Ever wondered what happens when your staff start learning just as much from elephants as they do from industry expos?

Think enrichment only works if you’ve got 10,000 square feet and a scent space that looks like a Hogwarts classroom?

Or maybe you’ve been wondering how to actually build a business that works around your life - not the other way around?

In this inspiring first half of a two-part interview, Dom sits down with Allison Jacobs, co-founder of Scouts Honor in Bloomington, Indiana (and enrichment trailblazer). Allison shares her raw and remarkable journey from struggling with autoimmune disease and pet sitting on Rover… to running a high-profit, high-impact enrichment-focused daycare that’s built across three split levels of an old lumber yard!

You’ll hear how she and business partner Kristen turned their rescue roots into a powerful enrichment model that serves dogs, staff, and clients - without needing fancy equipment or ideal square footage. Plus, learn how Allison enriches her team with zoo visits, themed training days, and culture-building strategies that have fostered a fantastic workplace atmosphere that staff and customers alike simply can’t get enough of.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

“Harry Potter’s Scent Space” – Why you don’t need a posh facility to deliver powerful enrichment sessions.

Why Beagles Get Bored Too – And how understanding breed drives can turn tired routines into energy-burning gold.

Enrichment for Humans – How field trips and one-on-ones lead to happier, longer-lasting staff.

Theme It and They Will Come – How monthly story-driven enrichment campaigns boost engagement and bookings.

Building the Business That Suits YOU – How Alison designed her role as CEO around her life, not the other way around.

Huge thanks to this week’s awesome guest Allison. You can find out more about what Allison, Kristen and Henry are doing at Scouts Honor by going to www.scoutshonorpetretreat.com

learn more about Dom’s coaching programs and how to build a premium pet care business, visit: www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow 

The July/August issue of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine is ‘HOT’ off the press. Grab your copy or view the digital version by going to www.petboardinganddaycare.com.

Remember, the next Barkleigh show is happening in Hershey in November. Be the first to find out when registration opens by entering your info at www.petboardingexpo.com

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom previews the summer ahead and introduces Allison Jacobs from Scouts Honor.

[05:53] – Dog News: Hear about both DINKWADs and surge of crypto-powered adoption as Dom shares two trending dog stories.

[09:23] – Allison shares her journey from Best Buy to Rover to CEO of a booming enrichment facility.

[14:06] – Why enrichment was the foundation of Scouts Honor—and how Kristen and Allison divide their time.

[17:41] – The truth about their weird facility layout (and how they made it work anyway).

[21:04] – A real-world enrichment case study: how a bored Beagle needed less physically-draining agility and more stimulating scent work.

[26:33] – Human enrichment 101: zoo trips, enrichment boards, and what elephants can teach your staff.

[33:05] – Why one-on-one enrichment builds confidence in dogs and their skeptical owners.

[36:06] – How Enrich U’s monthly themes helped Allison to market better, train smarter, and get staff and clients fired up.

[39:24] – Dom previews Part 2, where Allison is set to share how she built the systems that helped her business run—even when she couldn’t.