Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

Resiliency, Black Swans, & Perseverance Through The Darkest Times

We all have black swan events happen in our life. The Covid-19 Pandemic has definitely been an elephant-sized black swan event to the pet business. It has tested the resilience and patience of a larger number of Jumpers. Today I want to share a lesson on antifragility.

Asha Olivia is the owner/operator of Hoby Dogy serving Hoboken, NJ ever since 2012

Asha is also a warrior. For example, she is a stage, four cancer survivor.  Asha also counsels others with deep wisdom. This is wisdom won from a lifetime of going to battle. She works hard to improve every single day. Therefore, Asha has become a guiding light in this world as a result of her daily improvements. Meanwhile, when Asha is not serving others, you will find her taking long walks with her dear husband Jan and their dreamy puppies Lovey and Savey who they met and rescued on the streets of Colombia.

Asha Olivia

Black Swan Show Highlights

[1:40] - Who is Asha Olivia?

[5:00] - What is a Black Swan moment?

[8:00] - Can you describe what the differences are between "fragile," "resilient," and "antifragile?"

[9:30] - Would you be able to tell us how you felt at that moment when you received your diagnosis. More importantly, how did that play into the different mindset conditions?

[14:30] - What is the story of Vice Admiral James Stockdale and what is the Stockdale Paradox?

[18:00] - How do you become antifragile?

[22:00] - Finally, what do you suggest that the audience's first steps be so that they maintain their antifragility?

Links

The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RI99IM/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Antifragile by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009K6DKTS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

In Love and War by Vice Admiral James Stockdale: https://www.amazon.com/Love-War-Familys-Sacrifice-Vietnam/dp/0060153180/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588105632&sr=1-1

Good to Great by James Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/B00E5NTYP0/ref=sr_1_13dchild=1&keywords=good+to+great+james+collins&qid=1588105401&s=books&sr=1-13

Podcast with Nick Trevillian: /episode-190-how-to-move-the-mountain-in-your-life/

Liz Illg: https://www.lizillg.com/

Asha’s Website: https://www.hobydogy.com

Women & Lung Cancer Article: https://time.com/5720763/lung-cancer-rates-women-men

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 196 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. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. Today, I’ve got a very exciting guest for you. After she presented in our COVID support group about a month ago, she gave me goosebumps and everyone else that was there. I had to share her with all of my podcast listeners. Please welcome Asha Olivia. She’s here today from Hoboken, New Jersey, which I’ve actually visited. It’s a very small borough that overlooks Manhattan. For me, I can’t get more inspired than looking at New York City—it’s breathtaking. We’ve been in each other’s lives for quite some time, and I’ve seen her go through it, and she’s seen me go through it. The way she’s come through and reminded us all in the COVID support group—and will again today—is powerful.

We’ve all had our COVID-19 already, and Asha likes to talk about this “black swan” moment in her life. Before we get into that, I asked her to explain who she is, tell us about her business, and a little about her backstory, which sprouted the realization she’s about to share.

Asha thanked me for the invitation and said it was an honor to be on the podcast. She shared that she owns and operates Hobie Doggie, a dog walking and puppy care company in Hoboken, New Jersey. She started the company in 2012, around the time she got to know me. Since then, she joined my mastermind group about three years ago and has found it an indispensable resource through the ups and downs of business.

She explained that, at the time of recording, an average of 700 Americans were dying daily from COVID-19. For comparison, 2,400 Americans died at Pearl Harbor in one day—meaning America was essentially having a Pearl Harbor moment every three to four days. “In essence, we’re at war,” she said. “Every American is a soldier. So how will we be soldiers every day to get through this war—and any war in our lives?”

She began sharing her story: in November 2018, she was a “happy, healthy, yoga-doing, veggie-loving tree hugger” and business owner. She developed a cough she brushed off as nothing, even during team interviews. But when her parents pushed her to see a doctor, she was diagnosed with stage four non-smoker’s lung cancer. It was a huge shock—her “mini war” and her “black swan.” Over 16 months, she fought that war, and as of the day of recording, she could happily report that she was in remission—cancer free.

She explained the concept of a “black swan,” drawn from statistician Nassim Taleb’s books The Black Swan and Antifragile. A black swan is an unexpected, sudden event with potentially massive effects on life. It can have negative effects (fragile), leave one the same (resilient), or make one better (antifragile). The term comes from the rarity of black swans in nature.

On a macro level, COVID-19 is a black swan—the biggest since the 1918 Spanish flu. On a semi-macro level, black swans include natural disasters. On a micro level, individuals face personal black swans: sudden illness, divorce, loss, financial ruin. Everyone experiences their own. “The most important thing,” Asha said, “is how we allow the black swan to affect us.” Fragile people get knocked down and break, like crystal or a candle in the wind. Resilient people take the hit but stay standing, like an earthquake-proof building. Antifragile people take the hit and grow stronger, like fire made stronger by wind.

I asked if these reactions are innate or a choice. Asha said she believes—barring mental illness—it’s a choice. When she got her diagnosis, she was with her dad at the doctor’s office, staring at an x-ray of a tumor in her lung. She dropped to her knees, realizing life would never be the same. But she decided then that it would be the defining event that made her stronger. “These moments,” she said, “take everything you’ve got—heart, soul, body, spirit—and an unwavering faith. Not religious faith necessarily, but a deep knowing of who you are and what you’ve overcome.”

I agreed and noted that we’ve all had moments like that. Black swans aren’t new—we’ve all been slapped by one before. They wake us up, remind us who we are, and test how we’ll respond. Some days we’re fragile, some resilient, some antifragile—but we must keep moving forward.

Asha shared a story about Admiral James Stockdale, a U.S. Navy officer and Vietnam War POW. Captured and tortured for nearly eight years, he emerged stronger. He wrote In Love and War with his wife. Despite the suffering, he considered himself “the lucky one” because he knew how he would respond to hardship—something others might never know.

Jim Collins later wrote about Stockdale in Good to Great, coining “The Stockdale Paradox”: maintaining faith that you will prevail while simultaneously confronting the brutal facts of your situation. It’s about acceptance—not denial—so you can begin to fight.

That reminded me of a quote I had hung in the NICU when my daughter Olivia was there: “Everything is going to be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

I asked Asha how people can build their capacity to be antifragile. She said, “Antifragile systems work because they build capacity when under stress.” Like muscles tearing and rebuilding stronger after a workout, humans grow through challenge. She explained key ways to build capacity:

Physical health: exercise, good nutrition, rest.

Family and friends: strengthen relationships, reconnect with loved ones.

Emotional and spiritual: therapy, meditation, prayer, or hobbies that nurture the soul.

Intellectual and mental: take classes, read, join groups like masterminds, learn from others.

Economic: diversify income streams. She cited pet sitter Nicole Wilson, who began grocery shopping for clients during COVID-19 and created a new revenue stream.

Business systems: build SOPs and organize operations for stability.

Character and self-awareness: reflect on past challenges and recognize your own strength.

“Remember,” she said, “you’ve fought micro wars before. This is just another one. You’re not fragile. You’re not merely resilient. You’ll come out of this swinging like Muhammad Ali—better than before.”

I loved her metaphors—fire,...

The Scientific Way To Choose A Pet Sitting Software

Choosing a pet sitting software is not an easy task. Maybe you're overwhelmed with all of the different options out there, or even tried them all but just can't decide. It's difficult to determine which features are important to YOU and then to match those needs up with software. In this episode of Bella In Your Business, I sit down with Kristin Young, where she shares her scientific process for successfully choosing a pet sitting software to use in your pet business.

After 20 years in corporate real estate and business, Kristin "woke up" one day realizing she wanted more ownership over her own time and to escape the common cubicle. With two young kids and a supportive husband, she began the search for an income model that she could manage, grow, and LOVE. In January of 2019, she decided to buy NOT ONE, but TWO cat sitting companies, with the intent to merge them into a single business. With a passion for business, love of animals and affinity for cat puns, Kristin uses her inner "geek" to make data-driven decisions in her cat sitting business and create processes that allow her to start stepping out of day-to-day operations and spend more time working ON her business, instead of IN her business.

Kristin Young

Show Highlights

[1:30] - Who is Kristin Young?

[5:00] - What was the driving force behind switching pet sitting software companies?

[7:00] - Can you describe what an "RFP" is?

[9:15] - How did you come up with the methodology for RFP and choosing a pet sitting software company?

[19:15] - How long did you try each pet sitting software for? Are you happy with your choice in software? What advice would you have for someone that is stuck trying to choose a pet sitting software?

[23:00] - Where can you find Kristin online?

Links

Kristin's Website: www.preciousfur.com

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 195 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. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got Kristen Young with me. You guys, I saw her post in one of my groups, one of the free groups I have, Jumpstart Your Pet Business. If you're not in there already, go ahead and jump on in there. But I saw her post about something really interesting, something that we don't often talk about on this podcast. So I wanted to bring her on to share her knowledge.

Have you ever wanted to either get software or switch software but just seem to get completely paralyzed in all of the decision-making process that comes with it? Maybe you've trialed ten, fifteen, or twenty of them and you're still stalling out and it's been months and months. Well, today we're going to blow the lid off of it, and Kristen’s going to give you some awesome tips on how to actually choose a pet sitting software and bring you through her, what I call, scientific process.

Before we get started, I want you to know who Kristen is. After twenty years in corporate real estate, Kristen woke up one day realizing she wanted more ownership over her time and to escape what I call “cubicle jail.” With two young kids and a supportive husband, she began searching for an income model she could manage, grow, and love. In January 2019, she decided to buy not one but two cat sitting companies in the Bay Area with the intent to merge them together. With a passion for business, a love for animals, and an affinity for cat puns, Kristen used her inner geek to make data-driven decisions and create processes that allowed her to start stepping out of day-to-day operations and spend more time working on her business than in it.

After that kind of intro, you know this is a woman after my own heart—someone working on her business and making data-driven decisions. Without further ado, welcome to the show, Kristen.

Kristen shared that the past year had been a crazy but exciting ride. She hadn’t specifically set out to buy a cat sitting business but knew she wanted something to do with animals. When she found not one but two cat sitting businesses for sale at the same time, she crunched numbers, made offers, and somehow managed to close on both simultaneously. Coming from a corporate environment gave her advantages, but she had to learn the pet industry fast. She leaned on her staff and others in the community to help her understand the market. The first six months were insane, but once she got everything merged, the major task was selecting the right system to operate efficiently.

That decision became central to her business success. Kristen explained that many people get stuck in “analysis paralysis” when facing big business decisions like software selection. The key, she said, is to have a clear process, define steps, and set timelines. She emphasized the importance of goals with deadlines—otherwise, the decision-making process can drag endlessly.

When asked what drove her to switch or select software, Kristen explained that the two companies she acquired were run very differently. One had a great client-facing interface but was micromanaged, with the owner handling every little detail. The other had a more powerful back-end system and trusted employees to handle communications and responsibilities. Both used large, established software systems, giving Kristen hands-on experience with two of the biggest names in the market.

Seeing both perspectives helped her realize how critical software choice was to efficiency and scaling. She approached it with a corporate mindset, treating the process like a formal “RFP” or Request for Proposal. She explained that business owners should “run their business like a multi-billion-dollar corporation,” regardless of size.

Kristen broke down her process into two essential tools: a Gantt chart (a timeline-based action plan) and an evaluation criteria matrix. Both can be made in Excel. She explained how she started with a plan, listing each week and setting milestones. She worked backward from her target goal—merging both companies before the summer rush—and broke down steps needed to get there.

Her six-step framework started with an environmental scan of available options. She found about twenty pet sitting software companies but quickly narrowed them down based on scalability and reliability. Smaller, newer companies were riskier, and she wanted one with proven longevity.

Next, she defined ranking and weighting criteria—factors like size, price, and key management. For her cat sitting business, key management was crucial due to constant key handoffs between staff. She weighted that criterion heavily (80%) and gave lower weight (10%) to price since most systems cost roughly the same.

She then reached out to four or five companies with a list of detailed questions to evaluate responsiveness and customer service. Two were immediately eliminated for not addressing her questions. The others participated in hour-long demos, and Kristen compared each system side by side in her Excel sheet.

Once she selected her software, she created an implementation plan in her Gantt chart, working toward “D-Day,” the official switchover. She even ran both systems concurrently for a short period to minimize transition issues.

Bella summarized the method as starting with the end in mind, reverse-engineering the process, and prioritizing what matters most. Kristen added that she didn’t make decisions alone—she involved her team and even asked clients what features mattered most to them. This not only improved decision quality but also helped with client buy-in during the transition.

Bella highlighted how Kristen’s process—complete with weighted criteria—turned a potentially overwhelming decision into a structured, scientific approach. For those intimidated by spreadsheets, Bella noted that the principle, not the format, matters: knowing what you need, assigning value to each criterion, and sticking to a plan.

When asked how long the process took, Kristen said about six months—from the initial evaluation to the final switch. She emphasized that big decisions like this shouldn’t be rushed. Unrealistic timelines only lead to frustration.

She ultimately narrowed her choice down to two major systems—Precise Pet Care and Time to Pet—and chose Precise Pet Care. She was happy with her decision, especially because of their customer service and willingness to listen to feedback. Communication features were lacking but were already being improved based on user feedback.

Kristen encouraged software users to communicate—not complain—with their providers. Constructive, solution-oriented feedback helps companies evolve. She advised business owners to communicate openly,...

How To Prevent Your Website Content From Being Snatched

Have you ever had your website content snatched? I've had a lot of pet business owners come to me about how other pet businesses STOLE their website content including services and blog posts! What would you do? Could you prove the content was yours? What images have you used? Who would you speak to?

This episode was born with my two expert cohosts so that nobody EVER has to go through that. Today, we have Liz Illg, expert wordsmith, who helps business owners with internal and external messaging. She helps businesses really convey their differentiating factors to their audience. We also have Erika Godwin, website guru, who understands the technical/SEO aspect of creating a rocking website.

 

Sick of doing your own graphics? Want us to do them for you? Space is limited.

Show Highlights

[2:00] - Who is Bella Vasta, Liz Illg, and Erika Godwin?

[5:10] - How do we prevent our website content from being snatched?

[12:00] - What is your website actually DOING for you?

[20:00] - What does it mean to properly label images on your website?

[28:00] - How can you get in contact with Liz & Erika?

Links

Erika's Website: barketing.co

Liz's Instagram: @liz.illg

Bella's Instagram: @bellavasta

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 194 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. Welcome everybody. My name is Bella Vasta and I am here with Liz Illig. We were supposed to have one more amazing dynamic person join us, but for some reason, as Kim Welker said, technology—ha ha—you totally nailed it. That's the thing with technology, and for some reason, Erica is seeing a blank screen. So, Erica, I know that you're probably watching and listening. We're going to have you comment in the chat. We love you, we miss you, and we hope you are here, but for some reason, the tech is not working. That's okay. The show must go on, and we are so excited that you guys are here.

Listen, today we’re going to talk about something super important. The reason why I wanted these two ladies on with me is because I know that at some point you’ve had your website snatched, your content stolen, or your Facebook graphics taken and reposted with someone else’s logo. And yes, some of you might even be guilty of this too! So today we want to blow the lid off this topic because of how amazing the three of us work together. I help people with strategy—what makes you different and how to communicate that. Then they often get stuck figuring out how to say it on their website. That’s where Liz comes in—she’s an incredible wordsmith. And finally, there’s Erica, the website pro. The problem is that people often go straight to Erica expecting her to do everything, and it doesn’t work that way. So we’re here to break that down.

Liz introduced herself, saying she runs Liz Illig Consulting and specializes in internal and external communications—helping people tell their team and audience what they need to know. Internally, that means SOPs, training, and hiring; externally, it’s all about branding and how you show up online. She also owns five pet grooming locations in the Phoenix area, soon to be seven years strong, and uses her experience to teach branding and communication strategies.

We also introduced Erica, owner of Barketing Blog, who creates beautiful and cost-effective websites and maintenance plans for pet sitting and dog walking businesses. Her templates are gorgeous, but one common problem clients face is not knowing what to say or how to say it—resulting in “word vomit” across their websites. That’s why we brought these ladies together.

Liz explained that one major reason people’s content gets stolen is because it’s too generic. When your copy is generic, it’s easy to replicate. The solution is to make your content so unique, so true to your brand, that it can’t be copied. Be authentic—your voice won’t be anyone else’s voice. Use your own style, keywords, and tone. And make sure your website content is strategically placed and aligned with your brand identity.

We discussed how being too close to your business can make it hard to write about it clearly. That’s where professionals like Liz help by pulling out your personality and making it shine. She explained that visitors should immediately know what you do when they land on your website—within one to three seconds, even before they scroll.

I added that so many pet business websites sound the same—“We’re the premier pet sitter,” “We go above and beyond,” “We treat pets like family.” If I can copy-paste your website onto someone else’s and it still makes sense, that’s a problem. Your site needs to reflect you—your vernacular, your service terms, your tone, even down to your consistent emoji use or colors.

I gave an example: imagine if Burger King suddenly had golden arches or Ronald McDonald greeting you—it would be obvious something was copied. That’s what happens when your branding isn’t strong. If your website is generic, it almost deserves to be snatched. But if it’s unique to your voice, no one can duplicate it without it being obvious.

Erica shared a story where one of her own templates was literally stolen. A client she once quoted decided not to move forward, then later used another web developer who copied Erica’s entire design—same layout, photos, and icons. It’s risky because Erica pays for licensed materials, meaning the copycat could face legal consequences. She emphasized the importance of using properly licensed photos and icons and not copying others’ work.

We discussed how long website builds can take when clients don’t provide content. Erica explained that her biggest challenge is waiting for clients to deliver their text. Even though her packages are structured with easy templates, many clients freeze up because they don’t know what to write. This is where outsourcing content writing to someone like Liz makes a huge difference.

I shared how overwhelming creative projects can be when you try to do it all yourself. Delegating to experts saves time and frustration. I even had Liz write my own website content because she understood my voice and message better than I could articulate it myself.

Then, Erica joined live after some tech issues—yay! She shared how clients react after launching their new sites: traffic goes up, leads increase, and people compliment them on how professional and beautiful their website looks. She explained that success comes not only from aesthetics but also from backend SEO—proper image labeling, alt text, and optimized site speed.

She explained that unlabeled images or oversized photos slow websites down and hurt SEO. Tools like ShortPixel and file formats like WebP compress images properly. We even mentioned ADA compliance—making sure alt text is descriptive enough for accessibility.

We wrapped up with the main takeaway: to avoid having your website “snatched,” make it unique. Liz added that copying someone else’s content is like “wearing their underwear”—it doesn’t fit, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s just wrong! We all laughed, but the metaphor stuck.

Erica shared a tip for extra protection: a WordPress plugin called WP Content Copy Protection. It prevents right-clicking to save photos and blocks text highlighting, making it harder for people to steal content. While it won’t stop determined thieves, it deters most.

We also talked about keeping copyright dates updated (e.g., ©2020), avoiding Google image theft, and using properly licensed photos. I shared a personal story about receiving a $1,200 fine from Getty Images years ago for using an unlicensed photo on my site—a painful but important lesson.

Erica reminded listeners that stealing content also hurts your SEO since Google penalizes duplicate text. It’s simply not worth it.

We ended with calls to action: Erica can be reached at [email protected] or on Facebook, and Liz at lizillig.com or on Instagram @liz.illig. I wrapped up by teasing a big project Liz and I were working on for the Mastermind and I Own a Pet Sitting Company with Staff group.

We thanked everyone for watching and reminded listeners: when life gets you down, always keep jumping.

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, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

How To Utilize Video For Your Dog Walking Business

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I've been squawking about the use of video for your dog walking business for YEARS. Video is the present and it is seriously skyrocketing - especially right now with everybody being home. If you haven't gotten in yet on the video game, believe me when I say you need to! In this episode, I am going to teach you exactly how.

Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss

Video connects you to your audience. You don’t have to do it every day, and you don’t have to do it for hours, but I would challenge you to try to do it at least once a week for one or two weeks. It will make a world of a difference. If your clients are browsing and see your videos, chances are they will feel a deeper connection with you. Not because you are perfect on camera, but because you are showing vulnerability by BEING on camera. It shows that you are human. That ALONE goes a long way - especially when the people who are searching on your social are trying to decide if they can trust you.

Show Highlights

[2:45] - What types of video apps are out there?

[5:45] - What is the purpose of going live?

[7:20] - Better Marketing With Bella Marketeer Shoutouts!

[13:25] - What are the different ways to go live?

[16:00] - How can I partner with you?

Links

https://jumpconsulting.net/waitlist

Book A Call: calendly.com/bellvasta/say-hello

Wave.Video: /wave-video

Canva: https://canva.7eqqol.net/bella

Giphy: https://giphy.com/

Quik: https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/softwareandapp/quik-%7C-desktop/Quik-Desktop.html

Filmora: https://filmora.wondershare.com/

iMovie: https://www.apple.com/imovie/

Animoto: https://animoto.com/

Final Cut Pro: https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 193 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. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, your host, and today I'm going to talk all about ultimate apps and ways to use video in your dog walking business. But first, I want to give a big shout-out to Asha Olivia with Hopi Dogi in Hoboken, New Jersey. She has listened to every single episode of Bella in Your Business, and I am just so elated and honored that she’s let us take up her headspace for that many episodes. I also want to celebrate the fact that we are almost at 92,000 downloads, so just a big thank you to all the listeners. If you do like this podcast, I would love it if you would share it with your friends. Go ahead and give us a shout-out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, wherever you are, to any of your other pet sitting friends—maybe in Facebook groups that you're in.

But now let's get into the show. We are in the thick of things here with all the COVID-19 stuff going on, and I thought that this might be a very timely episode to kind of take a little bit of a break from talking about COVID but also use it as an example as well. Most of the time when my clients think about going in front of the video camera, it literally scares the heck out of them. But I've been squawking about the use of video for years, and all the predictions that I've made have only proven to be true—the fact that video says it better, that you can be more effective on video, and that people can get to know you and even fall in love with you. Video is the present. It is what’s going on right now, and it is skyrocketing with everyone being home. If you have not gotten in the video game, you need to.

Today I'm going to show you all the different ways you can if you’re one of those people that are either too afraid to be a “talking head” (basically a video of your head talking). Social media feeds have definitely exploded with ways to show video—Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories, Instagram TV (IGTV)—and a myriad of apps now available to help you edit together video clips and look like a pro. Today I want to blow the lid off any fear of using video and show you the many different methods you can apply to reap the benefits.

Let’s talk about some of the apps. One app is Wave.video—an app I really love and actually use for the Better Marketing with Bella program. It allows us to add in fonts and logos for all 40-plus brands we help. It’s desktop-based and one of my favorites. They have a library that adapts video size for any platform, whether square, horizontal, or Instagram Story size. Another app is Canva, which is great for creating GIFs—animated graphics that move. I’ve used Canva for years, and its GIF feature lets you design a graphic and have it fly in from the sides. It’s perfect for Instagram and Facebook Stories.

Speaking of GIFs, you can also use Giphy to make your own. Did you know you can comment with a GIF on Facebook? Imagine typing your business name in the search bar and seeing a video of you pop up—try typing “Bella Vasta” into Giphy, and you’ll see some examples my friends made. Another app is Quik (Q-U-I-K), great for splicing together short clips with filters that make you look like Steven Spielberg. Filmora is another tool for phone or desktop, offering hundreds of downloadable special effects packages you can purchase—everything from retro to tropical.

If you’re an Apple user, iMovie is a classic—it’s what I’ve used for almost all the videos on my YouTube channel. For more advanced editing, there’s Final Cut Pro, which I bought for around $400 but admittedly still tend to stick with iMovie because it’s what I know. Another long-time favorite is Animoto—still popular after many years, which says a lot in the fast-changing world of software.

Now, let’s talk about the importance of going live. One of our mastermind members, Sue, said she doesn’t like going live because she hates the sound of her voice. Guess what? Me too! Even though I host a podcast, it’s hard for me to listen to my own voice. But if you’d never seen me online or listened to this podcast, would you feel like you know me and my brand? Probably not. Video connects you to your audience. You don’t have to do it every day or for hours, but try going live once a week—it will make a world of difference.

Remember, social media is rarely the first step in the buying journey. People typically find your website first, then click through to your social media to learn more about you. When they see your videos, they feel a deeper connection—not because you’re perfect on camera, but because showing up makes you human. That vulnerability builds trust.

I want to highlight a few of our Better Marketing with Bella students who have been killing it on video. At the beginning of the semester, many of them weren’t doing video at all, and now they’re thriving—especially during COVID. With Better Marketing with Bella, we provide graphics, cover videos, square videos, captions, copy, GIFs, Instagram Stories, emails—so much content. We even added 20 extra COVID-specific graphics over five weeks to keep everything relevant.

First, there’s Daisy from Pooped Out, who has been going live to share tips and tricks about dogs and enrichment toys. She introduces herself, explains what she’s doing, and just gets on camera—even if it’s not perfect. That’s what matters. Her video got about 300 views.

Next is Joanna from Woofin’ It, whose raw, honest videos about COVID and life changes have drawn nearly a thousand views. She’s real, vulnerable, and fearless, and that makes people trust her.

Then there’s Ben from Kenshaw Petsitter, who has a background in stand-up comedy. He created a series of funny “COVID news updates” wearing a suit and tie, using one of the selfie stands we sent all our clients. His humor and consistency—posting Monday through Friday—earned hundreds of views per video and built audience trust.

Finally, April Cox from Rocky’s Retreat, who’s in both Better Marketing with Bella and our Mastermind, did a scavenger hunt video that got 5,000 views. She used it to share fun facts about her business while engaging her audience in a daily challenge.

These examples show there’s no one way to do video. Some go live with pets, some host games, others share tips or jokes—the possibilities are endless. You can even share your screen on Facebook Live to show how easy it is to sign up for your services. Short, one-to-two-minute videos work best, and hardly anyone in the pet industry is doing this yet.

If you go live vertically, repurpose it on IGTV—it plays the first minute on your feed and prompts viewers to watch the rest. Make sure that first minute is engaging. You can also use creative tools like Snapchat glasses—sunglasses that record short clips from your perspective,...

7 Day Pet Business COVID-19 Grand Re-Opening Challenge

Why are we putting on a  7 Day Pet Business COVID-19 Grand Re-Opening Challenge? By now, most of us are in the "acceptance" phase when it comes to the COVID-19 Pandemic. That means it's time to start thinking about how we are going to JUMP back into full-force once everything clears up. We have to be honest with ourselves and realize that not every client and staff member is going to come back. Some businesses themselves may not even be able to come back - and I want to make sure that's not you.

That's why Liz Illg, Erika Godwin, & myself have created the 7-Day Pet Business COVID-19 Grand Re-Opening Challenge to make sure you are fully equipped with everything you need to bring your business back to life!

Show Highlights

[2:00] Bella & Liz's Big Announcement!

[5:30] - Why are we hosting this 7-Day Covid-19 Business Grand Re-Opening Challenge Group?

[15:00] - How do we fight through all of the ups and downs?

[21:00] - What is "back-office" prep?

Links

Join The Challenge: https://jumpconsulting.net/challenge

Jump Mastermind: /mastermind/

Better Marketing With Bella: /marketing/

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 192 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. Listen up jumpers, Bella here. Today I've got a really cool offer for you. I'm about to tell you about the Facebook Live that Liz Illig and I did last week, and I wanted to put it on the podcast because I wanted to make sure that you knew we have a free seven-day challenge group. It just opened up yesterday, Wednesday, April 22, and it's going to run for seven straight days. We have packed this group full of videos, checklists, and all kinds of free stuff to get your juices flowing and give you a win every single day. And did I mention it’s free?

We want to really help catapult and jumpstart your business back into action because we all got into COVID together, we're all going through it together, and we sure as heck are going to come through it together. So listen in and see how you can join our new Facebook group that’s only for seven days. A quick URL for you is jumpconsulting.net/challenge, and it'll bring you right to the group. That’s jumpconsulting.net/challenge. I hope to see you in there and enjoy this episode.

Liz and I talk almost on a daily basis, and a lot of you were in a co-support group where we had twelve different experts come in, with show notes and everything, and we really tried to figure out how we were going to handle this shutdown. But throughout the shutdown, we knew that what goes down must come up. Liz and I have been doing a lot of talking and conspiring about all of the questions you’ve been asking us. So what did we decide to do?

Liz explained that we’ve been thinking about how to prepare everyone so that you’re ready to relaunch your businesses again. That’s why we wanted to create something to give you so many free resources and guidance about how to actually do this in the pet space. Everything is free—you’ll show up when you want to, take the information when you’re ready, and have everything you need to blast off.

We decided to open up a seven-day challenge—seven days chock full of content. Behind the scenes, we’ve been meeting on Zoom since we can’t meet in person because of COVID, and we’ve created a massive outline. Each day features short videos from Liz, me, or sometimes even our partners like Erica Godwin from Marketing Solutions. We’re all coming together to really help elevate the industry and get you excited because the country—and the world—will start opening in phases, and we want you to be ready.

When we say ready, we don’t mean just “We’re open for business as usual,” because things aren’t going back to normal right away. What’s going to happen is there will be different phases—some surges, some slower periods—and we want you to be prepared.

The first day is all about what’s changed during COVID. The second day focuses on marketing campaigns and things you can actually do. The third day is about welcoming your clients back and getting your community to help you. We’ll also cover back office prep to make operations smoother, hiring ads post-COVID (because hiring will be tough), onboarding multiple people at once, and hosting a virtual grand reopening.

We’ve put so much thought into this. It’s going to be intense and full of information, but it will equip you for what’s ahead. It’s totally free, and we’re able to do this because of our programs.

Liz explained that we’ve received so many questions and know what it takes to relaunch successfully. We’re collaborating with our strengths—my strategy and marketing background, Liz’s systems and communication expertise, and Erica’s web and design skills. You’re not getting just one perspective; you’re getting all of ours. And we’re doing it for free so you can actually use these deliverables to relaunch your business when the time comes—whether that’s in May, June, or later.

Liz even said she’s using these same strategies in her own grooming businesses, so everything we teach is real and applicable. This is the kind of material we do inside the Mastermind and Better Marketing with Bella, and now we’re offering a glimpse of it to the entire industry for free.

We’ve been beside you through PPP applications, EIDL confusion, and everything else. Now we’ll be here with you as you come out of it—because we believe in you. We’re only able to do this thanks to the incredible support of our programs, which make it possible for us to give back to the entire industry. So please, share this with your friends, whether they’re in the pet industry or other small businesses—we’re all in this together.

Liz emphasized that every business owner will come out of this, but how you come out depends on the steps you take now—your strategy for reopening, rehiring, and re-engaging clients. This challenge gives you structure to plan that.

We also talked about how pet sitters might be hit harder than dog walkers because pet sitting relies on travel. Dog walkers might bounce back faster, so pet sitters need to pivot their messaging, services, and marketing. We’ll cover strategies for that too—networking, website updates, client scripts—everything you need.

We want to make sure you’re memorable and top of mind for clients and employees alike. Some businesses won’t come back because they won’t adapt, and we want to make sure that’s not you.

Amy Porterfield said something that really stuck with us: “You might not have the gift of revenue right now, but you have the gift of time.” That’s exactly what this is—time to prepare.

We also talked about how client behaviors may change—more people might work from home, so dog walking needs could shift. You have to be ready for those changes. If you received PPP funding, you’ll also need to track spending carefully to qualify for forgiveness. We’ll guide you through that too, sharing reliable resources and systems to stay compliant.

This group will be full of information—it’s going to be overwhelming in the best way. We’re setting it up as a social learning group on Facebook with units for each day, so everything will be organized and easy to find even after the challenge ends.

We also talked about the importance of leadership. Everyone listening is a leader, and leading looks different for everyone. It’s about showing up even when it’s hard. I shared that I’ve battled anxiety and moments of depression during this time, but giving to this community keeps me going. Liz shared how she manages through working, meditating, and building new routines.

This challenge gives everyone something positive to look forward to—a plan, a direction, and hope. Your business will relaunch, and this is your opportunity to come back stronger.

Day one will focus on how COVID will change us for the better. Day two covers marketing campaigns to jumpstart your business. Day three will teach you how to welcome clients back and show them your value. We’ll talk about back office prep, hiring ads post-COVID, onboarding multiple employees, and hosting a virtual grand reopening that gets your community involved.

We love you and are doing this because we believe in you. We’re able to provide this thanks to our programs, like Liz’s work on systems and SOPs and Better Marketing with Bella, which is currently open for enrollment. You can check it out at jumpconsulting.net/marketing. We’ve added over $1,000 worth of bonuses to help you thrive in the second half of the year.

Thanks for tuning in—you guys are the best. From our hearts to yours, always keep jumping.

So what did you think? Did you love this episode?...

How To Recession-Proof Your Small Business After COVID-19

Do you want to RECESSION PROOF YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! You've heard me say this time and time again. Today, I bring you Marilyn Parham, CPA & Jessica Mae Stafford from The Bottom Line CPA. The Bottom Line® CPA is an award-winning, 100% Xero cloud accounting practice serving as industry leaders for Amazon FBA, eCommerce, and Online Business owners. Founded in 1996, TBLCPA launched into the online world circa 2013, quickly becoming the Certified Profit Pros behind many elite online brands. We are also home to ProfitHERO™ where we serve as virtual Profit Partners who are just as passionate about the businesses of our growing family of online DIYers as they are.

Biggest Take Away You Don't Want To Miss

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! You've heard me say this time and time again. In this episode, you'll learn how to secure your financial foundation, how to understand your financial facts, and how to understand your financial funding. At the end of the day, we have to fully grasp where our cash is coming in and where it is being spent so that we can stay PROFITABLE.

Show Highlights

[1:00] - Who is Marilyn Parham & Jessica Mae Stafford?

[2:45] - How can we secure our financial foundation?

[5:30] - What are the ways to understand our financial facts?

[8:00] - What is the Pocket More Profit Masterclass?

[9:15] - How can we understand our financial funding?

Links

Website: https://www.thebottomlinecpa.com/about/

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 191 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. Welcome, everybody. I am so excited to be here with you today. I have got two amazing women that I’m going to be bringing to you, but first I want you to know the backstory. I met these ladies through a mutual contact—one of those “any friend of theirs is a friend of yours” kind of situations. They came into the COVID support group we did two weeks ago, and their session ended up being the most popular one we had. I started feeling bad that only those 200+ people got to see it, so I wanted to bring it here to all of you. Since then, everything has been changing—people are getting funded, others are facing new challenges, and there are so many questions.

So, I want to introduce you to my now two friends, Jessica Mayhafer and Marilyn Parham, CPA, the co-founders of Profit Hero. If that name sounds familiar, it should—it follows the same mentality as Mike Michalowicz, who was on my podcast. Today we’re going to talk about how to recession-proof your small business during COVID. The Bottom Line CPA is an award-winning, 100% zero-cloud accounting practice that serves industry leaders in Amazon, FBA, e-commerce, and online business. Founded in 1996 and launched into the online world in 2013, this is not their first rodeo. They quickly became certified profit pros behind many elite brands and are also home to Profit Hero, which you’ll hear about today. They come alongside business owners to help them manage not just the numbers, but the decisions behind them. Because you can’t make financial decisions unless you understand your own situation first.

So, without further ado, welcome, ladies. They thanked me and mentioned that it’s been a whirlwind week—definitely an adventure. There’s a lot to unpack today, and we’ve done a lot of prep to make sure we over-deliver in value. The first thing I asked was, what does it mean to secure our financial foundation? Because for many, it feels like that foundation has just been blown away.

They explained that there are three key things to understand when making financial decisions: 1) secure your financial foundation, 2) know your financial facts, and 3) understand your financial funding. For the first point—securing your financial foundation—it’s all about relationships. In particular, your financial relationships: bankers, accountants, tax advisors, and business mentors. These partnerships are the foundation that supports your business in both good times and bad. Having a solid banking relationship is especially critical right now, and if you don’t have one, now’s the time to build it.

Next, do you have scalable systems? We all want to grow without constantly breaking things. Scalable financial systems for your accounting, documentation, and cash management are crucial. How do you know how much cash you have? How do you plan for taxes? How much should you pay yourself or set aside for profit? That’s why they love the Profit First system—it’s all about managing cash effectively.

To recap, securing your foundation comes down to strong relationships, scalable systems, and compliance checks. The next step is knowing your financial facts. It sounds simple, but when you’re busy running a business—or dealing with something like COVID—it’s easy to lose track of your numbers. You can’t make smart financial decisions without good data.

This part isn’t just about business—it starts with your personal finances. Many people start businesses as side hustles or with dreams of bringing their spouse into the company, but everyone has personal financial goals that influence their business goals. Understanding your personal needs, upgrades, and dreams is critical. That’s what their Pocket More Profit Masterclass teaches—how to set financial goals that align with what you actually want from your business.

Once you know what you want personally, you can plan for profit accordingly. Sales minus profit equals expenses. You take profit first, not last. That means paying yourself, playing in life and business, and preparing for taxes. Knowing these numbers makes you stronger when it comes time to discuss funding with banks—they’ll ask questions that most business owners scramble to answer at tax time. The best time to get prepared is now.

At this point, I wanted to slow down and ask about the masterclass they mentioned. The Pocket More Profit Masterclass is a 90-minute, no-fluff course that helps business owners become profitable in the next 30 days. You don’t have to wait to be profitable—that’s not the Profit First way. It’s about small, intentional steps: committing even 1% of your resources to profit for the next 90 days. It’s about consistency, not giant leaps.

So, to recap: Step one was securing your financial foundation. Step two was knowing your financial facts. Finally, step three—understanding your financial funding. This starts by knowing your assets—particularly your cash assets. What resources do you have to sustain your business and household? They call this the “State of the Union.” Maintaining a strategic mindset and self-care is essential. You need to keep your battery charged and your mind sharp while navigating uncertainty.

Next comes understanding your debt service—your loans, mortgages, and other obligations—and exploring relief options. Everyone is in the same boat, rowing toward the same goal, and now is the best time to seek help. They referred to this as the “COVID cover.” Then comes economic aid: the opportunities available through government programs and other sources. It’s not just about what you can apply for—it’s about being strategic and using this time to set up systems you’ve always wanted but never had the chance to implement.

To summarize, understanding your financial funding means knowing your cash assets, managing debt service, and taking advantage of economic aid.

I thanked Jessica and Marilyn for being here and for serving our community. They encouraged listeners to stay brave, stay in community, and communicate openly—especially now. If you’re surrounded by people who aren’t open or optimistic, find new communities that are.

If you’re interested in joining their community, I highly recommend it. They don’t just focus on numbers—they focus on the person behind the business. That’s what makes them so successful: it’s about the whole picture, not just the profit and loss sheet.

Thank you again for joining us, ladies. And to everyone listening, remember—when life gets you down, always keep jumping.

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, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

How To Move The Mountain In Your Life

Biggest Move The Mountain Take Away You Don't Want To Miss

We all have rock bottoms. It may be physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, or something else. If you look at your

"rock bottom" as being at the bottom of a mountain, it becomes easier to take that first step. It's really important to focus on "winning" that first 24 hours, and from there - the first week. Day 1 will always be the hardest, but by spending just 15-20 minutes a day climbing your personal mountain, you'll be surprised at h0w much progress you can make to move the mountain.

Move The Mountain Show Highlights

[2:00] - Who is Nicholas Trevillian?

[6:30] - What is the difference between a victor vs. a victim mindset?

[8:00] - The "3 To Be" Method?

What Do I Want?

What Do I Have?

How Do I Get There?

[10:30] - What do we need and what do we NOT need in order to take the first step to change your life and move the mountain?

[17:30] - How can momentum in your personal life spill over to affecting your business?

[25:00] - The 3 things that successful people do every day

[26:00] - Where can our listeners connect with you online?

Links

Website: https://www.nicholastrevillian.com/

Podcast: https://www.nicholastrevillian.com/thetriumphantlifepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicholasTrevillian/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetriumphantlife/

Let's Connect!

Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review!

Click this link – Bella In Your Business

Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork

Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section

Click on ‘Write a Review’'

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 190 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. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got a triumphant story for you. My good friend Nick Trevillion is meeting me here finally. You guys, this has been in the making for about seven months. This guy is so sought after, it is impossible to get on his schedule, but you're gonna understand exactly why I fought so hard by the end of this episode.

Nick and I met about a decade ago and we have stayed in each other's lives—sometimes loosely, sometimes more closely—but he has always been a person I admired. If you’ve ever read Dan Kennedy’s No BS Marketing to the Affluent or The E-Myth Revisited, this is the kind of stuff that Nick introduced me to when I was getting into self-development. Nick has an awesome podcast and website, and so much going on.

He’s been in real estate for 15 years and saw very early on what was possible through mentorship. When he was a teenager, he watched his best friend’s father go from a broke plumber to a multimillionaire in 36 months through sales and real estate. That shaped his conversations around time freedom and entrepreneurship. At 19, during the 2005 boom in Phoenix, Arizona, Nick jumped into real estate and opened his first brokerage by his 21st birthday. Since then, he’s focused on coaching real estate agents, helping them break through and think like entrepreneurs.

But everything changed two years ago. Two days before Christmas, after months of pain and numbness in his legs, Nick collapsed at lunch and lost all feeling from the belly button down. He was 32 years old, healthy and active. After tests, doctors found a tumor growing in the middle of his spine that wrapped around his spinal column. He underwent a seven-and-a-half-hour surgery and spent 11 days in the ICU, being woken up every hour on the hour.

During those long nights staring at the ceiling, he analyzed his life—what he had done right, what he had done wrong, and where he was going. He made a commitment to help as many people as possible break through in their lives. What he didn’t know then was that he would also face rock bottom mentally—dealing with anxiety, depression, and addiction. Physically, mentally, and financially, he hit rock bottom, losing over half a million dollars in his business that year because he had to stop working for months.

Yet even at rock bottom, he saw it as an opportunity to live out what he taught—to prove that breaking through is possible. He explained that one of the most powerful lessons he learned came from Tony Robbins: “You have to look at things for what they are—not better, not worse—just what they are.” For Nick, that meant facing the truth. His trainer helped him start by taking a photo and acknowledging where he was. That’s where his “Three to Be Method” came from—what do I want, why do I want it, and how am I going to get there?

He says too many people say they want more business, money, or fitness without defining it. You have to know where you’re at before you can go where you want to be. It’s like getting on a plane without a destination. For Nick, analyzing his physical and mental state—depression, fear, embarrassment—was the first step. He realized that everyone has their own “mountains”: challenges in business, health, finances, or relationships. The key is taking the first step, no matter how small.

For him, that first step was literally getting out of the hospital bed. For others, it might be making a call, going live on Facebook, or reconnecting with someone. He encourages everyone to take that first small step, because movement creates momentum.

Nick shared a powerful framework he calls the “24-7-14-30.” You win the next 24 hours, then seven days, then 14 days, then 30 days. He believes you can change your life in 30 days. He told a story about a man who came to him overweight and depressed, feeling hopeless about losing 45 pounds. Nick told him to just give 15 minutes a day to running. By day seven, the man ran his first mile. By day 30, he ran five miles and lost nine pounds. That man was Nick himself.

He shared that story to show how small, consistent actions compound into big wins. It’s not about massive overnight change—it’s about proving to yourself that you can do it. Once you win that first 24 hours, you can build from there. His process begins with identifying what you want, why you want it, and then working on the how. The “why” is what fuels persistence.

He reminded us that success in business or fitness isn’t instant. People see the end product, not the countless hours behind the scenes. To grow, you must do something you’ve never done before. He also talked about creating an “alter ego”—a superhero version of yourself that embodies the confidence and skills you need to succeed. For him, that meant stepping out of his introverted nature to show up as a leader.

Nick emphasized that we must stop comparing ourselves to others’ finished products online. Find your own voice, your brand, your message. Start where you are. Commit to 30 days—whether that’s two videos a week, daily posts, or whatever goal fits your mountain. Use tools like whiteboard magnets to track your progress and visually celebrate small wins. He shared that even when he couldn’t hike Camelback Mountain a year after surgery, he kept going, climbing smaller ones until he could. Setbacks are part of the journey—own them.

As we neared the end, Nick shared his favorite resources: the Motivate app for daily inspiration, the Best Self Journal for daily gratitude and planning, and the Success Wizard app for structured reflection. He also curates his Instagram feed as a “success sanctuary,” unfollowing negativity and filling it with motivation.

He closed with a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay, but you can draw a line in the sand and decide to change. You can’t go back and rewrite the past, but you can use it as a lesson for your future. Every small decision—every 24 hours won—builds momentum.

Bella wrapped up the episode with this takeaway: how are you going to move the mountain in front of you? Start with 24 hours. No one else can do the pushups for you. Surround yourself with people and environments that lift you up. If Nick can go from a hospital bed to running again, you can take that first step too.

This has been another episode of Bella in Your Business. Follow Nick for inspiration and share what mountain you’re facing. And remember—when life gets you down, always keep jumping.

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, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

How are you doing? Like really doing?Is Covid-19 Messing With Your Head?

Lately, I've been having A LOT of conversations with pet business owners about how to stay strong during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can not imagine the amount of stress that so many of you are having to deal with and I know that it is not easy.

But I want you to know that in this unique time, it is more important now than EVER to be on your A-Game. What you choose to do with the majority of your days NOW is going to set the stage for what Summer, Fall, and beyond will look like. Listen in as I discuss a variety of ways that you can stop COVID-19 from affecting your mental health.

 

Show Highlights

[3:00] - Why are routines so important, especially during COVID-19?

[5:00] - How cleaning can help you feel a sense of accomplishment and even help others in need.

[7:00] - Why the strong are getting smart - and how you can too!

[10:00] - Consider joining the Pet Industry COVID-19 Survival Group

[13:00] - How you can ask for help & start giving yourself what you need.

[15:00] - How do I know if I'm an essential business?

Links To Stop Covid-19 From Messing With Your Head

Pet Industry COVID-19 Survival Group: jumpconsulting.net/survival

The Ultimate Resource Guide For Pet Business Owners During COVID-19: /the-ultimate-resource-guide-for-pet-business-owners-during-covid-19/

Jump Mastermind: /mastermind/

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 189 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. Hey everyone, we are in interesting times. It is currently April 2020 and COVID-19 has hit the entire world as a pandemic. We are all going through things at different stages, and I kind of wanted to talk about how to make COVID-19 stop messing with your head. Today, I'm not going to just rave rashash kumbaya. I'm going to give you some actual advice of what you can do. And I'm going to actually follow it up with how to know if you're an essential business, because that's also something that's really important on people's minds right now. I hope that this podcast inspires you. We are approaching 90,000 downloads, and I'm just so ridiculously excited for that. I would love to know your feedback about this podcast too, so feel free to reach out to me always at [email protected].

So guys, how are you really doing? Like really, really? I can't imagine that you're having the best time of your life right now. I've been talking to countless business owners around the world the past three or four weeks, and I've realized a few things—things that I want to talk about today. I'm not doing this for ratings or downloads or any algorithm. Even the title of this isn’t sexy or catchy, but this is really just from my heart to yours, no holds barred. I know so many people are dealing with different things—sobriety, depression, loneliness, anger, worry, or fear of passing a child back and forth in this climate. Maybe you were on the verge of breaking up with your spouse and now you’re stuck at home together for endless weeks. I cannot imagine the stress that might be going on in your household or your life.

It's really easy to be swallowed up by it and let it knock you down and leave you there. I mean, why not? Everyone else is taking a time out, right? It's like we’re all in kindergarten and told to go sit in the corner. Tomorrow we can do it, right? Wrong. I can’t stress how important it is that right now you be more on your A-game than ever before. This is an opportunity, and only the strong will take advantage of it and survive long-term. What you choose to do every day right now will drastically affect you in the summer and fall. In order to rev up for this kind of fight, there are a few things we need to get control over first—and these things are deciding factors in successful entrepreneurs.

Let’s first talk about routines. I’ve talked about this before, but right now, we have micro-routines. We’ve been knocked off balance. Our rhythm of life has changed, and I can’t tell you exactly what kind of routine to have, but I will tell you that having a regular routine will help your body clock. A lot of us can either be intentional or unintentional about it. Maybe you drag out of bed, start working, hit a wall, feel depressed, pour some wine, or can’t sleep. That pretty much describes my past couple of weeks. That’s my truth. I’ve tried working out and taking walks. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t—but every day is a new day. I’m not always great, but I’ll keep showing up for you.

Something else that can help your mental stability and give you a win—even if your business is closed—is organizing and cleaning. Look at your clothes. Anything you haven’t worn in a year, donate it. Go through your kids’ toys or your garage, basement, or attic. Play music or your favorite podcast and just go to town. Get messy, get sweaty, and organize. You might even put up Christmas lights again—some people have done that to bring joy. Go through your pantry and toss expired items or donate extras. Scan in old documents or pictures to create digital copies and share them with family.

And hey, sometimes you can just bless the mess and leave it too. These are ideas for when you want to feel productive or accomplished. Another thing: go get wicked smart. Did you know many of us have apps and software we don’t fully use? What if you became a total ninja at one of them? The strong are getting smarter right now. Maybe it’s reading a book or taking a free online class. In the mastermind and pop-up group, we’ve been reading about triumphing over tragedy and how resilient people have always been—even during bombings in wartime England, people still did business every day. We’ve all had our COVID-19 moments before: loss, divorce, death, health struggles. We are resilient.

For example, I just learned StreamYard to improve my livestreams. I went to YouTube, watched tutorials, and boom—it’s now my go-to. If you want to learn how to get your business through this crisis, we still have the Pet Industry COVID-19 Support Group that’s helped over 100 businesses already. You’ll have access to recordings even after it closes. Go to jumpconsulting.net/survival. Knowledge is power, and we have to fight fear with facts right now.

I also want you to give yourself permission. There are so many things guilt or endless to-do lists have prevented you from doing. The time to do it all is now. Go on a walk with your dog and listen to music or podcasts. Netflix and chill guilt-free. Mess up a recipe—it’s okay. Journal with pen and paper. There’s something freeing about writing longhand. Just write for 10 minutes straight. Once your brain realizes it’s free, you’ll be surprised what comes out.

I was recently talking to Maureen Dunn McCarthy from Loving Kisses Pet Sitting in North Carolina, and she said: “I’ve decided to use this time to make time for me. Sometimes the world works in strange ways. This time is telling us to slow down, spend time with family, read, take walks, and call people we love.” Truer words have not been said. I hope that no matter where you are—open or closed—you reach the stage of acceptance so you can start doing something about it.

Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang came into our support group and said something powerful: we must learn, unlearn, and relearn. That’s exactly what this time is for. We can take this opportunity to be still, think about what’s missing, and ask for what we need. Maybe it’s joining a mom’s group, improving nutrition, joining a business group, or taking time off. Ask yourself: what do you need?

For some, this is an opportunity to rest. For others, to get ahead or achieve long-term goals. In the mastermind, we’re starting a 14-day challenge—small daily focuses to stay productive. People are watching you, so how are you going to lead during this time? Jessica Phillips of Now Marketing Group said there will be takers, fakers, and makers. Takers exploit situations. Fakers pose as experts without results. Makers turn this mess into something meaningful. Be a maker. Take an active part in your life. Don’t let news networks drain your energy. Decide how you want to lead yourself, your relationships, your business, and your community.

Now, about being an essential business. Many people ask if they should stay open. It’s hard to decide. Some close to help flatten the curve; others are scared to close because they need income. My heart goes out to you. We are all grieving and going through stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. You’re entitled to feel all of it.

If you’re unsure whether you can stay open, here’s what to do:

Go to your governor’s website—Google your state name and “non-essential workers.”

Contact city hall or email them (email is best so you have a record).

Contact your Chamber of Commerce—they often have direct access to local government.

Consult your CPA, lawyer, or HR professional.

...

Lately, I've been having A LOT of conversations with pet business owners about whether or not they should close their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to be clear - I am NOT advocating that you should close your business temporarily or permanently one way or the other. My purpose here to provide all of the different angles you should consider in order to make the best choice for you, your business, your staff, and your clients.

At the end of the day, every business is different. We all have unique situations, circumstances, and experiences that make us all different in our own ways. It is not our place to judge someone else's business and tell them they need to close or not close. We are all in this together, and we need to support each other now more than ever.

Show Highlights

[2:25] - Consider your area. Different parts of the country (and the world) are undergoing different levels of isolation and social distancing. Check with your local governments for guidance as to how your business operations fit into the current climate. Pay extra special attention if your local area has a "shelter-in-place" directive.

[5:00] - Consider the effect on your staff. There are a few different options businesses have in regards to dealing with staff. You can furlough them, lay them off, or continue business as usual. As with everything, there are pros and cons to each route.

[6:45] - Consider the type of messaging coming from your business. Internal and external messaging is critical. The worst thing you can do as a business right now is not to stand up as a thought leader. Keep your audience informed and keep it honest. And please, do not say you are closing up shop without making it clear that it's a temporary closure.

[10:00] - If you have to close your business during COVID... do not give up. This is the time to feed your mind so that when the world goes back to normal, we can come back bigger and better than ever.

Links

Pet Industry COVID-19 Survival Group: jumpconsulting.net/survival

Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 188 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. I want to talk to you about some things that I think you should consider before temporarily closing your business. Now, I want to be really clear here. I am not encouraging you to close your business. I'm not encouraging you not to close your business. I've just been having so many conversations with people all this week, both on the phone and in Messenger, and I really want to share some really good information.

Stay tuned, because I’ll be giving you a link to a group—it’s jumpconsulting.net/survival—where you can get more information like this from financial experts, lawyers, HR consultants, systems people, and more. If you haven’t joined that group already, please do. You can help me share this too—it’s going to be a very important one. I really want to make sure everybody can see this, hear this, and tune in. We're going to talk a lot about what we need to consider, and I’ve got four things here: your area, your staff, your messaging, and closure.

Your area—everybody is different, so I don’t want any shaming or judgment toward anyone who says they need to close or stay open. I’m starting to see a lot of caddiness online, and that’s not our duty. Stop it right now, because it’s not your business, your livelihood, or your place to judge. Some areas, like the Northeast, Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Seattle, are being hit hard. They’re not going to be the same as smaller, less dense areas in the middle of the country. Be careful about making judgment calls because everyone’s circumstances are different.

Also consider whether there’s a shelter-in-place order in your city. Shelter-in-place means staying home except for essential needs—pharmacy, grocery, hardware, or medical. If you have a shelter-in-place order, it changes the whole situation for your business. A few weeks ago in the mastermind, we asked our HR consultant if someone who contracted COVID-19 while working as a pet sitter or dog walker would be covered under workers’ compensation. At the time, the answer was no, but that’s changing. If your area has a shelter order and you still require staff to work, it could become a workman’s comp claim—which could mean long-term disability if someone’s lung capacity is diminished.

We never want anyone in that position. There are alternatives, and this might become a strategic move for you. That leads into the next point: your staff. There are three main things you can do with your staff—furlough, layoff, or nothing (meaning find another temporary arrangement).

Furlough means they stay on your books but aren’t working. They can’t collect unemployment, but they retain eligibility for PTO or benefits. You also have to keep paying into those benefits. That might work for some companies but not others. The second option is a layoff, which means they go to the unemployment office and receive about 60% of their paycheck. The third option, “nothing,” applies to companies that are very cash-positive and can afford to help staff through loans, partial salary, or bonuses. If you go this route, make sure they know it’s a loan. But remember, that’s also a gamble since we don’t know how long this will last.

Next: messaging. No matter where you are in this process, you need to communicate with your community—both internal and external. The worst thing you can do as a leader right now is to go silent. Be honest about your situation. If you don’t know something, say you don’t know. But keep people informed. If you’re closing, say “temporarily closing.” Always use that word. Set expectations by saying when you’ll reevaluate, and let clients know what to expect next.

There’s no shame in closing temporarily. Everyone’s situation is different, but we’re all in this together. These messages should go out by email to your clients and on social media. If you’re active on Facebook or Instagram, share updates there too—not just dog-walking photos. Talk about how this is affecting your business. This is the time to be a leader. Marketing doesn’t stop; in fact, it’s more important than ever. When the market rebounds, people will need your services again, and being visible now will matter.

Now, about judgment. I’ve seen people criticize others for asking clients for help or choosing to close. Stop it. Everyone’s doing what they need to do to survive. Your job is to focus on your business and your community, not to judge others.

If your area moves to a shelter order, you’ll need to have specific conversations with your lawyer to understand what this means legally and financially. You may need to make hard decisions about operations and staff. If you don’t have a team of professionals to advise you, the pop-up group at jumpconsulting.net/survival is a good place to start. It’s $29 for two weeks and includes access to experts in HR, law, and finance.

Now, if you do have to close—my heart goes out to you. I know this business is your blood, sweat, and tears, because it’s mine too. But I want to encourage you: while you’re closed, don’t let your mind go mushy or your spirit get down. It’s okay to rest for a day, but then get back up and lead. Use this time to work on your SOPs, your onboarding process, and your marketing strategy for the rest of the year. Get ridiculously familiar with your numbers so you know exactly where you stand.

Sharpen your sword—read, listen to experts, and learn new habits. Develop a morning routine. Sweat every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Organize your home, your garage, your finances—whatever gives you a sense of progress. Set daily goals so you still feel accomplished. That will help relieve stress and keep you grounded.

I know many of you are hurting. I’ve talked to people struggling with depression, sobriety, and even suicidal thoughts. You are not alone. Reach out. Send messages to friends or colleagues just to check in. We need love, not judgment. Fact and faith, not fear.

Closing isn’t failure. It can be an opportunity. I spoke to a business owner with 40 employees who shut down completely, and she’s using this time as a reset. When she reopens, she’ll hire differently, knowing exactly the kind of people she wants. There’s no shame in scaling back or starting again.

So here are the four considerations: your area and local government restrictions, your staff and their financial impact, your messaging and how you communicate, and your plan if you close. Keep talking, keep showing up, and share positivity. If you’re not comfortable being on camera, go live with your pets—cats, dogs, anything joyful. People need that light right now.

These are hard times, but we’re all in this together. Be a leader in the best way you can, because people are watching you—and they’ll thank you for it later. I wish more people in our industry would step up and help. I challenge coaches, associations,...

What The Coronavirus Business Impact Means For Your Pet Business

It's no secret that the Coronavirus (a.k.a. COVID-19) has caused we have mass panic in our society. As a result it's starting to impact many pet businesses as a result. Pet owners have started telecommuting from home. They have also canceled upcoming trips as well. Because of that, there has been an increasing amount of dog walking & pet sitting cancellations. In this week's podcast, our guests, Erika Godwin, Liz Illg, and I discuss the best ways for you to handle the response to the coronavirus. We will show you how you can put your clients and staff at ease.

This Is The Biggest Take Away You Don't Want To Miss

As unfortunate as this pandemic is, it is also a great opportunity for you to become a thought leader in your community. That is why we made sure this podcast contains factual information. That way you can demonstrate to your clients that you are prepared. More importantly you can show them that you have a plan for your business during this difficult time. That's because we want to ensure that you stay calm. Make sure you know your policies/procedures, and above all demonstrate leadership to help guide your clients and employees.

Here Are The Show Highlights

How you should address the coronavirus economic impact on business in your marketing materials. More importantly how you should handle incoming client cancellations? [3:00]

How to keep your staff secure & put your clients' minds at ease? [8:00]

The very best way to handle employees that want/need to take sick time? [13:45]

What type of marketing you should avoid regarding the coronavirus? And why. [17:00]

Is it okay to share/post others' content as your own? How can you leverage your local news sources? [18:00]

Links

CDC Cornavirus Myths & Facts: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts.html

World Health Organization Mythbusters: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

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Are You New Here?

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

Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here.

Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here.

Transcript:

This is episode 187 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. Welcome, everybody. I'm so excited that you are here with us today. My name is Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting, and I am joined by two incredible ladies who you guys have to understand how this all came about. Liz Illig is also here in Arizona. She is a systems and processes expert, and down here is the amazing Erica Godwin from Marketing Solutions. Together, we love just working together because we're kind of like three peas in a pod.

Last night, while I was feeding my daughter and fielding messages from you guys about what should I do about my cancellation policy and the coronavirus, what should I do to keep my staff healthy, and my gosh, a lot of my clients are canceling, I said, “You know what? I'm tired of answering you individually. We're going to go live because this is a big enough topic.” I also just got back from San Diego from the world’s largest social media conference, Social Media Marketing World. You should totally go check it out and try to be there next year, by the way.

But aside from that, a lot of speakers are getting canceled. A lot of their livelihood is getting canceled because things are being canceled into the summer right now, since we just don't know how this virus is going to affect the entire world. I know that all of us are in little small communities and there's a lot of hype going on, but I think the biggest undertone in this is that you have to figure out what's going on with you locally. I wanted to bring these ladies on so that we could literally talk about systems and communication, flash marketing, and how it affects your business—but not just talk about it, but also give you something.

You might not have known one of the things that sparked my interest in really wanting to come to you is that Rover is on top of it already. I know that's a pain point for a lot of people in our industry because Rover is doing bigger and better things since they’ve got all these angel investors. Well, consider us your angel investors today because we're going to give you an email outline that you can send to your clients right now to show that you are a thought leader and show your staff that you are in control and in charge.

If you're in the Better Marketing with Bella program, by tomorrow you are going to get a fully written email that you can send to everyone so you don't even have to think about it. Without further ado, I want to bring on these two lovely ladies. Liz, welcome. Erica, welcome. How are you today?

They both said they were good, and I thanked them for wanting to help this industry enough to just jump on with me within 13 hours’ notice. I said that was beautiful and we’d have a hard stop at the top of the hour but would field questions later. I also told viewers to come directly to the Jump Consulting Facebook page to comment “Corona,” since comments elsewhere wouldn’t register.

I shared questions I had been getting: “I've had two clients cancel due to travel plans changing from coronavirus. Should I post something on social media or send a mass email about the steps we're taking to prevent the spread of the virus, such as handwashing and antibacterial wipes?” Another was about cancellation policies and customers working from home. I mentioned Amazon told everyone to work from home and Facebook canceled F8, their major conference. This will trickle down to all communities, especially pet-sitting businesses.

I threw it to Erica to talk about marketing. She said before doing anything, make sure your sources are valid because there’s so much fake news. Go to organizations that have correct, credible information. It’s a great opportunity to be a thought leader and show that you care and are on top of it. Send an email, write a blog outlining what you’re doing, and share how clients can protect themselves. Be professional—don’t use cheesy or opportunistic marketing.

I loved that and added that good sources include the World Health Organization and the CDC. WHO even has myth-busting graphics that pet businesses can adapt. I then turned to Liz to talk about staff leadership. She said it comes down to giving staff what they need—fuel them with information so they’re prepared if clients ask questions. Keep communication open about company policies, refunds, and cancellations. Let employees know what’s happening and equip them with cleaning products—hand sanitizer, wipes, and handwashing protocols. Create processes now for future infectious outbreaks.

I added that this is a great time for owners to revisit their SOPs. Many already include things like washing hands after pet visits, so it’s an opportunity to remind clients that these protocols are standard, not new. You can even add humor—say you’re Lysoling doorknobs or taking extra precautions. That shows professionalism and leadership.

Erica suggested creating educational content, like short videos or blog posts summarizing verified information from trusted sources. Video says it better—show what you’re doing, like wiping surfaces or restocking wipes. Be realistic and approachable in your messaging.

We discussed staff policies. Erica shared that one of her employees stayed home because her father had returned from Italy sick, and she told her to work from home until more was known. Liz reminded everyone to review sick time policies by state, as many don’t know legal requirements. Be proactive about communicating those expectations.

I noted that this also applies if schools close, as some were speculating. Be the leader your staff and clients can rely on. Communicate contingency plans so clients feel secure—because we’re not just providing dog walking or cat sitting; we’re providing peace of mind, trust, and security.

I asked Erica about marketing pitfalls to avoid. She said don’t share memes or political takes that could trigger people—stay neutral and educational. If you question the accuracy of something, verify it through trusted sources like WHO before sharing. Never crop out other companies’ logos when resharing their content—credit them properly.

We discussed how to localize blogs or PR opportunities. I suggested contacting local news outlets about being a trusted pet business voice in the community. Liz encouraged writing PR pitches because media outlets are looking for coronavirus-related stories. Positioning yourself as an educated and trustworthy thought leader can attract clients long-term.

We agreed that being a thought leader doesn’t mean knowing everything—it means standing up to guide the