In this episode, I’m sharing one of the more controversial strategies I’ve used in my business, and one that had a direct impact on increasing take-home pay for my team.

As a business owner, there are real limits to how much you can increase wages without putting pressure on your margins. I ran into that ceiling myself, and instead of pushing further on hourly pay, I started asking a different question: how can I increase what my team takes home in a way the business can actually sustain?  

That led me to rethink how tipping works inside a service business, and more specifically, how systems influence behavior.

In this episode, I walk through the exact shift I made, moving from an “opt-in” tipping model to an “opt-out” system, and how that simple change significantly increased tips for my team. We also talk about the concept of friction, how small barriers inside your systems shape client decisions, and why where you place that friction matters.

This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and I want you to make the decision that feels aligned for your business. But if you’re looking for ways to better support your team financially without breaking your model, this is worth thinking about.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Wage increases are often limited by business margins

• Systems can influence behavior more than intention alone

• Opt-out models typically outperform opt-in models

• Friction determines what actions clients take or avoid

• Small system changes can create a significant financial impact

• Tipping can be structured intentionally, not left to chance

• Supporting your team may require creative problem-solving

• Transparency is key when implementing changes like this

🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit

If you’re serious about building a stronger, more sustainable pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.

📍 October 2nd–4th

📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina

👉 https://dogcosummit.com