129: Patience and Perseverance with Jay Pattiz

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.

128: Back to Basics- Drop-in Checks

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”

127: Tax Talk with Mike Jesowshek

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.

126: Growing a Support Network

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.

125: Mindset Work

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 if you want to change your mindset.

124: Transitions in 2020 with Isabel from The Wag Pack

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.

123: Back to Basics - Daycare

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?”

122: Selling your business with Becky Eberly

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.

121: Preparing for the Holidays

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!

120: SEO with Amy Toman

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.

119: Back to Basics- Boarding

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?”

117: Telling Your Story

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 connects with your clients. Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I set myself apart?"

116: Growing Your Tribe with Judy Nuñez

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.

115: Back to Basics- The Meet and Greet

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?"

114: Burnout Recovery with Jennifer Bassman

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.

113- The Gig Conversation

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. Natasha O’Banion is BACK to answer the question, “What do I do if someone wants to sell me their business?

111- Preparing for Uncertainty

2020 has been a whirlwind of uncertainty so far, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better soon. What are the things we can do to be better prepared for continued uncertainty in the future? Today, we discuss three areas we all have more control over than we expect, and what that means for putting ourselves on a great path forward. Natasha joins us to talk about what to do after you attend the Game Changers Summit.

110- Pet Loss and Grieving with Coleen Ellis

Processing the loss of any pet is difficult. Processing the loss of a clients pet can add complications and uncertainty of how to handle it on both a professional and personal level. Coleen Ellis, Founder of Two Heart Pet Loss Center, joins us to help break down our role as pet care providers, how to care for ourselves while grieving, and help everyone in the mourning work.