What is your exit strategy from your business? ✌️Do you plan to, or hope to retire at some point? That takes a lot of planning and goal setting. Jen Tserng joins the show again to discuss how to have an investing mindset and what it means to make saving money fun. From setting budgets to raising prices, taking a wholistic approach to our financial health is really what sets us up for success. Regardless of whether you want to retire in 10 years, or 30, it takes understanding your numbers and fin...
Feb 23, 2022•55 min•Ep. 261
If you've been listening to the podcast the past few months, you know we have done a ton of episodes on the hiring process and what it has looked like for us. So, after everything we have learned and experienced through hiring, what are our major takeaways? We discuss it in this episode. Hiring has certainly been a major growth opportunity for the business as well as our personal mindsets. We share some of our mistakes, lessons learned, and how we can do better next time. Natasha answers, "I'm s...
Feb 21, 2022•21 min•Ep. 260
How do we keep up the momentum of growth and success we have, without pulling our hair out? Dom Hodgson, the Pet Biz Wiz, talks about growing your business sustainably through pricing and upselling on additional services. By continuing to focus on the fundamentals of our businesses, we'll be less likely to make rushed and stressed decisions. Dom also shares what it means to give your clients a premium on-boarding experience and how to increase lock-in of existing clients. Dom has an upcoming liv...
Feb 18, 2022•47 min•Ep. 259
What does it mean to actively help our clients and their pets reach their ideals? Jen Walmsley is a trainer and dog walker in Bedford and operates Fetch Club, with a mission to provide top quality mental and physical stimulation to her clients. She shares how the growth of her business helped her be more creative and why hiring was so important to her. We also discuss what it means to focus on training fundamentals and how she makes her group walks function. Jen gives some awesome advice on what...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 258
Once your employee has signed on the dotted line to join your company, what happens next? It's now time for you to bring your new hire into your company and help them feel like they belong. You need them to feel valued and part of your company, which takes time and intentionality on your part. Onboarding and training staff can feel daunting, but planning out the first six months to one year for them will help you make sure they're on track and you don't miss anything that will leave them hanging...
Feb 14, 2022•26 min•Ep. 257
What is Fear Free and how does it apply to being a pet sitter or dog walker? Mikkel Becker, from Fear Free and Fear Free Happy Homes, discusses how following the Fear Free philosophy impacts our ability to build trust with the pets in our care. It not only makes our job easier, but also sets up the pet and owner for success. Mikkel shares how fear manifests itself in dogs and cats, and what we can do to help them in those moments. You may encounter client's who don't see eye to eye on these meth...
Feb 09, 2022•55 min•Ep. 256
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with everything you have to do? Or maybe you've felt inadequate because you can't seem to make any headway on your to-do list. Whatever the reason, you are not alone. Life as a business owner means there is a never end list of things you have to get done. Managing these feelings takes understanding that we all have our limits. It also means setting better expectations for what you're able to do and when it can be done. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "What are you ...
Feb 07, 2022•18 min•Ep. 255
Do you speak dog? Garrett Stevens has spent his life trying to understand what the animals around him are saying. Garrett owns Stevens Family Kennels and Dog Language Center, and questions everything when it comes to dog training and behavior. The use of touch is extremely important in a dog's control of their environment and gives us clues as to what they need. Garrett gives advice on assessing whether a dog is mature and how to foster a better relationship with them. Your clients are looking f...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 254
What happens after you post your job ad? Should you be doing anything else? 🤔Turns out, there are a LOT of things you need to have in place and think through. From insurance to team communication, we break down what you need to do before bringing on staff. Having a manager mindset will allow you to anticipate problems and remember that you are the authority. Then, Natasha answers, "What else can I have my staff do?" Main topics: More than "just" hire Payroll and Workers Comp Procedures Employer...
Jan 31, 2022•35 min•Ep. 253
How do you stay in the moment with your business? After only providing nail trims to meet the needs of her community, Gricel Arroyo has experienced rapid growth and is about to make the leap to full-time. As such, she's caught between knowing she wants to grow and expand, but also trying to run the business she has. Gricel balances the growth and social media by keeping it in perspective and working towards her goals. She shares with us what her growth has been like, and how she stays transparen...
Jan 26, 2022•55 min•Ep. 252
Why is it important to have a multi-stage hiring process? It protects you and helps the applicants understand what to expect out of the position. in this episode, we break down the 4 stages in our hiring process and why we think they are critical. We also explain how to remain impartial throughout the process and the importance of knowing exactly what you're looking for before you start.. You should have a plan and know what is a good vs bad answer to your questions. Then, Natasha O'Banion answe...
Jan 24, 2022•44 min•Ep. 251
Do you ever feel guilty that you should be doing more in your marketing? 📢With as many hats as we wear as business owners, it's common to start feeling like you're not doing enough. In this episode, Jane Harrell, from Working with Dog and Cause Digital Marketing, shared ways we can market efficiently, use time effectively, and learn to forgive ourselves when we don't get everything done. Topics on this episode: Mindfulness Publish once, distribute everywhere Making email simple Preparing for bu...
Jan 19, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 250
Summary: Have you ever posted a hiring ad? In the current job market it's more critical than ever to nail the ad posting so you get what you need out of your hire. With more people switching jobs and careers than ever before, your ad has to connect with what they're looking for and help them see a future with your company. We break down the ads we've placed and what you should consider before you post yours. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I set good goals?" Main topics: Matching your ne...
Jan 17, 2022•29 min•Ep. 249
How has your business grown? Growing rapidly is never easy. Since starting Fur Baby Comfort & Care three years ago, K.C. Heitchue has worked hard to provide exceptional pet care to Southeast Michigan and has grown to over 900 clients. K.C. shares her motivations for starting the business and how that has continued to drive her. She also discusses how growing her Facebook page helped her build a network rather than competition. She shares the key to staff retention and what it means to go the...
Jan 12, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 248
Summary: Have you thought about hiring? We have. A LOT. We recently hired for the first time and will be doing a series of episodes on what the process was like for us. Hiring isn't always the answer to our struggles in business, so we break down some of our reasons for deciding it was time to hire. We also give you some questions to think through if you're on the fence. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I get over my fear and make big changes?" Main topics: What do you want your business ...
Jan 10, 2022•22 min•Ep. 247
Summary Have you ever used Canva for your business? It's a software and app that gets recommended as a great way to create social media posts, but what exactly is it and how do we get the most out of it? Jessica Bay from Templates for Pet Pros joins the show to share simple workflows to use in Canva and how to make sure you don't spend hours making your posts. She gives us some of the power features everyone should be using and how it's more than just social media posts. We also discuss many fac...
Jan 05, 2022•56 min•Ep. 246
Summary: Did you raise your prices starting January 1st? There are often stumbling blocks and fears surrounding charging what you need to in order for your business to survive. We debunk several of those and discuss the importance of doing a personal (and business!) budget so you know exactly how much you need to live the life you want. During this first week of the New Year, re-evaluate what you charge and how you determine that price. Main topics: Increase letter? Grandfathering clients? Can I...
Jan 03, 2022•36 min•Ep. 245
Summary: How should you set your prices? 💰Because pricing is such a huge topic in the pet care industry, we asked Natasha O'Banion, Doug Keeling, & Dan Reitman to each share their mindset around pricing. With us going into a New Year, right now is the perfect time to step back and assess not only your prices, but also your mindset around charging for your services, and viewing yourself as a business owner. It's so much more than "know your worth". It's about understanding the opportunities ...
Dec 29, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 244
What were your wins for 2021? On the last Monday of the year, we review what has happened to us this year. We discuss our biggest moment from each month and what we hope to carry forward into 2022. Reflecting on your wins will help keep you motivated as you move forward into the new year. Topics: Monthly 2021 wins Our most monumental month Why you should track your wins Main takeaway: Review your wins so you can remember that you are capable of great things. Full show notes and transcript Suppor...
Dec 27, 2021•15 min•Ep. 243
Have you ever thought about going green in your pet business? ♻️ Maybe you've looked into it but thought it was too much work. It turns out there is much more to being eco-responsible than simply buying bio-degradable poop bags. When being eco-friendly is at the core of your business, the impacts go much deeper. Riti Sobilo, Growth Officer, and Jen Austin, General Manager, of Green Paws Chicago, share how to "go green". We also discuss how to grow a great company culture through allowing your st...
Dec 22, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 242
How do you resolve conflict? All relationships have it, so it's imperative to know how to handle it. Whether you deal with clients, your staff, a significant other, or a business partner, there are strategies for navigating a disagreement. We discuss the various types of conflict resolution and share what works for us. Topics on this episode: Types of conflict Understanding who is in charge How we resolve conflict Skills to learn Ask a pet biz coach Main takeaway: Regardless of who the conflict ...
Dec 20, 2021•28 min•Ep. 241
Do you see yourself as an investigator? What about an educator and writer? We think you should, and Arden Moore agrees. Arden has a lifetime of not only educating but also communicating difficult topics, and encourages us to take those seriously. She shares how to ask good questions, and how the right question can save you time. She also gives tips on writing and the importance of self-editing what we create. Topics on this episode: Asking good questions Think like a first responder Your role as...
Dec 15, 2021•57 min•Ep. 240
With 2021 almost behind us, it's time to look ahead into 2022. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your business to look like? In this episode, we discuss what next year looks like for pet care. We encourage you to take your answers from your annual business review and look ahead to making 2022 your best year. More than simply setting goals and objectives, it's about looking for areas to invest in your business, like marketing and finances, or conferences and education. The most imp...
Dec 13, 2021•20 min•Ep. 239
How do you make a difference in the world? Each time you care for a pet, you are an integral part of their and their owner's lives. Shelly Ross is in the business of giving peace of mind to her clients by providing cat care to the San Francisco area for the past 18 years. What started out as an interim job until she could find "real work", her business Tales of the Kitty has turned into a true passion project. Shelly shares her advice for building trust with clients and why treating your staff w...
Dec 08, 2021•50 min•Ep. 238
Where did 2021 go? 💨 The year is almost over so it's time to sit down and reflect on what went right, and what could have gone better. We discuss how to conduct a year end business review. One of the biggest factors is your mindset going into it. We break down the 5 categories you should investigate for your business and how to grow from each of them. Then, pet business coach Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I get started with subscription boxes?" Topics on this episode: Why do a review Gettin...
Dec 06, 2021•25 min•Ep. 237
Summary: What does publicity mean in 2021 and beyond? Why should I pay attention to it? Rachel Spencer has been working in media for over 20 years and currently runs, Publicity for Pet Businesses. She shares her experiences of what journalists are looking for in a story and how to overcome the fears of imposter syndrome so you can start sharing your stories. We cover the difference between marketing and publicity, and how you can raise your profile through engaging in the media and being seen as...
Dec 01, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 236
Summary The pandemic has brought about a new wave of the job market, The Great Resignation. Millions of people are leaving their jobs in search of something better. So, what's a pet care provider to do? How does this impact marketing messages, clientele, and employee retention? We discuss new ways to approach obtaining clients and why watching these trends is critical for your business. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I make clients happy?" Topics on this episode: What is the great resig...
Nov 29, 2021•25 min•Ep. 235
Summary: Not that anyone is counting, but there's only 145 days left until tax day in the US. To make sure we're making smart year end tax moves and setting ourselves up for success for tax season. Mike Jesowshek, CPA and owner of JETRO, shares what the 2022 tax filing season looks like for small businesses. He gives advice on how to handle health insurance, retirement savings, and what to do if you want to buy a vehicle for the business. If you hired or started selling physical goods, Mike has ...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 234
How do you plan your meals throughout the week? What makes a good snack for a busy dog walker and pet sitter? It's not easy and is unique for everyone. We sent out a survey to other pet sitters to get a better idea of what others have experienced. Our businesses run on our bodies. So, we should seriously consider what we're putting into it. For preparing the night before, to staying hydrated, there are simple things to get on a better track. We share some of the biggest struggles to planning mea...
Nov 22, 2021•28 min•Ep. 233
How do you value yourself and handle tough times? Carla Tittle, owner of Texas Ruff House, stepped way from a career in elementary education on a sabbatical and found herself running a pet care business. Carla shares how she uses the skills of a teacher to read between the lines of client expectations. She also discusses her process in finding her ideal client, how she markets to them, and what it was like hiring for the first time. Carla's pet care community suffered a tragic loss that reached ...
Nov 17, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 232
