November 17, 2025

648: How to Build a Business That Runs When You Can't (Part 1)

23 minutes

What would actually happen to your pet sitting or dog walking business if you couldn't show up tomorrow? In this episode, we share how a scary experience during COVID forced us to confront just how much our business depended on us personally. We walk through the first four ways to build a more resilient business: having a backup as a solo sitter, creating a team-based system with employee backups, handing off admin tasks, and getting your "in-your-head" knowledge documented. We talk about the mental load of being the only one who knows how to run payroll, schedule, and respond to emergencies—and what it looks like to slowly share that responsibility. We want you to start building a business that can keep caring for clients and supporting your family, even when life forces you to step back.

Main topics:

Facing "What If I Can't?"
Solo Sitters and True Backups
Team-Based, Cross-Trained Staff
Handing Off Admin Tasks
Systematizing In-Your-Head Knowledge

Main takeaway: "Being without a backup is just one emergency away from losing everything and having a real catastrophe on their hands"

It sounds dramatic, but it's the reality so many pet sitters and dog walkers quietly live with. One illness, one family emergency, or one injury could leave clients stranded and your business hanging by a thread. In this episode, we talk about how to build real backups, not just in theory, but in practical, everyday ways—from connecting with another sitter to cross-training a team to documenting what only lives in your head. You don't have to build a massive company, but you do deserve a business that won't collapse the second you need to step away.

Links:

Loom (Suggested for Screen-Recording SOPs): https://www.loom.com/

ChatGPT / AI Tools (Implied for Turning Transcripts into SOPs): https://www.openai.com/chatgpt/

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.