Pet Sitter Confessional

Summary:  Taylor Leedahl, owner of Tiny Horse Mercantile, is determined to help build a better connection between dogs and their handlers through building quality leads, leashes, and accessories. Taylor shares the philosophy of her design and how she manages multiple dogs at the same time. We discuss how the leash functions as a two-way communication tool and how good gear helps prevent injury and...

Summary Running a business is usually seen as something for extroverts. We're told to be outgoing and put ourselves out there for our clients. But many of us in pet care would consider ourselves to be more introverted, so what are we to do? How does an introvert navigate running a service based business and take care of our clients? We discuss ways to embrace your strengths and how to navigate bei...

Summary: Jennifer Sybol, owner of Comfort at Home Pet Services, took the opportunity to buy a pet care business in 2013 and began working hard to raise the bar on pet care. She shares what it was like buying and growing her business the past 8 years and what her guiding principle has been. We discuss the importance of viewing every day as a learning opportunity and the necessity of doing community...

Summary Have you recently thought about raising your prices? On this episode, we have a conversation about prices and dive into the pros and cons of telling your clients, how to tell them, and some rules around prices we think everyone should have. Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I convert social media followers into clients?" Topics on this episode: Knowing what to charge? How do you know when...

Summary:  Photos are the fastest way to communicate what our business is, who our services are for, and what our 'vibe' is. How do we use photos in our business and what does it mean to have a branded photo? Petra Losonczi-Kiss, a Pet Business Brand Photography Specialist and owner of Petra Brand Photography, joins the show to discuss how awesome photos improve our messaging. She shares how photos...

Summary On this episode we discuss the different types of hats you may wear, and the ones you shouldn't. From being an IT manager to a marketer and CFO, there are a lot of things to do. The key is determining which hat you should be wearing versus finding a way to have someone else, or software, wear it. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "How do I fire an employee in a healthy way?" Topics on...

Summary Burnout and compassion fatigue are such a huge topic in the pet care industry, because we all struggle with it. Kristin Morrison joins the show to share her own struggles with burnout and what a road to recovery looks like. We discuss why it's important to redefine what success looks like for you and why understanding our time commitments helps us set aside time for ourselves. We also disc...

The world of pet business insurance can seem overwhelming, but Colleen Giles-Harris, Manager and Underwriter with Pet Sitters Associates, joins us to discuss what we need to know about being fully protected as pet care professionals. Colleen shares what it means to recognize the liability we're exposed to and how even with waivers we still need insurance to protect us. We also discuess why using y...

Summary Did you know you're an educator? As a pet care professional, you're perfectly positioned to educate your community on being awesome pet parents. We're also able to educate our clients on the range of pet care service options and the problems they solve. We discuss the importance of first educating ourselves and how to be supporting and loving to the clients we may disagree with.  Natasha O...

Summary:  Have you thought about franchising your pet care business? Carmen Chávez de Hesse, owner of Slinky Cat at Home, shares her experience of franchising and what we need to consider, from legal and financial obligations, to the management of a franchise. We also discuss the growth in cat care across the pet sitting industry and how she plans to leave a legacy business for her daughter.  Topi...

Each day we experience some sort of 'first' in life and in business. We break down some of the most influential firsts we've encountered over the past nine years. We also share the lessons we've learned from them and how we've changed how we operated, from our first client, to our first time saying no. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I prioritize what to cut back on?" Topics on this episod...

Summary: After years in hospitality and running a high end wedding service company, Kimberly Richmond knew it was time to follow her passion and dive into pet care. Starting Posh Pets in the middle of a global pandemic wasn't easy, but the fundamentals of meetings others needs didn't change. Kimberly shares how she brings high end service to her company. She discusses how to be great at public rel...

Summary Happy Professional Pet Sitters Week AND International Women's Day! We discuss the tremendous impact women have made, and continue to make, on the pet care industry. We also talk about how the industry has changed and the state of pet care. We highlight what being a professional pet care provider means and how to have a more balanced business. YOU are what this week is all about. Thank you...

Renee Neideigh, owner of Day with Renee Dog Walking, dove into pet sitting to avoid burnout as a vet tech and better align her passion with her mission. She talks about how to care for pets (and their owners) after a cancer diagnosis and the importance of just being there for them. Renee shares what the transition into pet sitting has been like, and the importance of authenticity and honesty in pe...

Summary Safety should always be a top concern for us as pet care professionals. This safety is not just for the pets, but also for you. This was highlighted recently by the brutal attack on Ryan Fischer, Laga Gaga's dog walker, and the abduction of her two French Bulldogs. While this is an extreme case, it should spark a conversation about safety in the pet sitting and dog walking industry. Topics...

Summary: Going into business with a friend may be something you've thought about. Lalka and Amanda have been living it for 9 years. SoHo Hound was founded from their passion for pets and is run on teamwork and trust. They share what it was like leaving their corporate jobs and starting a pet sitting business in Tampa. Lalka and Amanda discuss what it means to trust someone else in business and the...

* This episode is brought to you by our awesome partners….YOU! Thank you to our wonderful Patreon Members. * Summary: Contracts are essential to setting boundaries and giving your clients peace of mind. We break down why you need a contract, where to get one, and then do a deep dive into the different elements of the contract we're currently using. Remember, you should develop a contract to meet t...

Kim Ottone-Tank, owner of Apronstrings Pet Sitting, has been providing pet care since 1990. After 30 years in business, Kim shares her experiences of weathering the ups and downs of the economy and how 2020 was totally different. Kim also gives her advice for hiring employees, and why switching from independent contractors is something she's really passionate about. We also discuss working with fa...

Summary: What does  "hustling" mean to you? We break down several ways it applies to the pet care industry and the misconceptions around what is means to be full time vs part time in this profession. The past year saw many "full time" sitters and walkers go "part time" as demand dropped, but many picked up multiple new services and streams of incomes for their businesses. The industry, and our ide...

Summary: Working with a family member is something many of us have done, either formally or informally. It's a great way to get help in times of need, but how do you make the most of it and preserve your relationship? Dominic Hodgson, The Pet Biz Wiz, joins us to share his experience working alongside his wife and son. From having good processes to treating them the same as other employees, it can...

Summary: Too often we can become the doormat for our clients as they try and change how we operate our businesses. Today, we discuss a few recent instances of this in our business and what it means to stand up for your business. We share why it's hard to do that and what it takes to start overcoming them. Natasha answers, "How do I overcome imposter syndrome?" Topics on this episode: Why we're tal...

Summary: Jill Merjeski, owner of Jill's Next Door Dog Walking & Pet Services, is on a mission to perform at the highest standard and equip her clients to give the best care possible. She shares her passion for ethical pet care and why it's important to understand canine emotion and cognition. We discuss what it means to be an advocate for pets and raising the bar on industry standards. Topics on t...

Going the extra mile means something different to everyone. From making clients happy, to settings ourselves apart, going above and beyond can meet various goals in our business. We discuss ways to go the extra mile while maintaining healthy relationships. On the Ask a Pet Biz Coach segment, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I set my pricing if I'm looking to hire?" Topics on this episode: Adding...

Summary: After 15 years in business, Christina Walker shares her transition from corporate America to full-time pet sitter. She gives us some great advice for practical ways to set boundaries in our business and personal life. Christina talks about what it means for her to be consistent and her biggest lessons since starting Top Dog Pet Sitter. Topics on this episode: Celebrating 15 years Transiti...

Understanding your "brand" and what it means for you and your business takes time. We share our experience rebranding our pet sitting business and our struggles working on a logo. We also talk about how we developed a deeper understanding of what we wanted our business to mean to not just our clients, but to ourselves as well. On the 'Ask a Pet Biz Coach' segment, Natasha answers, "How do you set...