Have you ever posted a hiring ad? In the current job market it’s more critical than ever to nail the ad posting so you get what you need out of your hire. With more people switching jobs and careers than ever before, your ad has to connect with what they’re looking for and help them see a future with your company. We break down the ads we’ve placed and what you should consider before you post yours. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I set good goals?”
How has your business grown? Growing rapidly is never easy. Since starting Fur Baby Comfort & Care three years ago, K.C. Heitchue has worked hard to provide exceptional pet care to Southeast Michigan and has grown to over 900 clients. K.C. shares her motivations for starting the business and how that has continued to drive her. She also discusses how growing her Facebook page helped her build a network rather than competition. She shares the key to staff retention and what it means to go the extra mile for clients.
Have you thought about hiring? We have. A LOT. We recently hired for the first time and will be doing a series of episodes on what the process was like for us. Hiring isn’t always the answer to our struggles in business, so we break down some of our reasons for deciding it was time to hire. We also give you some questions to think through if you’re on the fence. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I get over my fear and make big changes?”
Have you ever used Canva for your business? It's a software and app that gets recommended as a great way to create social media posts, but what exactly is it and how do we get the most out of it? Jessica Bay from Templates for Pet Pros joins the show to share simple workflows to use in Canva and how to make sure you don't spend hours making your posts. She gives us some of the power features everyone should be using and how it's more than just social media posts. We also discuss many facets of Instagram and why having a strong social media presence builds authority with your clients.
Did you raise your prices starting January 1st? There are often stumbling blocks and fears surrounding charging what you need to in order for your business to survive. We debunk several of those and discuss the importance of doing a personal (and business!) budget so you know exactly how much you need to live the life you want. During this first week of the New Year, re-evaluate what you charge and how you determine that price.
How should you set your prices? 💰Because pricing is such a huge topic in the pet care industry, we asked Natasha O'Banion, Doug Keeling, & Dan Reitman to each share their mindset around pricing. With us going into a New Year, right now is the perfect time to step back and assess not only your prices, but also your mindset around charging for your services, and viewing yourself as a business owner. It's so much more than "know your worth". It's about understanding the opportunities available when you price right, and the opportunity costs when they're not set correctly.
What were your wins for 2021? On the last Monday of the year, we review what has happened to us this year. We discuss our biggest moment from each month and what we hope to carry forward into 2022. Reflecting on your wins will help keep you motivated as you move forward into the new year.
Have you ever thought about going green in your pet business? ♻️ Maybe you've looked into it but thought it was too much work. It turns out there is much more to being eco-responsible than simply buying bio-degradable poop bags. When being eco-friendly is at the core of your business, the impacts go much deeper. Riti Sobilo, Growth Officer, and Jen Austin, General Manager, of Green Paws Chicago, share how to “go green”. We also discuss how to grow a great company culture through allowing your staff to embed their values and why they invest so heavily in their staff.
How do you resolve conflict? All relationships have it, so it’s imperative to know how to handle it. Whether you deal with clients, your staff, a significant other, or a business partner, there are strategies for navigating a disagreement. We discuss the various types of conflict resolution and share what works for us.
Do you see yourself as an investigator? What about an educator and writer? We think you should, and Arden Moore agrees. Arden has a lifetime of not only educating but also communicating difficult topics, and encourages us to take those seriously. She shares how to ask good questions, and how the right question can save you time. She also gives tips on writing and the importance of self-editing what we create.
With 2021 almost behind us, it’s time to look ahead into 2022. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your business to look like? In this episode, we discuss what next year looks like for pet care. We encourage you to take your answers from your annual business review and look ahead to making 2022 your best year. More than simply setting goals and objectives, it's about looking for areas to invest in your business, like marketing and finances, or conferences and education. The most important place to invest? Yourself! Then, Natasha answers, "What's your favorite technology in your business?"
How do you make a difference in the world? Each time you care for a pet, you are an integral part of their and their owner's lives. Shelly Ross is in the business of giving peace of mind to her clients by providing cat care to the San Francisco area for the past 18 years. What started out as an interim job until she could find "real work", her business Tales of the Kitty has turned into a true passion project. Shelly shares her advice for building trust with clients and why treating your staff well is just a no brainer. She also discusses disaster planning as a pet business and how to cope with the emotions that come with being a business owner.
Where did 2021 go? 💨The year is almost over so it’s time to sit down and reflect on what went right, and what could have gone better. We discuss how to conduct a year end business review. One of the biggest factors is your mindset going into it. We break down the 5 categories you should investigate for your business and how to grow from each of them. Then, pet business coach Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do I get started with subscription boxes?”
What does publicity mean in 2021 and beyond? Why should I pay attention to it? Rachel Spencer has been working in media for over 20 years and currently runs, Publicity for Pet Businesses. She shares her experiences of what journalists are looking for in a story and how to overcome the fears of imposter syndrome so you can start sharing your stories. We cover the difference between marketing and publicity, and how you can raise your profile through engaging in the media and being seen as an expert.
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.
