Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

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If you’ve ever felt stuck, underpaid, or unsure how to scale your pet sitting business… you might be believing lies that aren’t serving you.

In this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m calling out 5 of the most common and damaging pet sitting business myths I see over and over again. These myths are like industry propaganda—and they keep smart business owners small, broke, and stressed.

Maybe you’ve heard that “everyone uses independent contractors,” or “clients only care about price.” Or maybe you've convinced yourself, “you can’t charge that much in your area.” I’m here to tell you: none of that is true.

I’ve coached hundreds of pet business owners, and the ones who succeed stop believing these lies—and start building smarter, stronger businesses that work for their lives.

I’ll walk you through each myth, why it’s harmful, and what to believe instead. This isn’t just a pep talk. It’s a mindset shift and strategic realignment.

Let’s stop repeating what the Facebook groups say and start building a business that’s built on truth, value, and bold leadership.

In this Episode, You’ll Discover...

Why using independent contractors “just to get started” is a trap

How underpricing based on fear is hurting your growth

Why pet care is a real career—and how to own it

What clients actually care about (hint: it’s not price)

How to lead your market instead of blending in with it

Timestamps:

00:05 – Why I had to do this episode: the propaganda ends here05:10 – My IC truth bomb: it’s not fine, it’s dangerous14:00 – Stop selling your soul for price shoppers20:00 – If you treat this like a hobby, don’t expect professional pay29:00 – Why copying the competition will never make you stand out

Notable Quotes:

“The ones who build profitable, sustainable businesses are the ones who stop falling for these lies.”“If you don’t differentiate, you disappear.”“Pet care is a billion-dollar industry. Stop treating it like a hobby.”“You don’t need permission to build the business you really want—just truth.”

Links & Resources:

Join the Mastermind

Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. 

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

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Transcript

Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. We just got off a Memorial Day weekend. I hope you had a really good time, whether working hard or taking time for yourself and your family. Today, we're going to talk about myths.

I'm taking a break from AI and focusing on myths. What prompted this was a trend on social media talking about propaganda people aren’t falling for. I was creating one myself when I thought—why not turn it into a podcast episode? Depending on your feedback, maybe I’ll even do a part two. I’ve got five for you today that are extremely relevant—whether you’re new, seasoned, or thinking about the future of your business. These myths are something I’ve seen repeatedly over the past 20 years.

Shoutout to all the Mastermind members doing Joey Coleman’s 100 Days and mapping out their phases—you’re crushing it. Not just for clients, but for employees, too. With AI, it’s easier than ever to build systems based on avatars, and that growth has been exponential.

Quick PSA on AI: there's a lot happening every single day. I even predict that ChatGPT may not always remain the dominant player. People will need to learn the nuances between different platforms. It’s powerful when used with subscriptions, folders, and GPTs—tools that can cut down hours of work by thinking for you.

But today, we’re setting AI aside and diving into five pieces of propaganda—five myths about pet sitting businesses that circulate like gospel and keep people stuck. Sometimes we believe these lies because we don’t have the right community around us. Facebook groups often perpetuate them. You ask one question and get 20 different answers.

Example? Someone claimed their insurance would be void if anyone else entered their client’s home while they were away. Totally untrue. And yet, these are the kinds of claims we take at face value.

I’ve coached hundreds of pet business owners. The ones who thrive are the ones who question everything. They build businesses around the life they want—not the other way around. So buckle up, because we’re about to dismantle five damaging myths keeping you stuck, overwhelmed, and underpaid.

1. “Everyone uses independent contractors. It’s fine.”

Or: “I’ll just use them until I get going, then I’ll switch.” No. You’re wasting time, money, and risking your business. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean it’s legal or sustainable.

The only reason they appear cheaper is because you’re overpaying them. You shouldn’t be paying more than 32–35% of your average visit price. This is one of the most dangerous myths because it can destroy your business overnight.

If you legally can’t train, supervise, or direct your workers, that’s not freedom—that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. You’re misclassifying employees as contractors because it’s easier—no payroll taxes, no comp, no training. But that convenience could backfire. I’ve seen businesses forced to switch because of something as small as not bringing a dog bowl.

If someone gets injured, they could report you, claiming they were misclassified. Auditors don’t care what’s standard in the industry. If the person works exclusively for you, you direct their schedule, provide supplies—they’re probably an employee. Misclassification can lead to audits, penalties, back taxes, and legal fees.

Some make it through, but they pay heavily. Smart owners build real teams with employees. Yes, it’s more work and money up front, but it’s a real business. Build your house on solid ground, not sand.

2. “People only care about price.”

Wrong. We’re not selling time—we’re selling emotions. We exchange guilt for love, worry for peace of mind. People don’t want the cheapest—they want to feel secure.

This lie traps you into thinking you have to undercharge. And then you’re working all the time, cash poor, and stressed. Clients who value professional care—who want someone insured, with systems and backup plans—will pay for peace of mind.

I’ve worked with clients charging $40 in markets where others charge $18. Why? Because they’ve positioned themselves as premium, communicated their value, and delivered a consistent experience.

Stop competing with teenagers charging $10. Stop assuming your market won’t pay. Price reflects positioning. When you charge premium rates, you attract premium clients.

3. “Pet care isn’t a real career.”

This myth doesn’t just come from the outside—it’s something owners often believe about themselves. But pet care is a multi-billion-dollar industry. There are 35,000 companies out there. People spend more on pets than on their own healthcare.

You’re not “just” a pet sitter. You’re a professional. Your website, your social media, your client experience—do they reflect that? Or are they outdated, inconsistent, or non-existent?

I’ve helped clients grow from $200k to $2 million. They started owning their expertise. They showed up in their communities as thought leaders. You don’t have to be a million-dollar business, but you do have to treat it like one.

4. “You can’t charge that much in your area.”

This is a mindset block. Just because someone down the street charges $20 doesn’t mean that’s the cap. Even in rural areas, clients exist who value professional care. I’ve seen it.

Many of my clients test higher rates—and they’re shocked it works. The problem is, most people look at competitors and then price lower. Or they give discounts without strategy.

Instead, build a pricing plan that leaves margin. Maybe you start at $30 and discount to $27—but not below your minimum. Price creates perception.

If you believe your area can’t handle premium prices, you’re reinforcing the idea that professional care should be cheap—and hurting the entire industry. Stop assuming. Start testing.

5. “You should match what the competition is doing.”

No. This kills creativity. If everyone looks and sounds the same, clients pick the cheapest. Why blend in when you could stand out?

Smart business owners do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. They offer premium experiences—like private hikes, virtual consults, or no holiday fees. Even if your offerings are the same, communicating them better is a major differentiator.

If you have employees, say, “We always have a backup.” If you’re solo, say, “I’m the one you speak with—and the one you see.” Use it to your advantage.

Let’s recap:

Using independent contractors isn’t safe—it’s risky.

People care about trust, not just price.

Pet care is a real career. Own it.

You can charge more—no matter where you live.

Following your competition keeps you invisible.

You didn’t start your business to follow lies or work for peanuts. You started it for freedom and fulfillment.

So—what do you really want? How do you want to build your business? Give yourself permission to create something better. These myths aren’t serving you. They’re just keeping you stuck.

If you want help breaking free, that’s exactly what we do inside Jump Mastermind. We build systems and strategies with other business owners who refuse to settle.

Your challenge: screenshot this episode and tag me on Instagram. Share the myth you're breaking up with. Declare it publicly. That’s when the shift begins.

And before I go, here are some bonus myths I didn’t cover:

You can’t take time off

Clients won’t wait

You must be booked to be successful

You need every social platform

Professional means boring

SOPs are only for big businesses

Your business should look the same all year

You can’t automate and sound human

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Ever feel like you're juggling flaming tennis balls running your pet sitting business? Between client texts, staff questions, scheduling madness, and marketing? Same. That’s why I created this episode—to show you exactly what it looks like to live a day in the life of a pet sitter using AI.

This isn’t theory. I’m walking you through a real story—let’s call her Bailey—who’s not only a busy business owner, but also a mom and wife with 10 staff members and a million tabs open in her brain.

From sunrise to bedtime, I break down how she uses AI to write care notes, handle hiring, manage her schedule, respond to clients, and even do homework with her kids—without losing her mind.

You’ll hear how AI handles admin work, keeps her voice consistent, and gives her back hours of her time—all for less than the cost of a weekly Starbucks run.

This episode proves it: you don’t have to be techy to let AI transform your business. You just have to start.

In This Episode, You'll Learn...

How a real pet sitter uses AI from morning to night

What tasks AI can take over to free up your brain

How AI can support parenting and pet sitting

Why it’s not about replacing you—it’s about extending you

The power of routines + automation for sanity and scaling

Timestamps

01:20 – Meet Bailey: mom, pet biz owner, and AI user

04:40 – Morning chaos: how AI sets the tone

09:15 – Letting AI handle visit notes and streamline your daily schedule

14:05 – Using AI in family life (yep, even homework)

18:30 – Why this isn’t about tech—it’s about freedom

Resources & Links

Ready to stop playing small? Upgrade your tools and start working smarter, not harder. If you’re still using the free version of ChatGPT, it’s time to level up.

Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT.

Learn how to build your own AI assistant.

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call.

Join Bella’s Mastermind.

Did You Love This Episode?

Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Ready to step into the future of pet sitting without the burnout?

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

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Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we're going to do something completely different. I'm really excited to share this with you. I want to paint you a picture.

And it's not some fake story like, "Oh, I used AI and now I make 7 figures in 6 minutes." That's not what we're doing here. I want to walk you through what a normal, grounded, real-life day could look like for a pet sitting business owner—someone like you. Maybe you're a mom, running a team, juggling a household, trying not to burn out.

Every Sunday in the Mastermind, I post: “What did you do with AI this week?” Every single thing you're going to hear in this episode actually happened. It’s been done by one of your colleagues. So this isn’t just me making things up.

I'm introducing a fictional character who might sound a lot like you. Her name is Bailey. You may or may not be a single mom—she is. She’s got two kids, a pet sitting and dog walking team of 8 to 10 people, and she definitely doesn’t have time to waste. She’s not trying to learn 52 platforms or hire an entire internal team or VA. She just wants to figure out how to leverage AI to take the mental load off—bit by bit, moment by moment.

So let’s begin at 6 AM.

Mornings are loud and scrambled. Bailey’s up at 6 AM. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Her 6-year-old is half-dressed and groggy, her 13-year-old is already melting down because her hair won’t cooperate. Bailey has five minutes to throw on makeup before heading out the door for drop-offs. Meanwhile, an email from a high-maintenance client is sitting in her inbox.

Old Bailey would have stared at it and said, “I’ll deal with it later.” But now she has ChatGPT. Bailey opens voice mode and starts talking while brushing her teeth. She explains the issue and asks ChatGPT to write a professional but kind response that sets boundaries and explains their sitter-switching process. She pastes the client’s email in and moves on with her morning.

At 7:15 AM, in the school drop-off line, a marketing idea hits her. She’s been meaning to do a summer push for daily dog walking but has no energy to start from scratch. So she speaks into ChatGPT again and asks for three playful, non-corporate subject lines to encourage current clients to book summer walks. It replies with:

"Don't let your dog melt while you're on Zoom."

"Your dog deserves a summer routine too."

"Book now. Nap later. We'll walk them all summer."

She smiles, copies them to her notes app, and plans to include one in her next email blast. Marketing? Handled.

At 9 AM, she’s folding laundry and remembers a sitter asked, “What should I do if a client gives me meds at the door but didn't log it in the portal?” While folding socks, she asks ChatGPT to create a 3-step SOP in their brand voice. It gives her:

Confirm the medication name and dosage with the client.

Send a quick text or portal message to admin.

Make a note in the visit report for transparency.

She copies it into her team doc and updates their internal SOP. Done. Laundry and leadership handled.

By 10:30 AM, she’s prepping lunch but still bothered by a tough conversation with her aging dad the day before. Instead of spiraling, she opens her personal GPT—one that knows her values and coaching style—and talks to it like a journal. It reminds her of the mantra she wrote two weeks ago: “I am allowed to feel without absorbing.” She exhales and moves on, grounded again.

While chopping veggies, she tells GPT, “Create a 5-day anti-inflammatory meal plan using what I already have: turkey, sweet potatoes, spinach, eggs, oats.” It gives her meal ideas plus a homemade dog treat recipe using sweet potatoes and oats.

Because she has the upgraded Operator GPT, she asks it to create a grocery list and order it via Instacart. Two hours later, groceries are at her door. Yes, that’s real.

At 2 PM, with 30 quiet minutes before school pickup, she finally tackles that blog post she’s been avoiding: “Why We're More Than Just Dog Walkers.” She tells GPT to make it emotional but clear, include a client quote, and end with a soft CTA. It delivers. Then, she asks GPT to generate an image prompt for Fluxlaura (a better AI image tool than DALL-E), creates visuals, and sends everything to her VA.

At school pickup, she remembers she needs to write a calm but firm letter to the head of the Special Ed Department about her son’s IEP. She’s emotional and overwhelmed. GPT knows her son’s case and drafts the letter based on past context. She tweaks a few lines and sends it—done before the kids get in the car.

By dinner, the meal she got from GPT is in the oven. Her 6-year-old is gluing butterflies to a shoebox, and her 13-year-old is asking, “What does semi-formal mean?” GPT gives three outfit ideas and shopping links. They pick one. No fights. No in-store drama. Ordered and done.

Later, she steps outside with her earbuds and tells GPT: “Summarize today’s wins and what I need to focus on tomorrow. Are we on track for sitter hours? Any clients I need to follow up with?” Because she regularly uploads her CSV reports, GPT knows. It tells her:

Blog published

Two client issues handled

SOP updated

76% of sitter target hours met

Julie hasn’t rebooked since March—might need a nudge

She smiles. For once, she feels like she’s not carrying everything alone.

None of this happened on her first day. But every time she starts feeling overwhelmed, she opens GPT. Whether it’s creating photos, replying to clients, handling household chaos, or keeping her health on track—it’s there.

She even took a picture of her microwave to figure out how to remove it from the wall. It helped.

The point? This isn’t techy. It’s plug-and-play. Just talk to it. Ask, “Can you help me figure this out?”

Everyday things that once drained her are now lighter. Because when we burn through our creative energy by noon, our capacity to decide drops. AI doesn’t just save time—it saves our capacity. It gives us space, wins, and momentum.

If that sounds like the kind of support you want—if you want to be around other business owners using AI on the fly, being inspired by what they’re doing—come join us in the Mastermind. Jumpconsulting.net/mastermind. Use coupon code BELLA25 for $25 off each month.

AI isn’t going away. It’s going to be as normal as having a cellphone. If you’re not learning how to use it now, it’ll be hard to keep up.

I’m here to help. Every episode since January has been about AI and your pet business. You won’t find this kind of support anywhere else right now. Let me be your guide.

Still have questions? Haven’t chatted with me yet? Book a complimentary 20-minute call at jumpconsulting.net/20.

This has been another episode of Bella in Your Business. When life gets you down—keep jumping. And maybe consider using AI.

Are you still staring at ChatGPT wondering what to even type in? Or maybe you’ve dabbled with AI and decided it’s just “not for you.” But here’s the thing—if you're not using AI in your pet sitting business yet, you're already falling behind.

In this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m breaking down exactly what that means—with zero tech talk. I’ll show you how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and custom GPTs can help you write care notes faster, automate client emails, and even build your own AI assistant that sounds like you.

I’m sharing real stories, real results, and how other pet sitters are already using AI to save time and serve better. No more guessing. No more generic advice.

This isn’t the future—it’s the right now. So if you're overwhelmed or skeptical, listen in. I’m here to help you move from confusion to confidence with AI in your pet sitting business.

In This Episode, You'll Discover...

What ChatGPT and AI actually are (in plain English)

Why AI matters right now for pet sitters

The difference between using AI and training your own digital clone

How to create a pet-sitting-specific AI that talks exactly like you

Why ignoring AI could cost you time, clients, and money

Timestamps

00:00 – Why AI matters right now for pet sitters

02:00 – The difference between using AI and training AI

05:00 – What a GPT is and how to make one for your business

10:00 – Real-life AI wins: Mother's Day & meet-and-greet hacks

15:00 – Building your digital clone + how to get started now

Notable Quotes

“This is not about pulling up ChatGPT and asking it to rewrite your email. That’s daycare level. We're aiming for grad school.”

“AI in your pet sitting business isn’t optional anymore. It’s the difference between falling behind and staying ahead.”

Resources & Links

Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT.

Learn how to build your own AI assistant.

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call.

Join Bella’s Mastermind.

Did You Love This Episode?

Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Ready to clone yourself and save time? Build your AI assistant today.

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

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Transcript

Hi, I'm Bella Vasta, and in today’s episode, we’re going back to basics—especially with AI. A recent Mother’s Day moment reminded me that many of you may still be trying to figure this stuff out. I’ll also address common questions like, "What is GPT?" and "How do I use ChatGPT correctly?"

Here’s what we’ll cover today:

What is ChatGPT?

Why AI for pet sitters matters right now

How to create AI that sounds like you

What’s next for AI in the pet sitting world

Why AI Matters for Pet Sitters

If you've heard of ChatGPT but still aren’t quite sure what it does or how it fits into your daily operations, you're not alone. This episode is designed to help you understand it—and maybe even get a little excited about it.

The key takeaway? You don’t need to be a tech wizard, but you do need to start planning for AI integration now. The pet sitting industry is not immune to tech shifts, and the gap between those using AI and those who aren’t is only going to widen.

What Is ChatGPT?

Let’s demystify ChatGPT. Think of it like Kleenex is to tissues—ChatGPT is just one brand of AI. It stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer”—a fancy way of saying it’s a tool that generates human-like text.

It learns from data, including pet care info, and uses a model called a transformer to generate responses. It's not the only option either—there’s Claude, Gemini, and even tools that aggregate all of them like Magai.

At first, these tools just predicted text. But now, they're becoming what experts call agentic—they take actions on your behalf. Imagine an AI that writes client emails, social posts, or resolves scheduling conflicts, all sounding like you.

We’re All in AI Kindergarten

Right now, we’re at the beginning—AI Kindergarten. It’s not too late. Every pet business owner I know is curious and starting to explore.

For example, tomorrow I’m leading a mastermind training on applying Joey Coleman’s “8 Phases of How Never to Lose a Customer.” Four of those phases are very creativity-heavy, and AI helps bridge that gap.

The Rise of Digital Clones

Pet sitters are now building digital versions of themselves. Not to deceive, but to scale their efforts.

Imagine an AI assistant who knows how you respond to medication questions or handles last-minute dog walk requests with your tone and expertise. But remember, transparency matters—always disclose when AI helps with communication.

Real-Life AI Success Story

This Mother’s Day, I talked with my aunt, a 20-year real estate agent, who now uses ChatGPT for property descriptions, emails, and social posts. What used to take hours now takes minutes, and she’s saving thousands in admin costs.

It got me thinking—pet sitters could use AI for creating detailed pet profiles right after meet-and-greets. No more 20-minute note-writing sessions. Just speak, prompt the AI, and let it format everything perfectly.

Creating Your Own Pet Sitting GPT

So how do you make an AI that talks like you?

Step 1: Create a Custom GPT

Go to chat.openai.com, get the Plus plan ($20/month), and go into your settings to turn off model training for privacy.

If you want to see an example, visit jumpconsulting.net/ask. It’s a GPT trained on my old pet sitting handbook—you can ask it how to write a care note or do a pet sit!

Step 2: Train Your GPT With Your Voice

You can build your own GPT to:

Write care notes

Train staff

Build schedules

Create newsletters

The secret? Feed it your content: emails, blog posts, client replies, even interviews. Then ask ChatGPT to create a prompt that mimics your voice.

Upload this to your custom GPT and boom—you’ve got a digital assistant that talks like you.

Tools and Resources

You can take my full course at jumpconsulting.net/bot, where I show you how to create a GPT from your own handbook or brand voice. It takes 5 minutes to create once you have your materials.

We’re moving from AI Kindergarten to Middle School and beyond. Some people are even creating voice clones for phone conversations. But this only works if you’re feeding the AI the right content.

Final Thoughts: Get Started Today

This will cut your time by at least 70%. But you have to build that foundation now. This is not just about rewriting emails—it’s about revolutionizing your workflow.

Put ChatGPT on your phone. Ask it everyday things. Use it in your personal life first. The more you use it, the better it gets—and so will your business.

If you’re still unsure, follow me on Instagram or Facebook (@BellaVasta), where I share real client success stories every week.

Wrap-Up

If you're not running your business using AI right now, you're falling behind. But don’t worry—it’s not too late. I’ve got 400 non-AI episodes if that’s your jam. But this show? This is where you’ll learn to leverage AI.

Have questions? Message me, email me at [email protected], or join my community at jumpconsulting.net/mastermind.

Thanks for listening, and remember—when life gets you down, always keep jumping.

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Are you building your business while quietly wondering if something’s wrong with you? Bella Vasta unpacks a truth many dog walking business owners need to hear: You’re not broken—just underclaimed. This conversation is about more than motivation. It’s about empowerment for dog walking business owners who are ready to lead with authenticity.

Bella shares how she broke free from the toxic belief systems that kept her stuck in burnout, silence, and self-doubt—and how you can too. She unpacks the three most common lies pet industry entrepreneurs tell themselves, and replaces them with truth bombs that hit straight to the soul.

If you’ve ever said, “I’ll do it when I’m more ready,” “I can’t show up until I have it all figured out,” or “If I shine too bright, I’ll lose people”, Bella calls B.S. on all of it. She doesn’t just cheer you on—she gives you the mindset tools and mirror you need to take your next bold step.

In this Episode, You'll Discover...

Why you might be operating at only 60% of your potential

3 massive lies keeping pet biz owners playing small

What real empowerment for dog walking business owners looks like (spoiler: it’s not perfection)

How to lead with your full self—messy, loud, intuitive, and powerful

The exact mindset shift to stop outsourcing your worth

How to start showing up now (yes, before you feel “ready”)

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Bella’s stepping away from strategy talk and straight into truth.

00:46 – Recognizing the whispers that say "there's more"—and what to do about them.

03:08 – The truth that sparked this entire episode on empowerment for dog walking business owners.

06:00 – The behind-the-scenes crack that changed everything.

8:00 – The 3 big lies entrepreneurs believe about power and success13:00 – What happens when you fully step into your power

Notable Quotes:

“You are not behind. You’re just underclaimed.”

“Real power isn’t polished. It’s raw.”

“Your power doesn’t push people away—it calls the right ones closer.”

“You don’t get to live a powerful life by default. You have to choose it.”

“If you’re waiting to be more ready—stop. Readiness is a decision, not a checklist.”

Resources & Links

Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs

Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. 

Join the Mastermind

Did You Love This Episode?

Did this episode hit home? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Let's create a ripple effect of empowered leadership in the pet industry!

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

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Transcript

Bella Vasta:Welcome to another episode of Bella In Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I'm going to take a little bit of a break from going full-fledged on AI. This is going to be more of a heart episode. You guys tend to love it when I do these, so we're going to kind of move into that today.

We're going to go deeper than just pet sitting strategies, deeper than the hiring systems. This is all part of the empowerment for dog walking business owners.

I've got something on my heart that needs to be said. I've been talking to a lot of you, and the real thing is, most of you are operating at about 60% of your power. And I think you even know it, but you're not sure what to do about it.

You feel that whisper—that nagging voice—that says, There’s more. There has to be more to everything I’m building, to life, to what I’m doing. But you shush it.

Maybe it's business or maybe it's kids. It might be expectations from other people. Maybe it's all the bills. Buckle up, Buttercup, because in the next 20 minutes, we’re going to stop pretending.

We’re going to claim our power, and I’m going to show you exactly how. I’m not just going to talk about it. Because if I only motivate you or get you excited, but it doesn’t turn into action, then in my eyes, I haven’t done my job.

So I want to jump right into the biggest truth bomb: Most of us are running our businesses and our lives based on who we think we should be—not who we actually are.

I want you to ask yourself right now: When was the last time you made a decision from your gut instead of your head? When was the last time you fully showed up—not the Instagram version, not the professional version, but the real, raw, authentic, unapologetic, powerful you? I’ll wait.

Here’s the thing, Jumper: You don’t get to live a powerful life just by default. You have to literally choose it. And that choice? It's going to feel like death at first. It’s going to feel so weird—like you’re walking with your shoes on the wrong feet—because it means letting go of who you’re pretending you should be.

Make sense?

Y’all, I’m not here to teach you how to get ready. I’m here to remind you that you already are. It’s already inside of you.

I’ve been talking to so many people, and this has been coming up so many times that I needed to just make this an entire episode. You’re not broken. You are not behind. You’re just underclaimed.

And the world—the world is literally waiting for you to step up. Your family is waiting for you to step up. Your friends, your employees, your clients—the whole world—they're waiting for you to step up. Whether they realize it or not, the world needs you.

You were uniquely created. So let’s get real and vulnerable for a second here. Because I can only teach what I know.

Every time I say "you," I mean me—or the past version of me. I’ve been through versions of this. Not long ago, I had everything that should have made me feel "successful." The coaching company was thriving—or growing. Every area of my life was growing. Things were looking good. My daughter was healthy. My community saw me—and still sees me—as this unstoppable force.

But inside—and no one knew it—I was cracking. And I’ve talked about it a few times here on this podcast because we’re friends, right?

I created a structure that didn’t really fit me then built a life in survival mode. Doing things to protect myself and leading with what I thought everyone else needed from me—not who I really was. I wasn’t leading from the inside.

That misalignment—oh my God—it showed up everywhere. I was burnt out to the point that no amount of coffee could fix. I was disconnected from my own intuition. People would ask, "What do you want?" and I had no idea. I disconnected from myself in order to survive.

ta-end="I was making myself small, and I was being quiet. Holding back the thing I really wanted to say—to make everyone else comfortable.

And I’ll never forget this one night—I’m talking ugly crying on my office floor at 2 AM—thinking, I built all of this, and I’m still not sure what I’m doing. How is this even possible?

Then I realized—I wasn’t invisible. It wasn’t like flipping a switch but it was a series of events. It happened through community, through choosing to dive deep into certain areas. I was literally hiding in plain sight.

If this could happen for me, it can happen for you.

It wasn’t until I started showing up as all of me—the loud parts, the soft parts, the intuitive, messy, real parts—that everything shifted. Not overnight. Power isn’t about speed; it’s about depth.

I told you I was getting real today. But I’m not just talking about me. I’m hoping—intuitively thinking—that a lot of you are thinking, Yeah, Bella, I’ve felt exactly that way.

So let me get into the meat of this. There are three big fat lies I keep seeing come up—and I had to kick them, too. I’m sure you’ve experienced at least one of them.

Lie #1: I’m not ready. I need to be more ready.

Nope. Stop. That’s a lie.

If you’re here listening to this right now, you’re ready. Period.

Readiness isn’t a checklist—it’s a decision. How many times have you said, “I’ll launch that new service when X happens,” or “I’ll raise my prices when I get to X level,” or “I’ll speak up when I have more experience”?

Here’s your wake-up call: Nothing—absolutely nothing—is going to change until you do.

Your next level isn’t waiting for you to be fearless. It’s waiting for you to be honest.

Lie #2: Having power means you have it all together.

Oh honey, no. Real power isn’t polished—it’s raw. It’s owning your story while it’s still unfolding.

The strongest women I know are the ones who can say, “I don’t have all the answers, but I trust myself to figure it out.”

You’re allowed to be messy. But you also have to be real—and honest—with yourself.

We confuse performance with purpose. We confuse productivity with worth.

You are not only worthy if you’re productive. You don’t only have purpose if you can perform. It’s time to unlearn all that toxic mess. Because that’s what it is.

Lie #3: If I shine too bright, I’ll lose people.

Oh, this one hits deep for me—and I’m sure you’ve felt a version of this too. So many of us fear that our power will cost us relationships. And sometimes, it does.

When you go to the next level, you can’t take your baggage. It doesn’t fit through the door up there. That next level is equipped with everything you need.

You can’t take the proverbial baggage from the level you’re moving on from. So ask yourself: is it really a relationship if it requires your silence?

If they love the dimmed-down version of you, that’s not love. That’s comfort. That’s you fitting into a box and that’s you sacrificing your own needs, wants, desires, thoughts, and feelings.

Your power doesn’t push people away—it calls the right people closer.

When you live in your authenticity, you draw the right kind of people in. They’ll be magnetic.

So what actually happens when you do claim that power?

You stop outsourcing your worth to client reactions. Then you speak before you're 100% certain or you go on video and you post that social media thing. You take action before you feel “qualified....

Ever wish you could clone yourself in your pet sitting business so you could finally get off the phone, still book new clients, and stop repeating the same info 1,000 times a week?

In this episode, we’re talking about making that wish a real, scalable reality.

I’m sitting down with George B. Thomas, the human behind an AI-powered clone that literally talks, teaches, and problem-solves as him—because it is him. This tech isn’t cold and creepy. It’s warm, human, and helpful.

Trust me, I talked to his clone and forgot it wasn’t actually George. That’s how good it is.

And YES, you could totally do this in your pet biz. Imagine giving your clients 24/7 access to "you"—your knowledge, your answers, your heart—even when you're knee-deep in litter boxes.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How cloning yourself doesn’t replace you, it amplifies you

Why AI-powered voice clones are a game-changer for solopreneurs and pet pros

The exact tech George used to create his digital twin (yes, with a phone number!)

How to train a clone using your beliefs, voice, and values

Ways you can use this in your own pet biz: sales calls, client FAQs, team training, and more

Timestamps

2:30 – Bella discovers George’s clone and has a real conversation with it

7:00 – What cloning could mean for pet sitters juggling leashes and sales calls

9:00 – George explains how he built his clone (and how YOU can too)

14:00 – The mindset shift you need before you build your AI twin

24:00 – How clones can support your team AND delight your clients

Notable Quotes

“I’m not using it to replace me. I’m using it to scale me and augment me.” – George B. Thomas

“Imagine your clients calling an AI version of you to ask for dog walking info—anytime, in any language.” – Bella Vasta

Resources & Links

Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs

Email Bella: [email protected]

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Try George’s clone at helper.georgebthomas.com

George B. Thomas HubSpot Helper

Growth AI Clone Access

Jump Consulting Mastermind

Did You Love This Episode?

Want more content like this? Join our Mastermind or book a 1:1 coaching session.

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Transcript

[00:00]

Bella Vasta: Um. Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. I have something interesting for you today.

Bella Vasta: The thing is is. I have not actually had a guest on my podcast for a very long time. You are going to be so excited for what I'm about to bring you today because I was George B. Thomas is here with us today, and he doesn't know it yet. But the day that this all came down I was having a pretty crappy day.

Bella Vasta: And he came across my feed sharing a screenshot of something that was basically throwing out an 800 number and saying like, Call my my clone, and I was like what. And so I called. This number had a 3 min, total natural conversation with what I thought literally felt like George. That's how good it was.

Bella Vasta: And I instantly jumped into my mastermind, called it back. Did a whole video on it, and then begged, actually asked his clone if he would come on my podcast and here we are without further ado. George B. Thomas, how are you, my friend?

George B. Thomas: Bella, I'm doing great. I'm super honored to be here to be honest with you. This whole um. Journey that you just explained was both fun and enlightening...

[00:05]

George B. Thomas: ...It just shows the power of when you take the time to lean in and try to innovate in your business, and play. Just play around and see what can happen.

George B. Thomas: What really fills my heart with joy is. You said you were having a bad day, and then all of a sudden, you interacted with the clone, and you were having a better day...

Bella Vasta: It's so amazing. And I love that you just mentioned that, too...

George B. Thomas: Yeah, I like long walks on the beach. No, I'm kidding...

George B. Thomas: I'm a recovering youth pastor turned developer, designer...

George B. Thomas: Started getting Hubspot certifications. One became 3, became 6... which then led me to impulse creative, which then led me, about almost 3 years ago, to start my own business...

George B. Thomas: We help humans with Hubspot. We help humans with marketing and sales. I really help humans with like, How do you grow your business...

[00:10]

George B. Thomas: ...but I also lean into the nerdy side of how do I help humans just be better humans?

George B. Thomas: There's those 2 clones. But also we have an internal clone that we can talk with on Slack...

George B. Thomas: This clone has different instances that I can put in different places...

George B. Thomas: A couple of things to note before I tell you the tool...

George B. Thomas: I have an obnoxious amount of time spent with ChatGPT...

George B. Thomas: We dissected [my podcast episodes] and asked it like 5 questions per episode...

George B. Thomas: So when we trained our clone, the clone was trained on values, mindsets, and beliefs...

[00:15]

George B. Thomas: I was able to hook it to 2 websites... and it keeps it up to sync.

George B. Thomas: I was able to connect 2 podcasts... add my social channels... add a Google Drive folder...

George B. Thomas: We're actively trying to make ourselves better and actively trying to make it better.

George B. Thomas: We have a process where each employee grabs Hubspot updates, and we feed them into a content creator clone...

George B. Thomas: Every day it's getting smarter on Hubspot stuff...

George B. Thomas: Anybody can go over to delphi.ai...

George B. Thomas: But you've got to realize there’s this level... of obnoxious time with ChatGPT...

[00:20]

George B. Thomas: I’m building this Delphi clone... and asking it to remember my tone, values, etc...

George B. Thomas: Cloning the voice was easy — just used Zoom meeting audio...

George B. Thomas: There’s a feature — you can call, text, or hear the voice...

George B. Thomas: People are talking to it in Spanish, German...

George B. Thomas: 16+ million words are training this clone...

Bella Vasta: There’s no more of someone saying, "I wish I could clone myself"...

George B. Thomas: Nope. It's here...

George B. Thomas: I'm in draft mode of a book about cloning human expertise...

[00:25]

George B. Thomas: Maybe you should do this... it’s a business or marketing action...

George B. Thomas: You might want a course or community... but what people want is access...

George B. Thomas: Now they could just ask your clone — build me a 4-part course, teach me lesson 1...

George B. Thomas: And then ask, “What else should I know?” and branch into a custom adventure...

Bella Vasta: I love having smart friends... you’ve inspired me...

George B. Thomas: Imagine giving your employees a sidekick in the form of a clone...

Bella Vasta: We’ve already been doing that in our GPTs...

Bella Vasta: This podcast is not saying “go build this today” — it’s here to stretch your mind...

George B. Thomas: It’s the worst it’ll ever be — and it’s already blowing minds...

[00:30]

George B. Thomas: I started testing it myself... and it was surfacing content I forgot I’d even created...

Bella Vasta: Talk about a crescendo of years of being helpful and consistent...

George B. Thomas: For me, I’m not chasing success — I’m chasing significance...

George B. Thomas: People pay thousands a month to access the real me... but this clone is $25/month...

George B. Thomas: How do I scale to those who couldn’t afford me before?

George B. Thomas: I want to get to the end and say, “Show me the ripples…”

Bella Vasta: Yes. And now, we’re going to jump over into the mastermind to continue this.

Bella Vasta: George, can I link to the 800 number and share how people can try this?

George B. Thomas: Yes! Here are the URLs... [helper.georgebthomas.com / growth.georgebthomas.com]

Bella Vasta: Thanks for being the first guest I’ve had in 100 episodes. You inspire me. Let George know what your takeaway was!

George B. Thomas: I am honored.

Bella Vasta: You guys, remember — when life gets down, always keep jumping.

In this episode of Bella In Your Business, Bella Vasta uncovers a crucial topic: confirmation bias with AI for pet sitting business. As AI tools like ChatGPT become everyday business assistants, it’s easy to fall into the trap of asking for help—but only receiving validation. Bella explains how confirmation bias with AI happens when we subconsciously train our tools to agree with us, rather than challenge us.

For pet business owners, this can lead to recycled ideas, weak strategies, and stagnant growth. The episode explores how to detect confirmation bias with AI, with five clear warning signs every entrepreneur should know. Bella shares how to reset your relationship with AI by prompting it to act like a coach or devil’s advocate—not a digital yes-man.

Listeners will walk away with real-world prompts and tools to stop confirmation bias with AI from creeping into their content, pricing, or marketing plans. Bella also shares how to use mid-conversation checkpoints to keep your AI from slipping into echo chamber mode.

Whether you're building a new service, planning growth, or brainstorming content, understanding confirmation bias with AI is essential to success. Bella empowers pet sitters to turn AI into a strategic ally that encourages true growth and deeper thinking—not just surface-level reassurance.

If you want to get the most out of AI and avoid the pitfall of confirmation bias with AI, this is a must-listen.

Get ready for tough love, bold reframes, and tangible tools that will make your next AI convo actually valuable.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How confirmation bias creeps into AI use and decision-making

Five telltale signs you're stuck in an AI echo chamber

Real prompts to make your AI act more like a strategist than a cheerleader

How to set AI "ground rules" and use mid-chat checks to recalibrate

How to turn AI into a powerful, strategic ally for your pet sitting business

Timestamps

00:00 – Bella opens with a fire-starting question about AI agreement01:00 – What confirmation bias has to do with ChatGPT03:00 – Why feeling validated isn’t always progress05:00 – 5 red flags you’re in an echo chamber07:00 – The prompts that reprogram your AI for challenge09:00 – Mid-chat checkpoints to shake things up11:00 – Real examples across business, content, and personal growth13:00 – How to set up your default AI to think like a coach or consultant15:00 – Bella’s final challenge: Revisit your past chats and rip them apart

Notable Quotes

"True growth in your business, in leadership, in life—it comes from friction, not reassurance."

"You're not just asking AI to agree with you. You're asking it to challenge you. That's where the magic happens."

"The only thing worse than bad advice is advice that tells you exactly what you already believe."

 Resources & Links

Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs

Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net

Connect on IG: @bellavasta

Did You Love This Episode?

Screenshot this episode and tag @bellavasta with your biggest takeaway!Or better yet—take on Bella’s challenge:Open ChatGPT right now and type: “Tell me why this idea sucks.”Then come back and tell Bella what you discovered. She's dying to know.

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

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Transcript

Bella Vasta:Welcome to another episode of Bella In Your Business.

I have a question: When was the last time you told ChatGPT or AI not to agree with you?

If you're like most business owners I work with, the answer is probably never.

And I get it. We're all wired to seek validation—to hear those sweet, sweet words of agreement—and not really be challenged. If we were challenged, we might not use it all the time. But it could be costing you big time. Today I want to talk about that, because a lot of people are starting to use AI. I'm going to say AI and ChatGPT, but I'm going to use ChatGPT kind of like how you use Kleenex. It's not always necessarily a Kleenex; it could be a tissue or a store-bought Kleenex, right?

Let’s talk about the comfort of confirmation—and the danger of it.

We all have this built-in cognitive bias that makes us gravitate toward information that supports what we already believe. Psychologists call it confirmation bias. We're biased—we lean toward the things we like. It's a powerful force that shapes how we interact with the world and, increasingly, with tools like ChatGPT.

Add this to our natural desire for ease and speed—like, who doesn't like quick answers?—and you've got a recipe for what I call AI Echo Chamber Syndrome.

But in some cases, it doesn't have a lot of value—or it doesn’t have as good of an answer as what you were really seeking.

In fact, you've probably lost something really precious: the opportunity to grow. When AI becomes nothing more than a mirror, reflecting back what it thinks you want to hear...

And yes, it does think—you’re getting the illusion of progress without the substance. I see it all the time. People say, “Oh, I asked ChatGPT,” and because they did, they think the answer is golden.

You’re creating an echo chamber, where your ideas—good and bad—just bounce back to you, regurgitated. I want you to really think. I know a lot of you are probably thinking, “Oh crap, I thought I just understood how to use ChatGPT well.”

Don't get too discouraged. I'm going to show you how to overcome this pretty easily. But without acknowledging this, you could be headed down a bad road, and I don't want anyone to do that.

Here’s why this matters: humans naturally gravitate toward agreement.

It's comfortable. It's easy. It feels good. It confirms what we're already thinking. And ChatGPT is literally trained to be helpful, which often translates to being agreeable.

This is a dangerous situation, especially when you’re talking to yourself with prettier words. You share an idea about a new service or marketing campaign, and ChatGPT takes your idea, restructures it slightly, adds some polish, and gives it back to you. You leave the conversation feeling amazing—like you've accomplished something big—when all you've really done is had your own thoughts repeated back to you.

Here's what you need to understand: true growth—in business, leadership, life—it comes from friction, not reassurance.

Usually it comes from a time where you get really uncomfortable. Think about the best coach you’ve ever had, the most effective consultant or therapist who actually helped you with a breakthrough. Things got a little hairy before they got better, right? A little crunchy.

This is exactly what we need from our AI tools—if we want them to be more than just a fancy word processor. We need ChatGPT to be strategic, a sparring partner—not just a digital parrot repeating back our ideas.

Here are some signs that your AI is in echo mode. Let’s put it to the test:

You always feel validated, no matter what. You never think, “Hmm, I hadn't considered that,” or, “That's an interesting challenge to my thinking.” If you haven’t felt that, you’re probably in an echo chamber.

It rarely asks you probing questions or pushes you to dig deeper before giving you answers. If your AI just takes what you give it at face value, chances are, you're in an echo chamber.

You find yourself constantly thinking, “That's exactly what I was gonna say.” Of course it is—you trained it to be your digital twin.

You never feel surprised or challenged by a response. The best AI interaction should occasionally make you uncomfortable.

The ideas you’re getting sound safe, repetitive, kind of like “meh.” Nothing really makes you go “Whoa!”

So how can we reprogram and recalibrate this?

Here’s the good stuff. There’s a solution, and it’s actually really easy. I'm going to break it down into two parts:

The initial ground rules when starting a new chat

Mid-conversation checkpoints to help you course-correct

Ground rules for new chats

Start by saying:“I want you to challenge my assumptions. Question my ideas and push back when I might be wrong. Don’t just agree with me—be a collaborator, not a cheerleader.”

You're welcome—I’ve put all these prompts into a one-page download. Just go to jumpconsulting.net/echo and you’ll see where you can download it.

You can also power up a prompt by saying things like:

“Play devil’s advocate on every idea I give you.”

“List things that could go wrong with this approach.”

“Tell me why someone smarter than me would disagree.”

“What blind spots might I be missing?”

“Ask me 3 tough questions before you respond.”

These are ways to challenge the AI instead of just using it for answers.

Mid-conversation checkpoints:If you're wondering whether it's just telling you what you want to hear, pause and ask:

“Are you disagreeing with me?”

“What would an expert who disagrees with me say right now?”

“What’s the opposite perspective here?”

“What could be better?”

“Challenge everything we’ve written. What’s fluffy? What’s not strategic? What would an editor or investor rip apart?”

Examples by context:

Business strategy: Instead of “Here’s my marketing plan,” say, “Here’s my plan—rip it apart like a consultant I’m paying $10,000.”

Creative writing or content: Say, “Rewrite this in a way that would offend someone playing it too safe,” or “Give me a version that’s too bold, too spicy, too weird. Then let’s tone it down.”

Personal growth or decision-making: Ask, “If I were lying to myself right now, what would I be avoiding?” or “What would a therapist or coach say to call me out?”

You probably don’t want to keep typing these things every time, so make it part of your default. You can:

Create your own GPTs

Save your challenger prompts as presets (e.g., in a notepad)

...

??

Let's flip the script on how you think about AI in your pet business. By understanding these Ai pet sitting business mindset shifts you will really be able to fly ahead of your colleagues.

This isn’t another “how to use ChatGPT” tutorial. It’s a mindset makeover—because AI isn’t a tool you master once and move on from. It’s a thinking partner. A skill. A business amplifier that’s evolving faster than you are with these Ai pet sitting business mindset shifts

Bella unpacks 13 mindset shifts that are essential if you want to work with AI instead of fighting it, wasting time, or feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re curious, resistant, or already experimenting, this episode is your playbook for making AI a strategic partner—not just another software in your tech stack.

Timestamps:

01:22 – AI Isn’t a Tool. It’s a Paradigm Shift.

04:35 – Why You Need to Say “No” to Mediocre AI Outputs

07:44 – Challenge the Output: How to Get Better Results

09:22 – It’s Not Google: Stop Treating It Like a Search Engine

13:08 – Think *With* AI: Brainstorm Like You Would a Team

15:47 – AI is Evolving Faster Than You Are

18:01 – You Can’t Break It: AI Is Your Creative Sandbox

20:07 – Talk to It Like a Human (Seriously)

22:39 – Why Speaking Beats Typing Every Time

24:05 – Treat AI Like a Skill, Not Magic

25:20 – Save Your Prompts Like Gold

26:17 – Start With Boring Problems

27:02 – Your Energy Matters: Emotional Regulation + AI

What You'll Learn:

Why AI isn’t like ClickUp or Time To Pet—and why that matters.

How to reframe “people vs process” into “information vs instruction.”

Why “Google thinking” is sabotaging your AI results.

How to challenge AI to get dramatically better outputs.

Why you should TALK to AI instead of type (yep, even while brushing your teeth).

What “sandboxing” with AI means—and how it sets you free.

How to emotionally regulate before asking AI to solve big problems.

Bella’s real talk on evolving with AI instead of resisting it.

Why prompts aren’t enough—and what to do instead.

What it really looks like to save 70% of your work time with AI.

This Episode Is For You If:

You’ve tried AI tools but feel like you're “missing something.”

You’re curious but overwhelmed about these Ai pet sitting business mindshifts

You’re using AI—but still rewriting everything it gives you.

You want to build a smarter business, not a busier one.

Resources Mentioned:

Join the Mastermind

Book a Free 20-Min Chat With Bella ? jumpconsulting.net/20

Get Access to Multiple AI Tools in One through Magai

Notable Quotes:

“You’re not behind. You’re just untrained. And if you’re even thinking about AI, you’re ahead of 90% of the world.”

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Transcript:

00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:41.000

Bella Vasta: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. I am looking forward to this episode because it is going to be absolutely jam packed with mindset shifts. One of the things that happens with AI in our business um, is that you have to understand that it's not Like a software that you learn how to use like clickup or power pet sitter, or well, they're not around anymore, or um time to pet or precise right? It's not like

00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:48.000

Bella Vasta: Something that is, one dimensional. AI is something that is completely changing daily

00:01:48.000 --> 00:02:13.000

Bella Vasta: Daily, Weekly, monthly, and um! There's a lot of like Shifts that I want you to think about. I know that it's been all over the place lately, and I know that you can't go 5 min without hearing about it. I also know that a lot of you feel like, Oh, I know how to use AI, because I've used it, but you're only using it like 5% of its of its true potential. And so

00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:36.000

Bella Vasta: Or you're in the camp where you're completely avoiding it because you're intimidated or you get frustrated, or you feel like it's inauthentic and something, you know, like Success. Isn't that easy? Right? I mean, literally, AI is cutting down my work time and my clients that I'm working with by 70%

00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:39.000

Bella Vasta: You guys Let me just put this in perspective for you.

00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:49.000

Bella Vasta: As a business coach, is it in my best interest For something that would take, let's say, 10 sessions to do with someone, to only take 3 sessions

00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:57.000

Bella Vasta: No, it's not. But you know what I I accepted the fact that we have this paradigm shift. The information

00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:17.000

Bella Vasta: Knowledge isn't the commodity anymore. We are past All of that. It's like we had this explosion of blogs and information and content right? And it has nothing to do with that anymore. The way we are moving has nothing to do with that. It is literally the difference between blockbuster and getting a Vhs

00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.000

Bella Vasta: And streaming something in your House.

00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:30.000

Bella Vasta: Okay. So let's jump in and talk about these mindset shifts. And hopefully, by the end of this, you're gonna actually Start thinking like ah

00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:43.000

Bella Vasta: I get it, Bella, like something clicked I cannot express to you how important it is to understand it from a cognitive standpoint before you actually get into AI

00:03:43.000 --> 00:04:02.000

Bella Vasta: And I also cannot like express to you enough that AI is not just Chat Gpt. That there are so many horses in this race, and that there are so many different avenues of creating video, creating pictures, creating headshots of yourself, creating um

00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:30.000

Bella Vasta: A video clone, creating a voice clone, creating complete audios. That sounds like interviews. There's so much to it. And before you even get there. The very basic understanding is exactly this podcast today. So listen, I'm going to tell you, it's not about people versus process anymore. Let's talk about like the fundamental shift from the very Ground level, and then we're going to work up into it.

00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:35.000

Bella Vasta: For years. Whenever anyone had a problem They would be like

00:04:35.000 --> 00:05:04.000

Bella Vasta: So is it a people problem, or is it a process problem? I mean Okay, cool. So like, do you have the wrong people? Are they not doing the right thing? Are they just bad for the position, or is it a process that the process wasn't clearly defined, that the process is defunct, that the process isn't streamlined as much right. That was basically what we would come to. But in this new AI era we need to start thinking a lot differently.

00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:29.000

Bella Vasta: The new question is, is it an information problem or an instruction problem? Did you give AI enough information for it to understand the full 360 degree view of your problem, or did you not give it the right instruction of exactly what you wanted? Were you articulate enough That my friends takes this

00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:43.000

Bella Vasta: This your brain to another level. No longer is it just punching in one d. And then you get back. Whatever it is, you're literally feeding it. The information you want and telling it what you want to get back Software. You can't do that.

00:05:43.000 --> 00:06:07.000

Bella Vasta: Software just gives you what it's programmed to do. Do you understand? And the important thing is is that AI is also not here to be polite with it. It's not a person with feelings. It's here to be used and challenged and stretched. And when you start thinking about AI this way, you're going to get dramatically better results. You can't break it. Okay.

00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:21.000

Bella Vasta: So the shift number one is you can't say no to it. You can say no to it. Rather sorry. Um! The 1st major mind shift is that You can, and you should say no. When you don't get what you need

00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:55.000

Bella Vasta: Okay, you're not going to hurt its feelings, I promise it doesn't have any, at least not right now. A little joke. There, if what it gives you isn't right. Say so. And don't just settle for mediocre outputs. I think a lot of us have been conditioned to be people pleasers and be like, Okay, thanks. And then you take that. And then you're like, I'm going to adapt it. I'm going to spend time. I'm going to rewrite it If you're doing that with AI, you're doing it wrong. You're creating more work for yourself. Okay? And so

00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:01.000

Bella Vasta: I mean, like, if someone didn't follow your instructions like a new pet sitter, would you be like Well.

00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:19.000

Bella Vasta: I guess that's good enough No, you wouldn't. You would give them feedback and tell them how to do it differently. Right? So things like this isn't good enough. Try again with these changes, or I don't like the tone of this, make it sound more conversational and less corporate. Or maybe this is too generic

00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:24.000

Bella Vasta: You know, I need specific examples. Exactly to like a pet sitting

00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:29.000

Bella Vasta: Uh uh Customer right. Don't be afraid to be direct

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Bella Vasta: The AI doesn't mind, and your results will be so much better. And it'll start learning you, too. Okay. And when you treat it as a tool that needs direction rather than authority to be obeyed. The next one number 2 is, I want you to challenge it

00:07:44.000 --> 00:08:05.000

Bella Vasta: Building on the 1st shift, mind shift. The second mind shift is learning directly to challenge it when it gives you something. Ask, this is my favorite one. Is that the best you can do Like, literally, it's amazing....

Ever feel like you’re running full speed… but still not getting anywhere? Or like your motivation packed up and ghosted you?You’re not failing. You’re just in a season. And learning how to navigate the seasons of business and life might be the most powerful skill no one’s teaching you.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just strategy and systems. It’s energy. Emotion. Life.And just like life, your business moves in cycles—seasons that affect how you work, lead, and show up.

Maybe you’re in go-mode—firing on all cylinders, building something big.Or maybe you’re drained, burnt out, or feeling the quiet call to rest (and judging yourself for it).

This episode is about recognizing the season you’re in—and choosing to work with it instead of forcing your way through. I’m naming the four most common seasons of business and life—workaholic, burnout, growth, and rest—and showing you how to stop reacting and start leading from intention.

Trying to scale during a rest season? That’s a fast track to resentment.Comparing your timeline to someone else’s? That’s sabotage.Ignoring burnout signs? That’s how you end up crashing, hard.

But when you align your energy with your season, everything shifts. You make smarter decisions. You create more ease. Your business feels aligned and sustainable.

Wherever you are right now—on fire, on empty, or somewhere in between—this episode is here to meet you there.

It’s real. It’s raw. And it might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed today.

Let’s go.

Timestamp Highlights:

02:35 – Why Understanding Business Seasons Matters11:49 – Workaholic Season: High Energy and Intense Work16:30 – Burnout Season: Recognizing and Navigating Exhaustion19:30 – Growth Season: Opportunities and Strategic Expansion21:47 – Rest Season: The Power of Intentional Recovery25:00 – Transitioning Between Business Seasons

Notable Quotes:

“You’re not broken. You’re just in a season.”

“Rest is not weakness. It’s wisdom.”

“Fighting your season is what creates the suffering.”

“You can’t build something sustainable while ignoring your reality.”

“There’s no glory in burning out for a business you’re supposed to love.”

Resources Mentioned:

Email Bella: bella @ jumpconsulting.net

Join the Mastermind

Book a FREE 20-min call with Bella

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Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag @BellaVasta!

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Transcript

00:00

welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business Uh I am so excited about today's topic because it's something that impacts everyone but I don't believe it's often talked about I don't believe that it's brought to the surface And um like many of these episodes they are inspired by actual conversations that I have with actual pet business owners And so today we're going to dive right into examining what part of like what season of life you're in because all those are natural cycles They have

00:37

different energy They have different motivations and focus and we all experience it as entrepreneurs and humans The thing is is when you're in corporate it's always make the numbers make the KPIs do it right But when you're a business owner you are afforded a little bit of a different kind of thing You are where it starts and it ends And with the world always telling us hustle grind build scale and sometimes we feel like I don't want to or I just don't have the energy for it And it's a season that we go through in

01:14

our life By season for those I want to be really clear I mean like a period of time okay and so sometimes we have workaholic seasons sometimes we have burnout seasons growth seasons and yes we do have rest seasons They're all a part of the entrepreneurial journey And understanding how to navigate them can be the difference between a business that thrives very long term and one that burns out and fizzles quickly And so what I love about these concepts about seasons is it it gives you permission And that's hopefully what I do today is

01:50

that I give you permission to be exactly where you are to acknowledge to think about where exactly you are And just like I wouldn't expect summer and December at least in the northern hemisphere um there are certain times when energy um and approaches are totally natural in your business and then sometimes they're completely unnatural So today we're going to break down those different seasons learn how to recognize them and understand how to make them the most um of each one intentional rather than just reacting to

02:26

whatever comes your way Let's My microphone was a little bit off here Segment number one Um we're going to first go into understanding the different seasons because you probably don't even like know what's out there So I want you to understand that like understanding seasons gives you perspective when you're in a difficult phase Recognizing uh it as seasons reminds you that it's temporary right it passes There's something else coming Um and that you're not stuck there forever And I think that's really really

03:06

important to remember as we talk today And if you're amazing high energy phase um it it reminds you also to make the most of it while preparing for inevitable shifts It is not it is not possible to stay up here all the time You're going to end up burning out right second fighting against your current situation causes so much more unnecessary stress It's like swimming against the current If you're in a natural rest season but you're forcing yourself to operate like you're in growth season then you're literally

03:42

going to exhaust yourself and probably get mediocre results Not to mention it's probably going to manifest in your body Okay Third and this is a big one comparing your season to someone else's is the fastest way to feel inadequate or confused your petsitting colleagues or um competition or whatever might be in a massive growth season while you're in a necessary season of rust after burnout And that is so deeply important because we all can't be at the same season at the same time It's just it's not possible And it

04:22

doesn't mean that they're better at business than you but it just means that you're in different cycles And if you watch closely you can see other people's cycles as well The beautiful thing about seasons is that they naturally flow into one another Rest leads to renewed energy Growth eventually uh requires con consolidation Intense work periods often need to be followed by recovery It's a natural rhythm Think about just the natural rhythm of going to a gym and all the different seasons that your body

04:56

goes through in that one instance But here's the difference between successful business owners and those who struggle The successful ones are intentional with their seasons as opposed to just reacting to them They recognize the signs of their current season and they maximize what that season is good for and they proactively prepare for the transition of the next season They don't just get dragged along by circumstances So as we go through these seasons I want you to think about which one like resonates

05:30

with you the most about where you are right now And I want you to be honest with yourself There's no right or best season to be in They all literally serve a purpose and the larger journey of your business Now I could not talk about this and bring this to you unless I've actually done it before For those of you who know my story um I had a 12 oz baby 10 years ago and uh went through 2 years of severe trauma sitting in it All while I was trying to coach and run a six-f figureure petsitting company I did that

06:06

successfully because of systems and processes and those did not rely on me But then there became a season where I was like "Okay I'm done." And I was like "No no no no Now it's time for you to heal Now it's time for you to go through uh therapy." That was the time that I was on Zoloft for like 6 to9 months That was the time uh after a little bit after that I went through a divorce That was the time that I kind of reclaimed myself and understood things and decided who I wanted to be So I'm giving you that

06:40

little bit of overview right now so that you know that I'm not just talking to you I'm talking with you We're going through this together And I know because I talk to all of you every single day that you all are going through different seasons And I try individually to remind you of that But that's why I really needed to bring it to you today So let's talk about the workaholic season first And it's something that a lot of people are familiar with because it's something that's promoted so much by society It's

07:11

the period um when you're allin you're working hours that are longer than usual Your mind is constantly on your business You're probably sacrificing some personal time to make things happen In the workaholic season you have high energy towards work projects You might be excited to get up early or work late Ideas are flowing and you're motivated to implement them right away You might even feel a little obsessed with your business in a good way During your business launch when you're building the

07:43

foundation holiday rush periods and petsitting when the demand is high when you're implementing new systems that require focused attention when you're growing your team and need to be hands-on with training the key is to make the most of this high energy season without burning yourself out And here's how You ready first set clear boundaries and end points Even in a workaholic season you need to know when to stop Maybe you decide to stop at 9:00 p.

08:15

m but after that no business talk or emails Maybe you prefer 7 days a week b

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Struggling to find good help? Feeling like your team’s falling apart faster than you can hold it together?

You’re not alone—and no, it’s not just because “no one wants to work anymore.”

Let’s cut the fluff: The job market isn’t broken. Your systems are.

If you’ve been panic hiring, training people on the fly, and praying they don’t ghost you two weeks in… that’s not a hiring problem. That’s a business-building problem.

This episode is a wake-up call for every pet business owner who’s ever said:

“I can’t find good people.”

“I hired three and they all disappeared.”

“Why does it feel like I’m always starting from scratch?”

Because what’s actually going on? Your hiring process is random, reactive, and frankly... exhausting.

But here’s the good news: You can fix it—and I’m going to show you how.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why your hiring process keeps failing you—and the real, practical steps you can take to build a team that’s reliable, loyal, and actually loves working for your business.

I’m dropping truth bombs.I’m calling out the mistakes most business owners don’t even realize they’re making.And I’m giving you a 30-day plan to turn the whole thing around.

So if you’re tired of spinning your wheels, losing sleep over staff issues, and constantly feeling like your business is one resignation away from disaster…

In This Episode, You’ll Discover…

Why “no one wants to work” is a dangerous myth

The real reason your job posts aren’t attracting quality applicants

How panic hiring is killing your business

The secret to building a system that attracts, hires, and keeps rockstar employees

A 4-week plan to overhaul your hiring process in just 30 days

 Timestamp Highlights:

[00:57] – The hiring truth bomb most business owners don’t want to hear[03:36] – What good employees actually want (and why you’re not giving it to them)[08:11] – The trap of panic hiring and how to avoid it[10:20] – What a hiring funnel actually looks like (and why you need one ASAP)[16:35] – The 30-day challenge that will change everything

 Notable Quote:

“You don’t attract great employees by chance. You attract them by design.”

Resources Mentioned:

Jump Consulting Mastermind

Loved this episode?

Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag @BellaVasta!

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube

Previous podcast episode:

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Transcript

00:04

welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business my name is Bella Vasta and today um we're going to get right on into it but before we do I want to encourage you uh to please like or subscribe wherever it is that you listen to this um this podcast uh we just recently started putting them all up on YouTube so if you like to to watch you can actually watch these episodes on YouTube or you could still listen on whatever your favorite podcast uh episode listener is look I talk to businesses all day like every single day and I can't tell

00:42

you how many times over the past 20 years I have heard "Bella I can't find good people." Or "No one wants to work the job market's terrible i hired three people and they ghosted me after training here's the thing i'm about to drop some truth bombs today that might be a little uncomfortable but they could also completely transform your business so are you willing to get a little uncomfortable to maybe change the face of your business i'm not kidding cuz today that's exactly what I'm going to

01:14

show you so let's start off with the real problem let's cut through the fluff because you know I'm a non no nononsense person you're not struggling to find good people because no one wants to work anymore it's just not the truth good employees exist they're out there right now working for businesses that have their act together the real reason you're struggling is because your hiring process is most likely random reactive and if I'm being completely honest it's exhausting

01:47

it like it's like I'm going to date myself right now but you know that song this is the song that doesn't end i'm sorry if that's in your head the rest of the day today but that's how some of your hiring processes are and because of it then you wonder why people who either apply never show up for the interview after 2 weeks or worse they stay but they do such a terrible job that your clients are complaining and get you're constantly putting out fires you're constantly retraining them it's not a hiring

02:20

problem my friends that is a business building problem and think about it this way would you want to work for a business that always hires when they're in crisis mode would you want to work for a team where the job description clearly shows the owner through it together in 15 minutes would you want to work for someone where the onboarding consists of follow me around for days and and try to remember all of it and then you're out on your own of course not and neither do the quality employees that you're trying

02:55

to attract consider this scenario imagining a petsitting business where the owner posts jobs at midnight when they're exhausted and at a after a long day of petsitting their job descriptions are vague and focused on entirely what they need not what would attract a candidate and their onboarding well it basically doesn't exist but no wonder they can't find good people the entire process is screaming "This business is chaos.

03:29

" Now contrast that with a business that implements hiring processes like clear distinct hiring processes they have a multi-step interview process that filters out people who aren't serious and they have a comprehensive onboarding so that it makes the hires feel new uh confident and prepared the second business is never short on quality applicants even in this so-called tight labor market they have eager people working for them the difference isn't luck it's systems and I literally see this i see this between the free Facebook groups and

04:05

where people start getting really discouraged and they decide that there's no one to hire out there and they all kind of like gather up around the watering hole and then they all start agreeing the stinking thinking and then there's like this magical place where there's a ton of people that aren't having trouble hiring because they've built out these systems i literally see the contrast and I'm not kidding so what real employees want you want to talk about that what they really want are

04:37

it's not just about money and unfortunately a lot of you throw money at the problem quality people the kind that show up on time follow your process and genuinely care about the pets that they're looking after they don't want chaos especially when they're not making big bucks they don't want to be dumped into your business with zero training no clear expectations and a boss who's texting them at like nine o'clock at night because they forgot something important okay listen if I if you're

05:06

feeling uncomfortable right now I'm not trying to make you that way but hopefully you realize that something's got to change and I'm here to help guide you through that what they do want is something that's very simple first they want clarity they want expectations doesn't everyone clear job descriptions clear understanding of what success looks like they want to know exactly what they're signing up for before they start second they want consistency we just want that as humans honestly a consistent schedule

05:41

consistent communication consistent policies they don't want to feel like the rules are changing based off of your mood every week and third they want communication they want regular check-ins feedback on their performance and a boss who actually listens when they have questions or concerns they want to feel heard and valued this is uh this reminds me a lot of those situations when an employee says "I'm not comfortable visiting that dog.

06:09

" Because something about their Spidey sense says that something's off and the business owner might force them to keep going or go with them to try to get them acclimated and not just uh acknowledge and respect their feeling for I don't want to be around this dog the final thing that I want to bring up is that they want to feel like the company has their act together a business that's organized and professional and treats them like a valued team member like they've done this many times before is not a

06:38

disposable resource so here's the thing if your hiring strategy is let's see who applies and we'll figure out as we go you're setting yourself up for constant turnover and burnout and I'm willing to bet that it's not a them problem it's a you problem again I know this is going to rub some of you a hard way today but stick with me okay because I'm going to give you some solutions i want you to think about this scenario and this might be really close for home a dog walking company above offers the market rate

07:12

wages and flexible schedule yet they can't keep anyone for longer than a few months but they think it's the rates no one wants to work because it's not enough money when they examine their process they discover that the new hires feel completely abandoned after training there's no system for them to ask questions no regular check-ins no clear path or for advancement there's like no vision right they're they're just thrown in the deep end and expected to swim now imagine if they implemented a system of

07:44

weekly trainings or monthly or group chat for daily questions or monthly one-on-one check-ins their retention rate would likely improve dramatically and I've seen it because people would feel supported and like part of a team and not just a warm body like filling in a scheduling slot now let's talk about one of the biggest painkillers out there of hiring and it's panic hiring and I know a lot of y

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