DogCo Secrets

In today’s Hot Tip episode, I am walking you through a 2026 financial planning crash course. We are only weeks away from a brand new year, which means this is the perfect moment to take stock of your finances, tighten up your money systems, and set yourself up to scale with confidence.

I am sharing the exact things I am doing inside DogCo as we grow our team. These are the foundations I believe every pet care business should have in place before the new year hits.

This episode will help you get crystal clear on what to focus on for stronger financial health, how to protect your net profit while still investing wisely, and how to prepare for your biggest year of growth yet.

What You Will Learn

• How I am planning my own 2026 financial strategy
• Why net profit protection matters more than top line growth
• The two financial support roles every pet care business needs
• How to prep your savings and tax accounts the smart way
• What to audit before the new year to keep your business lean
• Why planning ahead creates massive clarity for your goals
• The simplest way to map the gap between where you are and where you want to go

Mastermind Enrollment Now Open

If you want support scaling your team-based pet care company in 2026, this is your moment.

Enrollment for the DogCo Mastermind is officially open, and we only take companies once a year.

Learn more and schedule your consultation at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

#petcarebusiness #businessfinancialplanning #dogcolaunch

If this episode gave you clarity or momentum, share it with another pet care business owner who wants to level up next year. Cheering you on as always.

-M

In this episode, I sit down with my friend, long time client, and now DogCo team member, Maris Sonnabend, to talk about the real journey of scaling a pet care business, navigating big life changes, and building a company that truly supports your future.

Maris shares how she went from doing everything herself to running a thriving team of 27, stepping out of the field, taking maternity leave, and now using her experience to help other companies grow through DogCo.

If you have ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this conversation is full of clarity, actionable insight, and the permission to build a business that works for the life you want.

Want to work with DogCo in 2026?
💡💡💡 Mastermind enrollment page: dogcolaunch.com/mastermind 💡💡💡

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:37 How Michelle and Maris met
01:25 Maris shares her business story
03:05 From doing everything to hiring a full team
04:40 Eliminating services that did not serve the business
06:50 What it took to get out of burnout
08:40 The role DogCo played in restructuring profitable service lines
10:24 Preparing for maternity leave while still scaling
12:05 Why investing in yourself matters
14:45 Implementing coaching vs only consuming it
16:00 Time blocking and getting unstuck
18:05 Learning to prioritize freedom and family
20:00 Why Maris joined the DogCo team
22:35 Honest conversations about fit and readiness for the Mastermind
25:00 Advice for companies stuck before the new year
27:00 Believing your business is within your control
28:40 Why reinventing the wheel slows companies down
30:10 The real value of proven SOPs and systems
31:50 The new DogCo Process Builder tool
33:40 Maris emotional story of growth
35:05 The invitation to schedule a consultation

🔥 Key Takeaways
• You do not have to offer every service to be successful
• Eliminating mismatched services often unlocks profit and sanity
• Investing in yourself pays off when you actually implement what you learn
• Time blocking creates clarity, momentum, and freedom
• You can still scale even in complex life seasons
• Your business can serve your life, not the other way around
• Proven systems save years of trial and error
• Scheduling a consultation costs nothing, and can change everything

dogco #michellekline #petcarebusiness #petbusinesscoach #smallbusinessgrowth 

-M

In this week’s Hot Take episode, I want to talk about what happens when you’re halfway in on your business, and why that middle ground is the hardest place to be.

I’ve had seasons where I was half-in and half-out, and they were always the most exhausting, confusing, and least successful seasons of my life. I’ll share a conversation I had with my husband that changed the way I approach my work, and how giving myself permission to go all in on DogCo completely shifted my momentum.

If you’re feeling torn between paths or hesitant to commit, I want to encourage you, clarity and progress only come when you make the call. Whether that means going all in or all out, you deserve to move forward with full alignment and energy.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Being half-in keeps you stuck longer than failing fast

• Clarity comes when you commit to one direction

• Sometimes stepping back fully is the healthiest decision

• Alignment and peace beat divided focus every time

• Go all in on what you truly want to build

💡 Join the DogCo Mastermind

If you’re ready to go all in on your business, the DogCo Mastermind is the place to do it. Enrollment is open now at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next level isn’t strategy, but self-belief? In this episode, I dive into how mindset shapes growth. Not only in business, but in how you define what’s possible for your company.

I think its critical to reframe self-talk like “Can I do this?” into “What would it take to do this?” I share how this subtle shift can change everything about the way you lead, grow, and scale. If you’re ready to reframe the way that you think about your own capabilities, this one’s for you.

✨ Key Takeaways
• Success starts with how you view your own capability
• The right question isn’t “Can I?” but “What would it take?”
• Every goal has trade-offs — decide which are worth it
• Growth is about wisdom, not just feasibility
• Stop asking if it’s possible, and start building your plan

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome and episode overview
0:35 – Why “realistic” goals limit entrepreneurs
1:18 – Shifting from feasibility to wisdom
2:06 – The belief that anything is possible
3:03 – Understanding trade-offs in scaling
4:01 – Paying for growth with time or resources
5:08 – Replacing “Can I?” with “How could I?”
6:06 – Scaling with intention, not ego
7:01 – Closing reflections and next steps

🚀 Join the DogCo Mastermind
Ready to take your business to the next level with expert coaching and community? Enrollment is now open for the DogCo Mastermind — visit dogcolaunch.com/mastermind to learn more and apply.

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

-M

If you’ve ever struggled to figure out how much time off to allow your team, this episode is for you. In today’s Hot Take Friday, I’m unpacking one of the most common challenges in the pet care industry: balancing flexibility for your team with the operational consistency your business needs.

I’ll share how I structured time-off requests in my own pet care company, what systems made it easier, and why focusing on clarity instead of control is the key to reducing burnout and building trust.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Shift your mindset from “how much time off” to “what system best supports clarity”

• Implement a clear notice cadence for time-off requests

• Protect your business by tracking averages and seasonal trends

• Encourage your team to post shifts and find coverage within a system

• Claim your own time off first - and protect it

Cheering you on,

Michelle

The DogCo Business Summit 2025 was one of the most impactful experiences of my career, and today I’m taking you behind the scenes. From the original seed of the idea at a pet industry conference in LA, to seeing over 150 pet care business owners come together in one space, I’m unpacking how this event came to life, what I learned, and where DogCo is heading next.

If you’ve ever dreamed about creating something bigger than yourself or wondered what it looks like to lead a movement inside an industry that’s still evolving, this episode is for you.

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome and post-Summit reflections
0:41 – How the Summit idea began
2:02 – The pet industry event that inspired DogCo
3:15 – Realizing the in-home pet care industry lacked representation
4:48 – Why I wanted to build something for our community
6:30 – The power of in-person connection in a digital world
7:55 – Setting the stage for the future of the pet care industry
9:03 – How speakers like Joey Coleman and Jamie Trull brought the event to life
10:21 – Lessons learned and goals for next year’s Summit
11:45 – The official 2025 DogCo Summit dates

✨ Key Takeaways
• How the vision for the DogCo Summit began
• Why in-person connection is more valuable than ever in the AI era
• The pet care industry is still in its early stages of recognition, and we’re changing that
• Behind-the-scenes lessons learned (and what’s improving next year)
• The exciting plans for the 2026 DogCo Business Summit

🐾 Join Us Next Year
The DogCo Business Summit returns October 2–4, 2026 in Winston-Salem, NC. Featuring Joey Coleman, live workshops, and more ways to connect and grow your business.

Get your early access ticket at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

🎧 Also listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

-M

In this week’s Hot Take Friday episode, I’m sharing the single most powerful marketing strategy I’d focus on if I were growing my pet care business again. Spoiler alert: it’s not another social media trend. It’s about going deep, not wide, building real relationships in your community that create lasting brand trust.

I walk through how to make your brand known in your area, how to connect your personal and business identities in a way that earns loyalty, and why the human side of your company is about to become your biggest competitive edge in an AI-saturated world.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Trust is the foundation of every effective sales strategy

• Relationship-driven marketing always outperforms quick hacks

• Local brand associations build long-term awareness and referrals

• Your personal brand can amplify your business brand

• The “human” element will set pet care businesses apart in the AI era

💡 Final Thought:

Scaling a business isn’t just about systems and strategy; it’s about alignment. Take the time to evaluate what truly drives growth for you, and double down on that.

🚀 Join the DogCo Mastermind

Ready to build your next level of business clarity and community?

Apply today at http://dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

🎧 Listen on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

Feeling stuck in your business? In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact framework I use when growth stalls,  and how to identify what’s really holding your business back. Whether it’s staffing, marketing, or mindset, these strategies will help you pinpoint the problem, focus your energy, and accelerate forward with clarity and confidence.

⏰ Timestamps
0:00 – What causes bottlenecks in business
0:48 – Feeling stuck and identifying the root issue
2:20 – How to pinpoint your real constraint
3:30 – Why growth stalls even when leads increase
5:05 – The staffing bottleneck most owners miss
7:01 – How to simplify your focus and accelerate
8:10 – Using Facebook and content intentionally
10:12 – Going deeper on fewer marketing channels
12:00 – The danger of overextending your focus
13:05 – Getting out of your own way
14:20 – Aligning growth with your well-being

✨ Key Takeaways
• Bottlenecks often appear where you least expect them
• Balance operations and marketing for true growth
• Go deeper, not broader, in your strategy
• Focus on what actually drives results
• Learn to get out of your own way

💡 Final Thought:
Scaling a business isn’t just about systems and strategy; it’s about alignment. Take the time to evaluate what truly drives growth for you, and double down on that.

🚀 Join the DogCo Mastermind
Ready to build your next level of business clarity and community?
Apply today at http://dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

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

-M

In today’s Hot Take episode, I’m talking about one of the most important and misunderstood parts of running a profitable pet care business: pricing strategy.

So many business owners shy away from offering discounts or deals because they’re afraid it will hurt their margins. But what if you could build flexibility into your pricing from the start? In this episode, I break down exactly how to price your services to protect your profit while giving yourself room to test creative offers, run seasonal promotions, and attract new clients without cutting into your bottom line.

We’ll cover how to determine your ideal profit margin, what “wiggle room” to plan for, and how to think strategically about recurring services, after-hours fees, and value perception. This is one of those foundational mindset shifts that can completely change how you approach sales and profitability.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Why flexibility in pricing is key to long-term growth

• How to calculate a healthy net profit margin (20–30%)

• The benefit of building in 10–15% extra margin for promotions and creative offers

• How to structure “core pricing” and recurring service models

• Why being the price leader in your market is actually a good thing

💡 Final Thought

Give yourself permission to lead with confidence in your pricing. When you plan for margin, you create freedom, sustainability, and space for innovation.

🐾 Ready to elevate your business in 2026?

Join the DogCo Mastermind and get access to exclusive trainings, support, and strategy sessions at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

- M

As 2025 starts winding down, I’m sharing my personal 60-day plan for closing out the year strong. After an incredible DogCo Summit, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to finish well, to be intentional, to re-center, and to set a solid foundation for the new year.

In this episode, I walk through the exact three areas I’m focused on to wrap up the year with clarity and momentum, and the three things I’m putting in place to set up 2026 for success. Whether you’re running a growing pet care business or managing your own entrepreneurial goals, these strategies can help you finish strong and start the new year ahead of the curve.

✨ Key Takeaways
• How to refocus your energy after a major event or season of growth
• The three key areas to finish 2025 strong
• Why presence and gratitude are the real productivity hacks
• How to set systems, data, and people up for success next year
• The importance of taking intentional rest to reset your creativity

⏰ Timestamps
0:00  Welcome back to DogCo Secrets
0:45  Reflections on the DogCo Summit
2:30  Why refocusing matters after big wins
4:05  My 60-day focus to finish strong
6:10  The power of being present with clients and commitments
8:25  The importance of structure and data before growth
10:40  Taking time off intentionally to recharge
12:55  Setting the foundation for next year
15:00  Building proactive systems and empowering your team
17:00  Why people and relationships remain DogCo’s core
18:30  Setting clear goals for 2026
20:00  Why slowing down is sometimes the best growth strategy

💬 Final Thoughts
This time of year can feel like a whirlwind, but the last 60 days are where your next year begins. Take the time to reflect, rebuild, and rest so you can start strong in 2026.

🐾 Ready to elevate your business in 2026?
Join the DogCo Mastermind and get access to exclusive trainings, support, and strategy sessions at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

🎧 Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

— M