What does it take to stay ambitious in business? Zach Shearer, owner of Zach's Pet Services, rejoins the show to share how much has changed since we last had him on. Zach talks about tackling large projects in the face of uncertainty and why surrounding yourself with experts is critical to your success. From his expanding kennel services to now grooming, Zach gives us some insight into the challenges they're facing and what he's doing to overcome them. Main topics Building and expanding What mak...
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 291
Do new client's enjoy the onboarding experience with you and your business? The benefit of focusing on the details is that existing clients also benefit from any improvements you make. As a business, we should make the experience of interacting with our company as magical as possible. Collin shares a recent experience of having routine lab work run, and how not to handle new clients. Plus, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I hold myself more accountable?" Main topics: Making magical experiences ...
Jun 06, 2022•22 min•Ep. 290
Are you saving for retirement? 💰While it can seem daunting and like it's far away, it is critically important to get started as early as possible. Joshua Winterswyk, from RPA Wealth Management, talks all about saving and investing. He breaks down the options for self-employed individuals and how to have a long-term mindset around money. He also shares a holistic approach to managing your risk and assets. Topics on this episode: Why save/invest? What is wealth management? How do I stay focused o...
Jun 01, 2022•48 min•Ep. 289
Summary Have you raised prices, brought on staff, made a policy change, and a client disagreed with the decision you made? Whether a new client or an existing client, it will happen eventually. It can be tough to get negative feedback on our businesses, so how do we properly (and professionally) handle it? We discuss the options and how to keep your business moving forward. Plus, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I break bad habits in business?" Main topics: When will client's disagree? Don't as...
May 30, 2022•29 min•Ep. 288
Summary: How do we continue to pivot, adapt, and overcome challenges in business? Miguel Rodriguez, owner of City Dog Pack, joins us to share how he continues to apply lessons from Covid to the way he operate his business. From slimming down the number of staff he oversees, to tackling dog training and coaching via Zoom, Miguel has learned to let things go that don't help him on his mission. He also shares how he uses social media as his only marketing tool, and why we should be reading more! Ma...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 287
Summary: How do you handle when a potential client's expectations don't match up with how you run your business? From policies to pricing, there are a million reasons it could not be a good fit. We've learned that while customers think hierarchically, business owners have to think wholistically when it comes to balancing the demands and expectations we have on ourselves. On this episode, we discuss the connection between what the client wants and the realities of running a business through the p...
May 23, 2022•30 min•Ep. 286
How do you manage your finances? Wendy Thomson, owner of My Three Cats, spent over 20 years as an accountant. She credits her background with her ability to get her business off the ground quickly during Covid. She joins the show today to share her experience of growing quickly, why we need to understand our finances, and why she decided to start a cat only business. She also shares what she looks for in a good hire for business. Topics on this episode: Why finances are important Understanding y...
May 18, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 285
2020 taught us we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket, which is why add on products or services are so great. On this episode, we share 20 way to make extra money in your pet business. Keep in mind though, that not every add on is good for every business and there are questions you need to ask before bringing something new into your business. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "How do I streamline client communication?" Main topics: Pitfalls of adding new services Questions to ask yours...
May 16, 2022•33 min•Ep. 284
What does it take to merge two pet sitting and dog walking companies? Therese Villemure and Lindsay Licata believe it takes passion and sacrifice. Owners of Suburban Pets, they share their individual journeys into pet care and what prompted them to merge in 2018. From policies to software, there is a lot to consider! Therese and Lindsay give advice for how to make the most out of the relationships in our lives and why you should pick your battles. Topics on this episode: Why merge and not just h...
May 11, 2022•56 min•Ep. 283
Summary: Do you ever feel like you're on a roller coaster? We know business is never static and there are things we can do to try to manage the business side of change. We cannot ignore the emotional toll the ups and down take on us though. We break down how to start preparing to embrace the emotions from the high and lows that happen, and how to make sure we don't get derailed. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "How do I get better at upselling my services?" Main topics: Emotions in busine...
May 09, 2022•26 min•Ep. 282
What fuels you? Dog walking and pet sitting is hard grueling work that takes a toll on our bodies. If we are not eating the right foods or finding the right balance, we are potentially signing up for a lot of health problems. Alex D'Elia, owner of Olox Nutrition, joins the show to talk about how to fuel our bodies well with the right nutrition. While it depends on your lifestyle, activity, and genetics, there are basic principles we can all follow to lead a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Ma...
May 04, 2022•59 min•Ep. 281
Do you have potential clients contact you for services you don't offer or advertise? How do you convert a potential client from one service to another? It's all in how you communicate with them! First, you have to make sure you are both using the same terminology. We break out 5 steps in communicating that can help you when faced with converting a client to a service you actually offer. Plus, Natasha O'Banion answers, "When is the right time to market?" Main topics: Using the right terms Lead wi...
May 02, 2022•19 min•Ep. 280
What does HR mean to you? Human Resources is all about how we treat the people in our company. Even if you're solo, having an HR mindset helps you treat people well. The pet sitting industry has quite a few challenges when it comes to HR. Kim Ottone Tank, owner of Apronstrings Pet Sitting, shares how to approach the unique nature of HR in pet care. Kim helps us understand why we should take HR seriously and why it's not such a massive burden. Main topics: What is HR? Company culture and HR Suppo...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 279
Do you have a strong brand for your pet business? Why should we be concerned about it? Our brand is being built as we operate our business so the process of strengthening our brand is purposefully steering it to better position our business in the market. We share 5 ways to start building a stronger brand today. Plus, Natasha O'Banion with Automated CEO answers, "Should I take business and marketing classes?" Main topics: What is a strong brand? Why you need to strengthen your brand 5 ways to bu...
Apr 25, 2022•25 min•Ep. 278
Summary: Pet sitting is a global community, with different flavors and markets across countries. Alexiane Arcens joins us to share what being a pet sitter is like in South Africa. She shares what challenges she and other sitters face in Johannesburg. Alexiane encourages others to price according to their skills and why client education is a big hurdle. She has endeavored to raise the bar in South Africa and has put together the very first pet sitters conference for Johannesburg. Topics on this e...
Apr 20, 2022•52 min•Ep. 277
Chances are, you're probably using social media for your business. How is it working for you? Social media can be overwhelming and feel like it's actually not getting you any business. While social media has many upsides, we discuss some of the pitfalls and how to avoid them. We also break down six common mistakes to avoid when using social media for your business. Then, Natasha O'Banion, Automated CEO, answers, "How do I make the most out of in-person marketing events?" Main topics: Avoid pitfa...
Apr 18, 2022•28 min•Ep. 276
The lessons from the pandemic continue to highlight the importance of self reflection and knowing your 'why'. The last couple of years have taught Heidi Lewis that she wanted to run a different kind of business. As the owner of Heidi and Hope Pet Services, she set about defining her boundaries and understanding what she didn't want to do anymore. She has focused on converting clients from overnight to drop-in services and hiring staff so she can have more breathing room in her life. Heidi shares...
Apr 13, 2022•54 min•Ep. 275
What do you stress about? As a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. Stress and anxiety can be a big part of running a business, but they don't have to be! Use it as a tool to propel your business forward instead of it holding you back. We discuss the difference between fear and anxiety, some common stressful situations, and how we can start overcoming the anxiety they induce. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I avoid paying payment processing fees?" Topics on this episode: Fear vs...
Apr 11, 2022•31 min•Ep. 274
We all have our own way of joining the pet care industry. Abagail was given hope when she started as a dog walker for a company, but several years later found herself taking over ownership of it. She now runs Pack Pals NY and talks about her experience of growing into a management role and what it means to see change in yourself, without losing yourself. She shares what it means to fight for legitimacy in pet care and why we need to set appropriate boundaries. She gives advice on how our busines...
Apr 06, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 273
We all think we want to grow and grow our businesses. Just growing without a plan means we're spending a lot of money and having a lot more headaches than we should be having. If you feel like you're wasting time on tasks in your business and looking for a better way, you're ready to scale. When we scale our businesses and processes, it means we can grow with less headache. We break down several examples of scaling in pet care and walk through four steps to use on everything you'd like to scale....
Apr 04, 2022•28 min•Ep. 272
How do you equip your clients? What tools and resources do you provide them so they'll be the best pet parents? Tami Guy, owner of Creatures Pet Care in Kalamazoo, uses her background in zookeeping, and educating, to teach her clients all things pet care. Tami shares how she continues to learn from her staff when it comes to running her business. From equipping them with knowledge to providing membership opportunities, she dives into what it means to help pet parents live their best life with th...
Mar 30, 2022•58 min•Ep. 271
NOTE: in our discussion of accounts, payable and receivable, we got the terms switched around. Our apologies! We frequently talk about "knowing your numbers", but what does that mean? What numbers do you need to know so you can determine if your business is healthy and growing? We discuss the five key financial numbers to know, as well as other areas to dissect to make sure your business is staying on track. From sales to website hits, we take a broad approach to look for red flags so we can mak...
Mar 28, 2022•34 min•Ep. 270
Summary: What does it take to be a flight nanny and how does someone get started? JP Anunciacion, owner of Dog Days & Cat Naps, who was previously on Episode 180, joins us to shed light on this growing niche service in pet care. JP outlines how to find clients and what to take into account when pricing your services. He also walks through how he prepares for the flight and what kind of gear he likes to have with him. Topics on this episode: What is a flight nanny How to get started What does...
Mar 23, 2022•56 min•Ep. 269
Summary: We had a client abruptly stop using our services recently. It hurt. In the pet care industry, we invest so much of ourselves, which means we're more vulnerable. However, when we step back and assess a critique, we begin to not take things personally. On this episode we discuss ways to overcome being hurt by business transactions and why being thick skinned in your business is important. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I build my brand?" Main topics: What does "thick skinned" mea...
Mar 21, 2022•21 min•Ep. 268
What is a Google My Business (GMB) listing and how does it help a local business? Amy Toman, from Pet Sitter SEO, discusses the power behind a well optimized GMB listing and how client behavior is changing when searching for services. She gives advice on what to avoid to make sure your listing doesn't get removed (including how to use your address appropriately), why you should list your business on quality directory services, and how to approach Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Topics on this ...
Mar 16, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 267
Summary: Once again, there is so much going on in the world around us. From Ukraine being invaded to rapidly rising inflation and gas prices, there's a lot to overwhelm us. As business owners, we're now navigating through yet another period of the unknown. How do we do that without burning out and stressing out every day? We share some ways to stay adaptable and deal with the rising costs. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "How do I hire a virtual assistant?" Main Topics Uncertainty Gas pri...
Mar 14, 2022•27 min•Ep. 266
Summary: What motivates you? We don't operate in a vacuum and there are both intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors that influence and drive our decisions. Jane Torok, owner of Paw Prints Pet Services, joins the show to explain how her motivating factors drive her to keep working through tough times. As a one woman show, she also shares how to stay content in your business and be thankful for the opportunity and balance in your life. Jane is also extremely passionate about community in pet c...
Mar 09, 2022•55 min•Ep. 265
Summary: What is copy writing for your business and what makes it work to get clients? Copy writing is more than just ad copy, as it includes all of the written materials you create. Producing consistent copy that works isn't easy, so in this episode, we discuss how to attract clients through your messages. From using familiar language, to being crystal clear, a little planning (and maybe some help!) will ensure you build trust and authority. Then, Natasha answers, "What is a good reset for my p...
Mar 07, 2022•22 min•Ep. 264
How do you stay on mission in your business? Claire Aither had to make a choice, go into a career she wasn't comfortable with, or find something else. A cheerleading grandma and passion for pets led her to start Pet Sitting MKE. Claire talks about how her support group helped her deal with insecurities when she first started her business. We also discuss why she decided to stop accepting new clients and no longer take overnight care. Making hard decisions is made easier by knowing what you actua...
Mar 02, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 263
Have you attended a pet sitting conference? We just went to our first in-person conference, the Texas Pet Sitters Conference. Attending, especially in person, brings a ton of benefits, if you've prepared and are ready to take advantage of them. We share our experience and why we think you should go to one too! Plus, Natasha answers, "How do I make my life about more than my business?" Main topics: Why should you attend? Main takeaways How to make the most of your time Ask a Pet Biz Coach Main ta...
Feb 28, 2022•20 min•Ep. 262
