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Do you feel like you're constantly re-explaining the same things to new hires and still crossing your fingers they don’t mess it up?

If you're nodding, you're not alone and it's not your fault. Most pet business owners were never taught how to train people, and now you're stuck in a cycle of “watch me and hope for the best.” But hope is not a hiring strategy and it’s definitely not a training plan.

In this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m breaking down exactly how to build a pet business staff training program that actually works, without you having to micromanage every detail or babysit your team.

You’ll learn how to create a 2-day training program that’s rooted in psychology, supports every type of learner, and makes your business run like the legit brand it’s meant to be. And spoiler alert: good training isn’t about hand-holding, it’s about creating clarity, confidence, and culture.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The truth about how people learn

Shadowing isn't a strategy

Build a 2-Day powerhouse training

The psychology of a good training program

How to use your training process as a marketing and hiring advantage

Timestamps

[00:45] – The harsh truth about shadowing and why “hope” isn’t a strategy

[02:20] – The 5 learning styles your team may be missing in training

[07:10] – Why shadowing alone causes confusion, ghosting, and stress

[09:40] – How to build a two-day training system that actually works

[14:20] – The emotional psychology behind confident, loyal staff

Notable Quotes

“Shadowing isn’t training. It’s saying, ‘figure it out’ without actually saying it.”

“You’re not just training a body. You’re training a brain and a belief.”

“Clarity is kindness for your staff, for your clients, and for you.”

Resources & Links

Pet Care Team Training – (Bella’s co-owned platform for quick, effective pet sitter certifications)

Book a Coaching Call – 20-minute no-pressure strategy session with Bella

Join the Mastermind – Where hiring and training support gets real

Bella’s 10-Step Hiring & Training Process – Everything you need to build your dream team

Transcript

Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today we're gonna talk about something that literally keeps so many of you up at night wondering, how am I gonna get through this? And it's all about how to train staff for a pet sitting business. And I'm just gonna say it, this episode might sting a little, but I say all of this with my mama-bear love for you.

If your pet business staff training is basically just “shadow me and we'll see how you do” or “just go off with one another sitter and see what they do,” then you're living on a hope and a prayer and you know what I always say, hope ain't a strategy.

Okay, so let's be real for a second. I know what you're thinking: “Bella, I don't have time to build all this out,” or maybe it's like, “If I invest the energy into all of this, they just leave.” And when I hire someone, just like hope that they're gonna stay with me. Okay, but here's the thing you don't have time not to do this. And let me just tell you this too: we're in 2025 at this recording, soon to be 2026. It has never been a better time to devise an entire training program for your company because you can do it in a day using AI the right way, all right?

Right now, you're probably spending more time fixing mistakes, re-explaining things, getting stressed over whether your staff is going to mess up a client's dog. And that's not sustainable. It's not scalable. And it's definitely not the business you've been dreaming of.

You're probably in this stage right now where you're like, “I got into this business because I love pets.” And now you've realized that you need to be a trainer of people. Wait—what? Yeah, that's the harsh truth. But today I'm gonna help support you,

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Are you about to get slammed with holiday bookings… and still don’t have enough pet sitters lined up?

If the answer is yes, you're not alone—and you're not behind yet, but you’re about to be. In this episode, I’m here to help you get ahead of the madness.

The holidays aren’t just busy—they're a pressure cooker. Your clients are planning $5,000+ vacations and expecting their pet sitter (you!) to run their home like clockwork. But here's the truth: you can't deliver peace of mind if you're short-staffed, hiring reactively, or skipping the systems.

So in this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m walking you through exactly how to hire pet sitters for the holidays the smart, legal, and sustainable way.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

Why hiring in Q4 is harder—and what to do about it starting today

The legal interview questions to ask (and what can get you sued)

How to make holiday work appealing so your team doesn’t quit mid-season

Why clear onboarding is non-negotiable—and how to set up a 6-step process

Genius ways to recruit returning college students, past staff, and local talent

How to spot red flag answers that scream “I’m going to bail on you”

Timestamps

04:00 – Why you must start hiring before the holidays hit—and the trends showing it’ll be busier than ever

07:30 – The 6-step hiring process that filters out the flakes and sets you up to scale

11:45 – What’s illegal to ask in interviews—and the exact phrases to say instead

19:30 – How to communicate holiday work expectations without sounding desperate or begging

28:00 – Creative (and proven) ways to find seasonal pet sitters, from college students to vet techs

Notable Quotes

“If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.”

“You are their insurance policy for their pets and home—and you can’t deliver that without a rock-solid team.”

“Hiring is a leadership play, not a desperate grab.”

Resources & Links:

Book a 20-Min Coaching Call with Bella

Join the Mastermind

Pet Sitter Hiring Jump Method

Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta and today we're going to talk all about hiring for the holidays. But before we get started, I wanted to say ? last week we talked all about mindset. I gave you three different episodes to go check out to help with your mindset because especially now coming into fourth quarter, we're going to need all the mindset and positivity possible because it's about to get really busy.

? In that light, I would be so honored if you would like and subscribe to this podcast. Believe it or not, a lot of people actually don't subscribe to it, but they're listening to it. Our numbers are going up and I absolutely love it. So feel free to share it with anyone you want. As you see, we have ? a lot, hundreds of episodes for you to listen to. So I wanted to thank you for that. I've also been having some really amazing discussions with you guys, even out as far as Dubai. I wanna say hi to Sam if you're listening.

Thank you so much for our conversation last week. I really enjoyed it and that's super. So if you guys wanna get on my calendar and just have some questions you wanna ask me, feel free to go to jumpconsulting.net forward slash 20. I am truly here to help you. I'm not here to even sell to you, which I know is probably weird to hear, ? but I love working with business owners that are ready.

And ? if there's other things that you need to do, I'm gonna give you resources or whatever, because at the end of the day, I wanna change your I-cans into I-cans and inspire you to greatness. All right, let's get into today's episode. Did you know that according to Yahoo Finance, 2025 is literally predicted to be one of the biggest years for holiday travel? We're not just talking about people taking quick weekend trips.

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How Dog Walking Business Coaching Can Save You Years and Thousands of Dollars in Your Business (Actual Examples Included)

Feeling stuck in your dog walking business? You’re not alone, and this episode is your permission slip to finally move forward. I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually happens inside my business coaching intensives, specifically tailored for pet industry pros like you.

In just six sessions, we tackle everything from hiring systems and scaling strategy to rewriting your website and crafting SOPs. These aren’t cookie-cutter sessions. They’re custom, one-on-one, done-with-you experiences that help you cut through the noise, finally take action, and build a dog walking business that grows with you.

If you’ve been spinning in circles trying to scale, hire, or rebrand, this episode will show you exactly what’s possible through powerful, high-impact coaching.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover…

How dog walking business coaching intensives deliver massive clarity fast

Why mindset—not just mechanics—is your biggest growth block

Real client examples: from building websites to fixing broken hiring systems

How to turn SOPs and phone scripts into scalable systems

What makes these coaching intensives different from DIY courses or masterminds

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why everyone’s asking about coaching intensives lately

03:35 – Website paralysis? Here's how we write your copy together

06:15 – Starting your biz from scratch? Don’t go it alone

10:00 – The mindset (not mechanics) that holds you back

13:00 – Fixing hiring systems that are… well, poop

16:10 – Building SOPs, phone scripts, and training with AI support

Notable Quotes:

"Dog walking business coaching isn’t just about tactics—it’s about transformation."

"You don’t need more how-to. You need mindset, clarity, and structure."

"Energy is contagious. If you’re stuck, get in the room with someone who can shift it."

Resources & Links:

Want to see if we’re a good fit for a Coaching Intensive? Book a complimentary 20-minute call with me: jumpconsulting.net/20

Website Examples:

peppyspets.com

pawsaroundmotown.com

animaladmiration.com

JazzHR (hiring software): jazzhr.com

Transcript:

Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we're going to be talking about something that happens a lot behind the scenes, and I've been asked this question a lot because my schedule's literally getting eaten up right now. I don't know if it's the fall is in the air, or what. But so many of you have been inquiring about these intensives.

Intensives is just another name for coaching, and I really want you to hear what actually happens in them. Not even as a way of… I'm not promoting them. I'm letting your brain expand onto how you can actually move forward in your business in just 6 sessions. Seriously. I'm gonna tell you the story of a couple of my clients and what we're actually working on, because the things that we're doing, I talk about them on my Instagram stories sometimes, but I don't actually go into detail, and today I want to go into detail, because I guarantee that you will see yourself in one of these scenarios, okay? But first, before we get started, I humbly ask you if you could like and subscribe to the podcast. And even leave a review. That would mean the world to us, as, you know, I've been doing this for you guys since 2014! Non-stop. Maybe the pace is adjusted, the pace is recently adjusted. Last week, we featured 3 episodes that had all to do with finances, so saving money on taxes, how to figure out your profit, and a couple other things. It was absolutely awesome. And so we're going to keep doing that. If there's a topic you want to hear about, feel free to email me, [email protected], and I'd be happy to feature that as one of our round-offs that we have, okay?

So, let’s get going.

What if the biggest thing holding you back from pet business freedom… is you?

If you think your pet sitting or dog walking biz would crumble without you for a day, that’s not freedom. That’s a trap.

If you’re still walking the dogs, answering every DM, handling every complaint—you’re not running a business. You’re running yourself into the ground.

In this episode, I’m calling out the hustle-all-day, never-take-a-break myth that’s keeping you stuck. Because freedom doesn’t come from working more—it comes from building smarter.

I’m handing you the mindset shifts and exact steps I give my coaching clients so they can finally stop surviving and start leading.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover…

How to audit your daily tasks and identify what can be automated or delegated

Why SOPs are your secret weapon—and how AI makes them easier than ever

The mindset shift from technician to CEO

How to hire based on vibe, not just skills

Ways to start delegating without giving up control

Timestamps:

00:00 – Busting the 24/7 Hustle Myth: “If I’m not there, it falls apart.”

02:00 – Golden Cage Syndrome: When you own the business, but it owns you

04:50 – Systematize for Sanity: Automations, SOPs, and delegation

07:30 – How to Train Like You Want to Be Replaced

10:05 – What Freedom Really Means in a Scalable Pet Business

Notable Quotes

“You didn’t build your business to survive—you built it so you could live.”

“Every time you answer the same question twice, that’s a system begging to be born.”

“Delegation is not giving up—it’s leveling up.”

Resources & Links

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Free Consultation: jumpconsulting.net/20

Email: [email protected]

Marketing With Bella: Email Bella for details!

Interested in cloning yourself for Reels & photos?Check out my new training: ? jumpconsulting.net/clone

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Previous podcast episode:

 

Transcript

Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I must apologize—I'm feeling a little under the weather, and you're probably going to be able to hear that in my voice today. But the show must go on, as they say.

This episode, as you've probably already seen from the title, is going to be about your mindset. I've been having a lot of conversations with clients about mindset and perception, and just kind of switching things around and busting the 24/7 myth—which means you have to be on all the time.

Let me remind you that one of the biggest reasons many of us got into entrepreneurship was so that we could control our time and money. You started this business for freedom, right? You wanted to make your own schedule. Maybe even sneak in an afternoon nap. I mean, you're the boss now. You should be able to do what you want, when you want. Right?

But if we're really honest—is that what you've got now?

This is going to either appeal to your younger entrepreneurial self, or it's going to hit you right where you are today. And if this is your younger self, I encourage you to spread some love, light, and joy by finding wherever this was posted and leaving a comment about how you got through it. Because this is a community. Together, we rise.

Sometimes it kind of feels like we're in a golden cage. You're the one doing the overnight sits or you're the one answering calls after 9 PM. You're the one rescheduling your life around last-minute client requests. Sound familiar?

There’s this toxic belief I hear from pet business owners all the time: “If I’m not there, it falls apart.” That’s not freedom—it’s survival. And you didn’t build your business to survive. You built it so you could live.

So today we’re busting the myth. We’re breaking the lie that your business only works if you work yourself to the bone. We’re going to talk about systems, delegation, and building something that actually gives you your life back.

Wondering why your pet business blog isn't driving leads or sales even though you're posting regularly?

You're not alone. Most pet sitters, dog walkers, and pet care pros are wasting time on blogs that look good but don’t work. This episode is for you if you're tired of creating content that disappears into the internet void. I’m going to break down the exact pet business blogging strategy that actually grows your local authority, drives traffic, and gets your ideal clients to take action.

Whether you've written 40 blogs or haven't started yet, this episode will give you the mindset and method you actually need.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover…

Why your blog needs to be more than a “random tips” article

How to use a pet business blogging strategy that builds authority

The power of interlinking and visual formatting for higher engagement

How to repurpose one blog into multiple content pieces

Why a good blog strategy will outperform Google ads every time

Timestamps:

1:04 – Why I’m switching podcast formats (and how that benefits you)4:55 – The truth: More blogs ? more traffic without strategy7:12 – How to turn blogs into hyperlocal, conversion-ready content8:44 – Smart interlinking: The most overlooked SEO power move11:00 – How to promote your blog so it actually gets seen

Notable Quotes

“More blogs do NOT equal more traffic—especially if you’re not being intentional.”

“You’re writing from the heart, but your audience needs a map to follow you.”

“If you’re paying for Google Ads but not blogging with strategy, you need to call me. You’re wasting money.”

Resources & Links

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Free Consultation: jumpconsulting.net/20

Email: [email protected]

Marketing With Bella: Email Bella for details!

Marcus Sheridan’s Big 5 Content Strategy – Google it or ask AI, seriously.

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Previous podcast episode:

Transcript

Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and welcome to Episode 451. Okay, so I took last week off, as some of you may or may not know. And one of the things that I've decided, if you saw the email that goes out on Friday, is that I'm gonna start going to every other week.

Now, that doesn't mean that there's not going to be a podcast or I'm not going to be still feeding you guys. What that means is in the off week, since we have 451 podcast episodes, what I'm going to start doing is serving you up like series. So let's say you're starting with employees. And I'm gonna say, "Hey, if you're starting with employees and you want to learn about employees, listen to these 3 episodes." Or "Hey, you want to learn some content marketing hacks? I have 3 episodes on it here." And so that's kind of how we're going to do this on the off weeks, and it'll also give you guys a little bit of a chance to catch up, because I know some of you are in the middle of a major...

Something else I want to talk to you about before we actually get into the topic today, which is about blogging with a strategy — which I do not see a lot of people doing — I want to share with you a clip and let me set this up for you. I alluded to it on the last episode. This is a coaching session with Becky from Paws Around Motown. And she wanted to take her entire phone script, and she wanted to build it out — and build it out with like, why are we saying this? What is the impact psychologically? You know, like, all of it. So it's not just a bullet point script that her office staff follow and they don't know why. So we really went into it, and it ended up being more than 30 pages. And what I said to her was, I wonder if we can get AI to do this with us to role play? Because guys, you want to role play, or you say you're gonna practice, but do we ever really practice? No. What are we gonna do? Hand the script to someone, and then kind of feel awkward and be like, "Hi, um ring! Ring!

There is a major opportunity for every single Pet Business owner right now like it’s never been before. Never before has the playing field being so leveled and technology been so advanced to make your business so unique. In this episode I go back to when I started the podcast in 2014 and take you on a tour of what’s changed since then and how technology today can help you catapult your business and set you apart from the competition.

In this milestone 450th episode, I take you on a decade-long journey through the evolution of pet care—from basic tech stacks and word-of-mouth marketing to billion-dollar growth, military-grade GPS for dogs, and AI assistants that can book clients while you sleep. I share real stories, like a dog walker who boosted her rates 60% simply by integrating health trackers into her services, proving that technology isn’t competition—it’s your competitive advantage.

I’m breaking down exactly what this gold rush means for you as a pet business owner, and how to either step up and lead, or risk being left in the dust. I’ll walk you through mindset shifts, leadership pivots, and why doing things “the old way” just isn’t going to cut it anymore.

If you feel the pressure of change but don’t know how to respond or if you’re fired up but don’t have a plan—this episode is your wake-up call and your playbook.

Timestamps:

1:39 – What the “Pet Care Gold Rush” actually is and why it’s happening now

4:28 – Why copying other pet businesses will no longer keep you competitive

9:55 – What leaders are doing differently in today’s market

14:03 – The silent killer: hesitation

20:11 – The shift from service provider to industry influencer

Notable Quotes

"This is the Pet Care Gold Rush. The question is—are you mining or watching?"

"If you're still doing what worked in 2019, you're already behind."

"The winners in this industry will be the ones who show up, speak up, and scale up."

Resources & Links

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together

Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Use BELLA25 for $25 off per month until August 17, 2025.

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

Here is last week's episode:

Transcript

Welcome back to not just another episode of Bella in your Business. It's the 450th episode. I'm sorry, what? If you asked me back in 2014 if I would be sitting here in 2025 on my 450th podcast episode, or if I looked at this and said, “Hey, I'm going to do a podcast episode for 10 years, with 450 episodes, mostly done by myself except for the 100 where I was always interviewing people”? I think you're absolutely lost your marbles.

Welcome to the 450th episode of Bella in your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and welcome. And it's a hell of a milestone — not because of the number, but because it literally marks a whole decade of evolution in pet care. From basic text reminders to AI that predicts your pet's health. I literally started this podcast when pet sitting was still considered... well, it wasn't really that professional. I mean, it was professional, but society didn't really take it seriously yet.

Now we're looking at smart collars that track heart rates and AI that handles customer service if you let it, or know how to. According to Grand View Research, the global industry is worth 2.94 billion with a B in 2025. But here's what really blows my mind: in 2014 we were mostly concerned with getting clients booked online instead of calling. In 2025, our clients now expect real-time GPS tracking. The game's completely changed.

I wanted to take this episode to go back in time. I've done a lot of research, a lot of fact-checking. We're going to hear exactly how the entire industry went from not being well respected — like, “oh, that's a cute job” — to being a billion-dollar rocket fuel, and why you, my loyal listener,

If you hate creating content… this episode is for you. I am not selling anything, rather blowing the lid off how EASY it can actually be to create a pet sitter content creation system that WORKS and doesn’t overwhelm you. In this episode, I am going to show you EXACTLY what I do… and how you can finally break the cycle of scrambling, ghosting, and giving up.

We’ll talk about the mindset blocks that hold most pet sitters back, why “posting consistently” is bad advice without a system, and how to create intentional, reusable content that builds trust and books clients on autopilot.

This isn’t theory—it’s the real, raw behind-the-scenes of how I plan, organize, and repurpose content across platforms without losing my mind. If you're ready to make content finally feel doable, repeatable, and actually strategic... this episode is your permission slip.

Timestamps

2:02 – Why most pet sitters are stuck in a feast-or-famine content cycle

5:40 – My no-fluff rule: If you wouldn't say it in real life, don't post it

9:03 – The 3 stages of my pet sitter content creation system

14:20 – How to batch months of posts in a few focused hours

18:55 – The secret to repurposing content without sounding repetitive

Notable Quotes

"You don’t need more time—you need a system that respects your energy."

"Pet sitter content creation doesn’t have to drain you. It can free you."

"Posting just to post is like barking into the void. Let’s stop that."

Resources & Links

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together

Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind.

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

Here is last week's episode:

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we’re diving into how you're actually known in your local area. We’re going to cover a lot—my goal is to light your brain on fire and give you real examples from your fellow pet business owners who are doing this successfully.

Thank you for all the likes, comments, and subscribes! I love hearing from those of you who book a call at jumpconsulting.net/20 and say you found me through the podcast. That makes my heart so happy, because honestly, I’m just sitting in my office talking to a ring light. Knowing you’re out there listening makes it all worth it.

In my community, we’ve spent the past month focused on getting your name out there everywhere. Some of what I say might sting a little, but stick with me. This could be the difference between your business thriving or just surviving. Imagine having a bunch of unpaid salespeople out there working for you just because you’re known in your community. Are you actually known in your area?

There’s a book called Known by my friend Mark Schaefer, a great read that ties into today’s topic. Being “known” isn’t about a logo or being online—it’s about walking into a room and people recognizing you and the energy you bring. If that’s not happening yet, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful, cost-effective tools in business.

I get that networking can be uncomfortable. Maybe you don’t like being the center of attention, and your ego is blocking you right now. But this isn’t about you—it’s about your business. Local marketing for pet businesses starts with you being known in your community. It’s non-negotiable. I’m going to give you the blueprint that actually works.

In my mastermind last month, we spent four weeks on tactical local marketing. One of our members, who you might’ve seen on my Instagram stories, had this moment: she walks into a coffee shop and hears someone say, “Oh my gosh! Are you the Wonder Pops person?” And that wasn’t even the first time that week. She was just wearing her business shirt—no flyers, no pitch—just existing. And her brand was recognized. That’s local marketing in action.

What if the biggest thing holding your pet business back... is that no one really knows you exist? If your name doesn’t ring a bell in your own community, you're not just missing clients—you're missing credibility, connection, and cash.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on Local Pet Business Marketing—what actually works, what most pet pros are getting wrong, and how you can stand out without feeling awkward or pushy. We’ll dive into how to turn your business anniversary into a publicity machine, create buzz through local partnerships, and build instant trust that Google ads can’t buy. Plus, I’m sharing real-world wins from petpreneurs in my Mastermind who are becoming local legends—and the exact strategies they used to do it.

If you’re tired of being your area’s best-kept secret… it’s time to fix that. Let’s go.

In This Episode, You'll Learn...

How to build local visibility that actually converts

Why your pet biz anniversary is a PR goldmine

The ONE mindset shift that will change how you network forever

Real examples of pet business owners dominating their communities

What to include in your “grab-and-go” event kit

Timestamps

1:25 – The difference between being visible and being known in your community

4:58 – Real-life story of a pet sitter becoming a “local celeb” (without even trying)

10:15 – How to use your business anniversary as a publicity magnet

16:45 – Why being present locally builds trust faster than any ad ever could

20:55 – What to include in your "event kit" so you’re always ready for exposure opportunities

Notable Quotes

"Local pet business marketing isn’t about logos—it’s about connection and consistency."

"Pet parents aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for presence."

"You don’t need the world to know you—you need your neighbors to know you."

Resources & Links

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together

Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind.

Free Download: Guerrilla Marketing Kit for Pet Businesses

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

Here is last week's episode:

?

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we’re diving into how you're actually known in your local area. We’re going to cover a lot—my goal is to light your brain on fire and give you real examples from your fellow pet business owners who are doing this successfully.

Thank you for all the likes, comments, and subscribes! I love hearing from those of you who book a call at jumpconsulting.net/20 and say you found me through the podcast. That makes my heart so happy, because honestly, I’m just sitting in my office talking to a ring light. Knowing you’re out there listening makes it all worth it.

In my community, we’ve spent the past month focused on getting your name out there everywhere. Some of what I say might sting a little, but stick with me. This could be the difference between your business thriving or just surviving. Imagine having a bunch of unpaid salespeople out there working for you just because you’re known in your community. Are you actually known in your area?

There’s a book called Known by my friend Mark Schaefer, a great read that ties into today’s topic. Being “known” isn’t about a logo or being online—it’s about walking into a room and people recognizing you and the energy you bring. If that’s not happening yet, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful, cost-effective tools in business.

I get that networking can be uncomfortable. Maybe you don’t like being the center of attention, and your ego is blocking you right now. But this isn’t about you—it’s about your business. Local marketing for pet businesses starts with you being known in your community. It’s non-negotiable. I’m going to give you the blueprint that actually works.

In my mastermind last month,

Are you scared AI will steal the soul of your pet business? If you’re a pet sitter or dog walker clinging to the belief that AI is cold, impersonal, or "not for you," this episode will rock your world—in the best way possible. I'm diving deep into how pet business owners can use AI not just to save time, but to get their life back, serve more clients better, and still sound exactly like YOU.

I’m walking you through mindset shifts, real-life applications, and why AI is actually the most powerful way to keep your personal touch while finally getting off the hamster wheel. It’s part pep talk, part strategy session, and totally packed with love, truth, and a little kick in the pants (you know how I do).

By the end, you'll either be running toward the future or realize you’re already getting left behind. Let’s fix that.

In This Episode, You'll Learn...

AI Doesn’t Erase Your Personal Touch—It Enhances It

You Can’t Use AI Well Without a Solid Foundation

Burnout Is Optional, Automation Is the Cure

AI Isn’t a Threat to Your Business. It’s a Tool for Leadership

You’re Either Using AI Or Competing Against Those Who Are

Timestamps

2:35 – Why pet industry resistance to AI is rooted in burnout, not values

4:58 – What AI actually requires from your business before it can help

9:15 – The 2025 way to handle tough client convos without losing your mind

15:54 – How AI is a leadership move (not laziness or cheating)

22:55 – The truth: AI won’t take your job—but someone using it might take your clients

Notable Quotes

"AI is not here to replace your heart—it’s here to amplify your humanity."

"Pet business owners can use AI to work smarter, not harder—and still be more you than ever."

"AI is not the enemy of authenticity. Burnout is."

Resources & Links

Try Magai: My favorite AI dashboard. Use code BELLA25 for $25 off/month

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Here is last week's episode:

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Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. First, thank you so much for all the subscribes and likes — when you hit that like and share button, it really helps. It's the best thing you can do for any creator. I've seen it in the stats and I genuinely appreciate it.

Something new: you can now watch the video version of this podcast on Spotify and YouTube. We’ve created an omnipresence where you can either listen or watch. This shift was by request, and let me tell you — it’s a labor of love. It’s 7:01 AM, my daughter’s in the other room playing, and we just wrapped up birthday weekend — hers and mine. I’m exhausted and recording this in hair and makeup, even though pajamas with no video would be easier. I hope you appreciate the video and if you do, please like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review. We're coming up on 450 episodes — wild. I started this when she was in the hospital over a decade ago. If you have suggestions for the 450th episode, send them in — this podcast is as much yours as it is mine.

Today I want to talk about AI and the concern around losing personal touch. I hear this a lot. But I want to go at a pace that aligns with where most pet sitters and dog walkers are. I’m ready to sprint, but I know we need to get on the same page before opening Pandora’s box. AI requires everything to be written down — emails, SOPs, handbooks, job descriptions — because it needs something to be trained on.

You also have to understand that AI is just a tool — practically free — but not always right. You need to know when and where to insert personal, human touch. And here's the blunt truth: from July 22, 2025 forward, if someone you hire doesn’t know how to use AI, they’re falling behind. That might sound harsh,

Ever feel like AI-generated content sounds stiff, robotic, or just... not like you? In this episode, I share exactly how to fix that. I'm walking you through the biggest mistake people make when using AI—and how to shift your approach so it sounds like you, not like a bot.

This episode will help you tap into the magic of your voice, infuse your personality into prompts, and get AI to mirror the tone, energy, and intention you actually want. Whether you're writing blogs, captions, emails, or responses, you're going to learn how to make AI content feel real, raw, and resonant.

In This Episode, You'll Learn...

The Wake-Up Call - You’re Already Living in AI Land

The Graveyard of “Old School” Thinking

The Psychology of Struggle Worship

What AI Really Gives You (The Value Proposition)

The REAL Authenticity Problem - You’re Using AI Wrong

The Action Plan - Training AI to Sound Like YOU

Timestamps

00:00 – Why AI sounds fake—and what no one tells you about fixing it04:17 – The secret to injecting YOUR voice into your AI outputs07:45 – Real examples: what bad AI sounds like vs. authentic AI10:58 – How to “season” your AI with brand language and intent14:39 – A final mindset shift that will change the way you use AI forever

Notable Quotes

“AI doesn’t sound fake—you sound fake when you don’t tell it who you are.”

“If you want authentic output, you need to give it authentic input. It’s that simple.”

“Tone, rhythm, and context are everything. AI is just the amplifier—you are still the instrument.”

Resources & Links

Ready to make AI sound like you? Start by shifting how you talk to it. Then come tell me what changed—DM me, tag me, or email me. I want to hear your voice in it.

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Catch up on last week's episode:

 

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Transcript

Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta.

And things are good. My daughter just got back from a 2 and a half week trip to Macedonia. That's where her dad's from for those of you who have been part of this podcast for the past 11 years! Oh, my God!

Also, if you are watching on Spotify right now, there, we have a video up. We also have video up on YouTube for this podcast. You're gonna see in my back corner I got a new plant and I need help naming her. So let me know if you have any fun names for that. I was sick and tired of seeing that plug, and it's a um... oh, gosh! I even forget what that's called. It's one of those ones that are supposed to be really good for the room and the air, aren't they?

Anyways, today we're gonna talk about something that I see a lot. And honestly, it was started by Pet Sitters International. I am so excited that they posted something about AI, and it sparked a lot of conversation, and it was all over the board. And if you have been listening to the podcast, you know that I have been asking and asking and asking for other people in the industry to step up and start talking about this, because it's time that we all elevate the industry with what is actually going on out there.

It's just like back in... was it 2006, 7, 8? I'm really bad at dates. When I was trying to teach everyone how to do—on why they should have a Facebook page for the business. And you know, AI is just like that.

But before we get into the episode, I promised my team that I would ask you to like and subscribe and comment anywhere you are listening or watching to this podcast. We spend about a hundred dollars every single episode to produce this for you with the video, the editing, and the emails, and all the things.

And if you find this valuable, if you could just do me that one little favor, that would be amazing. Or even share it with a friend. If there's someone that you know that needs to hear about this—because today's episode is going to be like a blend of ...