All tagged dog walkers

528: Stop Watching the Weather: Embracing Action Over Perfection in Business

528: Stop Watching the Weather: Embracing Action Over Perfection in Business

Collin

Are you too busy watching the weather to make real progress in your business? In this episode, Collin explores how overthinking and waiting for perfect conditions can paralyze business owners, preventing us from taking action. He discusses the dangers of getting stuck in analysis, the fear of imperfection, and how to strike the right balance between planning and executing. Learn the importance of focusing on core goals and remaining adaptable to change. Join him as he shares insights on taking proactive steps to grow your business, no matter the circumstances.

467: Saying Yes for Success, and No for Sanity with Liz Raitman

467: Saying Yes for Success, and No for Sanity with Liz Raitman

Collin

What are you saying ‘No’ to? For many, saying ‘No’ is almost unthinkable; we have to service the client, right? Liz Raitman, owner of Dogs Next Best Friend, joins the show to share how a love of hiking and running turned into a full-time dog walking company. By learning to say ‘No’ more, Liz talks about how she’s learned from past mistakes to run a company that fits her better. Liz also gives her perspective on why we should hold customer appreciation in such high regard.

465: Building a Team Structure with Anna Rickert

465: Building a Team Structure with Anna Rickert

Collin

How do you envision your business in the future? If building a team and having employees are on that list, you need to carefully consider your team's structure. Creating a team involves ensuring each person is in the right role, equipped with clear directions to accomplish their tasks. Anna Rickert, the owner of Pup Culture Dog Walking and Pet Sitting, joins us to share her strategies for developing a robust business structure. Aiming for her business to operate independently of her presence, Anna discusses the importance of having a balanced mix of services and a team that excels in delivering them.

378: Are You Committed to Your Business?

378: Are You Committed to Your Business?

Collin

What does it mean to be committed to your business? It means fully dedicating yourself to the success and growth, but it also  involves a combination of personal investment, professional investment, and planning to ensure your business thrives. By fully committing to your business, you demonstrate your belief in its potential and lay the foundation for lasting success. We break down the key areas to commit to and how your goals and values drive everything.

287: Continuing to Adapt with Miguel Rodriguez

287: Continuing to Adapt with Miguel Rodriguez

Collin

How do we continue to pivot, adapt, and overcome challenges in business? Miguel Rodriguez, owner of City Dog Pack, joins us to share how he continues to apply lessons from Covid to the way her operate his business. From slimming down the number of staff he oversees, to tackling dog training and coaching via Zoom, Miguel has learned to let things go that don't help him on his mission. He also shares how he uses social media as his only marketing tool, and why we should be reading more!

259: INSPIRE with Dom Hodgson

259: INSPIRE with Dom Hodgson

Collin

Dom Hodgson, the Pet Biz Wiz, talks about growing your business sustainably through pricing and upselling on additional services. By continuing to focus on the fundamentals of our businesses, we’ll be less likely to make rushed and stressed decisions. Dom also shares what it means to give your clients a premium on-boarding experience and how to increase lock-in of existing clients. Dom has an upcoming live event in March (INSPIRE 2022) that we are taking part in, and would love to see you there!

258: Working at the Pace of Dog with Jen Walmsley

258: Working at the Pace of Dog with Jen Walmsley

Collin

Jen Walmsley is a trainer and dog walker in Bedford and operates Fetch Club, with a mission to provide top quality mental and physical stimulation to her clients. She shares how the growth of her business helped her be more creative and why hiring was so important to her. We also discuss what it means to focus on training fundamentals and how she makes her group walks function.

218: Know Your Customer with Brian Taylor

218: Know Your Customer with Brian Taylor

Collin

How are you building multiple ways to service your clients? Sticky services keep clients coming back because you keep solving their problems in new ways. From package pricing to customer service and retention, Brian Taylor, owner of Harlem Doggie Day Spa, joins the show to share how he's become known as the 'Dog Father of Harlem'. His passion for being neighborhood centric and servicing community drive him to connect his business to his community. Brian pursues servicing his top client's needs and making every interaction special. He shares why he continues to give back and where he hopes the grooming industry goes in the future.

178: Perfect is the Enemy of Progress with Josh Schermer

178: Perfect is the Enemy of Progress with Josh Schermer

Collin

As business owners, we have to recognize that not only is our industry in constant flux, but so too are we. Pet Sitter Bible, Dog Walker University, and Sparky Go founder Josh Schermer gives his perspectives on what it means to lead in spite of fear and how to walk the line between being in control and being successful. He shares from his experiences growing his business, changing its structure, and learning to be a better leader. We also discuss his article on the state of the pet care industry and the perceptions of pet parents on the difference between an independent business and a “gig” worker.

170: Leashes and Leads with Taylor Leedahl

170: Leashes and Leads with Taylor Leedahl

Collin

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 strain. Taylor also talks about her design process and what it’s like receiving negative feedback.

158: Pet Sitters Week 2021

158: Pet Sitters Week 2021

Collin

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 for inspiring us and for making the industry better. Natasha O’Banion answers, “What should more people be doing in their business?”

156: Safety

156: Safety

Collin

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.

155: Friendship in Business with Lalka and Amanda

155: Friendship in Business with Lalka and Amanda

Collin

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 importance of having the correct definition of success.

138: Back to Basics- Dog Walking

138: Back to Basics- Dog Walking

Collin

The biggest change to the pet care industry this year has been mid-day dog walks. On our last Back to Basics episode, we discuss how dog walkers have pivoted, dog walking safety, and things you should remember when out with pups. Plus, Natasha O’Banion answers, “How do you do a year end review?”

126: Growing a Support Network

126: Growing a Support Network

Collin

2020 and Covid have taught us the importance of having a close community and network of other pet care business owners. But what if you don’t already have one near you? How do you start one? Alicia Obando, owner of Pitter Patter Parenting, discusses how she started a pet sitter network and why it’s been so important to have this year.

099- Marketing with Jane Harrell

099- Marketing with Jane Harrell

Collin

Jane Harrell, President of ‘cause Digital Marketing, joins the show to break down the marketing world in the pet care industry. Jane shares her passion to see people make money while changing the world, and the impact that both Covid-19 and the global discussion around racial justice have had on the pet care industry.

092- Beth Stultz-Hairston with PSI

092- Beth Stultz-Hairston with PSI

Collin

Beth Stultz, President of Pet Sitters International (PSI), joins us on the podcast to discuss their move to a virtual conference. Beth shares how to prepare for an online conference format and what kind of talks to expect. We also discuss how PSI has supported its members, and the industry at large, though education and training opportunities throughout the pandemic.

087- Industry Standards

087- Industry Standards

Collin

We discuss regulations and industry in the pet care industry. It’s a hot topic, and one with lots of potential for needed healthy conversations. Some people will say regulations hurt business, while others say it puts everyone on equal footing. It’s important, however, that as an industry, we are proactive in setting forth regulations which will help instead of hindering advancement and innovation. Natasha is back to answer another question, “What tools does she use to run her business?”

086- Social Media in Pet Care with Dan and Mauro

086- Social Media in Pet Care with Dan and Mauro

Collin

On today's episode Dan, owner of Dan's Dog Walking and Pet sitting, and Mauro, their Media Director, join us to talk all about social media in the pet care industry. Dan and Mauro discuss their social media strategy and simple tools and equipment we can use to produce high quality content. They also talk candidly about both the best practices and the ones to avoid when engaging on social media.

081- School for Dog Walkers with Jess Bay

081- School for Dog Walkers with Jess Bay

Collin

On today’s episode Jess Bay, owner of School for Dog Walkers, joins us to discuss what it is like to run and operate a pack walking dog business. After 20 years in the industry she has a lot of wisdom to share with us. We discuss what kind of policies and procedures you could have in place to save your sanity and how to safely operate a pack walk off leash.

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