How can you navigate the twists and turns of life through fostering community? Shannon Hendon, founder of Ocala Pet Sitting, takes us through her 18-year saga of transforming challenges into opportunities. From altering her career path away from vet school to implementing cool new services like kitty cam rentals, Shannon's story is a masterclass in adaptability and passion. She also discusses the power of community, the evolution of her business model as she adapted to personal challenges, and her dedication to setting new standards in the pet care industry.
All tagged work
474: Pitfalls to Productivity
Why is it so challenging to implement productivity tips into our lives? Amazon has over 10,000 books on the subject of ‘productivity’, so there certainly isn’t a universal solution for everyone. One of the major stumbling blocks to actually being more productive is a lack of understanding of how we work, and the nature of the work we need to get done. We break down common misconceptions to being more productive, along with several things to take into consideration when assessing a new productivity method, tool, or technique.
467: Saying Yes for Success, and No for Sanity with Liz Raitman
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
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.
464: Minimizing Distractions
What grabs your attention? At times, our focus is hijacked by external forces, such as notifications or phone calls, or internal, as we attempt to fill time or divert our thoughts from the task at hand. We discuss the impact of these distractions and share insights into how these constant pings disrupt focus and productivity. We offer strategies to manage and minimize such distractions and highlight the need for strategic time management to improve efficiency and reduce overwhelm.
462: Give Yourself Permission
Have you ever been frustrated by one more thing being added to your plate? There come times when our personal life impacts our ability to run our business and show up at our best. Whether it’s a personal loss, a new venture opportunity, or even moving to a new home, the pressure to continue to perform increases beyond our capacity sometimes. It’s in these moments where we have to carve out space we need to take that pressure off so we can focus on the right priorities.
460: Market Research on a Budget
What does it mean to do market research? As a pet business owner, it’s imperative that you have an understanding of what is driving your local economy and purchasing decisions of your ideal clients. Once we understand the ecosystem that our business exists in, we can make well informed and powerful decisions. We break down a simple (and free) process you can use to gain insights into your local community and better understand how to serve your clients.
459: Try, Fail, and Adjust with Marie and Justin Plummer
Marie and Justin Plummer, the entrepreneurial duo behind Winston Salem Dog Care, share their journey from a small start-up to a thriving business with 17 employees. Their discussion delves into the nuances of hiring staff with a focus on professionalism in the pet care industry, while also maintaining a deeply personal touch. They highlight the importance of iteration in refining their hiring and onboarding processes and the role of technology in facilitating growth. The Plummers' story is a testament to the power of creativity, flexibility, and continuous learning in building a business that not only succeeds but also brings joy and satisfaction to its owners and clients alike.
457: The Art of Compassionate Leadership with Ruby Ballesteros
What does leadership mean to you? 💪 Ruby Ballesteros, owner of RubyReds Pet Care, discusses her transition from a corporate background to pet sitting. Ruby emphasizes professionalism and leadership, and stresses the importance of viewing and presenting yourself as a business owner first, rather than just being a pet lover. She highlights her military background as influential in shaping her values and practices. Ruby also speaks about the art of building strong, trust-based relationships with clients, going beyond mere services, to ensure their complete peace of mind.
454: Fighting Jealousy to Find Joy in Your Business
How do you overcome jealousy? As we step into the new year, it's an opportunity to embrace both new regulations and manage our emotions effectively. We begin by discussing the FinCEN and the U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Registry, outlining what registration entails and its requirements. We then address a common yet powerful emotion: jealousy. We explore its triggers and potential impacts on your business. We then share four practical ways to start fighting jealousy so you can have more joy in your life.
453: No Matter What it Takes with Athena Karvellas
Where does your value come from? Athena Karvellas, owner of Pet Sitting by Athena, shares her journey from veterinary technician to pet sitter and business owner. She reflects on the emotional transition from dealing with pet trauma in a clinical setting to forming close, nurturing relationships in pet sitting. Athena's story is one of finding her true calling and the fulfillment that comes from directly impacting the lives of pets and their families. Athena walks through how she connects clients to her passion through her onboarding process and the partnerships she builds.
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.
451: Offering Pet Detective Services with Annalisa Berns
Ever wondered what it takes to be a pet detective and how you could add it as a service to your business? Annalisa Burns, The Pet Detective, sheds light on the unique skills and training required for pet search and rescue. She discusses the challenges and emotional aspects of tracking lost pets, emphasizing the critical role of understanding animal behavior. She shares about the growing demand for pet detective services across the U.S., and ways to add it as a service, or a grow a business around it.
449: Letting the Client Be Heard with Natalie Spedden
What are the unique challenges your business faces? Our business is shaped by our own values and how we want things done. It’s also molded by the community we service. Everything from how we hire, the services we can offer, and the kind of marketing we do is influenced by where we are. Natalie Spedden, owner of Aggieland Pet Sitting, walks through how she runs and hires in a town heavily influenced by a large university. Natalie shares how to take off our rose colored glasses to make hard decisions. She also talks about how she is building a professional team focused on the client’s needs.
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.
439: Gaining Confidence by Doing Hard Work with Abby Strong
Can you transform a simple passion into a thriving business? Abby Strong, founder of Auntie Abby's Pet Sitting Service, shares her journey from a part-time pet sitter and full-time nanny to a thriving business owner. Abby shares the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from working solo to leading 21 pet sitters and dog walkers, emphasizing the importance of tackling hard tasks and taking pride in one's work. She discusses balancing the multifaceted role of a caretaker, the customization of pet care services, and the significance of building strong client relationships. It’s not just about growth, it’s about personal development and finding fulfillment and taking pride in our hard work.
434: Affordable vs Cheap Services in a Slowing Economy
How do spending habits change in a slowing economy? How should we respond? We break down possible options for making your business and services more valuable to your clients. It’s not about being cheap, it’s about finding an affordable way of serving our clients. There are pros and cons to consider when offering a more affordable option in your service line-up. Everything from a possible wider market appeal, to administrative overhead, you must have a clearer picture of whether introducing a more affordable service aligns with your business goals, the needs of your target market, and your operational capacities.
431: Counting the Costs with Jill Jaffe
How much does it cost you to walk a dog or stay overnight in a client's home? While we typically consider expenses such as gas, insurance, and experience, what else should we include? Jill Jaffe, owner of "Fur Paws' Sake," joins the show to discuss why she's so passionate about offering "almost overnights" instead of actual overnights to her clients. Jill draws on the lessons she learned from her spirited little pup, Lily, emphasizing that running a business involves more than just financial costs.
427: Finding Flexibility and Freedom with Shade Long
How much is your time worth to you? As busy business owners, we often get caught up in the grind and hustle of our day-to-day operations. Ultimately, we have to step back and ask what truly matters in our lives. Shade Long, owner of Complete Pet Care, joins the show to share the learning curve she's experienced over the last two years. From managing massive business growth amidst overwhelm, to refining her onboarding process, she's finding ways to strike a better balance. Shade explains why it's not all about bursting at the seams and emphasizes that you can run the business you want while also having a life outside of it.