All tagged business

485: Creating Client-Centered Services with Hannah Alsup

What does it mean to create a client-centered pet care service? Hannah Alsup, from Three Dog Pet, explores how to incorporate a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of each client. From pet sitting and personal assistance to dog training, Hannah explains how personalized communication and flexible services can empower clients to make informed decisions about their pets. She also touches on the importance of setting boundaries for both clients and staff, while offering tips on integrating mental stimulation and training into pet care routines.

484: Balancing Your vs Your Company’s Needs

Ever faced a business roadblock that made you question everything? Here's a deep dive into how we handled an unexpected hurdle and the strategies we used to keep afloat. From employee turnover to shifting business goals, we share the ups and downs you could potentially encounter, and the mindset you need to overcome. Balancing personal life and company demands is a constant challenge, requiring flexibility and a clear vision. That balance is critical to navigate obstacles while keeping your business and personal values intact.

481: Evolving with Heart with Reilly Kahat

What does it take to transform challenges into a thriving business? Reilly Kahat, owner and founder of Pet Fit, shares his transition from a dog walker to the owner of a flourishing pet care service. Following an unforeseen business closure that left him questioning his next steps, Reilly leverages his deep affection for animals to build a community rooted business from the ground up. He explores the importance of adaptive branding, the move towards a membership-based model for consistent service, and the cultivation of a supportive team dynamic. Reflecting on the hurdles faced, including navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, Reilly illustrates how setbacks were not just obstacles but opportunities for growth and deeper community engagement.

480: Repetition to Mastery

How do you become a master in something? Inspired by Bruce Lee's philosophy that emphasizes focused practice over quantity, we share how repetitive actions, from the simple task of unlocking a door to the complexities of route planning, not only build familiarity but also pave the way to competency and mastery. We also talk about how deliberate practice, coupled with feedback, fosters a deeper understanding and efficient execution of tasks. We highlight the journey from initial exposure to achieving mastery, emphasizing the importance of patience and continuous improvement. Join us as we discuss transforming routine repetition into profound proficiency and the impact this has on both our personal and professional growth.

479: Empowering Pets and People with Mary Reid

What does it take to navigate the path from personal adversity to entrepreneurial success? Mary Reid, owner of North Dallas Pet Care, dives into her journey from being a homeschooling mother to spearheading a thriving pet care business. Following a significant health scare that altered her mobility, Mary reveals how she leveraged her passion for pets into a successful enterprise. She reflects on the critical role of work-life balance, the strategic shift from working solo to managing a team, and the integration of technology to enhance her business.

478: Fighting Mental Fatigue

Where does mental fatigue come from, and how does it impact us? While a large portion of the fatigue is brought on through external influences, a not insignificant amount stems from our own actions. From failing to adhere to policies to taking on too much, we often burden ourselves more than others do. Today, we will break down why pet sitters deal with so much mental fatigue, its sources, and some simple steps to start taking to combat it.

477: Turning Over A New Leaf with Kirsten Kruska

What does it mean to reinvent yourself? Kirsten Kruska, co-owner of Pet and Plant Pal, explores the journey of career reinvention after a pivotal health challenge forced her out of dog grooming. Kirsten shares how she transformed her expertise in pet care and horticulture into a flourishing business. Emphasizing health & wellness, Kirsten shares how her commitment to physical fitness and overcoming injury shaped her approach to business and life. She also discusses ethical entrepreneurship, highlighting her dedication to ethical practices rooted in Buddhist principles, and how these values distinguish her services. Lastly, Kirsten discusses the importance of knowledge sharing, from grooming advice to plant care tips, illustrating her belief in education as a cornerstone of her business model.

475: Creating a Business to Prioritize Yourself with Shannon Hendon

How can you navigate the twists and turns of life through fostering community? Shannon Hendon, founder of Ocala Pet Sitting, takes us through her 18-year saga of transforming challenges into opportunities. From altering her career path away from vet school to implementing cool new services like kitty cam rentals, Shannon's story is a masterclass in adaptability and passion. She also discusses the power of community, the evolution of her business model as she adapted to personal challenges, and her dedication to setting new standards in the pet care industry.

474: Pitfalls to Productivity

Why is it so challenging to implement productivity tips into our lives? Amazon has over 10,000 books on the subject of ‘productivity’, so there certainly isn’t a universal solution for everyone. One of the major stumbling blocks to actually being more productive is a lack of understanding of how we work, and the nature of the work we need to get done. We break down common misconceptions to being more productive, along with several things to take into consideration when assessing a new productivity method, tool, or technique.

470: Don’t Just Learn: DO!

What are you learning right now? Are you doing anything with it? We’re reflecting on the overwhelming abundance of information available to us, especially in running a pet care business. There is a crucial difference between endlessly acquiring knowledge and actually applying it to make tangible progress in our business. Something that is a hard balance to walk. We want to encourage you to prioritize action over consumption of new information!

468: The Best Way to Meet Lots of Pet Sitter Friends

Have you been to a conference? In a first for us, we were LIVE all weekend at the 2024 Texas Pet Sitters Association Conference! It was a jammed packed weekend filled with amazing people and great information. Listen in to get a little taste of what it's like to attend a conference, and check out our resource pages to see which one you can attend!

465: Building a Team Structure with Anna Rickert

How do you envision your business in the future? If building a team and having employees are on that list, you need to carefully consider your team's structure. Creating a team involves ensuring each person is in the right role, equipped with clear directions to accomplish their tasks. Anna Rickert, the owner of Pup Culture Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, joins us to share her strategies for developing a robust business structure. Aiming for her business to operate independently of her presence, Anna discusses the importance of having a balanced mix of services and a team that excels in delivering them.

463: Networking for Success with Angela Reinbacher

What does it mean to surround yourself with people who can help make you better? How do we go about being vulnerable enough to admit we need that help? As a business owner, personal improvement and a supportive network are key to longevity! Angela Reinbacher, owner of Wild Paws, shares how she is making networking work for her. Angela also talks about how she is approaching marketing with video to attract her clientele, while also managing the growth in a healthy and sustainable way.

462: Give Yourself Permission

Have you ever been frustrated by one more thing being added to your plate? There come times when our personal life impacts our ability to run our business and show up at our best. Whether it’s a personal loss, a new venture opportunity, or even moving to a new home, the pressure to continue to perform increases beyond our capacity sometimes. It’s in these moments where we have to carve out space we need to take that pressure off so we can focus on the right priorities.

461: Keeping Control of Your Calendar with Jessica Stavros

Jessica Stavros, owner of Salina Prosper Petsitting, shares her journey from starting in the pet sitting industry 19 years ago to adapting her business model to fit her life's various stages, especially motherhood. Emphasizing the art of setting boundaries and saying no without guilt, Jessica discusses the importance of managing a solo business in alignment with personal life demands.

460: Market Research on a Budget

What does it mean to do market research? As a pet business owner, it’s imperative that you have an understanding of what is driving your local economy and purchasing decisions of your ideal clients. Once we understand the ecosystem that our business exists in, we can make well informed and powerful decisions. We break down a simple (and free) process you can use to gain insights into your local community and better understand how to serve your clients.

459: Try, Fail, and Adjust with Marie and Justin Plummer

Marie and Justin Plummer, the entrepreneurial duo behind Winston Salem Dog Care, share their journey from a small start-up to a thriving business with 17 employees. Their discussion delves into the nuances of hiring staff with a focus on professionalism in the pet care industry, while also maintaining a deeply personal touch. They highlight the importance of iteration in refining their hiring and onboarding processes and the role of technology in facilitating growth. The Plummers' story is a testament to the power of creativity, flexibility, and continuous learning in building a business that not only succeeds but also brings joy and satisfaction to its owners and clients alike.

458: Price or Features: What's Your Selling Point?

What does it mean to sell on price vs selling on features? When we go to market our business, do we understand what our messaging is communicating? When we sell at our price, we’re trying to differentiate ourselves by how much we charge. Selling on our features is when we can lean into experiences, expertise, and our high quality. There is a time for each as we work to hone our messaging for our target audience and our stage of business. On this podcast episode, we break down how to implement each strategy in your business, and what to watch out for.

457: The Art of Compassionate Leadership with Ruby Ballesteros

What does leadership mean to you? 💪 Ruby Ballesteros, owner of RubyReds Pet Care, discusses her transition from a corporate background to pet sitting. Ruby emphasizes professionalism and leadership, and stresses the importance of viewing and presenting yourself as a business owner first, rather than just being a pet lover. She highlights her military background as influential in shaping her values and practices. Ruby also speaks about the art of building strong, trust-based relationships with clients, going beyond mere services, to ensure their complete peace of mind.

454: Fighting Jealousy to Find Joy in Your Business

How do you overcome jealousy? As we step into the new year, it's an opportunity to embrace both new regulations and manage our emotions effectively. We begin by discussing the FinCEN and the U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Registry, outlining what registration entails and its requirements. We then address a common yet powerful emotion: jealousy. We explore its triggers and potential impacts on your business. We then share four practical ways to start fighting jealousy so you can have more joy in your life.