Mar 19

Mar 19 579: From Legacy to Leadership with Lauren Dunkle

How do you build a thriving business while staying true to its legacy? Lauren Dunkle, owner of The Pet Lady, shares how she transformed her aunt’s long-standing pet care business into her own while honoring its foundation. She opens up about the struggles of hiring and staff turnover, the transition from independent contractors to employees, and the power of clearly defined roles and SOPs. Lauren also discusses the emotional challenges of business ownership, from self-doubt to burnout, and how she reignited her passion by embracing new learning opportunities. Her story is a powerful example of how growth, structure, and personal fulfillment can coexist in a pet care business.

Mar 12

Mar 12 577: Burnout, Automation, and Private Equity—A Pet Industry Roundtable

Collin

What does the future of pet sitting and dog walking look like in a rapidly evolving industry? Collin sits down with four industry leaders—Morgan Weber, Doug Keeling, Michelle Kline, and Daniel Reitman—to talk about the changing landscape of pet care. They explore the challenges of economic uncertainty, competition with tech-driven platforms, and the impact of private equity entering the industry. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing automation with personal relationships, professionalizing businesses, and maintaining strong core values. Ultimately, they all agree that the next 30 years of the industry will be shaped by how pet sitters and dog walkers step up today.

Mar 5

Mar 5 575: Avoiding Google Suspensions: What Every Pet Sitter Must Know with Amy Toman

Collin

How do you keep a Google Business Profile working for your business? Amy Toman, owner of Pet Sitter SEO, explains why “almost anyone can get a Google Listing, but few can keep one.” She dives into the essential steps for setting up a listing correctly from the start, why compliance with Google’s rules matters, and how regular updates like adding photos, responding to reviews, and optimizing services can keep your listing thriving. Amy also shares tips on avoiding suspensions, the importance of having proper business documentation, and how interacting with your listing helps Google see you as relevant and trustworthy. Her insights are a must-hear for any pet care business owner looking to stay visible and competitive in a digital world.

Feb 26

Feb 26 573: Building a Team That Empowers Your Business with Angela Watts

Collin

How do you go from burnout to building a thriving pet care business? In this episode, Angela Watts of Pawsitive Dawg Walking shares her journey of navigating personal and professional challenges while scaling her business. She discusses the importance of building a strong management team, creating effective SOPs, and empowering employees to take ownership. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Angela’s insights will inspire you to streamline operations, support your team, and grow with purpose.

Jan 1

Jan 1 557: Scaling with Heart with Amy Addington

Collin

Ever feel like the stress of competition overshadows the joy of your work? Amy Addington, President and Co-Founder of Woofie’s, shares her 20-year journey from a $10 dog walk to leading a thriving pet care franchise. Amy dives into the power of relationships in business, how to build trust with clients, and the importance of staying flexible in a changing industry. She also unpacks the challenges and rewards of franchising, the role of branding in maintaining consistency, and why networking—even with competitors—is essential. Full of insights and actionable tips, this episode will inspire you to lead with heart and build a pet care business that thrives on trust and connection.

Dec 25

Dec 25 555: Finding Peace in the Chaos with Pamela Ahart-Steward & Beth Greenberg Cotell

Collin

Ever feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around? Pamela Ahart-Steward and Beth Greenberg Cotell, founders of Monarchs in Motion, share their journey of discovering balance and intentional living as business owners. They discuss the challenges of burnout, the importance of setting boundaries, and how saying "no" can create space for what truly matters. Drawing from their 26 years of experience, they offer actionable advice on transforming your approach to business and embracing personal growth. Packed with inspiration and practical tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a business that supports both their life and their goals.

Dec 4

Dec 4 549: Building a Better Business One Step at a Time with Mo Thompson

Collin

How do you turn everyday dog walks into safe, enriching adventures? Mo Thompson, owner of Mo Mountain Mutts, explores her unique approach to dog walking, training, and pack dynamics. Mo shares how she uses structured training, reliable recall, and intentional programs to create off-leash adventures that build confidence and control. She also dives into the importance of clear client communication, adaptability, and continual improvement in running a successful pet care business.

Oct 16

Oct 16 535: The Power of Client Feedback with Vanessa Williams

Collin

How can client feedback shape your business? Vanessa Williams, owner of Vanessa's Pet Sitting Services, shares her journey from part-time pet sitting to building a full-time business fueled by client confidence. We dive into the importance of setting boundaries, not only to maintain professionalism but also to foster trust with clients. Vanessa also opens up about hiring her first employee, the challenges of releasing control, and the joy of seeing her business grow. With insights on leveraging social media for client engagement and staying true to her values, Vanessa offers a roadmap for anyone looking to thrive in pet care.

Oct 2

Oct 2 531: Building Community Through Shelter Partnerships with Austin Tuck

Collin

Ever wondered how your pet care business could make a bigger impact on the community? In this episode, Austin Tuck, owner of Tuckered Out Dog Walking, shares how she transformed her business by partnering with a local shelter through a unique sponsorship program. Austin explains how transitioning from pet sitting to daily dog walking helped reduce burnout while allowing her to focus on creating meaningful community partnerships. Her field trips for dogs offer enrichment beyond the standard walk, benefiting both pets and owners, while the shelter program boosts adoption rates and strengthens her team's connection to their work. Listen in to learn how Austin's approach to community involvement is making a difference for her business, her staff, and shelter dogs.

Jan 15

Jan 15 022- Taxes with Mike

Collin

Taxes can be a major headache, but they dont have to be! Listen in as the founder of JETRO and Associates discusses simple steps you can take to make tax time a LOT easier.

Jan 8

Jan 8 021- First booking! Now what?

Collin

You’ve started, marketed, and booked your first client. Now what do you do? On this weeks episode we share some experiences in preparing for your first client, and then discuss what qualities make an amazing pet sitter.

Dec 25

Dec 25 019- Setting Goals for 2020

Collin

Join us this week as we talk about our 2019 goals, and our goals going into 2020. We share some goals of other sitters and some general tips on how to go about setting and, more importantly, achieving them. We also share some updates about the podcast.

Nov 20

Nov 20 014- Grooming with Leia Georgiadis

Collin

This week we're learning from Leia Georgiadis about life as an in-home pet groomer. Leia covers a wide range of topics from getting to know clients to tools of the trade. Whether you're thinking of becoming a groomer, or adding it as a service, you don't want to miss this weeks interview!

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