Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

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Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast episodes

  • 4 Mistakes Pet Business Owners Make When Hiring An Office Manager / Ep. 293
    Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by the day-to-day operations of your business? Are you ready to take the first step toward creating an organizational hierarchy and scaling your company? Look no further! In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of office management and uncovering the top four mistakes entrepreneurs make when hiring an office manager. From learning how to delegate effectively to creating an organizational chart, you'll discover how to unlock the true potential of your business and achieve your goals. Whether you're currently in the process of hiring an office manager or have tried in the past and failed, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to free up their time and focus on the big picture.
    Do you have an organizational chart in your pet sitting company? Running a pet sitting or dog walking company means that every day is filled with duties big and small, and an office manager is a huge asset when it comes to helping run your business. They can help you take care of all your day-to-day tasks that bog you down and keep you, well in your business rather than working on it.
    As a pet business owner, you probably think hiring this office manager will be the answer to all your needs, but unfortunately, the process of hiring one is not easy. Many business owners are making these staple mistakes that are costing them time, money and sanity. I want to make sure you know these mistakes so you can correct them and find the people who will help you fulfill your dream business.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    3:11 What does the process for your office manager look like?
    4:00 What is to happen if they make mistakes, or if you make mistakes teaching them?
    9:35 How do you decide what is set in stone or if the process is a fluid one that is ever-changing?
    12:22 Do you have enough help? How many managers do you think you need?
    Hiring an office manager should be a person who is willing to help grow your business alongside you. Making certain mistakes can leave you feeling hostage to situations you've been stuck in.
    Recommendations:
    Meeting new people and discussing their business is something I love. I want to get to know who you are and how I can help you. I offer a FREE 20 minute call to see if these intensive sessions would be right for your business. Are you wanting to Jump in , but not sure where? These calls may just be the thing to help guide you. Book here
    The Mastermind group is a place where established business owners can get HR support, workflow suggestions, accountability partners, and a community bounce ideas off of. I have a special deal for being a podcast listener, with a special code within this episode.
    Links:
    Instagram
    Loom
    Upwork
    Mastermind
    Gingr Pet- Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 293 of Bella in Your Business.
    Let’s face it—managing your pet care business can be a doggone hassle. Fortunately, Ginger Pet Care Software makes running your business a breeze. Enjoy time-saving features like a pet parent mobile app, automated reminders, integrated payment processing, pet report cards, and more. Ginger gives you the time to do the things you need and the things that make you happy.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim your one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we’re going to talk to all of you who have dreamed about having an office manager—or have tried to have one and said, “Nope, that sucked, I’m doing it myself.” Or those of you who are literally at the point right now thinking, “My gosh, Bella, this could not have come at a better time. I need relief.”
    Good. I’m glad, because this is the first step to creating an organizational hierarchy, building your organizational chart, and scaling your business. This is how we start putting you out of a job and achieving your dreams and goals right now. This is how we get you back time—whether it’s sitting on the couch scrolling TikTok, going on four-day weekends with your family this summer, or whatever it might be.
    You are not meant to do all of this on your own. So we have to get past this point and get an office manager.
    Now, we’ve had conversations about office managers before, but we haven’t talked about the mistakes people make. I really want to get clear on this because after talking to so many of you during intensives—those six 45-minute Zoom sessions—I’ve noticed a pattern. The same reoccurring problems show up, no matter who you are or where you are.
    My amazing podcast listeners—my Jumpers—I want to make sure you don’t make these top mistakes.
    An office manager can be a huge asset to moving your company forward, helping you finally achieve your goals. They can take care of day-to-day tasks that bog you down so you can focus on what’s important. But it’s not always a smooth process. Sometimes we think we’re hiring a unicorn—that they’ll just come in and magically create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and workflows.
    Let’s pause here for clarity:
    An SOP lists out step by step what to do—“Step 1, Step 2, Step 3.”
    A Workflow shows how one step connects to the next—more like, “First you gather payroll, then you process it, then you submit it.”
    So, a workflow is the process. An SOP is the detailed “how.”
    Making the following mistakes will cost you time, money, and peace of mind. They’ll make you feel like, “No one can do it like I can, so forget it.” Please—don’t go there.
    Mistake #1: Not Having Everything Written Down with Pictures or Videos
    People learn differently—some by reading, others by seeing, others by hearing.
    When you document your procedures, include screenshots, photos, and especially videos. Use Loom (loom.com). It records your screen and even lets you show your face in the corner while explaining what you’re doing.
    Every time you do a task—run payroll, update the schedule, cancel a visit—record it. Don’t wait for a special “documentation day.” Just do it as you go.
    Then, hire a technical writer on Upwork or Fiverr to watch those Looms and turn them into written SOPs. I have someone I recommend to my clients—she does this for many of my Jumpers.
    Make sure your SOPs pass the Mom Test—if you handed them to your mom, could she follow them and know exactly what to do?
    Mistake #2: Thinking Everything Will Be Perfect
    When you hire an office manager, they’re going to make mistakes. They’re going to mess up—multiple times.
    But each mistake isn’t an “off with your head” moment. Instead, ask yourself:
    What could I have done to make my instructions clearer?
    Did I explain it the right way?
    Is this a “me problem” or a “them problem”?
    Too often, business owners react by firing or micromanaging instead of leading. Adopt the mindset of “correct and continue.”
    As my friend Christina Wagner says—correct and continue.
    That doesn’t mean tolerate repeat mistakes forever. If you’ve corrected the same issue multiple times, you may have a hiring or training problem.
    Also, take personality tests like Enneagram—for both you and your office manager. This helps you understand why people behave the way they do and how to communicate better.
    There’s going to be a “norming and storming” phase in this new relationship. Expect it. It’s normal.
    Mistake #3: Thinking SOPs Don’t Change
    Your SOPs and workflows are living documents. They’ll change—and they should.
    In my own company, they’re constantly updated. I’ll say, “Hey team, from now on we’re doing this,” and they’ll reply, “Okay, Bella, we’ll update the SOP.”
    That’s part of our culture—it’s fluid. Your business evolves, and your processes must evolve with it.
    When your office manager’s role grows, their duties will shift. Maybe at first they’re handling scheduling and admin. Later, they’re managing HR or client communication. That’s progress. That’s growth.
    You don’t want a button-pusher who just follows instructions. You want someone who can think with you, anticipate what’s next, and bring solutions, not just problems.
    Mistake #4: Walking Away from Your Business
    This one’s huge. Once you hire a manager, don’t disappear.
    Too many owners hand over everything, and before long, the manager is running the company. The owner has no idea what’s happening day-to-day. The staff is loyal to the manager, and nothing is documented. That’s how people end up being held hostage by their own employees.
    Don’t let that happen.
    Here’s my recommendation: hire two managers—split the duties. Keep checks and balances.
    When you give one person too much power, it can lead to resentment, miscommunication, or worse—dependency.
    Your job is to lead, not disappear.
    These are the biggest mistakes I see, and I hope this episode helps you avoid them.
    In July, inside the Mastermind, we’re focusing on systems and processes—exactly what we’ve talked about here.
    If you’re ready to grow, delegate, and get support from others who are doing the same, now’s the perfect time to join.
    Membership is $147/month, but for you, my loyal podcast listeners, use code BELLA25 to get $25 off each month, bringing it down to $122/month.
    There are no contracts—just community, accountability, and massive growth opportunities.
    And if you’re ready to go all in, join annually. That’s $50 off each month—only $97/month when paid yearly ($1,164 total). I’ve never raised the price since 2017.
    I’ll make it my mission to help you make that investment
    18 min
  • Staff Members Leave The Manager, Not The Job / Ep. 292
    Do you feel like you have a high turnover? Have you ever thought about why you have turnover? Do you know? Is it because of seasonal employees? young staff members moving on? or even life situations? Maybe so! But what if I were to blow your mind and have you consider something you might not have considered, but really can make a huge difference in whether employees stay or go?
    It could be your management style, you as an owner, or your manager!
    Bad management can turn even some of the best, most reliable staff members on your team away. And if nothing is done about the management, it will continue to happen. Because when the wrong person is named a manager, nothing can entice good employees to stay.
    Statistics show, that more than half of employees with bad management are thinking about changing careers, and that half of them will quit because of this bad manager.
    As the owner, you want the ability to step away from your business so you can focus on all the aspects that help you and your business grow. When you are bogged down with the everyday task of your employees, growth is put on the back burner.
    This week I am giving you four things to consider in order to be a better business manager.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    Employees are not solemnly enticed by just money. They want to feel valued, important, and needed. Having good management will ensure the longevity of your staff and keep the morale of the business high. It might be time to evaluate your management team and see if turnover could be due to their lack of good management
    Do your managers know the staff members why?
    How does their tone affect the staff?
    What does the work environment look like?
    What is their leadership type?
    How do their expectations impact the staff?
    It is important to know how your management is affecting business before staff members walk out the door.
    Recommendations:
    If you're looking for a community that is going to uplift you, challenge you, and help you grow I encourage you to look at the Mastermind group. You will find all the HR answers, business tips, and support you need to help run your business.
    While you are looking to continue and hire your employees, do not take your eye off marketing. Because marketing is for employees too. Better Marketing With Bella helps you with all your marketing needs to ensure you are getting not only enough clients but the right employees, too.
    Links:
    Better Marketing With Bella
    Mastermind
    Gingr Pet-Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 292 of Bella in Your Business.
    Do you wish running your pet care business was easier? Well, it can be. Made by pet lovers for pet lovers, Ginger is the top pet care software for dog grooming, boarding, and daycare businesses. Developed by a team of pet industry experts, Ginger is designed to meet all of your needs with online booking, facility calendars, integrated payments, and more. Get the best pet care business software that gets you. Get Ginger.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. We are creeping closer and closer to the 300th episode. What should I do? What do you want to hear? Do you want me to go really personal like I did at 250 and 200? Do you want to hear a free training? Do you want to come on and be interviewed for the podcast with me? What do you guys want to do? Please give me some ideas. This podcast is for you, so it only makes sense that you help me figure that out. You can email me at [email protected].
    Now, this week’s episode is going to be really fun. I’m actually really excited about it. I had to stop writing notes because I was like, all right, it’s enough notes, I already know what I’m going to say about this. But I’m just so jazzed up. You know, I just finished this hiring pop-up group last week, and it went really well. There was a lot of information—it was like a fire hose, honestly. I was really teaching a lot about systems for interviewing, for onboarding, for training, and just trying to draw awareness to everybody about how much you’re stabbing yourself in the eyeballs by not having sexy, exciting, fast, smooth experiences when you’re hiring people.
    And I’m going to kind of keep on that same thought process as I talk about why do people leave you?
    Because imagine—last podcast we talked about “Would you hire everyone back?” Right? So let’s just assume this is a perfect world and you are completely staffed and they’re all the best staff ever. I know you do not like hiring. There are very few people that actually like it.
    But imagine that you had ten staff members, and let’s say they were all perfect. You didn’t want to get rid of any of them, and they never wanted to get rid of you. What would that be like? That would mean you’d never have to hire again. That would mean that you have the dream team forever. You’d only need to hire if your business were growing.
    If you really take a good hard look at yourself, I don’t think all of you are only hiring because you’re growing. I think you might also be hiring because people are quitting.
    Now, is it always your fault? No, of course not. Life circumstances come up—college, new jobs, higher pay, maybe your business is just a stepping stone for them.
    But what about the people that leave you because they don’t like you? Ouch. Yeah, not everyone’s going to like you. Take it from me—people are not always going to like you.
    So what can we do as business owners or managers to make people like us and not want to leave?
    Now, I just want to set the stage. Throughout this podcast, I’m going to talk about a manager. But that manager could also be the business owner—it depends on your organizational setup. Maybe you have a supervisor, or maybe it all falls on you. I’ll use “manager” interchangeably.
    Do you know that in October 2021, Inc. published an article stating that a study of 2,000 employees conducted by the Predictive Index found that nearly half had thought about changing careers in the past 12 months—and a staggering 63% of those with a bad manager were thinking of leaving within the next year?
    It’s the manager.
    The reason why so many people are quitting has everything to do with their relationship with their bosses.
    A 2018 Udemy study found that nearly half of employees surveyed had quit because of a bad manager, and almost two-thirds believed their manager lacked proper managerial training.
    Gallup’s ongoing State of the American Workplace study summarized this perfectly:
    “The single biggest decision you make in your job—bigger than all the rest—is who you name manager. When you name the wrong person manager, nothing fixes that bad decision. Not compensation, not benefits, nothing.”
    I want you to soak that in for a minute. You as the business owner need to be empowering your manager—or yourself—to constantly learn how people work, how to motivate them, and what motivates them.
    One of the funniest things to me is when people say, “Well, I tell my staff that if they find our next employee, we’ll give them $50.”
    How’s that working for you? I’ll bet you a hundred dollars that it doesn’t work out.
    Why? Because the people you hired are not motivated by money. They’re motivated by different things. To motivate people, you have to understand their “why.”
    Leadership and First Impressions
    If you’re a manager right now, you might be running around like a chicken with your head cut off. But the interview process is your first chance to show your leadership style.
    If your leadership looks chaotic—if you take too long to respond to applicants, come across unorganized, or fail to set expectations—they’ll sense that.
    Maybe they’re ghosting you because you’re a hot mess.
    Your first impression sets the tone. If you’re not clear, communicative, or confident, it’s one of the biggest reasons why you can’t hire or retain good staff.
    Once you do hire them, the manager sets the tone for the company culture. The tone is set from the top—that’s you.
    If the manager is stressed, crabby, or negative, employees will struggle to stay positive. If you lead from fear, anxiety, or control, they feel that.
    On the other hand, if the manager is upbeat and supportive, that energy spreads.
    The manager should always be solution-oriented. Don’t harp on the past. Focus on what’s next.
    One of my favorite phrases when someone messes up is:
    “Okay, I understand why you did it that way this time. But in the future, it’s really important that we do X because of Y. Can we agree on that?”
    That’s how you move things forward.
    Clear Expectations and Communication
    Employees want to know what’s expected of them. They want to feel that they’re making a positive impact.
    How often are you cheering on your team?
    If they don’t understand what’s expected or never get feedback, they’ll get frustrated.
    A good manager sets clear expectations and has regular check-ins—quarterly or semi-annual meetings work well.
    Give them your company’s top five values and rate them together. And remember—it’s a two-way street. They should get to rate you, too.
    Leading by Example
    If you expect employees to do something, make sure it’s something you’d do yourself.
    In my old company, Bella’s House and Pet Sitting, I had a rule: I would never ask an employee to do something I wouldn’t do myself.
    If I felt uncomfortable in a client’s home, I wouldn’t send an employee there either....
    20 min
  • The Single Most Important Question You Need To Ask Yourself About Your Staff / Ep. 291
    Take a moment with me if you will and think about your staff.
    Do you have a rockstar staff member? Someone who is your number one, most reliable member? And what would your business look like if everyone on the team was just like this rockstar?
    What about your staff workload? Is it spread equally across the board, or do some members receive more work than others because of their ability?
    Evaluating your staff members are an important aspect of moving your business forward. If you are done being a helicopter CEO and ready to step out of the business, there is one very important question you need to be asking yourself about your staff.
    And this week, I am here to ask that question.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    Are you having trouble of letting go "bad seeds" out of fear of not having enough staff?
    You only want to hire when you have the work
    You are having trouble getting out of the field and focusing on business rather than the work
    The fear of too many employees holds you hostage to mediocre relationships with your staff members
    Evaluating your staff and asking the important questions can and will get you to a place of abundance that allows you to become the CEO you desire.
    Recommendations:
    It is not too late to jump into my FREE hiring group that has been going on this week. Yes, it started Monday, but all the good information is there for you to get caught up on. The live events are recorded and will be there to watch until Friday, May 20th. I filled the group with the most useful information you will need when it comes to hiring and building up your team members, answering probably all the questions you were thinking.
    Links:
    Gingr Pet-Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 291 of Bella in Your Business.
    You love to take care of the pets, but not the busy work that comes with running a pet care business. Meet Ginger, the best-in-show dog daycare, boarding, and grooming software. Ginger is packed with time-saving features that make running your pet care business easier—and your customers will love booking appointments from the Pet Parent mobile app. More tail wags, less busy work. Say hello to simplicity with Ginger.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one-month free subscription.
    Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump.
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, coming to you with a little bit of a sad heart today. I debated on telling you guys this, but you know, if you've been with me for almost 300 episodes, at some point, you’ve heard a soundtrack that we won’t be hearing anymore. That soundtrack is Rocco in the background barking because Amazon was delivering to my house yet again, or the pool man was here and he was really excited.
    Rocco was 12 years old, and last night I had to make the really tough decision that I know many of you have also had to do—to send him over Rainbow Bridge. I was very grateful for my parents coming over. My mom came over and took my daughter out to go get a toy at Target, and my dad stayed with me. I told Rocco to go to sleep, and he was a really good boy.
    For any of you who’ve had to do this before, I feel your pain. Rocco was there for me from 2010—right after I started coaching. He was there when I was dating a lot, meeting suitors, in my wedding, and when we brought Olivia home from the hospital. He was even therapy-certified at one point and had the best heart.
    So, wow. What do you do? What do you tell the kids? I told Olivia the truth—that Rocco went to go be with Jesus. That’s what we believe in our house. I also told her to tell Jesus, “Thank you for giving us Olivia.”
    I don’t know what’s appropriate to say on here, but that’s my heart. And so that is appropriate. This episode is in memory of Rocco the Rockstar.
    This week, we’re going to be talking about employees. I’ve started a pop-up group—if you haven’t joined yet, go to jumpconsulting.net/hire. It’s only this week. Even if you’re catching this late, you can still join and read everything in a day. The group will close in about 48 hours, but it’s still time to get in if you’d like.
    I’ve thrown a ton of deals in there, but I’ve also challenged you to think about hiring differently. Times are changing, and your mindset needs to shift. I’ve seen the same situations happen in free groups and in my community—but how people handle them makes all the difference.
    For example, hiring someone who quits after one day—some people lose it, others use it as a learning moment. I want to inspire you to join that group, see how I think, and decide if I’m your cup of tea. The things I teach are working right now—you won’t hear them anywhere else.
    Now, in this episode, I want you to think about this question:
    Would you actually rehire everyone on your staff today?
    If you had them all lined up for an interview, knowing what you know now, would you hire them again?
    If the answer is not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.
    If your answer is even “no” to one person, that’s a problem. It’s important to ensure you have enough staff—you need to be overstaffed.
    I know that makes some of you uncomfortable, but hear me out.
    Being overstaffed means you’re prepared for emergencies, call-outs, and sudden resignations. When someone quits or gets sick, you don’t have to scramble or go back out in the field yourself. Because when you’re back in the field, you’re not working on your business—you’re working in it.
    That’s the wrong mindset. You need a winning one.
    Hiring ahead of need gives you freedom and stability. It’s your insurance policy.
    When you’re overstaffed, it also boosts morale. People know they need to do their best to get more work and make more money. It creates healthy competition and motivation.
    But maybe you’re holding on to the wrong employees out of fear—fear of confrontation, fear of not finding someone new, or fear of losing help.
    If someone has been with you a long time but isn’t performing well, you may have unconsciously lowered your standards. You might be giving them jobs just to get them done, but deep down, you know the quality isn’t there. That’s helicopter-CEO behavior—and it’s holding you back.
    You deserve a team that you trust—people who represent your brand with pride and integrity.
    If you don’t have a hiring funnel, you’ll always feel stuck. That’s why you need to join jumpconsulting.net/hire right now and start reading the posts, guides, and resources. Listen to the “Ask Me Anything” sessions while you drive—they’re full of gold.
    The brave ones who ask questions help everyone learn, and group learning accelerates success.
    Maybe you’re also worried about what people will think if you let someone go. But you can’t run your business based on what others think—you have to make decisions based on facts and what’s best for your company and your life.
    Ask yourself:
    Why are you growing your business?
    Do you have the right people to help you do it?
    Do your employees still fit where your business is going?
    If not, it’s time to reevaluate.
    Having more staff on hand is better than scrambling. Don’t be scared of overstaffing—it’s freedom.
    Do they have great attitudes? Has their availability changed? Can you trust them to handle jobs without micromanagement?
    There’s a big difference between someone helping you and someone working for you. When they’re helping you, it feels like a favor. When they work for you, they take ownership.
    Keeping underperformers drags everyone down—it lowers standards, breeds resentment, and can cause your best employees to quit.
    People don’t leave because they don’t like the job—they leave because of you, the leader.
    So what can you do? Protect your company culture fiercely. Encourage your team. Create clarity. Be proactive.
    Find out:
    Would you rehire everyone right now?
    If not, what are you going to do about it?
    Train them better? Hire more? Raise standards?
    You deserve a team you’re proud of—a team that reflects your values and makes your life easier, not harder.
    If you’re not there yet, it’s fixable. Start hiring before you need to.
    I’ll leave you with a story about Claire, one of my Jumpers. Claire built her business to six figures in just two years and then went to hike the Appalachian Trail with her dad. She runs her company remotely—with systems in place and a team she trusts completely.
    She messaged me after a recent episode:
    “Thank you, Bella. We both loved listening to your podcast. Loved how fired up you were. You’re hilarious, and people are ridiculous. You’re so real. I’m so proud to be mentioned. You helped me make all this possible. Anyone who can’t see their own potential is limited by their beliefs and insecurities. I’m so glad to have had a Bella Butt Kickin’ to get me out of that rut.”
    Guys, that’s what it’s all about. You are what makes your business grow—or stall—or fail.
    If you missed the pop-up group, join the Mastermind at jumpconsulting.net/mastermind. It’s where winners come together to grow, support, and inspire each other.
    Today, Joey Coleman—the author of Never Lose a Customer Again—is joining the Mastermind to talk about his upcoming book on employee retention. This is next-level stuff, and it’s all happening inside that group.
    So if you’re ready to surround yourself with visionaries, jump in.
    This is the first time I’m signing off without Rocco barking in the background. This episode is dedicated to Rocco the Rockstar—my best ride or die.
    When life gets you down, always keep jumping.
    ...
    21 min
  • How To Attract Multiple Applicants To Your Business / Ep. 290
    Are you putting in the hours to make your business a success, but struggling to attract the right job applicants? You've perfected your onboarding and training, put the right positions in place, and even posted those job listings, but still, no one is applying. Just like attracting clients, you need to have a strategy for attracting job applicants. You may be doing everything right, but that doesn't mean anything if no one is applying. Don't let this confusion hold you back, this week I am sharing some top tips on how to ensure you are attracting the right applicants to your business. Don't miss out on the chance to take your business to the next level!
    Are you putting in the hours to make your business a success, but struggling to attract the right job applicants? You've perfected your onboarding and training, put the right positions in place, and even posted those job listings, but still, no one is applying. Just like attracting clients, you need to have a strategy for attracting job applicants. You may be doing everything right, but that doesn't mean anything if no one is applying. Don't let this confusion hold you back, this week I am sharing some top tips on how to ensure you are attracting the right applicants to your business. Don't miss out on the chance to take your business to the next level!
    Biggest Takeaways:
    5:40 How to make your job postings stand out.
    6:35 Why should you show that your company is fun to work for?
    8:11 What do you have to offer?
    11:15 What does a typical day look like?
    13:02 Show up on social media
    Recommendations:
    Next week I am hosting a FREE hiring group where I have a ton of content, information, and helpful tools to take your business from needing employees to thriving with the perfect staff. It runs from Monday, May 16th to Friday, May 20th and I want you to make sure you join me! There will also be two live events where you can ask me anything you need to know! So make sure you JOIN TODAY and put these dates into your calendar.
    Links:
    FREE Hiring Group
    Gingr Pet-Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 290 of Bella in Your Business.
    Let’s face it—managing your pet care business can be a doggone hassle. Fortunately, Ginger Pet Care Software makes running your business a breeze. Enjoy time-saving features like a pet parent mobile app, automated reminders, integrated payment processing, pet report cards, and more. Ginger gives you the time to do the things you need and the things that make you happy.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim your one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome, everybody, to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I got all up in your business last episode—and boy, did you guys love that. I’m really excited because I kind of had a little bit of trepidation about actually posting that, since I never want to give life to negative things. But there was such a teaching moment in there about figuring out where you’re spending your time, eyes, and ears—what you’re putting into your body—and how all of that relates to how successful you can be.
    As I illustrated with all of the cool things being posted in the Mastermind—like amazing Claire hiking the Appalachian Trail—you have to have the courage to do the hard things, like I did in that last episode.
    We’re going to move on today, but before we get into that, I want to remind you that right now we’re accepting members for my pop-up group called Hiring Employees in 2022. It’s happening Monday through Friday, May 16th to the 20th. I’ve got so much content already prepared for you—about five posts a day—and the guides are filled with resources.
    When I say resources, don’t hear “buy my products.” About 80% of the things I do are totally free. So if you’re willing to do things differently, you definitely need to join that group because I’m going to expand your brain. You’re going to be like, “What?” And I’ll be like, “Yeah, for real—it works. Do it.” You’ll probably try it begrudgingly to prove me wrong, but then it’ll work, and you’ll be like, “Bella just helped me solve my hiring problem!”
    So head over to jumpconsulting.net/hire to join the group. That’s jumpconsulting.net/hire.
    Today we’re continuing the theme about hiring, and we’re going to talk about how to attract multiple applicants to your business.
    Because I think another mindset shift a lot of us need to make is that we often think we just need to hire one person. You’re only looking for one, and you position it that way. You write your job description, social media copy, and messaging to applicants that way.
    And you might be doing yourself a disservice.
    So listen up—I’m going to teach you how to attract multiple applicants to your business.
    I’m going to share five different ways to do this. I told you about mistakes people make when onboarding and training employees a couple episodes ago, but have you thought about how to attract the right ones in the first place?
    You could be doing everything right when it comes to advertising and qualifications, but if no one’s applying—or if you’re only getting applicants you’d never hire—it still doesn’t matter.
    In this episode, I’ll teach you how to make sure you’re attracting multiple applicants to your pet sitting business. Because when you do, you’ll be in the position of power. You’ll have leverage. And with that leverage, you can make your wildest dreams come true.
    1. Make Sure Your Listing Is Clear and Concise
    The pet industry is incredibly competitive right now. There are so many people hiring—dog walkers, pet sitters, groomers, trainers, boarding facilities.
    Your listing must stand out from the rest. Be clear about what the position entails and what your company is looking for in an applicant.
    Don’t just say you want “reliable, motivated pet lovers.” Define what that actually looks like. How would you know someone is the right fit when you see them in an interview? For example:
    “Our next employee will come prepared with their resume in hand.”
    The more specific you are, the better chance you have of attracting qualified applicants.
    2. Describe the Company Culture and What It’s Like to Work There
    Company culture is why and how you do the things you do.
    Think of the difference between McDonald’s and Disney. McDonald’s trains people up to do things by the book—no creativity, just follow the steps. They know it’s a stepping stone job and embrace that.
    Disney, on the other hand, focuses on magic, experience, and pride.
    So what’s your company culture?
    A lot of people aren’t looking for the highest-paying job. They’re looking for happiness and belonging.
    If your job post is as stale as week-old bread, no one’s going to bite.
    So paint a picture of what it’s like to work for you. Highlight what makes your company unique—whether it’s working with animals all day, flexible hours, ongoing education, or team meetings that bring everyone together.
    Be clear about what “flexible hours” mean. Some people interpret that as you working around their schedule, which can cause issues.
    The goal is to make your company sound exciting and human.
    3. Highlight the Benefits of Working for Your Company
    Applicants care about benefits—competitive pay, paid time off, training, and professional development.
    If you can offer benefits, flaunt them.
    If you can’t yet, focus on lifestyle perks instead. Maybe this job replaces your gym membership because it keeps you active. Maybe it offers independence and meaningful work.
    Don’t underestimate that.
    And if you’re unsure what benefits matter most, ask your current staff. They’ll tell you what they value.
    4. Offer a Glimpse of a Typical Day
    Show people what it’s like to work for you—this is gold for social media.
    Record snippets of your team walking dogs, interacting with pets, or enjoying their shifts. Add those to an Instagram Highlight reel and mention it in your job ad:
    “Want to see what it’s like to work here? Click here to check out our ‘Staff Life’ highlights!”
    This helps people visualize the role and builds excitement.
    Remember, this isn’t just a job—it’s an emotionally fulfilling career surrounded by animals. Lean into that.
    5. Show Up on Social Media
    To attract great applicants, you need to be visible.
    Post about your openings, your team culture, and your mission. Share staff testimonials, behind-the-scenes photos, and day-in-the-life videos.
    Encourage people to message you directly on social if they’re interested.
    In Better Marketing with Bella, every month we provide our members with beautiful, evergreen graphics and videos for recruiting and branding—because social media isn’t just for attracting clients anymore. It’s also for attracting employees.
    Be social on social. Engage with your community. Build relationships with influencers like rescue organizers, vet clinic managers, PTO presidents, or local fitness groups.
    Then, when you post your job, reach out and ask them to share it. You’ll be surprised how often people say yes.
    Recap
    Let’s quickly review the five ways to attract multiple applicants:
    Make your job listing clear and concise.
    Describe your company culture.
    Highlight your benefits.
    Offer a glimpse into a typical day.
    Show up on social media.
    Attracting applicants isn’t easy, but if you do these things, you’ll start seeing better results.
    And remember—never just hire one. Always hire for attitude and train for skill.
    ...
    19 min
  • Taking A Stand, Trolls, & Leaving Your Business For 6 Months….. Personal Stories With Receipts! / Ep. 289
    They say to not believe everything you read online, but what would it look like if you did?
    Because there are many out there online spreading bad info and giving out bad advice. They are spewing slander and stating there is no way you can accomplish the big goals of yours. Tearing you down, because.. how does the saying go? "misery loves company"
    If you are in the crossfire of this negativity online, it is time to evaluate who you are hanging out with. Then get out of this mindset.
    Because, as I have stated before, change is happening. And now is the time to really look at your business and evaluate who's working with you or against you. Time to accomplish the big goals of yours.
    This week I am telling you success stories of my clients who are taking a stand and thriving in their business without even being there.
    How to dismiss the negativity and trolls out there, and stand firm within your business.
    How to know, it is all possible.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    "If you don’t stand for something, you fall for everything." (Alexander Hamilton)
    But don't just take my word for it, listen to the success stories I have to share with you.
    Then watch who you are surrounding yourself with, spending your time with. The groups you are in, are they teaching you or adding negativity? Are you finding too many trolls creating negative space and no leader to around to control it? I'll tell you how that is impactful to your business. And why you might want to change it.
    Lastly, I will always be real with you. I will tell you my thoughts, when I feel my programs are not for you, as well as bring in an expert if I do not know the answer.
    Recommendations:
    Ready to learn how to do it differently? This FREE group is for you! It begins May 16th and runs through May 20th. Join the FREE group
    Message me. I say this often right, but I mean it. I will personally answer you and lead you in the right direction of how I think I can help you. [email protected]
    Links:
    Free Hiring Group
    Gingr Pet-Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 289 of Bella in Your Business.
    Do you wish running your pet care business was easier? Well, it can be. Made by pet lovers for pet lovers, Ginger is the top pet care software for dog grooming, boarding, and daycare businesses. Developed by a team of pet industry experts, Ginger is designed to meet all of your needs with online booking, facility calendars, integrated payments, and more. Get the best pet care business software that gets you. Get Ginger.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. I'm feeling so much better this week, and boy, am I feeling fired up. This is going to be a pretty feisty episode. I’ll try to keep it a reasonable length, but we are going to be talking back.
    If you are just joining this podcast, I want to state a little bit of my philosophy so you can decide whether or not you want to keep binging on Bella—or if you want to go to another avenue, which is totally fine—because I am here to take a stand. I’m here to tell you exactly what I believe, why my clients are extremely successful, and to address the trolls.
    I am not politically correct, and there’s no need for people to be bashing or slandering my name online in what they think are private groups—even though I’m a member of every single Facebook pet-sitting group out there. You just don’t know it. And most of the time, before I even see it, my loyal customers are screenshotting things and sending them to me.
    So we’re going to talk about that, and I’m going to fact-check and blow the lid off of it with receipts. Then I’m going to follow it up by telling you about one of the biggest success stories from one of my clients happening right now—something I’ve never seen in 15 years of coaching. It’s going to inspire almost every single one of you to finally do that one thing burning in your heart that you haven’t unlocked yet.
    Are you ready?
    Taking a Stand
    You’re either going to love me or hate me—and that’s okay. Taking a stand and drawing a line in the sand isn’t always popular. Sometimes it might offend people, and that’s something I had to grow into.
    But here’s the truth: when something offends you, it’s often because it touched something unhealed inside of you. Nobody can offend you without your consent.
    For years, I’ve taken stands before they were popular. When everyone had independent contractors, I was advocating for employees. I saw the writing on the wall. I understood that many of you—myself included—are control freaks, and employees are the only non-risky, scalable solution.
    Back in 2010, I built my business entirely on employees, while the majority of the industry used ICs. I’ve also taken stands like:
    You don’t need to meet your clients in person—you can do virtual consultations.
    I’ve made accurate predictions about industry shifts since 2020, which you can verify in my past podcasts.
    And I’ve realized I will not dim myself. I lead by intuition.
    When people come to me asking about time management or boundaries, I tell them: that’s not the right question. I go deeper. I’m not the coach who will tell you what you can Google. I’m not here for surface-level fluff. I’m here to get real.
    I’m human. I make mistakes. I send emails with typos or broken links—but I own it. Because I’m not a robot, and neither are you.
    I surround myself with experts and bring them to you. I don’t know it all, and I don’t want to. I want to learn and grow with you.
    That’s why I created the Mastermind—so I can bring in specialists every month and give you real resources that work.
    If you stand for everything, you stand for nothing. Leaders who take a stand won’t appeal to everyone. And that’s okay.
    Addressing the Trolls
    Now, I’ve seen it all in Facebook groups. Some people feel powerful tearing others down. But leaders step up when things go sideways.
    I’ve had to delete and block people who were cruel to others asking genuine questions. Leadership means protecting your community, not allowing bullying.
    Recently, someone wrote that if you work with me, you’ll be “pushed” to hire employees and “bashed” if you don’t. They bragged about sticking with ICs because their CPA told them it was fine.
    And yet—ironically—they’re being audited.
    This is what I’ve warned about for years. IC audits are rising because of 2020’s unemployment filings. When an “independent contractor” files unemployment and lists you as their employer, it raises red flags.
    People claim “employees cost too much.” No—your IC setup costs too much.
    Even if you “beat” an audit, it’s subjective. I have case studies that show both outcomes. Email me at [email protected] if you want the proof.
    The truth is, people resist because change is hard. But those who adapt—those who systemize, hire properly, and lead confidently—are the ones thriving.
    Leadership and Community
    Leadership is about creating a culture that uplifts people. Inside my groups—like the Mastermind—our members post wins, not complaints.
    While some Facebook groups spiral into negativity, my community posts things like:
    “You always pass failure by on the way to success.”“My new hire quit after one day—but I had a contingency plan and didn’t panic.”
    We celebrate growth, even when things go wrong, because setbacks are part of success.
    Inside the Mastermind, we have pet sitters, dog walkers, daycare owners, and even members who’ve launched three new businesses. Some have stepped back to pursue passions like dog training.
    Where you hang out matters. Your environment mirrors your mindset.
    If your Facebook feed is full of negativity, that’s what you’re reinforcing in your brain every day.
    Success Story: Claire from MKE Pet Sitting
    Let’s talk about Claire.
    Claire runs MKE Pet Sitting. She’s currently hiking the Appalachian Trail—yes, the entire trail—from March to October with her dad.
    When we first worked together in an intensive session, she didn’t even know how much she was making. When we tallied it up, she was shocked to see she’d already surpassed six figures.
    She then said, “I want to leave my business for six months. Can you help me make it run without me?”
    Challenge accepted.
    We built systems, trained her team, and refined her leadership. Now, her team is thriving without her.
    She messaged me from the trail:
    “Bella, my team is killing it. They’re taking on new clients—cats, pigs, even new animals. My supervisor has trained three new team members. I’ve gone days without service, and everything’s running smoothly. I’ve never had so much peace of mind.”
    Guys, that’s what freedom looks like.
    Some of you can’t take a weekend off without your business falling apart. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
    Your dreams are doable—you just need the right structure.
    Start with automating hiring and onboarding new clients. Then move on to internal operations. Once those systems are in place, you can finally step away.
    Final Thoughts
    If you’re tired of being stuck, if you’re solving the same problems as last year—it’s time to change.
    Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you. Pay attention to who influences your mindset.
    Your business can give you freedom. You just have to stop standing in your own way.
    If I can help you do that, I’d be honored.
    Remember—when life gets you down,...
    35 min
  • 3 Of The Biggest Mistakes Pet Businesses Make During Onboarding And Training / Ep. 288
    A lot of business owners are trying desperately to hire employees right now, but are facing issues such as long waitlists, difficulty finding qualified candidates, candidates dropping out of the interview process, or quitting shortly after being hired.
    These problems are running rampant in the industry and it is probably because of one of these three things:
    Too long of an onboarding process, too much back and forth with new employees, and needing help with the probationary period.
    This week I am diving into all these mistakes and what you should do to avoid them.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    3:48 Too long of an onboarding process
    6:32 Too much back and forth
    8:24 Probationary period
    Recommendations:
    Did you take your eye off of marketing to focus on hiring? Let's call that a 4th mistake! Your marketing should also be attracting the right employees to work for you. DM me today and ask how Better Marketing With Bella has helped many, many clients not only land more business but multiple employees!
    The Mastermind is the place to be around other business owners who are making this happen every day. It is a group of like-minded business owners who are killing the game when it comes to making sales and finding the right employees for their business. I am inviting you to come to check it out!
    I am opening up a FREE group devoted to hiring new employees! If you are struggling, let me help guide you along. DM me to get o the list to join this exclusive group!
    Links:
    www.jumpconsulting.net/marketing
    www.jumpconsulting.net/mastermind
    Gingr Pet-Care Software
    Transcript:
    This is episode 288 of Bella in Your Business.
    You love to take care of the pets, but not the busy work that comes with running a pet care business. Meet Ginger, the best-in-show dog daycare, boarding, and grooming software. Ginger is packed with time-saving features that make running your pet care business easier, and your customers will love booking appointments from the Pet Parent mobile app. More tail wags, less busy work. Say hello to simplicity with Ginger.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I’m a little under the weather. I might sound a little bit more raspy than I usually sound—thank you, Arizona allergies. It might not snow here, but it sure does snow these little yellow things from the Palo Verde trees. So please forgive me in this episode.
    We’re going to talk a lot today about how to overcome three of the biggest mistakes I see when people are trying to hire somebody—and it’s right at the very beginning, typically. I’ve helped revamp so many hiring processes for people. I do them in person during the intensives, and I do them online through Zoom intensives. And one thing is clear: there’s a pattern. There’s a pattern of mistakes that people are making.
    So, we’re going to throw the lid off of it today. It might be a shorter podcast because, one, I’m going to tell you these three things straight up, and two, I literally can’t talk that long. But you’re definitely in for a value-packed treat today.
    Everyone’s looking to hire employees right now. I think I mentioned on a previous podcast, we’ve been reaching out to a lot of people every single day just to have conversations with you guys and get a feel for what’s going on right now.
    As we mentioned previously, there’s a big, huge bubble coming. I just got off the phone with Tiffany from Pet in Home Care, and she called it “revenge traveling.” I loved that phrase! Everyone’s breaking records right now, which is pretty typical—we’re seeing it everywhere. However, that’s not going to last, right? Every bubble pops.
    So I want to encourage you—do not take your eyes off of hiring.
    We’re still thinking about doing a special hiring group for free for you guys because I want you to succeed.
    But let me ask: are you trying desperately to hire right now? Are you on a waitlist? Do you feel like you can’t find anyone? Like nobody applies, or they don’t follow through? Maybe they stop halfway through your interview process, or they ghost you at interviews. I’ve heard of a lot of people getting ghosted—are you one of them?
    Or maybe they quit right after they start. I just saw a screenshot from an employee who was hired and, on her first day, said, “Actually, I don’t want this job. I’m just kidding.” And of course, the business owner was like, “What in the world?”
    It’s hard not to take that personally, right? But these problems are running rampant in the industry. And it’s probably because of one of these three things I’m about to tell you.
    1. An Onboarding Process That’s Too Long
    Let’s start here. What is an onboarding process?
    It’s everything that happens between the moment you say, “I’d like you to work for me,” and they say yes—up until the point where they’re on their own with their own schedule.
    You want to make sure your employees are well-equipped to do the job and that they feel comfortable with your company culture and how you do things.
    But an onboarding process that’s too long will bore them.
    I’ve heard of people with endless checklists—two face-to-face meetings, a virtual meeting, and ten back-and-forth emails, each with something new to fill out, watch, test on, or upload.
    My word! This is pet sitting and dog walking. It’s pretty straightforward. That first experience with your company either excites them or leaves a bad taste in their mouth.
    I’ve said before that interviewing is like dating. Well, onboarding is still dating—you’ve just made it official.
    Now they’re thinking, “Okay, is this going to be a match made in heaven?” So just because they’ve said yes doesn’t mean you can slack off. Your onboarding process still needs to be on point—smooth, easy, and exciting.
    Exciting videos can make a big difference. But sometimes, people make the mistake of throwing new hires into a disorganized library full of talking head videos or boring slideshows that don’t connect. That bores them to death. They think, “I’m just kidding, I don’t want to work here.”
    Your onboarding process is so important. The way you present that material matters. Have you looked at it recently?
    Because that might be one major mistake you’re making when hiring and onboarding new people.
    2. Too Much Back and Forth
    You’ve probably been there—you’re so excited to have a new person start that you want to tell them everything about the company.
    But beware: too much information at once will overwhelm them. Ease into it and give them time to adjust.
    Set times to talk about each new task so they know what to expect instead of being overloaded.
    Also, not everyone learns the same way. The most effective process lets people read it, watch it, and do it. But don’t turn it into a fire hose of information.
    If you overwhelm them, they’ll think, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’ll never remember all this.” You’ll stress them out.
    So really think about what you’re showing them, when you’re showing it, and how you’re showing it.
    If you’re so afraid of hiring mistakes that you’ve built extensive testing into every step—or if you hire someone and then ghost them for five or six days—stop.
    I don’t care how busy you are with work. When you’re onboarding someone, you need to tell them what they can expect and when they can expect it.
    There’s an easy way to make onboarding smooth, relatable, and exciting—not overwhelming.
    3. A 90-Day Probationary Period
    I hear this all the time: “We have a 90-day probationary period.”
    Really? I’m pretty sure you know by the end of week one whether it’s going to work out or not.
    I’m not saying make it seven days—but 30 days is usually enough.
    Regardless of what timeframe you choose, ask yourself: during orientation, do they know when you’ll check in? Have you created the expectation that you’ll meet to discuss how things are going?
    Do they know what they’ll be graded on—and are you grading yourself, too?
    Remember, this is a two-way street. It’s not just about you wanting them—it’s about them wanting to stay and being a good fit for your company culture.
    So, create space for open communication. Make it clear you’ll meet after a set period to evaluate how things are going—on both sides.
    That way, employees know you care, their voice matters, and they’re not left guessing how they’re doing. It builds trust and communication from the start.
    Unfortunately, most people don’t do this. They just say, “Okay, probation’s over. You’re official—here’s a raise.”
    A raise? Why? For what?
    You just reduced the job to money instead of meaning.
    People take these jobs for more than a paycheck—they want to nurture, belong, and make pets happy. That’s worth more than fifty cents.
    I told you this would be a short episode, mostly because of my voice, but I want to encourage you—if you want to be around people who are doing this differently and succeeding like gangbusters, please join us in the Mastermind.
    Go to jumpconsulting.net/mastermind.
    You’ll get a kitchen sink full of value and benefits, but the biggest one is the people—the community of business owners doing things differently and succeeding.
    And if you’re struggling with hiring, shoot me an email at [email protected].
    I’ve got tons of resources—over 200 YouTube videos, almost 300 podcast episodes, 500+ blogs, and endless materials inside the Mastermind. Let me know how I can help.
    ...
    13 min
  • Secure Your Support System For The Upcoming Pet Business Changes / Ep. 287
    As summer approaches, trends in the pet business world are getting ready for some big changes. Business, if it hasn't already, will start booming, and while that may be so exciting are you ready for it? Does your business have a solid foundation with a good marketing strategy in place?
    With the rising of inflation, people are spending their money where they feel comfortable, not only out of necessity. What is making your business stand out? If you are comfortable where you at, and think everything is great, just know things are about to shake up, and the time to tighten up is now.
    This week I am sharing how I see the trends changing this summer and what you and your business can do to prepare for it. I am ready to help you succeed.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    With upcoming changes, do you fully understand how these are going to affect your business?
    You should ensure you have a supportive community rallying around you and your business in success and in help.
    Never take your eye off one aspect, but in turn, make sure you are controlling all parts so that one element doesn't end up lacking. If you think you can lay off your marketing right now because business is so busy and you want to focus on time on hiring. Then in no time, you will find yourself with a marketing problem.
    These are things to consider now, as we are facing change on the horizon. You need to ask yourself, is your business prepared for where it is heading?
    Recommendations:
    Are you looking for a new beginning? Stuck in a place you just do not know how to get out of no matter which way you turn? Then let's talk. I want to hear from you and about what is going on in your business. Let me know how I can help you succeed! Book a 20 minute call with me and let's start that new beginning you're searching for. If spending a day with me in your home town or in mine (in beautiful Phoenix, AZ!) then an in-person intensive is exactly what you are looking for. 8 hours of hard work, getting down and dirty in the business, solving some of your hardest business needs.
    Doors for Better Marketing With Bella are closing soon, so now is the time to get involved. 6 months of content creating and marketing set for you and your business. I can go on and on but the work speaks for itself and my clients are thriving in their businesses right now. So now is the time before the doors close for 2022.
    Links:
    Episode 256: All about Intensives
    Better Marketing With Bella
    Instagram
    Jump Consulting 
    Gingr Pet-CareSoftware
    Did you enjoy the show?
    We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
    Transcript:
    This is episode 287 of Bella in Your Business.
    Let’s face it—managing your pet care business can be a doggone hassle. Fortunately, Ginger Pet Care Software makes running your business a breeze. Enjoy time-saving features like a pet parent mobile app, automated reminders, integrated payment processing, pet report cards, and more. Ginger gives you the time to do the things you need and the things that make you happy.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim your one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, your host, and it is the Monday after Easter or Passover. Wow, what a week—it’s been eventful! Today, we’re going to be talking about trends and looking ahead. I’ve been asked a lot about what I think is going to happen in the industry because, for the past two years, I’ve been pretty spot-on with my predictions. So that’s what we’ll dive into today.
    Before we get started, though, I want to give a quick shout-out to all the Jumpers tagging me on Instagram lately—thank you so much! My Instagram is @BellaVasta, that’s “V” like Victor.
    This past week, we had Jamie Trull join us in the Mastermind. Many of you might know her—she’s amazing. She used to be a CPA and now helps business owners, especially women, understand their finances. She’s one of the most relatable and helpful people I know. During the pandemic, while I was running COVID support groups, she was running groups for PPP and EIDL loans. I sent so many of you her way back then!
    This month in the Mastermind, our theme is numbers, and Jamie came in to help us think like CFOs—understanding what numbers really matter. It was such an insightful session. Our members were buzzing with questions, and I’m so grateful to her for joining us.
    Another big update: I’ve booked my first international intensive! I’ve got clients coming down from Canada next month. They’re coming to Phoenix, Arizona—where the weather is perfect right now. The cactuses are in bloom, and the dry heat feels incredible.
    If you’ve ever thought about doing an intensive with me, this is your sign. During an intensive, I rent an Airbnb, and you stay there for two nights as part of the package. We spend eight hours together mapping out your business strategy—working through everything that’s been holding you back, whether that’s months or even years of plateau.
    We go deep—really deep. It always gets personal because what’s holding you back in your business often has emotional roots. I help you identify those blockages, break through them, and get you moving again.
    If you want to hear more about what happens in an intensive, Jillian will link the previous episode in the show notes at jumpconsulting.net.
    I’m also thrilled to share that we hit a new milestone—1,100 downloads in one week! That’s an all-time record! Thank you for listening, sharing, and tagging me. I love seeing your stories and hearing what resonates most with you.
    Your feedback means everything because, honestly, I’m just here in my office recording into a microphone, not knowing how it lands until you tell me.
    A quick shout-out to Callie, who emailed me this weekend. Her subject line said, “You are…” and the message said, “Absolutely inspirational! I listened to your podcast for two hours on a road trip and I’m obsessed with how much knowledge you have.”
    She added that she owns a grooming business and asked if I only help pet sitters. Here’s what I told her:
    “Yes, I can still help you! Business, marketing, and sales are universal. You’re not just selling grooming—you’re selling trust and security. At the end of the day, business is business.”
    And that goes for any of you listening, too.
    If you feel like you’re stuck or just wish you had a magic wand to solve one thing in your business, go to jumpconsulting.net/builder and book a free 20-minute coaching call with me.
    Yes—free.
    You’ve probably heard me mention it before and thought, “I’ll do that someday.” Well, this is your Bella Butt Kickin’ moment—go do it now. It’s like Russian roulette for me, because I never know what you’ll bring to the call, but it’s my favorite part of the week.
    We also had an HR call this week inside the Mastermind. Did you know members get monthly access to an HR professional? Every month, we compile all the questions and timestamped answers in a searchable spreadsheet so you can always find what you need.
    Here are just a few examples of recent questions:
    How do I handle an employee who suddenly changes her availability to one day a week?
    How do I securely store sensitive tax forms?
    What’s the best way to let someone go professionally?
    What are the California labor laws around checking email while off the clock?
    Can I hire an employee with a DUI, and what are the liabilities?
    Michelle, one of our members, said, “The HR call was mind-blowing. It’s priceless to have access to this.”
    And she’s right—most HR professionals charge more for one hour than an entire month of Mastermind membership at $147.
    If you want to learn more, visit jumpconsulting.net/mastermind.
    This is the kind of community that doesn’t just survive—they thrive. These are the people hiring 10 employees in a week when others are saying, “No one wants to work.” They do things differently—and they’re growing faster because of it.
    They’re not the “smartest people in the room.” They surround themselves with those who challenge them and inspire them. That’s the secret to growth.
    If you’re feeling isolated in your business—if your family doesn’t get what you do or if you feel like the “crazy dog lady” covered in fur and juggling keys—I get you.
    You need to surround yourself with people who understand, who’ve been there, and who are ahead of you. That’s how you grow.
    Let me tell you a story. It was Good Friday 2016. My daughter, Olivia, was healthy after being born at just 12 ounces. I was slowly emerging from survival mode—isolated, exhausted, and depressed.
    That day, a friend came over with champagne and orange juice. It was the first time I’d had a drink or seen a friend in months. And that’s when I decided—it was time to sell my business.
    On May 18th, 2016, I sold it for top dollar. I had interviewed five brokers. That was my dream—to build something I could sell, to create stability for my family, and to move into coaching full-time.
    This time of year always reminds me of new beginnings.
    So, what’s your new beginning?What’s the thing you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t yet?
    Is it hiring?Is it marketing?Is it joining a community that can finally help you get there?
    Whatever it is, stop waiting.
    Now, let’s talk trends.
    Summer is coming, and for pet sitters—it’s going to be insanely busy. For dog walkers, too—it’ll feel like everything is back to normal. But let me be clear: things are not normal.
    ...
    25 min
  • The Biggest Part Of Social Media That Everyone Is Missing / Ep. 286
    Social media has become an important part of marketing, but many people are missing the biggest part: outreach
    98% of people are neglecting this element of their social media strategy and then are surprised when they are not finding success in growing their business. Outreach is key to a successful social media marketing strategy, and yet, so many people are missing out on this vital piece.
    It all starts with outreach. Outreach social media marketing is the process of connecting with potential customers and followers who are not already familiar with your brand or business. It is actively reaching out to your target audience and engaging with them in a way that builds relationships.
    On this week's podcast, I answer the question "Why is engagement so important to your business" and how you should be utilizing this strategy every day to increase your business.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    When it comes to social media marketing, people seem to be lacking the social part of it. Without reaching outside of your immediate followers, businesses will not be able to reach their full potential on social media.
    Outreach is all about connecting with other people and businesses in (and out of) your industry. It's a way to build relationships, expand your reach, and get more eyes on your brand. Outreach is often overlooked as a key component of social media marketing, but it can be the difference between success and failure. If you're not reaching out to new people, you're missing out on potential customers and followers.
    If you want to see success in social media marketing this is where you begin.
    Recommendations:
    The doors for Better Marketing With Bella are open for a short while longer and will not be open again until 2023. If you are ready to save time and energy on content creation, this is for you. Staying relevant and informed in the social media world is the highest priority of business owners right now, and we are ensuring they are.
    Links:
    Are you new here? Let's Connect
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    Gingr Pet-Care Software
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    We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
    Transcript:
    This is episode 286 of Bella in Your Business.
    Do you wish running your pet care business was easier? Well, it can be. Made by pet lovers for pet lovers, Ginger is the top pet care software for dog grooming, boarding, and daycare businesses. Developed by a team of pet industry experts, Ginger is designed to meet all of your needs with online booking, facility calendars, integrated payments, and more. Get the best pet care business software that gets you.
    Get Ginger. Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one free month subscription.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. You guys, I have been talking to so many of you. I don’t know if you know—or if I even told you—but last month we actually had this really big initiative inside Jump Consulting to talk to as many people as we possibly could on Instagram.
    So if you’re one of our listeners and you got a DM from us—yes, that was us! And also, thanks for engaging with us. I have so much stuff out there for you. I’ve got a YouTube channel with over 200 videos. I’ve got a blog with over 500 posts. I’ve got a podcast that’s reaching 300 episodes—and who knows how much information on Facebook.
    I feel like I’m sitting on a treasure trove of resources for you. And along those interactions that we’ve been having, two things became apparent to me. One of them inspired today’s topic, which is something brand new that you’ve probably never heard anyone talk about before. So I’m really excited to bring it to you.
    But first, a quick shout-out! One of the incredible people I’ve been chatting with and getting to know is Leia. She’s a phenomenally hilarious, hardworking mama who I am so business-attracted to because of her mindset. She’ll say things like, “My initial reaction is this—but I know that’s a lie, so I went deeper and thought about it.” My gosh, that mindset is going to get her everywhere.
    And if any of you can relate, that’s the mindset that will take you to success. Upon talking to her, it was really cool because I learned she, like a lot of my other listeners, actually listens in the car with her kids.
    Nicholas and Tate, I want to say what’s up—and this is your Bella Butt Kickin’ today!
    It was a really funny story. Leia said that when we were texting back and forth on Instagram, one of her sons said, “Hey Mom, it’s the Bella Butt Kickin’ lady!” That cracked me up, so I wanted to say hello. It’s not the first time I’ve heard of families listening together, which is why I do try to keep this show PG.
    What’s up, boys! You’re definitely learning as we go here, and thanks for letting your mama listen to this podcast.
    Now, let’s get going today because this is a great lesson for everyone—young and old, whether you have a business or not.
    We talk about social media marketing all the time, but the part we actually focus on is the “marketing.” We don’t really talk about the “social” part. Today, we’re going to talk about that.
    Back in the day when blogging was booming—maybe 10, 12, 15 years ago—we talked about inbound and outbound marketing. We did social marketing through blogs, where we’d get quotes from veterinarians or create posts like “How Much Does Pet Sitting Cost in Scottsdale?” or “The 5 Best Dog Walkers in Scottsdale.”
    When you mentioned people, you’d tag them, email them, and say, “Hey, we mentioned you! We’d love if you shared this.” And they often did.
    Fast forward to today—most of you aren’t really blogging much anymore. And okay, you could be posting to your Google Business profile regularly, but let’s be honest—not many are.
    Here’s something a lot of people forget: every time you post on Facebook, it’s like a micro-blog. It shows up on Google and your page. So your descriptions should be rich, not stuffed with keywords, but meaningful and relevant.
    Today, we’re going to talk about outbound or social media marketing, because it’s missing—and I feel like a lot of you are neglecting it. When I say a lot, I mean about 98% of you.
    So I want you to perk up and listen to this one. It might take a couple of days for it to really sink in, but I want you to think about it as you walk dogs, drive around, fold laundry, or work out.
    Ask yourself: How am I doing this?
    Because as we come close to closing the doors for Better Marketing with Bella—our July to December semester, by the way, which won’t open again until 2023—you need to understand this.
    Speak now or forever hold your peace! That’s jumpconsulting.net/marketing. Loyal listeners can even get a discount if you DM me or email me at [email protected].
    But back to it—social media is not just posting a cute picture of a dog with 30 hashtags and saying, “This is Molly.” The end.
    You might as well stay home—that’s a waste of time. And while I see some of you getting better at it, not enough of you are.
    Let’s fix that.
    The Awkward Mixer Analogy
    Imagine this: you walk into a networking mixer at a local restaurant. You walk into the bar area where everyone’s mingling, drinks in hand. You don’t know many people. You walk into the middle of the room and… you just stand there.
    Silent.
    Not making eye contact. Not saying hi. Not asking questions. Just… existing.
    That’s what many of you are doing on social media right now.
    You only respond when spoken to—or worse, you have an auto-reply that says, “Thanks for messaging XYZ Pet Sitting! Visit our website.”
    Guys, that’s not social—that’s robotic.
    You’ve got to show up and start conversations. You need to build relationships the same way you would face-to-face.
    Be Social on Social Media
    This is where collaborations come in. It’s called collabs now, but it’s the same thing we used to do through blogging years ago.
    You can do them in Stories, in Reels, or on your grid. Tag other businesses, check in at their locations, mention them in posts.
    And it doesn’t have to be pet businesses!
    We’re heading toward what looks like a rough recession. Right now, you might be slammed with clients and think, “I don’t need marketing.” But you do. Because soon, spending will tighten.
    When that happens, the relationships you’ve built online will be your lifeline.
    Relationships last longer than likes. They outlast business cards.
    When things slow down, you’ll reach out to your connections and they’ll help promote you—because they like you and you’ve built rapport.
    Think about collaborating with local housekeepers, groomers, or trainers. Cross-promote each other. You can tag each other’s businesses, share each other’s content, and even co-create Reels or posts.
    This is the social part of social media.
    Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
    I know some of you are thinking, “I’m an introvert. I don’t like networking.”
    That’s okay—but you still need to show up. Be social online. This is your way of connecting without leaving your house.
    At some point, you’ve got to stretch yourself if you want your business to grow.
    And please—stop posting just dog and cat faces. Nobody cares unless it’s their pet. At the very least, email your client whenever you post their pet’s picture and give them the link to share.
    That’s connection.
    Why You Need a Strategy
    One of my clients stayed in Better Marketing with Bella for four semesters—two years—and they went from terrified of social media to absolutely crushing it.
    Now,...
    21 min
  • 3 Types Of Pet Businesses That Need To Have Their Social Media Popping! / Ep. 285
    If you have been following along our theme of social media, you know just how important of a role it plays in your business. I think it is safe to say that at one point or another you have cyberstalker companies to learn more about them. Well, consumers are doing the same to your business too.
    If you haven't learned by now, social media is breaking or making goals you set for your business.
    But utilizing social media is more than just posting right? Yet time and time again I see businesses with the utmost potential falling short when it comes to utilizing it. This week I address three types of goals that you might be working on that will be more easily achieved if you also leverage your social media.
    Business owners who are leveraging how much social media can boost their business understand it involves much more than just posting and hoping for likes. If you have goals for hiring, increasing, and scaling your business than your social media needs to be excellent. I am not just talking about the great pictures you post. But conveying your worth to those who stop by.
    Looking for employees?
    Yes, potential employees will look at your social media and see if YOU are the right fit for them. Why would they want to work there, how would they fit in?
    Wanting to raise your rates?
    YUP! Your brand that your portray on your social media needs to reflect the worth of the prices you are raising! Your strategy online says a lot about your value.
    Learn how to scale back business?
    Well, there are two problems to be solved here, and guys I am here to help teach you this system.
    Recommendations:
    Knowing the right things to post and when to post is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to utilizing your social media correctly. After many years of experience, building my own brand and helping others find success in their business, I know how social media plays a huge part in success. With Better Marketing With Bella, not only is content created for you but success is outlined on how to use it.
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    Did you enjoy the show?
    We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!
    Transcript:
    This is episode 285 of Bella in Your Business.
    You love to take care of the pets, but not the busy work that comes with running a pet care business. Meet Ginger, the best-in-show dog daycare, boarding, and grooming software. Ginger is packed with time-saving features that make running your pet care business easier, and your customers will love booking appointments from the Pet Parent mobile app. More tail wags, less busy work. Say hello to simplicity with Ginger.
    Visit gingerapp.com/bella to claim your free one-month subscription. That’s G-I-N-G-R-A-P-P.com/bella to claim that one-month free subscription.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we are going to continue on our theme of social media, and I’m going to talk to you about people who really need social media. You might find yourself in this, but I’ve got three distinct types of people that really need to be killing it on social media—especially right now in April of 2022—as we go into this volatile market.
    Everything’s happening. We’ve got Ukraine going on, economies collapsing, interest rates going up, possible food shortages coming. People are kind of getting a little scared, and I get it. But that means that people get scared to buy.
    When you are a luxury dog walking service—which, I’ve got news for you, you all are a luxury dog walking service because no dog needs to be walked—it’s purely an emotional buy from all of your clients. So please let’s agree on that right now.
    If we can agree that you have a luxury service, then we also need to agree that your worth and value really need to shine.
    There are three people—and this might not be a long podcast today because it’s going to be really direct and probably hit you right smack in the middle of the eyeballs—but there are three distinct people that need to be killing it on social media right now.
    1. Those Looking for Employees
    If you’re looking for employees, I cannot even begin to tell you how many people are doing it wrong. Most of you aren’t even mentioning it. And if you are, it’s literally just a spammy advertisement saying, “I need employees. Do you want to work for us?”
    Here’s the thing: if someone is looking to work for you, they are instantly wondering, “Wow, are they going to be able to pay me my paycheck? How professional of a company is this?” Because most people don’t even realize that pet sitting or dog walking is an actual profession.
    Think back to the last person you told that you have this awesome business and are super busy—they probably laughed until they realized how serious you were. People discredit our industry all the time, including those who might want to work for you.
    So the first thing they’re going to do is check out your website—and hopefully, it has your employees listed on it—but then they’re going to cyberstalk you. They’re going to go to TikTok, Facebook, Instagram. They’ll want to watch your stories, reels, and videos to see who you are before applying or even during the process.
    If you’re one of those people getting ghosted or barely receiving applications, this is definitely something you’ll want to work on.
    They want to see what a day in the life looks like with you. They want to know how they’d feel working for you. Feeling is huge. And not to mention—it makes all of your existing employees happy when you feature them, or better yet, let them do takeovers.
    There are so many ways to do this successfully, and while I know very few companies that are doing it right, the ones that are? They’re knocking it out of the park. They’re not scrambling for employees anymore—let alone customers.
    They understood that once their customer flow was steady, they could leverage social media to attract employees too.
    2. Those Looking to Raise Rates
    If you’re looking to raise your rates, social media is your secret weapon.
    Why? Two reasons:
    It’s a great way to connect with your existing clients and give them extra value. If you’re not already leveraging social media to get your existing clients excited about you, then you’re missing the boat.
    It builds your professional and perceived value.
    If you’re not strategic, you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall. Posting aimlessly is a waste of time.
    Your brand must reflect your value. That means professional, relevant, and intentional content.
    Professional doesn’t mean reposting other people’s reels or sharing random dog pictures. It means branded, purposeful content that aligns with your value.
    If you haven’t posted in the past 24 to 48 hours, you’re not relevant. If you’re not posting about local tips, pet care advice, or things that improve your clients’ lives, you’re missing opportunities to show value.
    The type of posts, videos, stories, and even GIFs you use all matter.
    Cute pet faces alone don’t matter—unless it’s your client’s pet or your copy tells a story with a great hook. Otherwise, it’s noise.
    Your social media needs strategy.
    3. Those Wanting to Scale
    If you want to learn how to scale, you must also have strong social media.
    I’ve told you before there are only two problems in this business:
    Getting more clients.
    Getting more employees.
    The faster you systematically solve both, the faster you can move forward. If you only solve one, you’ll just spin in circles.
    Once you have a steady flow of clients and staff, that’s when you can start scaling—building an internal structure, systemizing, and stepping out of the day-to-day.
    I’ve seen clients use this stability to open boarding facilities, start training programs, or launch new businesses. When both problems are solved, you can finally focus on growth and freedom.
    If you’re thinking that social media is only for attracting clients, you’re missing the entire point. It’s also for collaboration, building relationships, and staying relevant.
    Closing Thoughts
    If you think you can handle your own social media, all the power to you—but let’s be real. You’ve got a thousand other things to do. I’ve yet to meet a business owner who says, “I have so much extra time.”
    You need strategy and structure. That’s what Better Marketing with Bella is for.
    It’s a six-month program I started in 2017 that gives you everything—eight graphics, four videos, one Instagram story, two emails, a Facebook cover, four group coaching calls, a private coaching call, and two Reel outlines every month, all branded for you.
    And the best part? You can reuse it every year—it’s evergreen. It even becomes an asset when selling your business because you can say, “Here’s our full marketing library.”
    One of my clients has been with me for four semesters—two years—and now they’re getting employees and clients directly from their Instagram. They’re so successful they just expanded to a larger area and are now building a boarding facility.
    That’s what happens when you systemize your marketing.
    I do this because I love helping you succeed. It’s my personal high to watch you grow.
    Go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing or email me at [email protected] for an exclusive listener discount. Our first delivery goes out June 15th for July content, so join now before the doors close.
    So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did, because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher,...
    21 min
  • Why You Might Not Be Getting Return On Your Social Media Investment / Ep. 284
    Do you ever find yourself posting on social media wondering "Is this really worth it?"
    Is it really worth your time and effort posting, in hopes you will get growth for your business?
    Does social media really work?
    I am here to tell you, yes, it is and does.. if you're doing it right!
    Social media gives a 360 view of a company and helps consumers decide if this is the company for them. This week I dish out some serious statistics to help unvail the importance of social media, and how you should, correctly be using it.
    Biggest Takeaways:
    Have you ever been on social media and seen a post asking for 'recommendations'? That is because according to Forbes, a whopping 81% of purchasing decisions are influenced by friends' social media posts! People not only want convenience and familiarity when choosing a company to purchase from or work with, but they want social proof that this company is who they say they are. Social media gives a glance into what a company does and how they do it. And if you are using your social media correctly, you are engaging and enticing customers, giving them the reassurance they need to work with you. Learn this week why social media is really worth it, and how to ensure you are doing things correctly.
    Links:
    Better Marketing With Bella
    Instagram
    Episode 120: Relationship Marketing & Buyer Personas With Jessika Phillips
    Jump Consulting 
    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.
    Let's Connect
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    Transcript:
    This is episode 284 of Bella in Your Business.
    Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs.
    In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business.
    So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump!
    Have you ever just wondered if all of your efforts on social media are worth it? You’re posting and tagging and putting up stories and making reels, but you ask yourself, “Does this even actually make any difference in my business?”
    Today, we’re going to dive right into that. I’ve gotten not just one, not two, but at least three emails this month where people have said, “My gosh, Bella, I just don’t know if the ROI—return on investment—of social media is actually worth it.”
    And guys, I’m here to tell you—it is.
    I’m going to refrain from talking about myself building almost a half-million-dollar coaching company purely on social media. I’m going to refrain from mentioning the speaking gigs I’ve landed or the travel I’ve been able to do because of social media. And I’ll even refrain from mentioning that I’ve built a podcast approaching 300 episodes just from social media—because I know that I am not you, and you are not me.
    So instead, I’m going to break it down for you step by step.
    Social media and online presence shorten the customer journey. Social media amplifies the impact of social proof through word of mouth.
    As I record this, I’m doing part of it live on my Instagram account—instagram.com/bellavasta—and there are seven people watching right now. That’s more enticing than if there were just one. And if there were 200, you’d be wondering, “What am I missing out on?”
    Social media does help. Think back to when you were searching for a restaurant, a housekeeper, or a resort. You didn’t just trust the website—you went to social media. You wanted to see behind-the-scenes photos, real-time content, and authentic posts.
    If you’re like me, you also click “Recent” on Instagram to see what others are posting about that location to get a feel for the vibe.
    Social media offers a 360-degree view of a company. Most of the time, our clients won’t say, “I saw you on Facebook” or “I found you on Instagram.” It’s not how they communicate. But it does influence their buying decisions—massively.
    According to Forbes, 81% of consumers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by their friends’ social media posts. Sixty-six percent of consumers have been inspired to purchase from a brand after seeing user-generated social media images. And 71% are more likely to make purchases based on social media referrals.
    Here’s how it works.
    People first become aware of you. Maybe they see your vet tag you, or they notice a collaboration. Then they find you when they need your service—say, a dog walker or pet sitter.
    When they Google, they recognize your name: “Oh, I’ve seen them everywhere.” That familiarity builds trust.
    Then they do research—like “How much does a dog walker cost in Scottsdale?” And if you’re a longtime Jumper, you probably have a blog about exactly that because we’ve been telling you to write those for years.
    Finally, they make the purchase or conversion.
    This is why asking, “How did you hear about us?” is an outdated question. No one says, “I saw your post and hired you.” It’s never that linear.
    You’re selling peace of mind, trust, and security. No one sees a cute pet picture and instantly hires a pet sitter.
    So when people say, “Bella, I don’t see the ROI for social media,” here’s the truth:
    When people find you, they’re looking at your social media for social proof.
    They want to see that you’re doing what you say you do—that you’re active, consistent, and trustworthy. A feed full of random dog faces means nothing if it’s not their dog.
    When your content has a mix of graphics and personality, your social proof skyrockets.
    Social media builds trust. It’s proof that you are who you say you are.
    If your last post was months ago or your feed is just shared content, it doesn’t inspire confidence.
    That’s why social media absolutely influences buying decisions.
    But there’s a catch: if your feed isn’t “popping” or up-to-date, you shouldn’t be sending people there from your website. It’ll hurt you more than help.
    That’s where Better Marketing with Bella comes in. We give you everything you need:
    Two email templates per month
    A detailed content calendar
    Descriptions for each post
    At least eight (usually ten) branded graphics
    Four square videos
    A Facebook cover image
    Group coaching calls
    A one-on-one coaching session with me
    And we even include bonuses.
    This year, instead of gifts like selfie lights and tripods, we decided to give real, practical bonuses. In the first month, we trained our clients’ social media managers and VAs—gave them downloads, prompts, and structure so they weren’t just button-pushers.
    Because step one is posting. Step two is outreach.
    That means collaboration, engagement, and building relationships—online and offline.
    You should be commenting on local pet lovers’ posts, engaging with other pet owners, and collaborating with nearby businesses. It only takes ten minutes a day—and it can easily be systemized so your VA or office manager can do it.
    Social media can absolutely get you clients.
    But it’s not “A equals B.” It’s more like “A through Z equals money.”
    And if you’re not making Reels yet—you’re falling behind. Seriously. You’re not relevant without video.
    My Jumpers are out there making Reels, doing stories, sending video replies in DMs—and they’re landing clients because of it.
    Some of their clients even left for competitors and then came back because they connected with their personality.
    That’s what social media does—it builds emotional connections.
    You can start conversations in DMs without selling. Just talk to people. Engage with their posts. Relationships come first.
    Better Marketing with Bella isn’t just about giving you content—it’s about teaching you to use it strategically.
    I teach you to be a sniper on social—not someone wasting hundreds of random posts hoping one hits.
    If you could invest ten minutes a day, five days a week, and know exactly what to do—how much would that change your business?
    That’s what this program gives you.
    Go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing and see if it excites you. DM me for a special listener deal.
    Because social media isn’t a standalone tool—it’s part of a larger ecosystem.
    Think about it. Back in the day, someone might’ve seen you in the newspaper, then on a friend’s Facebook post, then Googled you, and finally called. It took multiple touchpoints.
    People need to see your business around 10–11 times before it registers—and by 20 times, it feels familiar.
    It’s never a one-hit wonder. Consistency builds trust.
    You must show leadership online. Be interesting. Engage. Build community.
    No one wants to be the sleazy salesperson—but ignoring social media is even worse.
    Social media is networking in today’s world.
    If your feed isn’t active or professional, you’re losing opportunities.
    And remember—the algorithm favors video.
    Your social media can absolutely bring you clients. You just need the right strategy.
    Go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing to join Better Marketing with Bella. Doors are open for a limited time.
    You can commit for six or twelve months. The longer the term, the better the deal.
    If you’ve been wanting to work with me and wondering how, this is your chance.
    I started Better Marketing with Bella in 2017 after selling my company in 2016. It’s a labor of love because I truly adore helping small businesses grow through social media.
    We hire professional designers, craft the content with care, and back it up with years of strategy.
    So yes—this is me pitching you. But if you’re ready to take action,...
    19 min

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