220: Making Big Changes with Maria Teran
Brought to you by
Time to Pet. Go to timetopet.com/confessional for 50% off your first 3 months.
Pet Perennials. Go to https://petperennials.com/pages/gps. Enter ‘PSC’ at registration to get $2.00 off of any packages sent in your 1st 90 Days.
Summary:
Are you afraid of big changes? Often times we get frozen in our tracks and are unable to process or move forward when we're faced with major changes.Maria Teran, owner of Chicawoof Dog Walking, has gone t 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.
Topics on this episode:
Jersey to Chicago
Big changes
Branding
Buying and Selling
Recommended resources
Main take away: Overcome your fears by focusing the small things, and taking little steps.
About our guest:
I had to leave my country in April of 2014 to live in the United States, back then it was only me with a boring Bachelor degree against the world. During my first year here, I had so many jobs but nothing made me truly happy, I started considering getting back to my career but by that time I was sure that was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had always been fascinated with animals in general, and always wanted to work with animals but never had the opportunity so I thought that was the moment and place to try it! After working for big companies for a while, I made the best decision ever! Starting my own business and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve dedicated the last 4 years to educate myself to provide my clients with the best pet care experience. I opened my first business in New Jersey and grew it to the point that I successfully sold it when I decided to move to Chicago, now I am the proud owner of Chicawoof! and I am so happy to be one of the lucky ones that can do what they love.
Links:
Website: https://chicawoof.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicawoofdogwalking/
The Life Coach School: https://thelifecoachschool.com
Pet Nanny Coach on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Petnannycoach22
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, & TuneIn
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
A VERY ROUGH TRANSCRIPT OF THE EPISODE
Provided by otter.ai
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
business, clients, people, chicago, pet, dog, service, person, gift, big, delegating, website, sell, moving, met, bought, challenges, company, feel, mistake
SPEAKERS
Collin, Maria T.
Collin 00:17
Hi, I'm Meghan. I'm Collin. And this is pet sitter confessional, and open and honest discussion about life as a pet sitter. Brought to you by time to pet and pet perennials. Are you afraid of big changes, oftentimes, we get frozen in our tracks and are unable to process or move forward when we're faced with major changes in our life. Maria Tehran, owner of Chica woof, a dog walking has gone through many life altering events. from playing her home country to uprooting to brand new city to start a business. Maria faces challenges with optimism and opportunity. She joins the show to reflect on those events, how she found and stays true to her brand, and talks about growing and selling businesses. Let's get started.
Maria T. 01:03
Hi, my name is Maria Teran, and I live in Chicago, Illinois. I currently own two businesses, Chicago, where we offer don't walk in and pet sit in, and fill these were our main service is middays are walking. I've been working with beds for almost six years now wanted to work with animals. And I was doing my research about what my options were, I didn't know don't walk in. And that's, you know, when I think back then. So by that time, I couldn't afford any grooming or becoming a dog trainer. And of course, I knew I wasn't going to be a pet. So I was like, Okay, let's try this dog walking. And that certain thing, let's see what happens. And so my first year in the industry was a as a harvest setter, then, when I know that this is what I wanted to do, and Okay, I now I want a business is a business, I want to make it like official. The information that I found online wasn't enough for me to take that next step. So this is gonna sound weird. But I flew to Melbourne beach to attend psi s conference that year. And that conference, changed everything. I met so many people, like people with very successful businesses. And I was like, I want to be like them. You know, if they can do it, I can do it. So after that trip to Myrtle Beach after I attended that conference, that's where everything started, I got back home and start to work on my business.
Collin 02:45
Wow. So that conference was really critical for you. And I love hearing that being connected with others. And I think just seeing that it was possible really sounds like it really opened your eyes to how you can make your passion into something that you could do full time.
Maria T. 03:04
Yeah, because I was, you know, I, I see, like, by that time, like I saw the opportunity like this is a business. But at the same time when I was doing my research like online, that you know, there were mixed opinions on everything. So I was like, No, I need to see it. I need to talk to someone like in real life, like face to face. So I don't even remember how I found that conference, because I didn't even know that psi was a thing, even though I don't remember. So yeah, I found them. That's the point. And yeah, like, you know what, I'm going, I'm going to that conference, I'm gonna see what happens. And yeah, it worked.
Collin 03:50
You're right. I'm definitely one of those learners to have. I can read the instructions, I can get all that information, but for many things until I can talk to somebody and actually just physically talk it out and see some real world examples. A lot of stuff I have a hard time connecting with. So it's interesting that you're kind of the same way to at least what you were when you started the business.
Maria T. 04:13
Yeah, I'm just telling ya, like, that conference was like really inspiring to me. I remember after the first day of the week, by the way, we were evacuated. Because there was a hurricane in Myrtle Beach that year. Yeah, but after the first day, like all the sessions and everything, I went back to my room and I started writing my business plan.
Collin 04:39
No earlier in your story you had said that when you started off you were you consider yourself a hobby sitter. What does that mean to you? What do you think some of the differences
Maria T. 04:48
are? What to me, I said I wasn't harvest data because I didn't have like legal established business hours and current insurance or anything. I was used to walk into I'm boring By that time, I was doing boring, boring dogs and, you know, like just what a lot of people call like private clients, if that makes any sense. Yeah. So yeah, that's what I
Collin 05:14
call a hot setter. You are currently in Chicago. But you have moved a couple times over the last several years, and you actually grew and sold a business prior to running Chico, woof. What was that process like?
Maria T. 05:31
Well, this is gonna sound weird. But when I was in New Jersey, one day, I woke up and I said, Okay, I need a change. I want a different environment. I want a city environment, moving to Chicago, like out of nowhere. Yes. That's why my business back then, which was, like my first business, the first business that that I often it was cold, North Bergen petsitter. And that business had a good amount of Finance. It was growing, we were, you know, getting new clients, it had potential. So I didn't want to just close it down. Plus, I felt that business was a great opportunity for someone to get started in the industry, or to get started as a business owner. So I decided, Okay, I'm going to try to sell it. And I remember, one of my clients preferred the buyer. So she referred this person as a potential buyer. And I met with this person we talked about when I showed her all the details about my business. And she fell in love with the business and she bought the business. And I remember, we signed all the paperwork, the buy and sell agreement and all this. We signed all that like two weeks before my moving day. So we had to pay. I was losing hope. But it was the weekend. I'm like, I have nobody, I'm gonna have to close down. And all my clients when they waiting, you know, because I told them that too late. I was honest with my clients. I told them, Hey, I'm trying to sell the business. If I don't sell it, I'm going to close down. So they wouldn't they only leave waiting to see what happened. It was funny. But yeah, two weeks before my move in date, this person bought the business and we had to pack our schedules with all the meet and greets and transition duties.
Collin 07:37
Oh, man. What was that transition like and such in such a short timeframe getting everybody introduced? And working through all of that?
Maria T. 07:45
Yeah, well, I didn't have like a huge business, like, you know, like 200 clients, it was a kind of a small business. So it was kind of easy. Most clients didn't care. They just okay, I trust you sold the business. You drove this person, okay. Some of them, they were like, Yeah, I would like to meet the new owner, blah, blah, blah. So it wasn't too bad. I plot I had everything ready. Like my all my paperwork. My sob is everything was ready. So it was a really smooth transition. Wow. Yeah, I
Collin 08:19
think just being prepared. Sounds like that was one of the biggest things that you could have done for the business. Looking back on that. Was there anything that you would have done differently about that process?
Maria T. 08:29
I think I don't know. I mean, I think I would have, I would have planned better to not do everything I'm rushing. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, that's what I would do different. Yeah.
Collin 08:45
Yeah, I know, sometimes our timelines are kind of set for us. And we've got to go other times we set them for ourselves. And and but that's always hard to juggle of trying to expect how much time something's going to take. And as you experienced that, like it kind of went up, right to the wire for you. But at least you have things like the slps and all of that in place before you started that
Maria T. 09:08
process. Yeah. And I also I remember that before this person before the lady that bought the business, I met with like, two potential buyers, like for her. And people were like, people were like, okay, I don't have money. I like your business and everything, but I don't have money. And I'm like, okay, yeah. Some people I was like, I'm moving in two weeks. I need an answer, you know? Yeah. So they were like, all two weeks. Like, you are not giving me enough time to get the money. And I'm like, okay, you are trying to buy a business. You are supposed to have money. Yeah, I was losing hope until this lady came to me that
Collin 09:55
Yeah, no, so were you selling mostly the client list or I guess you were also So selling all of your procedures and policies as well. Yeah, everything, everything. Now, it sounds like you are someone who's not afraid of big changes. You woke up one morning and decided you needed to change you flew down to Myrtle Beach to learn more about a business. Where does that come from? With you? And in how you approach those kinds of challenges?
Maria T. 10:27
Um, I don't know. That's definitely out. I don't know. I don't know where that comes from. I guess I like new beginnings. New beginnings. So yeah, I guess that's my, my motivation when I make those kind of decisions, the crazy decisions.
Collin 10:46
Well, it sounds like those new those those new beginnings and those challenges are something that excite you. And I know, for many people, it can be really daunting and really scary and not know quite where to turn. But viewing it as, as a new beginning, not necessarily a challenge, but as a new beginning is kind of a different way of looking at those situations.
Maria T. 11:08
Right? Yeah, that's what I like.
Collin 11:13
Have you heard of time to pet Dan from NYC pooch has this to say,
11:18
has been a total game changer for us. It's helped us streamline many aspects of our operation. From scheduling and communication to billing and customer management. We actually tested other PET scanning software's in the past with these other solutions were clunky and riddled with problems. Everything in time to pet has been so well thought out. It's intuitive feature rich, and it's always improving.
Collin 11:38
If you're looking for new PET scanning software, give time to pet a try. our listeners can save 50% off your first three months by visiting timed pet.com slash confessional. So you woke up one morning decided you want to go to Chicago? And what was the process like of arriving in Chicago? And did you immediately decide you want to start another dog walking and pet sitting company? Or what what did what did that look like?
Maria T. 12:06
Yeah, before moving into like before my moving date, I had everything ready. Everything. So the website, everything was running before I even arrived to Chicago. Wow. Yeah, I was I know what I wanted. And I know that I wanted to do kind of the same thing that I was doing in New Jersey. Of course, that business model has been like changing as we grow. Because right now Chicago is bigger than what I had in New Jersey by that time. So of course, as business grows, everything change and you have to do some things differently. Well, yeah, my idea the whole time was like, do kind of the same thing that I was doing in New Jersey.
Collin 12:50
Yeah. Now Chico woof. Where did that name come from? Absolutely. Love it.
Maria T. 12:57
Wasn't the name Chico? It's it's a board game between Chicago like the city and Wolf. Like, like the dogs? Yes. Don't ask me how I come up with that. Because I don't know. It just came to my mind. And I'm like, Okay, this is that also name. That's my business name.
Collin 13:19
That's the kind of of names that you can come up with where they just kind of they make sense they can materialize out of thin air almost and, and just just work. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, well, and you said you had everything prepared before you even landed in Chicago, where you get getting inquiries for pet services. And how did you handle that?
Maria T. 13:46
To be honest, I didn't. I didn't until I got here until I got here. And I started to meet people. And I remember, I I this is gonna sound weird. But I just out of nowhere, I messaged another dog walker. On Instagram. It's a it's a girl that has a business. I don't know if she's still in business. But by that time she was she has a medium sized business here. So I messaged her and I'm like, Hi, I'm moving to Chicago very soon. I'm just looking for don't work your friends. And see what they Yeah, hi. I'm doing an event he was doing an event. I don't remember what it was. But I'm doing an event this weekend. You want to stop by we can meet. I don't like just referring people if I don't know them. And I'm like, Okay, that makes sense. I'm going to stop by the VA. And I went to her event, I met her and that same week, she sent me one client, that client until now the plan is with me is one of my best clients ever. I love them. And yeah, that was my first client in Chicago, Mexican funny the Labradors. And after that, yeah, and it was Thanks to her, after that, I remember I printed my business cards, and I left my business cards in my buildings made room. So there was a guy here, the building that needed a dog walker, or he had a dog walk in and wanted a noodle worker or something like that. And he stole my card. And he contacted me. So I started, like, providing services that work and services for him. And, and this guy told everybody about me. So now like, we have like, 80% of the adults in my own building. So that's how everything started here.
Collin 15:38
Wow. Now that's that's something Yeah. That's amazing that, that yeah, I think a lot of people would, or would be very jealous to know that you have that many clients that close to you. As far as
Maria T. 15:50
crazy. I couldn't believe it. I'm like, Oh, thanks to the guy. Oh, my God, thank you so much.
Collin 15:58
It really just goes to show that making these these small connections have massive impacts on our business, and we're never really sure where those are going to come from. So we do do have to be open to opportunities and and people as they come because again, you never know where that's gonna lead.
Maria T. 16:17
Yeah. And you know what, that's how it works here in Chicago. I didn't feel it was like in New Jersey, but here in Chicago, like, that's how you get clients. You have to go there and talk to people.
Collin 16:29
Well, so that was an another question that I had was you've operated to, to pet sitting and dog walking companies in completely different markets? How would you describe the differences between those? And what was it like for you to adapt to the to those changes.
Maria T. 16:47
So the first difference that I've seen is that there are more dogs in Chicago. Like in general. In general, Chicago is more like dog friendly. So that's the first difference. Another difference is the type of clients in New Jersey is more like families with kids, and they have beds. So here, it's more millennials, having dogs instead of kids, which I love. I love to cows market, I actually found my ideal client profile here. So yeah, and I would say the change was smooth. But as I said before, here in Chicago, people like talking. So let's say you go to the dogs Park and you talk to people and you introduce yourself as a pet care provider. That person is going to build your services, or that person knows someone that is going to need your services. So they're going to refer your business. Yeah. Or if you see someone walking their dog, and you approach them and you introduce yourself and you give them a business card. You get clients like that. And I wasn't comfortable with that. To be honest, that was the hard part I wasn't comfortable because I used to be really shy I was a very shy person. I didn't want to talk to people it was crazy but I've been working on that and I'm getting better you know amber now I can talk to people I get clients like that you know I'm not afraid to approach someone and give them my business card. So yeah,
Collin 18:27
but you know, it said that that was something that you've had to work on of growing your confidence in talking to people in that wow Have you intentionally worked on that? Is that something where you just kind of go Oh, I'm going to talk to that person and you go up and you start or do you do you prepare
Maria T. 18:45
other ways? Well, I started like doing small things you know like I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna give someone a business card today like yours one person today just want this I'm gonna do it no matter what if I'm scared i don't care i have to do it I have to grow this business I have no choice when you're going to do while you're gonna be broke Are you going to be are you gonna go back to your job nine to five job like in the office? No, you want to grow this business? This is what you want. You have to go there and talk to people because this is how it works in Chicago. So you have to do what you have to do. And I was like pushing myself every day every day every day until it got easier. Oh
Collin 19:26
no, I absolutely love that of I'm going to give one person my business card I'm gonna give two people my business card I'm gonna just work out from there and it's this muscle as you become more caught as you become more confident and as you've add now, I've you've experienced, you see how people go Oh, well, maybe I don't need you. But I'm totally know somebody who does or just the population of dogs in the city means that you have a really high hit rate anytime you branch out. So you do get these these quick these fast successes that come to you as you try these little things again, You're networking with others, and then stretching yourself Little by little, I think many of us get overwhelmed with the change that sometimes we have to do in our business. But I love hearing how you just said, No, we're gonna do one small step
Maria T. 20:12
at a time. Yeah, that's what I did. And now it is something like natural to someone with a dog. Here's my business card. I'm a dog walker, I'm a pet sitter. Here you go, follow me on Instagram.
Collin 20:26
Becoming confident in not just those skills, but also knowing that it's backed up by an amazing business or amazing team and services that you offer, really do help start to branch out? Yes, definitely. Earlier, you had mentioned that you have found your ideal client profile in Chicago, if you wouldn't mind sharing what what does your ideal client look like?
Maria T. 20:51
I like working with young people, young people, couples, with dogs that work and need me like permitting to walk in now trying to focus on dog walking, because that's like my biggest service. So yeah, that's what I'm trying to attract now, like more dog walking, more mutator walking, I love that ceiling, of course. And I know, I love cats, but I want to attract as much of walking now,
Collin 21:17
how have you found that process of trying to attract or communicate with your ideal clients? Has that been? Has that been easy? Or what's that look like?
Maria T. 21:26
Well, besides all the challenges that we have now in the industry, um, well, first thing, I would say you have to be very clear on what you want, you have to be very clear on what you are the ideal client is. So that way you can start marketing to that person, because it was a mistake that we all make is that we open our market, like a lot, we want everything. And the truth is like not everything out there is going to be a good fit for us. So you have to really like think, and write down your client profile, what you want, what the person needs from you, what do you want to get from that person to, and then plan, like a marketing strategy to attract that kind of person,
Collin 22:18
they're being very clear with, with not just who you want, but then how you're going to go about them. Because you're right, we can get, I think some of that comes from this fear of not having enough business or fear of losing out on money and, and not being able to pay our bills. So we try and take on everybody, and we end up immediately regretting that. Oh, yeah, tell me about it. So describe a time where you, you maybe deviated from your ideal client, and maybe some lessons that you
Maria T. 22:57
learned? You know what? To me, I've seen, like, the real issues, when I go out of my service area, there's always that one person that contacts me, and I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna do it for this person. And it is always a mess. So I'm like, this is the proof that I have to do, what I what I plan for, like, if this is my service area, why I'm going in another direction, you know, so the same thing is with the clients, if this is my ideal client, why I'm going to the one that is asking me for discount, or why I'm going to the one that doesn't want to pay my service because they think it is not worth it, or whatever, you know, but yeah, in general, like my issues when when I try to go out of my service area for someone, that's one of the problems start,
Collin 23:49
oh, we have that we have that to where we have our set service radiate radius, and I feel like it's like once a month somebody contacts us, and they're like, less than like a 10th of a mile outside of it. And we sit there and we're like, Oh, is this going to be worth it? Is this going to be worth it? And then really, we've got to remind ourselves of no like I set that radius for a reason and if I start if I start breaking that promise to myself like where is that going to stop stop and I have these that I have to remind myself that we've got these boundaries for a reason and it's it's for a moment you know, our health at the end of the day, but it's also so that we can provide the best service possible to the people within that radius.
Maria T. 24:31
Yeah, but if you do it once you're going to be stuck with a person which I don't know if I'm okay with that. You know.
Collin 24:39
And I think that's a great way to put it of Okay, maybe Okay, if you did it one time. What's that? If you did it 100 times are you really still okay at that exactly. Yeah.
Maria T. 24:49
Yeah, totally.
Collin 24:53
Your brand of Chico woofing field days they I feel like they have such a strong sense of of what that brand is how would you describe your company, the branding behind it? And then a follow up to that? How do you effectively market that to your clients?
Maria T. 25:13
So to me, chicawa is unique. Precisely. This is me like a mom, you know, the mom thing, my file is a unique person. But yeah. But besides that, to go off, it's a company committed to providing parents with personalized care and quality time. And when it comes to marketing, my company's philosophy and values, I found social media especially helpful. Not only because everybody's there, but because I see social media as a way to connect with my current and potential clients. I can show them how everything is done, why we do things in certain way, they can see the behind the scenes of our work. So I feel like people really connect with them. And it is a great way to show them how Chico's values are applied day by day on what we do. They I want them to see that our values are not something that I wrote on my website and forgot about it. I want everybody to see that we are a professional service. And we are offering like professional care to their pets.
Collin 26:21
Yeah. No, that idea of going, this is a little window into our company. And, you know, people clients will stalk you for months and months, if not over a year sometime. Yeah, to see if they're going to need you or who to figure out who you are, if you're the real deal. And to know Yeah, it to know that going in into intentionally go. The pictures that I post the captions that go along with it, the connections that I making, that is visible, people see that, and I need to be as consistent as possible when I am doing that, so that that same message can
Maria T. 27:01
be getting across. Yes, I agree. Yeah. And part
Collin 27:05
of this too, is your website. I really, really like your website. How did that get developed?
Maria T. 27:12
Well, I have a guy. Nice. We all have. I have a childhood friend without web developer. So he now helps me with all the tech pine Chicka Wolf, and now in fill days. And when I got my rebranding done last year with DocuSign. I wanted our website that match my new brand. So we basically made a new website like we started everything from zero.
Collin 27:39
So how was the reception that you received for the website? As Do you feel like it's been helpful in attracting the clients that fit with your brand?
Maria T. 27:48
Oh, yeah, everybody is amazed by that website. In a meet and greet when I meet a client, whatever, you have to talk about that website, someone told me once like it is it feels like a dog park. And I'm like, Okay, I guess that's good, right?
Collin 28:06
Oh, that's an that's an interesting description for. Yeah. I'm trying to figure out what they mean by that, I guess.
Maria T. 28:19
I mean, it was good for them. Like I was like, Okay, I guess that's good, right? And they were like, Yeah, that's great. That's awesome. is so much fun. And I'm like, Okay,
Collin 28:29
yeah, I think fun. It's, it's also, I love it, because it's very, it's very light in feeling as far as the design behind it. And so everything is pretty welcoming and accessible to you when you go to the website. So you're immediately drawn into it, and you don't feel like it's this, you don't get overwhelmed by visiting it, which I think is really important, especially for first time clients.
Maria T. 28:51
Yeah. And it's really easy to read the website and adorable photos. Yeah.
Collin 28:59
You mentioned that you've used social media, as a little window into your company, and as a way to communicate, I think many of us struggle with consistently doing that and giving the same messaging, whenever we're posting and when we're doing our social media. How do you stay true to your brand? And really, how do you stay consistent in your messaging?
Maria T. 29:26
Want to me, being consistent is frequent because the way I see it is clients know right away when there is no connection between what you offer and when, what they receive. So I personally, I feel like I need to make sure that we are delivering what Chekhov promises. That's the first thing. Another thing is education does another way to stay true to my brand. Since we advocate for pet care as a career that requires knowledge and continued education.
Collin 29:57
Yeah, as a way of continue To try and better ourselves and to realize that Yeah, we don't, we don't know, everything, we can be experienced in a lot of things. But there there are going to be things that we that we don't know,
Maria T. 30:12
of course, and everything is changing. I feel like the industry is changing every day. So there is always something that you can learn.
Collin 30:20
Well, speaking of changes, what are some of the of the changes or or challenges that you see facing the industry?
Maria T. 30:29
Oh, well, I guess everybody knows. COVID. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we were I felt like we were very lucky that our clients supported us during the whole year, because they were working from home, but they still bought our services. So I feel like we were very lucky. And to keep working, like I used to see, like, people, with no clients, people closing down. It was really sad. You know, it was really sad. And I feel even though like this year as everything reopens, it is changing. Again, it is getting better now everybody is overwhelmed. And but yeah, but I feel like, there are like maybe a small percentage of business owners that are not 100% recovered. So it's hard. It's been a crazy year for the industry.
Collin 31:35
Many of us are trying to figure out exactly what the expectations of our clients are now, and especially as many are staying home more, because of the new flex work schedules that a lot of companies have implemented. We're trying to still try to figure out ways Okay, now I've got to make something work long term. I think we did a lot of short term changes last year to meet real quick, fast needs that were changing, but now trying to look ahead going okay, what's going to be substantive, sustainable? How are my client's needs gonna change? And how can I really help them?
Maria T. 32:11
Yeah, yeah, it's hard. Because as I said it, I love that what I feel is it keeps changing it one from then last year. Yeah, crazy this year. And now it's like, we don't know what's going to happen. Like here in Chicago, we don't know what's going to happen. Because as some people is returning to the office, some people is being sent back home. Well, that's a situation that I haven't so it's like, we don't know what's going to happen.
Collin 32:37
Yeah, yeah. I know you are trying to focus more on the image and focus more on the midday dog walks. How are you finding marketing that service given these changing times?
Maria T. 32:51
Well, I'm damianos on marketing to people at this point, I'm marketing to people who is at home, like working from home. And I'm saying like, okay, you are working from home, I'm, I'm gonna take care of your dog, I'm going to get the dog tire so you can work in peace. Or you can have lunch, you don't have to walk, you don't have to go and walk the dog. You can have a nice lunch. You know, stuff like that. Like, making sure like I'm sending that message that the dog needs to be tired so you can work in peace. Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. And I mean, it's working. We have clients working from home that book our services. So yeah.
Collin 33:35
Oh, that's good. I think it's really, really good. reminding ourselves of well, the walk might not have changed as far as a service but the need for it and having to communicate because many, many people might not know that it's an even even an option for them to have that done or that they even need it. So you kind of do have to get in front of them and going Hey, is this bothering you? Well, I can solve it by taking your dog outside for a while.
Maria T. 34:01
The dog is barking while people are waiting or the dog is I don't know, in demanding want to play whatever I'm here for that you can work. You can focus on work and making money and I think
Collin 34:16
there you go. Pepper anneals makes it easy as 123 to send a heartfelt condolence gift directly to someone with a broken heart. They have this awesome direct client gifts service that takes the effort off of us and ensures a thoughtful, personalized, simply gift reaches our client or employee. All gift packages include a handwritten card, colorful gift prep and shipping fees across the US and Canada. They offer an array of milestone gifts and greeting cards that can be sent to celebrate birthdays extinct get well wishes and welcome new and rescued pets. Additionally, there are gift choices case you need to send to simply gift a memory of a special human client or celebrate a pregnancy engagement or wedding of a pet lover. If you're interested. register for a free business. account to unlock the all inclusive discounted package prices. Since the service is leveraged on an as needed basis, there are no monthly or annual obligations or minimum purchase, learn more and register by going to pet perennials comm slash pages slash GPS, enter the code PSC at registration, you'll be given a unique coupon code to save $2 off any package that you send in your first 90 days. Now those midday dog walks are housed under your other company have field days. What was the thinking behind separating out that as its own company apart from the petsitting? That Chico woof does?
Maria T. 35:42
Well, it was it was an existing company. It was an existing business. Okay. But yeah, so yeah, I didn't want to change anything. Yeah, they go to a different area work in a different way. The layout structure is different. So I chose I chose to keep them separate. Oh,
Collin 36:03
well, that's awesome. So so you, you started Chicka? Woof. And then you bought this other company? How did that? How did that opportunity present itself?
Maria T. 36:11
This guy, I met this guy, the former owner. I met him on Facebook. We met one day, it was when in the middle of COVID of the COVID situation. Yeah, we met once. And he was like, Oh, well, I'm thinking about selling my business, blah, blah, blah. And by that time, the the amount he was asking for I'm like, there's no way I can pay that. There's no way I can afford it. Like I'm interested. More. So I was like, okay, we forgot about it. Then this year, he was like, Okay, I'm able to work with you. I'm willing to work with you about payments and everything. And let's me Let's negotiate. And I'm like, Okay, there you go. And that's how I bought it. Oh, yeah.
Collin 37:02
That's great. I, you know, again, thinking of these opportunities that come along and being open to either entertaining them or just seeing where that pasta those possibilities can go can really be game changing.
Maria T. 37:15
Yeah. And I will say, Okay, yeah, I want I wonder. Yeah. Challenging? Because Phil days is a bigger company is bigger than trickable. But, yeah, so that's the challenging part. But I'm overall, like, really happy with that with my decision. Yeah. Now having
Collin 37:39
previously sold a business, how did that play into you buying field days?
Maria T. 37:46
Well, I kind of know the process. So that was an advantage for me, I guess. So yeah. Yeah, I get that that was said,
Collin 37:56
well, so I have seen many people posting about trying to sell their business and looking through that process. You have gone through selling a business and buying a business, what advice would you give to somebody who is who is thinking about going through with that?
Maria T. 38:16
Well, if you want to sell your business, if you're thinking about selling your business, just be prepared, and what it is, like, have everything in order, like your slps try to make it as easier as possible for the new owner. So you can sell it quickly. Because you What were you gonna buy us to buy or you gonna buy something really simple, that is going to start working for you right away, or something that you have to do all this work, and all this transition and all this, this, you know, all these beauties. So that's a really good point, like, be prepared. document all your processes, and work with your team, create a solid relationship with your team, so they can, like adapt to the new owner, like easily you can you can like feel the freedom to talk to them, like, Hey, I'm not going to be around, but this person is going to be around, nothing is going to change, blah, blah, blah. So be very clear. Also be very clear with your clients. And yeah, that's what I would say that that would be like helpful for someone trying to sell their business.
Collin 39:22
And then what about as far as buying a business?
Maria T. 39:26
I mean, I can tell that out about it, because I just bought it. I noticed I kind of know this person. And so I knew the way he worked. And I know this was a business with a very good reputation because they've been around for over 10 years. So this guy, my friend David, he is doing he did a great job with delays. So I really felt like comfortable. I didn't feel like I had to worry about anything when I bought this business, but I know that's not always the case. Because most of the cases are is like they don't know each other, they don't know anything about each other. So yeah, do your research, take your time, use, don't be shy to ask the owner like, I want to see this, I want to see that I want to see taxes, I want to see bank statements, I want to see a report. I want to see more about this stuff doesn't that's a good point, too, because maybe you get stuck with with, you know, with stuff that you don't like, or that doesn't do the best work. So yeah, I would say take your time, don't rush the process. Use. Do your research. And don't be shy to ask for paperwork for receipts. Yeah,
Collin 40:40
asking lots of questions can never be can never be a bad thing, especially whenever you are, especially if you're going to be taking on staff and
Maria T. 40:51
yeah, yeah. impulse is a big investment. Like you're investing your money on the ad, you want to make sure you are doing like, a good investment.
Collin 41:01
Yeah, definitely want to be be prudent with these moves and make sure it makes sense, not just for the goals that you have for your personal life. But that, you know, I can see how for you how already having an existing business having to see does it make sense to bring this alongside? And and does it jive with what I'm currently doing? How is it balancing the messaging and branding between those two different companies?
Maria T. 41:24
Well, I'm still working on on field days, we still have a lot, a lot of work to do, which is the rebranding like one or two weeks ago. And so we still have a lot of work in there. Yeah. We have to do a new website, we have to start like, posting on Instagram or, like regularly. Yeah, and yeah, we have a lot of work in there. as well. like it. I like the process. So. Okay.
Collin 41:54
Well, what about the process? Do you do like, do you find satisfying?
Maria T. 41:58
Yeah, yeah, I know. I love the process. I love like building my own stuff. You know, like my own thing, my own business? Because one is down. Once it is done, I'm like, Okay, did all this, you know, believe it? Or no, I did all that.
Collin 42:15
Being very satisfied with that work. And I think sometimes it can be a little different, because it's not like we are building? Well, sometimes we are but we're building a big building that we can go back and look at so sometimes harder to see the result of all of our effort, because it's all spread out. Or it's a lot of it's online, or all of these different things. But But I think you're right is to not forget that hard work and to be to be satisfied with that when we're when we are done with it. And it's working well.
Maria T. 42:41
Yes, I love after the Shahad job.
Collin 42:46
You've had quite the experience over the last several years of starting multiple businesses selling and buying and moving markets. So what you wish you would have known when you first started?
Maria T. 43:03
You know what, before answering this question, you know, I did a list on phone notes, a list of all the mistakes I've done through the year, but it's crazy. It's like, I don't know, like over 200 Oh, no, but to answer that. But to answer your question, I would say I want I would like to know to understand that I don't have to do everything myself. It is good to delegate and that other people can do their work too. I don't have to, you know, burn myself out. I can delegate and work more efficiently,
Collin 43:42
which is really hard for people especially when we're it's our business you said you feel like a mom talking about Chico woof this business that you started you're very proud of it, you know, all of the ins and outs and then to have to bring in somebody from the outside can definitely feel well like are they gonna we have a lot of fears revolving around that. How did you overcome that those fears and be okay with delegating?
Maria T. 44:08
Well, when I started delegating, and I saw the result, that's when I started to feel like more comfortable with delegating. For example, when I hire I was, I was super scared, like I was terrified, like these people, they are not going to do the job that we do where they are not gonna love the best like I do. And so once the people that I that I hired the size of like working, and I remember something that it was like, when I woke up, I found this person to a client, like for the walking for like a week or so. Then the following week, this person needed to take a day off or something like that I can't remember. And so I went to walk the dogs. And when I opened the door, the owners were there and they were like, Oh, it's You is not this person. And I'm like, Oh, they were like so disappointed. They wanted the other person and I was like, Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. And I'm like, Okay, so my clients are okay, they want them. This person, maybe it's better than me, which I love that, like, I want to hire people who is better than me. Yeah, right. So yeah, that's when I started seeing that I started seeing that the results are like, okay, we're doing a good job.
Collin 45:35
Yeah, yeah. Just Just like, whenever you saw the results of handing out a business card each day and stretching this stuff, and doing these little things, when you start to see the results and trusting the results, and that they're happening, I love that of going, Okay, I can let go of these fears, because it's actually working.
Maria T. 45:52
Yeah, it's a process. Yeah, that's how it is.
Collin 45:57
Yeah. Well, and you said in kind of, you sat down and you wrote out some of your biggest mistakes, you don't have to tell us any of them. But I am curious how you handle mistakes as a business owner, and now managing multiple companies and your staff. What goes through your head when a mistake happens?
Maria T. 46:20
Well, a few years ago, I used to freak out. I was like, okay, it's the end of the world is the end of my career, my business is gonna, you know, nobody's gonna hold my services, because I made a mistake. Now I tried to take it easy. I'm like, Okay, this is a mistake. We didn't do this. Right. Okay, how do I solve it? First, I find a solution first, then how do I prevent this from happening in the future? And I try to, to implement processes or create systems that helped me to prevent that mistake from happening in the future. And that's it. I move on.
Collin 46:55
Yeah, yeah, no, sit, sit down, make sure it doesn't happen again, by putting in those policies, those procedures, whether they are new trainings, and then yeah, cuz you can't, you can't dwell on that mistake. Because if you dwell on it, you're never going to move, you're never going to do something new, you're never going to change or be open to other opportunities. And you're going to be
Maria T. 47:15
scared, like all the time. I mean, mistakes are gonna happen. Nobody's perfect, you know, humans. So random dogs were perfect.
Collin 47:26
Yeah. And operating our business out of fear is always going to limit us in what we're willing to do, and and how we're going to adapt and change. You're involved in a lot of things. And you've got a lot going on. So what are some of your maybe recommended resources that you'd like for other people to know about or to share?
Maria T. 47:48
Well, I really like the pet nanny coach, YouTube channel. And there is a podcast that I love, it is not pet related. But I think it is great for business owners, since it is all about personal growth. It is called the life The Life Coach School. So those are my two favorite resources right now.
Collin 48:09
I'll put those in the show notes so that people can go click right to those. Maria, this has been absolutely wonderful. I've really enjoyed your story of continuing to try new things. And to not be afraid to take big leaps and make big changes in your life, when you've got that passion behind you. I know that there's a lot that you've got going on, and probably more questions that people are going to have. So how can people get connected with you follow along with your work and start seeing some of those amazing social media posts that you guys put
Maria T. 48:43
out? Yeah, so for us, Instagram is our number one social network. So you can finance as at Chicago dog walking
Collin 48:53
Maria, again, thank you so much for coming on the show today, it's been a real pleasure.
Maria T. 48:58
Thank you, it was my pleasure. A
Collin 49:01
big change your challenge to you might not be the same to somebody else. And likewise, we all have different levels of which we start being afraid, or we start thinking, ooh, this might be pretty big for me, I know I need to try and overcome this. I love Maria's story of overcoming her fear of reaching out and talking to people and doing little steps, little goals that she knew she could accomplish and building the muscles and training herself to overcome that fear that the big challenges really do become extremely manageable when we break it down into little steps for us. So whatever challenge you're facing today, or for this gear, or whatever that is for you, I really encourage you to break it down into little small pieces. They say how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you overcome that fear that you have that big challenge that big change that you're staring at One step at a time. Let us know how you overcome challenges and what it's like for you to process that and put those into perspective. We'd love to hear from you. You can send that to feedback at petsitter confessional comm or anywhere on social media at petsitter. confessional. We really want to thank our sponsors timed pet and pet perennials for making today's show possible. And we want to thank you for listening and for sharing and for being here every week. It means so much. We're so thankful for you. We hope you have a wonderful rest of your week and weekend and we'll be back again soon.
