October 18, 2023

431: Counting the Costs with Jill Jaffe

51 minutes

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.

Main topics:

From freakout to freedom
Stopped overnights
Understanding the costs
Giving alternative options

Main takeaway: Don't let clients or your business dictate what you should sacrifice in your own life.

About our guest:

Since childhood, Jill Jaffe has had a deep passion for animals and a strong desire to provide them with professional care. Despite her career as an executive administrative assistant in the entertainment and financial banking industries, fate led her to follow her true calling.

Before her corporate journey, Jill eagerly immersed herself in animal care while in college. She began pet sitting for neighbors and referrals, gaining extensive experience with a variety of domesticated pets and even helping rehabilitate wildlife. Her volunteer work at the Los Angeles Wildlife Waystation in the Los Angeles Mountains included caring for orphaned baby raccoons, opossums, squirrels, crows, turkey vultures, sparrows, and finches. During her time at Moorpark College from 1992 to 1994, she studied diverse courses within the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program, focusing on exotic animal behavior and diversity, particularly big cats and primates at the school's zoo.

After facing two corporate layoffs, Jill decided it was time for a change. In the summer of 2013, she founded Fur Paws Sake Pet Sitting and Dog Walking. She quickly acquired CPR and Pet First Aid training, joined the Pet Sitters International Association, and secured business liability coverage and bonding. These measures assured her clients that their beloved pets would always be in capable hands. Starting from scratch, Jill built her client base through social media, a website for online visibility, and traditional networking efforts to spread the word about her exceptional pet care services. She cherishes the opportunity to earn the trust of every pet owner and takes great pride in delivering top-notch service in the pet sitting and dog walking industry.

With over 30 years of experience, Jill has been responsible for a wide range of animals, serving friends, extended family, neighbors, and referrals. Her responsibilities include daily feedings, administering medication, potty breaks, cleaning small pet enclosures, watering plants, conducting routine home security checks, and providing companionship to pets. Pet owners consistently appreciate her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication, knowing that their non-human companions are in good hands and their homes are well-maintained upon their return.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/FurPawsSake

https://www.furpawssake.com

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Full show notes and transcript