Today is the day! The DogCo Business Summit officially kicks off today, and I am beyond excited. Whether you are already in Winston-Salem or following along from home, I want to help you squeeze every ounce of value out of this event.

In this Hot Take episode, I share exactly how to make the most of your investment. From building meaningful connections to taking advantage of the event social pages, to setting yourself up for success after the Summit wraps, this is your roadmap for leaving the weekend with practical steps, deeper relationships, and renewed energy for your business.

👉 Did you miss attending in person? Want access to the full digital ticket for the DogCo Summit 2025? Grab yours today at http://dogcosummit.com

✨ What’s in this Episode:

• Why meeting just one person can transform your business journey.

• How to use the event Facebook group to connect before and after sessions.

• The secret value of Saturday night’s social event.

• A practical Monday morning plan to turn your notes into action.

This Summit is going to be game-changing, not only for the content but for the community you will build. If you are listening in real time, come find me and say hi. If you missed it, we’ll be announcing dates for 2026!

🎧 Also, listen to this podcast episode on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

-M

Scaling from $750,000 to 1 million in annual revenue is one of the most exciting and challenging stages of building a pet care business. At this level, small cracks in your systems, finances, and brand become massive risks, and the wrong move can cost you hard-earned growth. In this episode, I break down what it really takes to cross the seven-figure line without losing profit, clarity, or sanity. 

👉 And don’t forget, the DogCo Business Summit is this week! Check out the online event with our digital ticket at http://dogcosummit.com

✨ Key Takeaways
• How to avoid systems debt as your company grows
• Why profit margins often compress at higher revenue levels
• The power and pitfalls of brand recognition at scale
• When to consider a rebrand and how to avoid losing equity
• Tech challenges facing seven-figure companies and what to do about them

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome to the final scaling series episode
0:35 – Why hitting seven figures can look very different depending on structure
2:01 – Overview of scaling from $750K to 1 million in pet care
3:12 – Lessons from the Seven-Figure DogCo mastermind
4:50 – Risks of systems debt at this stage
8:02 – Compressed profit margins and what that means for growth
10:00 – Brand recognition and referral power at scale
11:00 – The dangers of rebranding too late
12:47 – Tech struggles for large pet care businesses
13:41 – Biggest risks for owners at this level
15:20 – Solutions: protecting profit and simplifying systems
20:00 – Final thoughts and invitation to share feedback

🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨
The industry’s most powerful event is happening this week September 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC. This is the last call for you to join us. While in-person ticket sales are closed, you can still purchase a digital ticket to join in on the fun. You’ll walk away with strategies to grow your pet care business with confidence. Grab yours today at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

🎧 Listen to this episode on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

-M

In this Hot Tip Friday episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I am breaking down the two most important metrics for your business: client retention and employee retention. These numbers matter more than any other because they shape the long-term health, profitability, and stability of your company.

I’ll share why focusing on retention is the fastest way to build sustainable revenue, how to calculate the true lifetime value of your clients, and what it really costs when you lose a team member. Plus, I’ll give you three practical strategies to improve retention for both clients and staff, so you can stop spinning in the whirlwind and start compounding your growth.

👉 If you are a pet care business that wants to level up, then the DogCo Business Summit is for you. Join me September 26–28 by grabbing your digital ticket at http://dogcosummit.com.

✨ Key Takeaways
• Client retention multiplies the lifetime value of every customer
• Retaining 100 clients at $100/week equals $520,000 a year
• Employee turnover is one of the most expensive drains on growth
• The first 100 days of employment are critical for staff retention
• Always give your team a path to grow with you, not away from you

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

- Michelle

In this episode of Scaling Series, we are tackling one of the most pivotal phases in pet care business growth, the $500k to $750k window.

This is where owners face critical inflection points around management teams, systems, retention, and data tracking. I will walk you through the biggest risks that can keep you stuck and the solutions that can unlock long-term growth. If you are ready to push past bottlenecks and set your company up for success, this episode is for you.

📢 And do not forget, the DogCo Business Summit is almost here! Join us September 26--28, 2025. Get your digital ticket now 👉 http://dogcosummit.com (in person ticket sales now closed)

✨ Key Takeaways
• The half-million to three-quarter million stage requires true decision-making managers
• New systems and policies can cause healthy breaking before stronger foundations emerge
• Client retention can suffer if not intentionally protected as owners step back
• Data clarity becomes non-negotiable for decision-making at this stage
• Owners must avoid becoming bottlenecks by stepping away strategically
• Slowing down to build systems correctly here accelerates growth later
• Culture leadership is essential as more managers take on responsibility

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 Welcome to DogCo Secrets with Michelle Kline
0:17 Scaling from $500k to $750k in pet care businesses
1:10 Why management teams become the biggest bottleneck
2:00 The need for true decision-makers
3:01 Domino effect of new policies and systems
4:40 Healthy breaking vs bad breaking in your business
5:45 Protecting client experience and retention as you step back
6:47 Why data and metrics are critical in this phase
7:45 Biggest risks that keep businesses stuck
9:40 Owner bottlenecks and system slowdowns
10:30 Retention decline during restructuring
11:45 Getting stuck in data debt
13:00 Solutions including retention systems, slowing down, and culture leadership
15:12 Closing thoughts and preview of the $750k to 1M episode

🎧 Also Listen On:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

-Michelle

In this episode, I’m digging into one of the most common priorities I hear from pet care business owners: attracting more dog walking clients. But here’s the kicker, you might be accidentally turning them away with the way your brand is positioned.

I share insights from scaling my own dog walking company to 25 staff and 600 clients before selling it in 2023, plus what I see inside businesses I coach every day. From how your business name communicates what you do, to how your website prioritizes services, to how your client onboarding either welcomes or repels dog walking clients,  these details matter more than you think.

✨ Key Points

• Your business name shapes client perception immediately

• Website service order can influence which clients you attract

• Onboarding forms should support long-term dog walking clients, not just pet sitting

• Convenience and clarity drive new client sign-ups

• Subtle brand tweaks can transform your lead flow

📢 DogCo Business Summit 2025

If you’re a pet care business that wants to level up, then this is for you. The DogCo Business Summit is happening in Winston-Salem, NC, September 26–28, and we still have digital tickets available. Grab your spot today at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

🐾 Whether you’re trying to balance pet sitting and dog walking, or you’re ready to scale up with a stronger client flow, this Hot Tip will give you tactical strategies you can implement right away.

- Michelle

In today’s episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I am diving into what I call the $300K to $500K window of growth for your pet care business, which I call "The Scaling Runway". This is one of the most critical and often chaotic seasons for pet care companies. If you are in this phase, you’re likely facing bottlenecks with admin support, burnout, client retention challenges, and the delicate balance of investing in structure without overextending.

I’ll share what I see over and over again from working with hundreds of pet care businesses, and I’ll give you the practical steps to move through this season without getting stuck.

And don’t forget, the DogCo Business Summit is coming up soon! Digital tickets are still available at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

✨ Key Takeaways
• The $300K to $500K window requires more admin clarity and structure
• Avoid “all-hands helper” roles that create chaos and turnover
• Client onboarding should not bottleneck with the owner
• Burnout risk is high during this transition - plan for recovery
• Retention is the golden goose of pet care growth
• Focus on recurring client relationships for compounding revenue
• Invest carefully in admin support without over-leveraging

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome and overview of the scaling series
1:00 – Why $300K to $500K is one big growth window
3:00 – Recap of the $200K to $300K stage
5:00 – Early hires that create chaos vs structure
8:00 – Risks of admin turnover and “key man” dependency
11:00 – Burnout in the $300K to $500K phase
13:00 – Why client onboarding must scale beyond the owner
16:00 – Retention as the golden goose of pet care businesses
20:00 – Practical solutions for structure, systems, and role clarity
27:00 – How to accelerate through this tier toward $500K+

🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨
The industry’s most powerful event is happening September 26-28 in Winston-Salem, NC. In-person ticket sales are closed but you can still get a digital ticket. You’ll walk away with proven strategies to grow your pet care business. Don’t miss it - tickets at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

🎧 Also listen on
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

-Michelle

📚 In this Hot Tip Friday episode, I am sharing three books that completely reshaped how I think about business, leadership, and growth. These books created turning points for me, helping me redefine my role as a business owner, figure out how to allocate my resources more effectively, and craft offers that truly resonate with clients. 

If you are looking for inspiration and practical takeaways from proven business minds, this episode is for you.

✨ Key Highlights

• Why The E-Myth Revisited redefined my relationship to my business

• How The 80/20 Principle gave me a framework for allocating time, money, and energy

• What $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi taught me about value and client psychology

• Why reading one book a week was the best investment I made early in my entrepreneur journey

• The importance of continuing to learn and grow as a leader

If you want to snag your own copies of these books, my affiliate links are below!

E-Myth Revisited: https://amzn.to/3JECyb1
80/20 Principle: https://amzn.to/3JGee8K
$100M Offers: https://amzn.to/4mOrUgQ

🚨 Final Call: The DogCo Business Summit is Almost Here! 🚨

Join me online September 26–28 for the DogCo Business Summit and walk away with strategies to grow and scale your pet care business. Grab your ticket today at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

Hey there! I'm Michelle Kline, host of the DogCo Secrets Podcast and founder of DogCo Launch. This episode is part of our Scaling Series, where I break down the phases of growth for pet care companies. Today we’re diving into the $200K–$300K revenue stage. This is such an exciting time in your business, but it comes with new challenges around structure, team management, admin systems, and focus.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the whirlwind of scheduling, admin, or hiring, this one is for you. I’ll share the biggest risks I see in this stage and practical steps you can take to keep scaling sustainably while avoiding burnout.

👉 And don’t forget, the DogCo Business Summit is happening September 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC, and online. This is the premier event for pet care business owners ready to grow with confidence. We only have digital tickets left - but it's going to be amazing! Grab yours at: http://dogcosummit.com

✨ Key Takeaways
• The temptation to stay in the field is your first bottleneck
• Building admin support is no longer optional; it is necessary
• SOPs and standardized training protect your business and your team
• Losing focus at this stage is one of the biggest risks
• Safety incidents increase with volume, so systems must come first
• Data-driven marketing creates a predictable lead flow

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome and Scaling Series recap
1:00 – The tough $100K–$200K season and what comes next
2:35 – The $200K–$300K stage explained
3:48 – Why stepping out of the field is the first real bottleneck
5:02 – Transitioning into admin leadership
6:22 – The need for structure and SOPs as teams grow
8:10 – Hustling for leads and managing team size
10:45 – The risks of losing focus too early
12:20 – Safety considerations as volume increases
15:00 – Hiring admin and training a trainer for your team
20:00 – Building data-driven lead flow and predictability
24:30 – Closing reflections and invitation to connect

🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨
September 26–28: only digital tickets left. Walk away with strategies to grow your pet care business with confidence. http://dogcosummit.com

🎧 Also listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

Hi friends, Michelle Kline here, host of the DogCo Secrets Podcast and founder of DogCo Launch. In this week’s Hot Tip Friday episode, I am pulling back the curtain on a powerful moment from this summer when I had the opportunity to workshop my own business directly with Alex Hormozi at his Acquisition Workshop.

I share three big insights that left a lasting impact on me and that I believe will help you rethink how you are running and scaling your pet care business:

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why “if it’s working, don’t stop” is one of the smartest growth strategies you can adopt

• How to lead with vision instead of fear, and why your conviction matters more than your struggles

• The importance of knowing your numbers and how clarity with data creates better decision-making

As always, these Hot Tip episodes are short, tactical, and straight to the point. My hope is that you walk away with one clear action you can implement right away in your own business.

🚨 The DogCo Business Summit is Almost Here 🚨

If you are serious about growing and scaling your pet care company, you cannot miss this. Join me September 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC or grab your digital ticket to attend online. This is the event where the industry comes together to connect, learn, and build stronger businesses. Tickets are still available at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com. 

In-person ticket sales end 8/31 - so get yours now.

Cheering you on,

- M

In this episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I break down one of the toughest and most defining phases for pet care business owners: the $100,000 to $200,000 revenue stage. This is the season where owners are often stuck with one foot in the field and one foot in administration, trying to juggle everything while building a team of three to seven people.

I share the risks, bottlenecks, and strategies to help you break through this phase and set your business up for long-term growth. If you are feeling stuck in the whirlwind of daily tasks or struggling to retain staff while keeping clients happy, this episode is for you.

👉 And do not forget, the DogCo Business Summit is almost here! Join us in Winston-Salem, NC or online from September 26 to 28. Tickets are almost gone, so secure yours today at: http://dogcosummit.com

✨ Key Takeaways
• The $100K to $200K phase is one of the hardest growth seasons in pet care businesses
• Owners often get stuck juggling fieldwork and administrative work, limiting growth
• Lack of systems and SOPs can hurt client experience and stall retention
• Protecting windows of time for business-building is essential
• Two hiring pathways: keeping full-time clients vs creating stability for staff
• Retention improves when you prioritize stability for your team
• Running lean financially may be necessary to push past this bottleneck
• Focus on building scalable systems to avoid chaos as you grow

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 Welcome to the Scaling Series
0:37 Why the $100K to $200K phase is unique
1:15 Building teams of 3 to 7 employees
2:04 The hardest season of Michelle’s business journey
3:02 Why owners get stuck between fieldwork and admin
4:05 The “whirlwind” that pulls you under
5:15 Decline in client experience without systems
6:32 Risks of staying too tied to fieldwork
7:48 Pathway one: keeping clients and giving staff leftovers
9:03 Pathway two: stability for staff, overflow for the owner
10:21 Why dog walking focus can stabilize growth
11:25 The power of SOPs and documented systems
12:40 Running lean to break through the $200K ceiling
13:55 Encouragement and strategy to push forward

🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨
The industry’s most powerful event is happening September 26 to 28 in Winston-Salem, NC. Whether you join in-person or online, you will walk away with strategies to grow your pet care business with confidence. Seats are almost gone, so grab your ticket today at: http://dogcosummit.com

Do you have software for scaling your pet care business? Check out my friends at Time to Pet - use my affiliate code and receive a free trial: www.timetopet.com/dogco

🎧 Also, listen to this podcast episode on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

-M