Bella In Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast

4 Massive Secrets To Attracting Dog Walking Clients in 2021
Bella discusses 4 Massive Secrets to Attracting Dog Walking Clients in 2021 and moving forward after a pandemic influenced 2020. Pet business owners can maximize this time in their businesses by leaping into the unique business opportunities Covid-19 restrictions have placed upon all of us.
Bella cautions us to push back on feelings of self doubt, skepticism or excuses why our businesses can’t flourish during this time. The reality is, there are businesses doing well in spite of the pandemic and Bella speaks about the strategies these businesses have in common.
The strategies talked about in today’s episode not only work, but they work very well. Each strategy has already been tried, tested and proven by pet businesses and other forms of businesses. Don’t wait! You’ll want to start implementing these today.
“How Do I Get More Clients?”
When asked what is your biggest challenge right now….business owners say “How Do I Get More Clients?”  People are certainly hurting financially during this time. But remember: There are plenty of people who are still spending money. They are just not using it on vacation or luxury type items. But, they are definitely spending. A ridiculous amount of spending is happening online. In fact, one statistic showed people spent more money online in the first quarter of 2020 than they did in the previous 10 years.
Generate more revenue with online and virtual business.
There is a BIG opportunity for you to grow your client base and it’s happening right now. YES, pet based business owners and dog walking services have a virtual or online component! Contactless is an option for pet sitting businesses! Don’t overlook this. The online space is your chance to show your clients how much you care and earn their trust. Bella shares more about this in the four secrets she shares with us.
You Have to TELL Your Clients About Your Covid Protocol.
Yes. We know there are banners at the top of everyone’s websites. We’ve all gotten the generic boring emails from companies explaining their Covid safety precautions. They have become white noise. We don’t “see” these things anymore, much less actually read them! Your clients and prospective clients often assume that certain businesses aren’t available to them because of Covid. Bella gives some excellent tips and ideas for incorporating your care for your clients into your marketing which increases your arsenal of client attracting tools.
Dealing with Feelings of Anxiety, Overwhelm, Depression During this Pandemic.
Worry, stress, anxiety, feeling stuck in a rut and just being sick and tired of being sick and tired are 100% normal. Isolation can cause business owners to spiral downward if they feel out of options. Bella reminds us of some ways we can reach out, get connected and take advantage of a large variety of resources, many of them free. There are some AMAZING opportunities for your business right now and all you have to do is implement them.
It’s your chance to SHINE. Show them you care! 
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

How can you show you care and still continue to prosper during this time? [3:50]
Some ideas to show your clients you care and stand out above the Covid-19 white noise disclaimers [5:35]
Contactless dog walking, Why you should offer it. [7:08]
Virtual Meet & Greets. [9:00]
The benefits of Virtual Meet & Greets [10:25]
Financial benefits of going exclusively virtual [12:00]
Handbook & Manual updates – why they are important to your business growth right now [13:24]
Ideas you can implement in your marketing using your handbook and manual [15:00]
How can PPE help you get clients? [14:35]
Importance of changing your marketing and sales to adapt to this time [18:35]
What to do when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired [1...

The Importance of Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity in Your Business.
 
Hannah Boike is a hiring and recruiting professional with WalkerScout. WalkerScout is a unique RPO (recruitment process outsourcing) provider. Its mission is to help dog walking, dog daycare, and dog training businesses scout, hire, and support their teams. She is very passionate about implementing kindness, inclusivity, and diversity in the hiring process. She believes social justice, having empathy, and connecting with other people’s experiences is a vital component of any successful business and especially key in the animal care industry where kindness and compassion are core values.
Joe Latona also appears on this episode. Joe is a motivated and dedicated HR professional, dog walking since 2008 and hiring staff since 2009. He has built award winning dog walking teams in Chicago and has hired pet care professionals across the United States. He is the founder of WalkerScout.

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss:
How Can Pet Businesses Create an Inclusive Environment?
Hannah shares tips and Strategies for practicing inclusivity, diversity and equality in our business and hiring process. She also covers the importance not only to clients but also to your staff members when it comes to showing your business is an ally to members of underrepresented demographics.
 
How Practicing Diversity and Inclusion Benefits Your Brand:
Not only do businesses have a moral and ethical obligation to be more inclusive but it is also financially beneficial. “When you put good out into the world, good will come back to you.”  
 
What is a DEI Statement? Why you need one and how to write it. 
Hannah shares the key elements of a solid DEI statement and resources for writing your own. You’ll also learn some of the places you should display your DEI statement and how to tailor your brand to appeal to everyone.
 
Joe Latona on Hiring Processes 
Intentional hiring processes are the key to a successful and happy staff. Don’t allow simple demographic information to influence your hiring decisions. Every candidate rejection needs a reason for declining. Standard and follow-up questions should be the same for all candidates. The greater the diversity in your staff the more well-rounded your business will be. Hiring services from Joe and Hannah are priced on a sliding scale. Connect with them on their website to learn more.
 
Show Highlights:
 

Learning about Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity [3:16]
Financial returns for businesses practicing inclusivity [3:30]
Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? [4:28]
What can pet sitting businesses do and what are some ways we can be more inclusive? [7:20]
Making a DEI Statement and Resources for Help  [9:20]
Joe Latona’s tips on ways to be more diverse and inclusive today and in your hiring process [10:50]
Tailoring your website and ads, staff bios to include the LGBQT and other underrepresented individuals [11:40]


Tweetables:


Pride isn’t Helpful. Empathy is BetterClick To Tweet




When it comes to inclusivity, doing nothing is easy but it’s not an option.

Many of you have gotten a PPP Loan with hopes that it would be forgiven. Currently, the 28 weeks have passed and you might have started to see some people starting to say my loan was FORGIVEN. What is this all about and how can you do the same?
This week, I moved my regularly scheduled content around to get you this time-sensitive topic. I reached out to Linda and Trevor who have over 60 years of experience combined in the financial services industries. Linda Rey has owned, bought, and sold a business, and Trevor has managed multiple businesses. They have seen what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to business financing especially now with COVID. They have helped many people through the loan process. 
The questions they answer:

* Where does one submit their completed PPP forgiveness application?
* What happens if someone received the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (aka EIDL), how does this affect their PPP Loan?
* If someone was approved for a PPP loan and used 100% for payroll, why is there chatter of the SBA saying that they aren’t going to forgive $10k of the PPP loan because of the advance?
* Should I submit my PPP Forgiveness now or should I wait?
* I heard that PPP loans are going to automatically become 100% forgiven. Is this true?

Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want To Miss: 

The PPP loan forgiveness program allows for forgiveness, certain percentages of the amount of the loan, depending on how you used the loan under (eligible expenses) and the idea is that you do not have to repay the loan.  
If you had a grant for the EIDL loan and you received that grant, then when you go for forgiveness the amount of that grant will be subtracted, which converts the grant to an advance. 
There is chatter out there on the internet about people saying wait until you file is because the chatter and talk in legislation is that in a new round of stimulus potentially, Congress may repair this aspect of the PPP program with the grant not being forgiven. 

 
Bella In Your Business Show Highlights:

2:30 – What was the PPP for?
4:30 – How to get the PPP loan forgiven?
8:11 – What happens if someone received the EIDL and how does that affect the PPP loan from being forgiven?
12:17 – Why is their chatter that the SBA is saying they are not going to forgive the $10,000 of the PPP because of the advance? 
15:30 – Should you wait to file for your PPP to be forgiven?
17:20 – Who is Linda Rey and Trevor?
21:23 – How much does Aurora Consulting cost? 
23:50 – How to reach out to Linda Rey and Trevor? 

 
 
 Links:
https://auroraconsulting.biz
http://youtube.com/lindareyandtrevor
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
 
Are You New Here?
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
 
Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.
Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.
 

Creating Video Training And It’s Process

It’s not easy, we know it. Creating video training for your business is a lot of processes you need to think about, from the ideas, scripts, production team, supplies, post-editing, and more but the process makes it the perfect way to make training more exciting and engaging for your employees.

You need to execute that idea of yours and showcase your education to teach them what it means on going above and beyond.

Do it cause without a doubt I now “YOU” can!



Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want To Miss:
How an idea can blossom and turn into a video training series. That’s why I want to share with you Team Care Pet Training and check our videos to show our support in every possible way from the creation, execution, and final output. We have gone through the process of creating video training for your pet business so you don't hav to.



Creating Video Training Show Highlights

How it all started [1:03]
How we got specific about streamlining [5:26]
Importance of scripts [7:50]
How behind the scene works [12:16]
Making online training videos more exciting [16:42]
Having a visual brand guide [22:19]
Enjoying the whole process [23:23]

 
Links:

* Pet Care Team Training: https://petcareteamtraining.com/
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetCareTeamTraining

Are You New Here?
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.

* Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.
* Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Did you hear the news? Rover pet care actually partnered with Walmart. I’m going to tell you why there are four reasons why you as a professional dog walker and pet sitter should actually be happy in this as a pet sitting and dog walking business owner.
 
Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want To Miss:

* This will be great exposure for the pet sitting and dog walking industry.
* First time clients will try a professional dog walker. so make sure your website and sign up process are on point.
* We are a luxury service that isn't for everyone.
* They aren't unique, you are. Get education, community support, and endorsement.
* How to move past the fear of this.

 
 
Links:
News Article About The Partnership
Better Marketing with Bella 
Jump Consulting Mastermind
Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
 
Are You New Here?
Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below.
 
Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.
Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

When entrepreneurs, experts, and small business owners want to get their story straight, they call Dr. Adrian McIntyre. He's a cultural anthropologist and storytelling consultant who's worked in over 30 countries. Adrian has been telling stories on stages and in the media since he was 5 years old, and he's advised and trained hundreds of clients on high-performance communication, business storytelling, personal branding, publicity, and media skills. Dr. Adrian McIntyre However, It is tough for pet sitters and dog walkers to know which story to tell and when in their businesses. But mastering this skill could help you market your business and increase your bottom line.

On this episode, Bella speaks with Gelie Akhenblit, CEO/Founder of NetworkingPhoenix. They discuss the importance of networking, "do"s and "do not"s when going to a marketing event, and best practices for following up. “Networking is finding friends with professional benefits”

On this episode, Bella spends time with Lisa Cummings, Founder of Lead Through Strengths.  Lisa talks about how it is her life's mission to help people get over their obsession of fixing weaknesses instead of focusing on their strengths, the things that make them happy, give them energy and make them successful. Lisa Cummings “Notice what works to get more of what works!” - Lisa Cummings Pay attention to what is working. Make sure in your customer surveys you aren’t just asking what needs improvement. Ask customers what they loved most about the various parts of the service. You may find that some simple little thing you do, like giving out a little “report card” at the end of a stay, may be the thing that keeps them coming back and gets them referring you. After all, it is easier to replicate what is working for you than to try to figure out the 50 or 60 potential solutions to something one client says they don’t like. To zero in on your strengths Lisa recommends the book Strengthsfinder 2.0 which gives you a code to take an online strengths survey. It gets away from skills and knowledge and helps you find your natural talents, the way you think, feel and act that feel good to you. It gives a filter for helping figure out the best way for you to approach issues. The book explains the definition of the 34 potential talent themes revealed by the survey. Another way to zero in on strengths is to look for what brings you ease, energy and enjoyment. If a particular activity causes you to lose track of time, stop and exam just what about it really kept you engaged. On her website, Lisa  has a list of things you may want “more of” in your daily life. It can give you clues as to what activities you are more attracted to. Two books that Lisa recommends are First Break All the Rules by Gallup Press and Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. She says that if you read them from the standpoint of managing people and then combine that with a strengthsfinder of those people you manage it is most helpful in managing people. When you have a business challenge imagine putting it through a funnel.  You drop it in at the top and you filter it through all the top talents and strengths in your business.  Try thinking how to solve it using each of those strengths.  Lisa says is causes your brain to think in ways it normally doesn’t and can lead to some creative solutions. One first step you can take is to decide what you want your company to remembered for and what you want to be remembered for. Come up with a list of words and phrases around that which will serve as an outline of what is most important to you.  Another is to list out the values that are important to you. Lisa has a list of values on her website you can use as a reference. Lisa also recommends finding out similar information from your customers.  Casually ask customers what word or words come to mind when they think of you or your business. Finally, she suggests you make a list of at least 100 responses to "I am good at _________!". It helps you not only affirm how much you are good at but you can group them into trends and see if you are truly applying them in your business.

On this episode Bella spends time with Lain Ehmann, Marketing Strategist at #FastLain. Lain Ehmann Listen in as they talk about the mistakes small businesses make on their websites, including telling a story that your audience wants to hear vs. telling the story you want the audience to hear. Be mindful of your audience. You will also learn how to make that message different between the mediums. In particular, be conscious of the frame of mind people are in when they are reaching out to you vs. when you are reaching out to them. Give them something they wouldn't expect. Don't sell them. Messaging, which is "communications branding", is critical to success. It is the message you are going to consistently send out to your audience that also helps you distinguish yourself from others in your niche. As a bonus, doing so may even allow you to charge more. "Messaging is a tool to do that by defining who you are, what the value is that you provide, and the audience you provide that to." - Lain Ehmann The next logical step in the process is helping customers see that you can solve the problems they have.  You can drive customer motivation by tapping into their "pain points". Bella recommends that you include the benefits of your online scheduling as part of your messaging.  Lain says that playing up your "secret sauce", that unique niche that  you have identified, will help you reach those who need that service and even build your standing among those who don't because they see how much you care. They  also recommend doubling up on your marketing. For instance, doing a Facebook live with tips about dog walking and then putting a link to that under your services page. Another common mistake Lain points out is that often business owners speak from their point of view and assume that the audience knows everything that they know. In fact, educating the audience should be an important part of your efforts. Make sure they understand the terminology and services you are offering. Lead them through your site to the call to action.

On this episode of Bella in Your Business, Bella spends time with Paul Adams, President and Founder of Sound Financial Group. Paul Adams, President and Found of Sound Financial Group They discuss:  The roles finances play in our business Why it is so hard for the self-employed to pay themselves What happens when we don't focus on being financially fit Steps you should take to get yourself financially fit  How Luke 16:10 pertains to building business & wealth.