255: Feeling Overwhelmed and Inadequate?

255: Feeling Overwhelmed and Inadequate?

Collin

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with everything you have to do? Or maybe you’ve felt inadequate because you can’t seem to make any headway on your to-do list. Whatever the reason, you are not alone. Life as a business owner means there is a never end list of things you have to get done. Managing these feelings takes understanding that we all have our limits. It also means setting better expectations for what you’re able to do and when it can be done. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “What are you looking forward to this year?”

254: Beyond Training with Garrett Stevens

254: Beyond Training with Garrett Stevens

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Do you speak dog? Garrett Stevens has spent his life trying to understand what the animals around him are saying. Garrett owns Stevens Family Kennels and Dog Language Center, and questions everything when it comes to dog training and behavior. The use of touch is extremely important in a dog’s control of their environment and gives us clues as to what they need. Garrett gives advice on assessing whether a dog is mature and how to foster a better relationship with them. Your clients are looking for family members, not robots, which means we get to help them find balance.

253: Becoming an Employer

253: Becoming an Employer

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What happens after you post your job ad? Should you be doing anything else? 🤔Turns out, there are a LOT of things you need to have in place and think through. From insurance to team communication, we break down what you need to do before bringing on staff. Having a manager mindset will allow you to anticipate problems and remember that you are the authority. Then, Natasha answers, “What else can I have my staff do?”

252: Being in the Moment with Gricel Arroyo

252: Being in the Moment with Gricel Arroyo

Collin

After only providing nail trims to meet the needs of her community, Gricel Arroyo has experienced rapid growth and is about to make the leap to full-time. As such, she’s caught between knowing she wants to grow and expand, but also trying to run the business she has. Gricel balances the growth and social media by keeping it in perspective and working towards her goals. She shares with us what her growth has been like, and how she stays transparent with her clients about her business.

251: From Application to Job Offer

251: From Application to Job Offer

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in this episode, we break down the 4 stages in our hiring process and why we think they are critical. We also explain how to remain impartial throughout the process and the importance of knowing exactly what you’re looking for before you start.. You should have a plan and know what is a good vs bad answer to your questions. Then, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How can I celebrate holidays and still run my business?”

250: Stop Overcomplicating Marketing with Jane Harrell

250: Stop Overcomplicating Marketing with Jane Harrell

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Do you ever feel guilty that you should be doing more in your marketing? 📢With as many hats as we wear as business owners, it's common to start feeling like you're not doing enough. In this episode, Jane Harrell, from Working with Dog and Cause Digital Marketing, shared ways we can market efficiently, use time effectively, and learn to forgive ourselves when we don't get everything done.

249: How to Write a Job Ad

249: How to Write a Job Ad

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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?”

248: Going The Extra Mile with K.C. Heitchue

248: Going The Extra Mile with K.C. Heitchue

Collin

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.

247: Why We Hired

247: Why We Hired

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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?”

245: Pricing Mindset

245: Pricing Mindset

Collin

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.

244: Roundtable: Pricing Your Services

244: Roundtable: Pricing Your Services

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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.

243: Our 2021 Wins!

243: Our 2021 Wins!

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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.

242: Defining Your Company Culture with Riti Sobilo and Jen Austin

242: Defining Your Company Culture with Riti Sobilo and Jen Austin

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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.

241: How to Resolve Conflict the Right Way

241: How to Resolve Conflict the Right Way

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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.

240: Being a Pet Detective with Arden Moore

240: Being a Pet Detective with Arden Moore

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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.

239: Looking Forward to 2022

239: Looking Forward to 2022

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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?"

238: Making a Difference with Shelly Ross

238: Making a Difference with Shelly Ross

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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.

237: How To Do a Year End business Review

237: How To Do a Year End business Review

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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?”

236: Power of Publicity with Rachel Spencer

236: Power of Publicity with Rachel Spencer

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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.

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