Mar 11, 2025•56 min•Ep. 194
If you don’t have a crystal-clear vision of where you want your business and life to be in the next few years, how do you expect to get there? In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of a vivid vision—a powerful tool that helps you define your future in detail so you can take the right daily actions to make it a reality. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure of what’s next, or caught up in the day-to-day grind, this is exactly what you need to get back on track. You’ll learn how to craft a vi...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Ep. 193
Raising prices—it’s one of the most dreaded tasks for pet business owners, but it’s also one of the most necessary. How do you do it without scaring off customers? How much is too much? And what’s the best way to communicate the change so clients actually understand the value behind it? In this episode, we’re tackling all of it. You’ll learn the right and wrong ways to raise prices, how to handle customer pushback, and why pricing strategically is key to keeping your business strong and sustaina...
Feb 25, 2025•25 min
What the hell does Bruce Lee have to do with running a pet care business??? More than you might think. In this episode, we dive into some of the legendary martial artist’s most powerful lessons and how they apply directly to business owners like you. From mastering one skill instead of chasing every new trend to breaking through plateaus and embracing adaptability, these principles could be the game-changer your pet business needs. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next m...
Feb 18, 2025•33 min•Ep. 191
Are you running your business like a boss or leading it like a true leader? There’s a big difference, and it impacts everything—from your team’s morale to your bottom line. In this episode, we break down the key distinctions between being a boss and being a leader, revealing how even small shifts in your approach can create massive changes in your business. If you’ve ever struggled with staff retention, motivation, or just getting your team to truly buy into your vision, this is the episode you ...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 190
We welcome back industry veteran Joe Zuccarello, who shares his extensive knowledge from over 40 years in the pet care industry. Joe, a leader at Paragon Pet Grooming School and a private consultant, dives into the challenges and opportunities of managing a grooming department. We explore the importance of fostering collaboration, setting clear expectations, and integrating grooming staff into the broader team culture. Joe highlights actionable strategies, such as building a skilled team from wi...
Feb 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 189
In this episode we focus is on critical business missteps that serve as powerful lessons for pet business owners looking to stay ahead of the curve. We’ll highlight how resistance to change and an over reliance on outdated business models can lead even the most successful companies to failure. Whether it’s failing to embrace emerging technology, ignoring shifts in consumer behavior, or clinging to legacy systems, the key takeaway is clear: businesses must remain adaptable and forward-thinking. Y...
Jan 28, 2025•31 min•Ep. 188
Today we’re talking about how you can create a more structured and enjoyable environment for dogs and staff alike. With insights from the team at PackPro, listeners will learn how effective training, group management, and employee empowerment can transform daily operations and elevate the overall daycare experience. Whether it’s refining processes or setting clear expectations, this discussion is packed with actionable strategies for success. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how to bui...
Jan 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 187
