How do you mentor staff? Just as we work to educate clients, when we bring on staff, it's our role to educate and mentor them in the career of pet care. Cassidy LaMair, owner of Cassidys Custom Pet Services, shares how she builds lasting relationships and partnerships with both staff and clients through her open and straightforward style. Cassidy details how she creates consistent customizable services and gives her insights into how she learns from her mistakes. Main topics Mentoring staff Maki...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 351
Do you appreciate your business? Many of us struggle to see the value our business brings to us, as we focus on the hardships and frustrations. Appreciating your business has to be a conscious effort every day and is influenced by many things. We break down what it means to be appreciative of your business, why it's so hard, and what it means to stay content. Main topic: Why is appreciating your business hard? What does it actually mean? Staying content Main takeaway: Appreciating your business ...
Jan 09, 2023•23 min•Ep. 350
How do you know when you're overcommitted? Your commitment is a promise to others to render service or provide them something. When the return value on your commitment starts to decrease, it's time to rethink those decisions. As a business owner, it takes knowing your limits and having strength to say, 'No'. Savanna Westwood, owner of The Savvy Sitter, shares how she thinks through what to commit to and how to know when you're overcommitted. She also discusses what it means to have pride in your...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 349
Have you had issues with staffing? 2022 may very well be defined by the labor market flipping to empowering employees. This has meant hiring and retaining staff has been difficult, especially as a small business. From competing on wages, to connecting with mission, job applicants are able to be very picky. We break down how we've changed our processes and have been investing in existing staff. Having staff will continue to be a major issue into the new year, and we have to prepare for it. Main t...
Jan 02, 2023•36 min•Ep. 348
Have you had to handle a crisis in your business? From personal issues to extreme weather, we're tasked with handling whatever comes our way. We often don't recognize the toll it takes on us mentally, physically, and emotionally. Cheyenne Williams, owner of Shiney Day Specialized Pet Care, shares how she tackles the mental toll of natural disasters, why paying attention to your mental health is crucial, and resources available for those struggling. Main topics Hurricane Ian Addressing burnout Me...
Dec 28, 2022•50 min•Ep. 347
What's 2023 looking like? The economic outlook is shaping up as a mixed bag. We walk through ways to stay nimble as a business, through planning and staying open to new opportunities. We also share how we've been approaching planning for 2023 and why it's critical to take a wholistic approach that takes both your personal life and business into account. Main Topics 2023 economic outlook Staying nimble Wholistic year planning What we're looking forward to Main takeaway: If we live at 100% non-sto...
Dec 26, 2022•19 min•Ep. 346
Is it ever ok to judge yourself? When we become aware of our weaknesses, we're better able to understand where we need help, and strengthen ourselves over time. As pet care providers, we often find ourselves questioning if we're on the right path in life. Colleen Pelar shares why it's important to judge yourself while staying kind to yourself. She also walks us through how to properly grieve the loss of a dream or vision we had for our life, so we can embrace what we do have. Main topics Finding...
Dec 21, 2022•53 min•Ep. 345
How has your 2022 been? For many, it's been the biggest year they've had in a long time. For others, it's been a trying time as they work to rebuild and restructure their business. We reflect on how 2022 has gone and why listening to client feedback is one of the best ways to improve your business. We also give some of our biggest lessons we're taking into 2023. Share your biggest win with us! Main topics: Reviewing feedback Setting expectations Biggest lessons Main takeaway: Don't let the lesso...
Dec 19, 2022•28 min
What's the hardest part of being a pet sitter? The challenges certainly change as we grow and evolve as a business. Our role as the business owner and entrepreneur is to overcome them. Justina Allen-Yancey, owner of Justina's Pet Sitting, joins the show to share how she approaches challenges. Justina works on her training and services to market guilt free pet parent lifestyles to her clients and focuses on being reliable. She also talks about the gear she loves for winter and how she specialized...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 343
How do you build relationships with other businesses in your community? As a service industry, we rely heavily on social media and partnerships with other businesses to stay top of mind with potential clients. Today, we break down how we've been approaching other businesses in our service area to start fostering long lasting relationships. We also give some easy ways to start a conversation, so you don't feel awkward about asking for their help. Main topic: Partnering with brick and mortar Start...
Dec 12, 2022•31 min•Ep. 342
What inspires you to try new things? The loss of pet is an earth shattering moment in the life of a pet owner. Erica Messer, owner of Wolfie's Wish, took the tragedy and turned it into her inspiration to help others. Erica started a product line to help pet parents grieve the loss of their pet. Erica breaks down how she dove into product development, found a manufacturer, and works on her marketing. She also shares how she makes the most out of trade shows and is focused on building a community ...
Dec 07, 2022•54 min•Ep. 341
What kind of technology do you use in your business? The world of tech is almost endless, with new things being developed all of the time. Today, we break down some of the most underutilized technology business owners should be taking advantage of. In pursuit of saving time, money, and providing better quality services, technology can provide a lot, but we have to make sure we know why we're adding it. Main topic: Role of technology in our business Apps and software Hardware Don't go overboard! ...
Dec 05, 2022•26 min•Ep. 340
Are your finances organized? As we come to the end of the year, we start having an eye on tax time. Bookkeeping is the process of organizing both your expenses and income in an logical manner. Lindsey Roberts, owner of Harquin Bookkeeping, joins the show to break down common misconceptions of bookkeeping and what we should actually be tracking as a small business. Lindsey also shares what the different requirements are for services vs products, since many of us added products to our business in ...
Nov 30, 2022•58 min•Ep. 339
How can undercharging damage your business? While there are clear benefits of raising your prices, we tend to ignore the damage of undercharging. Undercharging impacts everything from your quality of life, to the perception potential clients have of your business. We break down 5 ways not charging enough can impact you and your business, and give some ways to start changing our mindset around what we charge. Main topics: Perceptions Sustainability Scaling and Experimenting Giving Back Main takea...
Nov 28, 2022•25 min•Ep. 338
What does it mean to be premium? How do you let that influence everything you do and provide to your clients? Brandi Hendrix, owner of Bayou City Pet Sitting, shares how she works hard to delight her clients in unexpected ways. From seeking out the latest information, to thinking through the problems her client's face, Brandi wants the best for her clients. She shares how she implements GPS collars in her services and the impact that has on her business. Main topics: Converting services Falling ...
Nov 23, 2022•57 min•Ep. 337
Once you have contact information from your lead magnet, what do you do with it? Use email to have a conversation with your customers. Email is a great marketing tool, but it can help your business in other ways, too. More than just a marketing ploy, email is a great way to build trust with your clients. We break down what kind of content to include, how to shape an email marketing campaign, and how often to use your list. Main topics: Making the lead magnet How often should you contact? What ki...
Nov 21, 2022•30 min•Ep. 336
Do you recognize the value of the skills you have? Most people get into a pet care because they find it 'easy' and are predisposed to excel. Ashley Carr, owner of Ashley's Pawsome Pets, shares how she turned a natural skill into a business that has served clients with excellence sine 2014. Ashley gives her perspective on taking on challenges from regulations, and how she uses her community to adapt and strengthen her business. From hiring to training, Ashley walks through how she grows her team....
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 335
What is a lead magnet and why should we be using them? Lead magnets are a way of getting information from your client, or potential client, in exchange for something valuable to them. There are best practices to be mindful of when implementing one, and things to avoid doing. We walk through the different types of lead magnets, how to promote them, and how to assess if they're working for you or not. We also break down 5 easy to implement ideas for a lead magnet you can start using today! Main to...
Nov 14, 2022•26 min•Ep. 334
How do you provide personalized care? Katie Kenton, owner of Katie's Kennel, shares her experience of business growth. Katie is committed to focusing on her community and making connections with her clients. As a new mom, Katie has found a new way to balance her personal life and work, and works hard to stay in tune with what her brand is and the voice of her business. Main topics: Slow Growth Large number of employees At home boarding Hosting events Defining a 'brand' Main takeaway: You can't g...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 333
What does your marketing say about you? Not only does our messaging need to attract clients, it also needs to repel some as well. By being up-front and honest about who you are and what you do, you'll have potential clients realize you're not a good fit before they even contact you. The power of your messaging means you have to be very intentional about what you're putting out. Main topics: Not being for everyone Having a strong brand Backfire from bad messaging Repel marketing Main takeaway: Re...
Nov 07, 2022•21 min•Ep. 332
Have you decided to stay solo? It's a decision everyone faces in their business, and one that most struggle with from time to time. Alicia Obando, owner of Pitter Patter Parenting, joins the show to share why she has stayed unapologetically solo. She walks us through how she markets herself effectively and how she's set her policies to support being a solo sitter. Living in a society that says we need to always go bigger and "better", Alicia pushes back by changing her mindset about the kind of ...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 331
What is a not-to-do list, and why do you need one? As small business owners, we have a lot on our plate and things that demand our attention. Being pulled in too many directions means we lose focus on the important things. Building a not-to-do list, we remove obligations from our days and are better able to refine what our actual duties are, while also breaking bad habits that waste time and money. Main topics: What is a not-to-do list Why you need one Emotionally draining tasks Questions to ask...
Oct 31, 2022•19 min•Ep. 330
Finding your niche is a great way to establish yourself as an expert and the "go to" company for that need. It also means dealing with much more particular, and sometimes demanding, clients. Lauri Partanio, owner of Professional Pets Florida LLC, has made it her mission to meet the needs of medically needy and senior pets. Lauri explains the way she's partnered with pet-friendly companies to grow awareness and be a member of her community. She also shares how she has implemented lockboxes for he...
Oct 26, 2022•58 min•Ep. 329
Reports and analysts are saying 2023 is not shaping up to be a good year for the global economy. Monetary policy and interest rates are slowing the economy down, and most suggest a recession is in the work in the next 12 months. How do we digest this data and apply it to your business? What does this mean for the pet services industry? We break down several key questions for you to think through in your business. We also address the very real need for a support network and the psychological toll...
Oct 24, 2022•27 min•Ep. 328
What does it mean to run a 'local' business and how do we foster a love for it? As business owners and entrepreneurs, we have to seek out things that inspire us; whether they're another business owner or something else. Laura Breakstone was inspired by a small pet supply store that gave her the idea for her business. She shares how she's maintained the local feel of her company, even as she's grown. Laura has used a very specific marketing tool to great success, and gives her insights into why i...
Oct 19, 2022•52 min•Ep. 327
Summary Why is dog walking and pet sitting such a mental burden? It's not just the worry of meeting a client's expectations or concerns about missing a visit. We break down how the pet care industry is the perfect storm of task switching, multi-tasking, and distractions. Becoming more mentally prepared takes planning and reviewing not just your schedule, but also every visit. Also, standardization of visits and routines (to the extent possible) helps control the environmental impacts of going fr...
Oct 17, 2022•23 min•Ep. 326
How do you host a pet loss memorial service? Living in a 'death avoidance' society, many are uncomfortable with the idea of facing death and the passing of a pet. As pet sitters, we can position ourselves as leaders in the community of hurting people who have lost their pets. We can create safe spaces for them to grieve and find others to support them in their mourning work. Coleen Ellis, founder of the Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, joins the show to share what it takes to put on an effective pet ...
Oct 12, 2022•57 min•Ep. 325
Have you ever wanted to give up on your business? Challenges happen, no matter how long you've been in business. Facing challenges means assessing how we are doing, so we can handle it appropriately. When we start feeling like quitting and giving up on our business, there are things we can walk through to gain clarity. We break down six things to ask yourself and work through and why you should not isolate yourself in times of struggle. Main topics: Facing challenges Connect with your why Findin...
Oct 10, 2022•24 min•Ep. 324
How do we secure both commitment and appropriate compensation from our clients? Kathryn Burge, owner of Lake Oswego Petsitting, joins the show today to share her onboarding process and what it takes to get a commitment from clients. Kathryn breaks down how to take a hard look at your business and ask, "What's changed?" to make sure we are getting the most out of our business. She has learned the power of setting boundaries, and why charging for your time helps set yourself up for success. Main t...
Oct 05, 2022•56 min•Ep. 323
What does it mean to find a niche in your business? From services to clients, there are a variety of ways to target your business. While it does have benefits, it can come with risks you have to assess. We share the potential pitfalls that niching down can bring to your and your business. We also discuss how to overcome those and why finding your niche is so powerful. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I hire seasonal help for the Holidays?" Main topics: What does it mean to niche down? Ben...
Oct 03, 2022•21 min•Ep. 322
