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?”
Not that anyone is counting, but there are only 145 days until tax day, in the U.S. 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 2022 taxes look 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 in 2021, Mike has tips for your first time filing. He says to stick to deducting things you’re already spending money on, instead of purchasing things you don’t need.
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 meals, how to overcome them, and hacks to being more consistent. Then, Natasha shares her best piece of business advice.
How do you value yourself? 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 the national news; she talks about the mark it’s left and how they all have come together. All through her time in pet care, she continues to reflect back on what she values and whether it’s reflected in her work, and she encourages us to do the same.
Have you ever been scammed? It’s almost 2022, but that doesn’t mean scammers aren’t out there waiting to take advantage of you and your business. We discuss how to know if a request is a scam, common methods they use, and what you can do to avoid them. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to avoid them and avoid loosing any money. Then, Natasha answers, “How do I set better boundaries?”
Are you interested in opening an e-commerce store? In 2021, it's easier than ever and provides many benefits beyond another stream of income. Jenna Gotch, owner of Passionately Pets, shares what led her to launch her online store and what it's meant to her and her staff. She shares what it's like getting the items to sell, stocking them on site, and how she still can't believe people buy from her. She made a big decision to avoid drop shipping to maintain more control over the process and why branding at each stage of the process was so important to her. We also discuss recent staffing struggles, how she's overcoming them, and how she balances the desire to grow with the reality of slow hires.
We believe pet sitters and dog walkers have a wealth of knowledge to share and need to be heard! We break down 8 key elements to not just overcoming fears of public speaking, but making sure you rock the next opportunity you have. Natasha answers the question, “How do I go from a fixed to a growth mindset”
Where does your passion come from? How do you put your passion to work? Just having a passion for something is the first step. It’s then up to us to fight for what we want and take the steps to realize our dreams. Ashely Ann Odom, owner of Diamonds in the Ruff a luxury grooming salon, details her journey into the pet grooming industry and overcoming her fears. She shares how she uses her passion to reach a bigger purpose in her life and why going through tough times actually helps us in the long run. Ashley Ann also talks about what it’s like running luxury grooming salon, how she connects with her clients, and what it’s like grooming for celebrities.
Have you ever said the phrase, “practice makes perfect”? We should absolutely strive for perfection and use it as a motivating force through tough times or while we build a skill. The problem comes in when we only seek perfection and accept nothing else. Or when we believe we (or those around us) must be perfect at all times. A much more freeing and liberating mindset is, “practice makes progress”. In our business and personal lives, the reframe from perfection to progress allows us to be more creative, try new things, and build better relationships.
Can you use an Independent Contractors (IC) in your business? What are the benefits and what are the potential pitfalls? Colleen Sedgwick, Pet Nanny Coach, had ICs for 17 years and shares how to navigate and use them effectively. Colleen talks about being audited and how to be prepared for it. With many sitters looking for ways to fill in scheduling gaps during the busy holiday season, an IC may be what you're looking for, as long as you use them correctly.
The Holiday Season is upon us! But don't worry, it's NOT too late to get prepared and make sure you set your mental and emotional health as a priority. The holidays are busy, but they don't have to be crushing. Setting up your schedule right now, and communicating your availability are just the first steps to start taking more control for a more enjoyable season. From saying, "NO" to why you may consider taking deposits this year, boundaries are more important than ever. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "What books are you reading right now?"
What’s the difference between a manager and a leader? How do you juggle wearing all of the hats? Wayne Hartley, owner of Happy Hearts Pet Care, joins the show to break down his mindset around working with his team and the role emotional intelligence plays in his business. From using fear as a motivating force, to how he views success, Wayne shares how he makes his business run. Wayne also talks about what it’s like running a mobile grooming service, and all of the bumps that come with that. He gives some great advice for how he recharges and taps into inspiration when running his business.
What are the business fundamentals for a pet sitting or dog walking business? Do you know someone who wants to run their own pet care biz but doesn’t know where to start? On this episode, we discuss how to get started. From a plan and getting a business license, to checking out insurance, we walk through what you need to have in place, and share from our own experience. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I forgive myself after I make a mistake?”
What does it mean to help our clients be more mindful? We start by helping them pay attention to changes in their pet and by empowering them to be advocates for the pets health. Alexa Rabini, the Pug Mom, shares how she helps her clients be more mindful in their care. She also breaks down some common misconceptions around CBD usage in pets. Alexa gives some great tips on managing online communities for pet parents and pet professionals, to help everyone be engaged and growing together.
Are you connected with the broader business community in your area? We had a great opportunity recently to introduce our business to other business owners. On this episode, we share why these networking events are important and the role they play in raising the awareness of the pet care industry. They also help us to feel more legitimate as business owners. We discuss the benefits that come from being connected to other businesses, and how to prepare for the networking opportunities. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I view myself as more legitimate?”
Maria Teran, owner of Chicawoof Dog Walking, has gone through many life altering events. From fleeing her home country, to uprooting to a brand new city to start a business, Maria faces change with optimism and opportunities. She joins the show to reflect on those events, how she found and stays true to her brand, and growing and selling businesses.
Clients expect to be updated on the status of their fur-baby, but there isn’t a one size fits all for this in the pet care industry. How should you update your client while they’re away? What are the common types of updates? We discuss the situations which work best for each kind, and what type of client fits them. Updates can eat up a lot of time, so it’s important to use them effectively and appropriately. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I foster good relationships with clients?”
How are you building multiple ways to service your clients? Sticky services keep clients coming back because you keep solving their problems in new ways. From package pricing to customer service and retention, Brian Taylor, owner of Harlem Doggie Day Spa, joins the show to share how he's become known as the 'Dog Father of Harlem'. His passion for being neighborhood centric and servicing community drive him to connect his business to his community. Brian pursues servicing his top client's needs and making every interaction special. He shares why he continues to give back and where he hopes the grooming industry goes in the future.
Sometimes, words are hard. They hold immense power and can make or break relationships. We discuss how to harness those positive words and phrases to propel your pet business into clearly communicating what you want. We also talk about the role of words in how we perceive ourselves and overcome hard times. Then, pet business coach Natasha O’Banion talks about the fear of staff stealing clients.
The house sitting industry continues to change and adapt to the world of Covid. With new lockdowns and vaccine rollouts across the globe, home owners and house sitters alike are trying to see where the industry will go. Kylie Fuad, co-owner of Aussie House Sitters and House Sitters America, joins the show to discuss the current state of house sitting. She gives us some great advice on preparing for life as a house sitter and how home owners expectations have changed. Kylie also shares her optimism on the future of travel and how we can be prepared to take advantage of new opportunities as staycations become more popular.
