Pet Sitter Confessional

What drives close relationships in your business? We should view everything we do as an opportunity to foster relationships with our clients, including our software. Mike Grenier, co-founder of Time to Pet, joins the show to share how they prioritize problem-solving. Mike emphasizes the importance of adhering to guiding principles while not being afraid to pivot in response to market changes. He d...

Have you ever experienced self doubt? It can come from many areas; lack of information, conflicting information, or internal conflicts of beliefs and values. As a business owner, we're required to do hard things in our business, which means we're likely to encounter doubt and insecurity more often. We break down the relationship between fear and doubt and how to keep moving forward. Doubt doesn't...

What is a CRM and how can it help your business? As the marketer of your business, you're in charge of finding ways of getting your business in front of more people and connecting them to the right services. A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) allows you to supercharge how you interact with your existing and potential client. Dom Hodgson, The Pet Biz Wiz, joins the show to break down how to m...

We just celebrated four years of podcasting! We can't believe where the time has gone. What started off as a to share from our experiences quickly turned into a while of showcasing the amazing people working in the pet industry. We've been honored to share their stories and learn from the best of the best. We break down four lessons we've learned and how they're impacting our own business, and the...

When making big decisions, it's important to gather new information and seek out novel experiences in order to fully understand the situation before moving forward. In this episode, Kelly Hayes-Raitt, known as the HouseSit Diva, shares her experience of using international travel house and pet sitting to find a new place to live. By experimenting across different cultures and lifestyles, Kelly emp...

How do you stay creative? As a busy business owner, our ability to be and stay creative is critical to the longevity of our business. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves unable to reach creative flow and end up sticking to the same old same old. We break out ways in which creativity is essential to your business (it's WAY more than social media posts). We also share the common reasons we find i...

Do you see yourself as playing a vital role in the health of the pet care industry? To ensure a robust future, we can all be ambassadors for professional dog walking and pet sitting. Jamie Migdal, founder of Fetchfind!, joins the show to share her vision for the future of pet care. From collaborative approaches to pushing the limits of our own education, Jamie believes we can all make our mark on...

What do you do with old content? As a busy business owner, your time is precious! You pour a lot of effort into creating content or gaining media attention, so don't waste it! Thankfully, there are many ways to repurpose existing content. From infographics to webinars, highlights to short videos, a single piece of media can be transformed into new methods for targeting market segments, raising you...

Are you a numbers person? Whether you'd describe yourself as one or not, you run a business, so understanding your numbers is critical! Some people think it's too complicated, others may have an emotional block to diving into them, but the fact remains that you will struggle to make sound decisions without drilling into your books. Anne-Marie Kaden, owner of Tiny Paws Pet Sitting & Tiny Paws Book...

How can you make the most of unexpected media exposure? We were recently asked to be on a local TV program to talk about our business, so on this episode, we discuss how you can make the most of unexpected media exposure. We also share why you need to be intentional with your business interactions, connect others with your message, and understand that your business is highly visible in your commun...

What kind of emergencies are you prepared for? While we may focus on natural disasters, lost pets, or medical emergencies, what about you? After going through a severe medical emergency, Amy Sparrow had to make drastic changes to her business, Fur Kid Sitting & Services. Amy shares how having a multi-year business plan allowed her to accelerate a brand new business structure. From growing a networ...

How do you handle stressful situations? From acute to chronic, we encounter all sorts of situations in running our business. As a business owner, we're obligated to not just take care of stressful situations and emergencies, but also communicate and help others through it as well. We break down how to cope with stress in the moment. We give several strategies for effective communication and also h...

Podcast Disclosure Advisory services offered through RPA Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor.  Content provided for informational purposes only.  It should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities.  A professional financial advisor should be consulted before implementing any investment strategy. Do you have an exit plan fro...

How do you plan your visits? While not every visit is the most complicated, every detail still matters. To ensure you don't miss a thing, and that the client's expectations are met, preparation is key! We break down the 5 big buckets of information you need from each client. We then walk through the process of turning that information into a well organized (and time budgeted) visit!  Main topics W...

How do you keep clients coming back over and over? Candace D'Agnolo, from Pet Boss Nation, joins the show to discuss how to create raving fans of your business. Candace breaks down strategies for building long-lasting relationships with clients, and how to help them fall in love with your services. She also shows us ways to increase the perceived value of your business, while anticipating your cli...

What does the life of a pet sitter mean to you? We're celebrating 400 episodes by reflecting on 5 major lessons we've learned about the life of a pet sitter. Pulling from over 200 interviews, we share what it means to be a pet sitter, and the best advice we've learned. We're so thankful for you listening and are so excited for another 400! Main topics: Our story 5 lessons Remaking yourself Main ta...

What does it mean to run a multi-dimensional business? Not only do you offer a range of services, but you also have a lot going on every day. Susan Morin, owner of Susan's Pampered Pet Care, shares how she's piloted a growing business. She discusses how she highlights the strengths of her business to attract her target clients and walks through the balance of running a business to meet her client'...

What risks have you taken on in your business? While running a dog walking and pet sitting business is inherently risky, as the business owner you have control over the amount of risk and exposure you take on. We walk through the steps in a risk assessment and the questions to consider as you review the threats to your business. We also share how to know if the mitigation processes you've put in p...

Have you struggled hiring and managing employees for your business? One of the most common complaints is the issue of hiring someone from a different age bracket and how they work and communicate. Dr. Michael Urick (Dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government at Saint Vincent College) discusses the dangers of relying on stereotypes and perceptions, and emphasizes the...

What should you consider before expanding to a remote service area? After a few years of trial and error, we've broken down 10 things you should ask yourself before starting in a remote area. We cover everything from planning your logistics to following local licensing and legal requirements. We also share about the biggest struggles we've faced and where you can expect to grow the most as a busin...

Are you prioritizing self-care? As a business owner, we are often the last to get cared for. The fact is, your business will suffer if you're not taking care of yourself. Michelle Kline (DogCo Launch), Doug Keeling (Bad to the Bone Pet Care), and Dan Reitman (Dan's Pet Care) share their journeys and struggles to learn what self-care means to them. Your health, and the health of your business, depe...

Have you ever wanted to start a remote location for your business? We share our experiences two years into our experiment with our business. We needed a way to grow our business, and found a remote location fit exactly what we needed. From our struggles hiring and training the right staff, to managing an office and learning a brand new city, there was a lot we had to learn. We've changed our entir...

How do you know it's time to bite down and go 110% to make your dream a reality? We all find our own motivating forces in our lives. For Stephanie Brown, owner of Happy Trail's Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Services, she found her motivation in her family. She shares how her business has evolved and how it wasn't always easy to leave services behind. Stephanie focuses on client education and fostering...

Are you profitable in your business? More than just finances, truly being profitable is about finding balance and building relationships when running your business. We break down the six aspects of being profitable and the major roadblocks to achieving them. From vague mission statements to your pricing structure, there's a lot that could be holding you back. Main topics What is PROFIT More than f...

What does it mean to live a balanced life? Finding balance as a dog walker and pet sitter is one of the most crucial aspects of running a thriving business, and maintaining personal well-being. Renée Stilson, former owner of Home Sweet Home Pet Care LLC and now The Balanced Sitter, draws on her 23 years of experience in the industry to share the lessons she learned. She discusses how she had to ad...