All tagged company

529: Giving a Crap with Erica Krupin

What does it take to run a successful dog waste removal business that goes beyond just scooping poop? In this episode, Erica Krupin, owner of Kroopin's Poopin Scoopin, shares the behind-the-scenes realities of managing her growing business. She emphasizes the importance of providing an exceptional customer experience, from building trust through reliability to creating peace of mind with professional services. Erica dives into the challenges of hiring and retaining great employees, explaining how paying well and setting clear expectations helps her maintain a high standard of service. She also talks about the complexities of pricing for quality and managing company vehicles, highlighting how investing in these areas ensures long-term success. With her down-to-earth approach, Erica offers valuable insights into what it truly takes to lead a thriving, people-centered business.

527: Cars and Culture with Morgan Weber

Ever wondered how company culture influences business decisions? In this episode, Morgan Weber, CEO and founder of Lucky Pup Adventures, shares how her commitment to a caring company culture led to providing company cars for her team. She discusses the impact this decision has on employee safety, well-being, and client trust. Morgan also delves into the importance of aligning actions with core values and how this shapes every aspect of her business. Tune in to learn how intentional culture-building can drive meaningful changes in your company.

524: Hire the Heart, Train the Skill

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect hire for your pet care business? In this episode, we dive into the importance of hiring for soft skills like empathy, communication, and adaptability, while training the technical aspects later. We discuss the value of a multi-stage hiring process to thoroughly vet candidates and ensure they fit your company culture. While the technical skills are trainable, finding someone with the right heart is key to long-term success. We share our own experiences in building a team that truly connects with both pets and clients.

522: FINCEN and Florida

Are you ready to comply with the latest FINCEN regulations that impact your pet care business? In this episode, we break down the new Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements and why they're crucial for staying on the right side of the law. We also explore how Florida's regional pet care groups are leading the way in building strong local networks and supporting pet sitters. Plus, we discuss the growing maturity of the pet care industry and what it means for business owners like you. Tune in for practical tips on filing with FINCEN and keeping your business compliant.

515: The Power of Membership Models in Pet Care with Traci Bisson

Traci Bisson, founder of Golden Dog Adventure Company and Start a Dog Walking Club, shares how she transitioned from a corporate marketing job to founding a professional pet sitting company and eventually Golden Dog Adventure Company, which has a very unique model. She delves into the concept of dog walking clubs, fostering a sense of community among pet owners, and the benefits of a membership model. Addressing the needs of reactive dogs and their owners, Traci highlights the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for all.

512: The State of Job Sharing

Have you seen an increase in requests to job share? In this episode, we delve into the increasingly common practice of job sharing, where multiple caregivers collaborate on a pet's care. We discuss the reasons behind this trend, such as more pet sitters entering the market and clients seeking cost-effective solutions. We also highlight the challenges, including communication issues and varying standards of care, emphasizing the importance of clear documentation and agreements. Finally, we cover practical advice, stressing the need to know when to trust your gut and when to decline job sharing requests.

510: Leading and Managing: Balancing Roles in Your Pet Business

Are you balancing the roles of leader and manager in your pet business effectively? In this episode, we delve into the distinct yet overlapping responsibilities of leadership and management. Leaders set clear visions, inspire their teams, and embrace change, while managers ensure daily operations run smoothly by planning, organizing, and monitoring tasks. We discuss how solo pet care entrepreneurs must juggle both roles to succeed. Tune in to discover tips on empowering your team, developing emotional intelligence, and continuously improving your leadership skills.

509: Creating Connections with Cats with Zara Willmott

Zara Wilmott, owner of Cat Sitter Toronto, shares her journey from cat sitter to business owner, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of her niche. She discusses how the pandemic accelerated her transition and led to innovative operational changes that ensured both client and staff safety. With a deep passion for feline well-being, Zara emphasizes the importance of specialized care and open communication with clients.

496: Making Your Business Memorable

Is your business memorable? With a more crowded market than ever, we discuss strategies for making your business stand out and why it's crucial for success. We share the importance of defining the terms you use and the importance of offering unique services. Your clients are looking for feelings and emotions, so you should be connecting at that level with them, not in technical jargon. Learn how to differentiate your business and leave a positive, memorable impact on your clients.

495: From Fired to Flourishing with Joette White

How are you navigating the challenges of business ownership? Joette White, owner of Park Cities Pet Sitter, shares her journey from being fired to successfully owning and growing a pet sitting business. She emphasizes the importance of staff management and trusting employees to foster growth. Joette highlights how personal growth and learning from failures have shaped her leadership style. She discusses adapting to challenges, especially during the pandemic, to strengthen the business foundation. Joette stresses the need for clear leadership and allowing space for staff to develop their strengths and confidence

490: In a Slump but on the Way Up?

How is your business doing? So far, 2024 has been a challenging economic landscape, marked by a significant downturn in both new and returning clients. The pet sitting industry has experienced a saturation of the market post-COVID-19 and now economic pressures have led pet owners to tighten their budgets. We share strategies for adapting services and specializing to meet changing customer needs while maintaining a resilient and optimistic business approach. We cover everything from building in-person relationships with business owners, to also the challenges of niching in lean times and prioritizing mental health during slow periods. 

484: Balancing Your vs Your Company’s Needs

Ever faced a business roadblock that made you question everything? Here's a deep dive into how we handled an unexpected hurdle and the strategies we used to keep afloat. From employee turnover to shifting business goals, we share the ups and downs you could potentially encounter, and the mindset you need to overcome. Balancing personal life and company demands is a constant challenge, requiring flexibility and a clear vision. That balance is critical to navigate obstacles while keeping your business and personal values intact.

458: Price or Features: What's Your Selling Point?

What does it mean to sell on price vs selling on features? When we go to market our business, do we understand what our messaging is communicating? When we sell at our price, we’re trying to differentiate ourselves by how much we charge. Selling on our features is when we can lean into experiences, expertise, and our high quality. There is a time for each as we work to hone our messaging for our target audience and our stage of business. On this podcast episode, we break down how to implement each strategy in your business, and what to watch out for.

455: Effective Use of Google Ads with Maris Sonnabend

How do you use Google ads effectively? Running an effective Google ad campaign takes more than just clicking a few buttons. It requires focus, trial and error, and a willingness to lean heavily into your brand. Maris Sonnabend, owner of House of Paws Pet Care, shares her experience of embracing a branding that isn’t for her but has enabled her to target a specific avatar. She walks through the importance of focusing on one guiding principle to keep everything you do focused and intentional. Maris also discusses her philosophy of testing to determine what will and will not work in her business.

452: Keeping the Momentum After a Difficult Year

What was your 2023 like? If you’re like many, it was a very successful, but very difficult year. Running a business means tackling the ups, and working through the downs. The difficulties we face will be as unique as the businesses we run. We break down four challenges we worked through in our business this year, how they’re not all solved yet, and how we’re growing from each of them.

445: When Life Happens with Jessica and Chris Milam

What do you do when life happens? The fact is, things happen that are out of our control, and our only roll is in how we respond. When running a business, we set policies that match the flexibility many clients need, or adapt to their requests if we want. In our personal lives, we respond by stepping up and showing our true character. Jessica and Chris Milam, owners of Fur Services Fur Pets, discuss what it means to live a life full of the right amount of crazy, love, and passion.

440: The Last-Minute Rush: Balancing Business and Boundaries in Pet Sitting

Ever wondered how to handle those last-minute pet care requests? We delve into the complexities of accommodating such bookings in the pet care industry, focusing on the implications for scheduling, employee satisfaction, and maintaining client relationships. We also explore the nuanced topic of job sharing, discussing its advantages and challenges, and its impact on client trust and business operations. This episode offers insights on setting boundaries, implementing fees, and tailoring policies to strike a balance between meeting business needs and responding to client demands.

436: Striking the Right Marketing Balance

Have you looked at your marketing lately? Do you have a clear, consistent strategy? On this podcast episode, we discuss the two types of marketing growth strategies and when it’s best to use them. As you move potential clients through your marketing funnel, you deploy both sales activation and brand building techniques. It’s important to find the right balance, otherwise you’ll either have a lot of one-off clients, or never truly convert a potential client. We walk through ways of implementing them in your business and how to measure their success.

428: Why You Should Join a Chamber of Commerce

Have you thought about joining a chamber of commerce or other local business support group? We had been throwing the idea around for a while and very recently decided to do it! Today, we break down what a chamber of commerce is, some of their benefits, and how we plan on getting the most of out it!

416: How to Become Irreplaceable

Are you irreplaceable to your clients? Today, we dive into the concept of becoming "irreplaceable" and how to stand out so your clients stick with you. We stumbled upon a great quote by the legendary Coco Chanel, which we use to dissect what makes a brand or service not only unique but also indispensable. We break down our three elements of differentiation – Expectations, Experience, and Expertise – and provide some actionable steps on how to make your business truly unforgettable.