August 06, 2025

Ep. 80 – Hot Seats, Pet Biz Hiring Tips and the Big Hershey Expo Line-Up is Revealed! Live Podcast from Dom’s Dog Daycare Mastermind in Chicago…

48 minutes

Are you struggling to hire – despite having roles posted for weeks and offering what you think is “competitive” pay?

Did you know there is simple one pricing shift that will instantly fill your hiring pipeline with higher-quality candidates?

And the November speaker line-up is revealed.. could this year’s Hershey Expo be the most practical, profit-driven pet business event ever?

In this jam-packed episode, host Dom Hodgson checks in from his two-stop tour of the USA to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Elite Mastermind in Chicago – and an in-depth catch-up with Walker Scout’s Joe Latona, this meeting’s special guest, who shares what he learned after sitting in on the hot seats and helping two mastermind members hire standout managers, as well as giving his top hiring tips.

You’ll also hear from Barkleigh superstar editor, Rebecca Shipman, who spills the deets on what’s coming up at this year’s Hershey Expo, including new speakers, fresh formats, and why this could be the most practical, profit-focused event they’ve ever hosted. Be sure to listen right to the end for a post-mastermind debrief with some of Dom’s spectacular Elite members who know why attending meetings like this is what keeps them leaps ahead of the competition.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Behind Closed Doors – What Dom’s Elite Mastermind really looks like—and why it’s the most powerful thing his clients do all year.

Surf’s Up, Sales Are Up – How one UK daycare turned a viral dog surfing story into an email pitch that sells.

Recruiting in Real Life – Why seeing your new hire sign their offer letter in person is the best kind of testimonial.

The Real Reason You Can’t Hire – Joe Latona on why price and pay are still the biggest hiring bottlenecks.

Hershey Expo Preview – Rebecca Shipman breaks down the 2025 speaker lineup for the Hershey expo.

Huge thanks to this week’s special guest Joe Latona from WalkerScout. Find out more about Joe’s awesome recruitment services by going to WalkerScout.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.comRemember, the next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo is happening in Hershey in November and registration is OPEN! Secure your place at the biggest ‘must-attend’ pet boarding and daycare expo of the year by going to www.petboardingexpo.com

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom checks in from Chicago at his Elite Mastermind and shares what’s coming up in this eightieth episode.
[02:00] – Museum visits, business strategy, and why taking time out of your industry gives you better ideas in it.
[05:35] – Dog News: Surfing dogs and how a daycare client turned a news story into a spa upsell.
[10:51] – Hershey Expo preview with Barkleigh’s Rebecca Shipman—new sessions, keynote speakers, and who’s coming back this time around.
[17:36] – Why this year’s event is cutting surface-level advice and going deeper into real-world staffing, marketing, and growth.
[23:06] – Joe Latona joins Dom live from the hotel lobby to share his take on the mastermind experience and how hot seats really work.
[34:46] – Dom and Joe unpack why premium pricing is the real secret to attracting the best staff.
[43:44] – Where to learn more about Walker Scout—and why recruitment is marketing with a different name.
[44:09] – Hear from Allison Jacobs, Sam & Kelly McIntyre, and Kim from Butter’s House reflect on the power of the mastermind.
[45:55] – Dom teases next week’s episode with Courtney Barnes: how to build multi-location success that runs without you.

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By Barkleigh Productions

88 ratings