Summary: Claire Harris, owner of Pets 2 Place, has such a passion for pet transportion that she's made it her entire business. As a growing part of the pet care industry, especially in 2020 and into 2021, there are many things to consider to make it the best possible service. Claire also discusses her experience franchising her business and whether it's a good fit for everyone. Topics on this episode: Importance of safety A growing market Best practices Franchising **Main take away? **Just follo...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 141
Summary: With all that happened in 2020, you are new! It's time to take advantage of the new year and reaffirm, reapply, and reassess what we learned from last year so we can have a fruitful 2021. Also, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I get out of my own way?" Topics on this episode: Our 2020 review The new world of 2021 Are you embracing being new? Reapplying, Reaffirming, Reassessing Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion * Main take away? * : You ARE new going into 2021, whether you reco...
Jan 04, 2021•26 min•Ep. 140
Summary: Kylie Holliman-Rivera, owner of Fire Hydrant Pet Sitting, has been a leader in many arenas. This past year she led her team through Covid while also leading the conversation on the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the pet care industry. Kylie shares what caused her to move to full-time, what it's like working with her husband in the company, and the success of pack walks in 2020. We also have a great conversation about BLM, staying engaged in the conversation, and how to speak your ...
Dec 30, 2020•51 min•Ep. 139
Summary: The biggest change to the pet care industry this year has been mid-day dog walks. On our last Back to Basics episode, we discuss how dog walkers have pivoted, dog walking safety, and things you should remember when out with pups. Plus, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do you do a year end review?" Topics on this episode: How covid changed everything The two questions we always ask Favorite gear and safety Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion Main take away? Stay on top of bad behavio...
Dec 28, 2020•31 min•Ep. 138
Summary: Melanie Haynes, owner of Space Coast Pet Services and Virtual Pet Pro, shares how she found her authentic self by starting her pet care business. She discusses how being a professional pet care provider means taking care of the intangibles and building trust with your clients. Melanie also gives advice on what it's like to be a virtual assistant and what it takes to have a great working relationship with one. Topics on this episode: Setting herself apart Her biggest lesson What is a VA?...
Dec 23, 2020•59 min•Ep. 137
Summary: In business there is a time for dwelling and a time for doing. Unfortunately, dwelling can be very comfortable, while doing the work can seem scary. On today's episode we give ourselves a little pep-talk and discuss some of our own fear of moving from the planning stages in business to implementing them. Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I keep using the lessons I've learned from Covid?" Topics on this episode: Dwelling vs doing Why is it hard to switch? Importance of trying new things ...
Dec 21, 2020•26 min•Ep. 136
Summary: Chenelle Conquest, owner of Paws N Whiskers, shares her journey into pet care and her struggle in hiring and bringing on team members. She talks about the process of growing to trust others in the care of clients and the freedom it has brought her. We discuss the particulars of caring for and working with horses and why it's so important for her to be involved in local charities. Topics on this episode: Horse and farm care Growing her team Building trust Involving her business in charit...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 135
Summary: What's the difference between a value based house sit and a for-pay house sit? Should you eat their food? This Back to Basics episode is all about house sitting. From questions you should ask, to what house sitting looks like with Covid, house sitting is something you should consider if you love traveling. Also, Natasha O'Banion answers, "Is print advertising dead?" Topics on this episode: Different kinds of house sitting Questions to ask Taking Covid into consideration Ask a Pet Biz Co...
Dec 14, 2020•26 min•Ep. 134
Summary: Jessica Milam, co-organizer of the Texas Pet Sitters Conference, joins us to talk about how the conference has changed over the years, what their 2021 conference has in store, and why they started the Texas Pet Sitters Association. We talk about the importance of preparing for online conferences and why being part of an association brings value to you and your business. Topics on this episode: History of the conference What to expect How to get prepared Why they started the Texas Pet Si...
Dec 11, 2020•24 min•Ep. 133
Summary: Beth Pasek is passionate about cats. So passionate that she runs her entire business taking care of them. Beth shares why being certified fear free is so important, why there are so few cat behavioral specialists, and how pet sitters can up our game in cat care. She also discusses the biggest misconception around cats and what we can do about it. Topics on this episode: Moving to cats only What is an environmental program? Importance of being fear free Covid and cat care Why write a boo...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 132
Summary: Modern technology and social media have made marketing as easy as a click of a button, but that sometimes comes with a price. We discuss privacy in online marketing, what to consider before buying targeted ads, and what it means for small businesses in a hyper connected world. Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I make the most out of first mover advantage in my area?" Topics on this episode: What is ethical marketing? Principles What to do with social media? What are the alternatives? As...
Dec 07, 2020•26 min•Ep. 131
Summary We're super excited to get to share this talk from Kristin Morrison entitled, "Redefining Prosperity in the Midst of a Pandemic" that she recently gave at a conference. Kristin discusses the struggle the pet care industry is going through, plus several great ways to overcome and thrive. **Main take away? **What are you chasing? Is it getting you closer or further away from the prosperity you want? Full show notes, links discussed in the episode, and transcript Support Pet Sitter Confessi...
Dec 04, 2020•57 min•Ep. 130
Summary Jay Pattiz has been taking care of pets professionally for the last 23 years. From reading Patti Moran's groundbreaking book to today, Jay's passion for taking care of pets has been the core of his business. Jay shares his 7 P's for success and why knowing your own finances is key to making solid business decisions. He talks about getting involved in the community in more than just pet sitting, and how important fostering local relationships and connections is to your business surviving....
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 129
Summary Up next in our Back to Basics series, we cover Drop-in checks. We discuss what we do during a typical visit and how to price it compared to your other services. We also share some small things you can do with a drop-in to really set yourself apart and provide an awesome service for your clients. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "Do I lead or mentor my employees" Topics on this episode: What are drop-ins? What do you do during the visit? Safety Communication with the client Ask a Pe...
Nov 30, 2020•27 min•Ep. 128
Summary: This year has had a lot of things to distract us and keep us busy. However, tax time is right around the corner and there are many things we should be doing before the end of the year. Mike Jesowshek, owner of JETRO and Associates, discusses the three things every business should be doing right now and how EIDL and PPP loans impact our taxes. Topics on this episode: Tax savings moves to make right now Things to consider if you started your business this year CARES Act and Taxes State of...
Nov 27, 2020•41 min•Ep. 127
Summary 2020 and Covid have taught us the importance of having a close community and network of other pet care business owners. But what if you don't already have one near you? How do you start one? Alicia Obando, owner of Pitter Patter Parenting, discusses how she started a pet sitter network and why it's been so important to have this year. Topics on this episode: Why she started her network How she invites others to join Supporting each other What makes a great group Keeping the group going M...
Nov 25, 2020•51 min•Ep. 126
This podcast is sponsored by Pet Sitters Associates. Pet Sitter Confessional listeners can get a discount when joining by clicking membership Pet Sitter Confessional discount code Confessional at check-out to get $10 off today. Check out the benefits of membership and insurance at petsitllc.com. Summary: With 2021 on the horizon, it's important to assess your mindset for the future. Today we discuss 3 aspects of mindset, how the pet care industry is like a funnel right now, and how to break free...
Nov 23, 2020•31 min•Ep. 125
Summary: 2020 has been a year of change for many of us. For Isabel Alvarez Arata, it meant closing down after 12 years in business and 100,000+ visits. Isabel shares how she grew her business and the big transition for The Wag Pack in 2020. From communicating to clients, to how it's impacted her emotionally, she encourages us to embrace change and the challenges. Topics on this episode: What makes good policies Role of education as a pet sitter Why close after 12 years? What the process has look...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 124
Summary: We continue our Back to Basics series with daycare! We share how we provide daycare, what screening looks like, and what kind of clients typically seek out small, in-home care. Natasha answers the question, "How do I start stepping away from my business?" Topics on this episode: Walmart and Rover? How we do daycares What are the options? Screening dogs and setting boundaries Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion Main take away? Do SLOW introductions and watch their body language. Li...
Nov 16, 2020•32 min•Ep. 123
What does moving on the next phase of your life mean? How do you know when it's time to make a big shift? Becky Eberly grew her business to over 35 employees in 17 years. Then decided she needed a change. Becky shares what that decision process was like and how she sold her business. Topics on this episode: Starting and growing in 2000 Stepping away after 17 years Starting a brick and mortar store Advice for others Main take away? Approach your business with integrity and purpose and remember to...
Nov 11, 2020•56 min•Ep. 122
This year's holiday season is likely going to look very different! On this episode we discuss how to market to that difference, gifts, and safety concerns around holiday food and decorations. Natasha O'Banion answers what to do if you've made a mistake! Topics on this episode: Pet care and family Pet Safety Taking care of YOU Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion Main take away? The holidays could be busy…or not. Ultimately, take care of YOURSELF Full show notes and transcript Sponsored By: ...
Nov 09, 2020•36 min•Ep. 121
SEO doesn't have to be scary or confusing. Amy Toman, from Pet Sitter SEO, breaks down the common misconceptions of SEO, the best practices we should all be doing, and how to optimize our websites to drive more local traffic from the clients we want. Topics on this episode: SEO Basics Best Practices Things to avoid with Google My Business Main take away? Keep your 'Google My Business' listing updated and active! Full show notes and transcript Sponsored By: Time to Pet Promo Code: 50% off first 3...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 120
On today's episode we go back to basics and cover boarding! We break down how we operate boarding a small number of dogs in our home, how we approach cleaning and up keep, as well as dealing with the chaos of feeding times and schedules. Natasha answers the question, "How do I take my business to the next level?" Topics on this episode: Who is boarding for? How to make it work. Cleaning and yard work. Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion Main take away? Clients LOVE an in-home boarding opti...
Nov 02, 2020•28 min•Ep. 119
Simone Addison, The Pet Nanny, discusses her first year in business, what it was like discovering herself as a pet sitter, how she overcomes being discouraged, and the importance of patience. Topics on this episode: What her first year has been like Advise from Grandma Overcoming feeling discouraged COVID and BLM in Atlanta Main take away? Part of sustaining a business is finding yourself and discovering ourselves as pet sitters. Full show notes and transcript Consider supporting the show Sponso...
Oct 28, 2020•39 min•Ep. 118
This podcast is sponsored by Pet Sitters Associates. Pet Sitter Confessional listeners can get a discount when joining by clicking membership Pet Sitter Confessional discount code Confessional at check-out to get $10 off today. Check out the benefits of membership and insurance at petsitllc.com. Summary: What does telling your story mean? We hear it all the time, but how to do you actually do that and what does it look like? In this episode we talk about why your story is so important and how it...
Oct 26, 2020•27 min•Ep. 117
Summary Judy Nuñez, owner of Tails On Trails LLC, is on the podcast to discuss the importance of building and having a tribe as a business. She also tells us how she has continued to host events for her community even in the time of Covid. Topics on this Episode Making the shift into retail Working IN the community Her "Covid Reopening" Course Main take away? There is ALWAYS more room at the table. Links Tails on Trails website Read the full transcripts here Consider supporting the show Give us ...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 116
Summary: The Meet and Greet is an essential part of being a pet care provider. It allows you to get to know the pet before you care for them. In the first of our Back to Basics series, we break down the why and how of a Meet and Greet in this world of Covid. Also, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I go from good to great?" Topics on this episode: Questions to Ask Introducing yourself to the pet Discussing Expectations Doing it Virtually Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion. Main take away? ...
Oct 19, 2020•31 min•Ep. 115
Summary: Jennifer Bassman, The Witty Entrepreneur, joins us talk about avoiding burnout, setting healthy boundaries around email and phone calls, and her three principles of saying No. Whether you pass out into a pizza or just lack patience with those around you, burnout looks different for everyone. Jennifer encourages us to stop playing by other peoples rules and start setting healthy boundaries. Topics on this episode: Burnout vs compassion fatigue vs depression Recovery from burnout Stop get...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 114
Summary An article was written recently about a survey of 100 pet owners who used Rover. The result? The owners thought the Rover sitter had all the same qualifications as an independent pet care provider. On the podcast, we discuss the implications of this and what we can do. Topics on this episode: Summary of the article What does this say about the average pet owner? What can we do as business owners? Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion Main take away? Be YOU and remember that we can co...
Oct 12, 2020•33 min•Ep. 113
Summary Fellow podcaster, pet business owner, and coach Dominic Hodgson comes on the show today to talk about digging out of Covid. Dom breaks down the two sales machine engines we should all have running and what it means to be specialized. Topics on this episode: Impacts of Covid in the UK Taking business online Sale engine machine Digging out Lessons from Covid? Main take away?: The business owner that survives tough storms is the one that's good at solving problems. Links Poodle to pitbull p...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 112
