If your normalcy, is juggling dogs, clients, kids, partners, piles of washing, dozens of undone chores, and a brain with 47 tabs open, this episode is for you. It is all about the reality of running a dog business while looking after family and dealing with a long list of other responsibilities outside of work.

We talk openly about those rock‑bottom moments where you wonder if it would be easier to just go back to being “normal,” identity crisis, handling grief and being overstretched. You’ll hear how to simplify your business, prioritise tasks and surround yourself with a community of people that provide the support you need instead of inadvertently making things worse.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Feeling overwhelmed by life and work doesn’t mean you’re not cut out to run a business,  it means you’re human.

Developing a rinse‑and‑repeat business model frees up headspace and time. 

Discomfort is part of growth.

The right mentor stop your overthinking. They help you see where you are making things harder than they need to be.

Who you surround yourself with massively affects your belief in what’s possible and how hard everything feels.  

When you feel fear or overwhelm spike about money, clients, big decisions or other things, pause, and say, “This is my brain trying to keep me safe.” Then ask: "If fear wasn’t driving this, what would I choose?"  

Periodically, audit your business for tabs that don´t need to be open and plates you no longer need to keep spinning. List out everything you’re trying to do, decide what actually moves the needle and what can be parked.

For regularly repeated tasks, develop simple rinse and repeat processes, and follow them.

BEST MOMENTS

“How often, do you feel you've just got too many tabs open in your head, or you're spinning too many plates?”

“Life is busy, life is short, so actually spend it with people you love. Spend it with people that are going to encourage you.”

“Often, we are afraid to put ourselves first.”

“What thoughts are yours, and what are other people's that have infiltrated your brain?”

If you’ve not grabbed your CBA Live ticket yet, get your arse in gear and sort it here:https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/cba-live-2026/

Across two days we cover everything we’ve talked about in this episode (and a lot more): real-life business stories, mindset, money, systems, and strategies you can actually use. 

You’ll connect with other force-free trainers, and you’ll have the chance to join the CBA community full-time so you’re not left doing this on your own.

CBA Live is the business event for force-free dog trainers and behaviourists.

SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS

https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness

www.caninebusinessacademy.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity

Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies are dog behaviourists, business strategists, and co-founders of Canine Business Academy—the UK’s go-to hub for dog professionals who want more than just a logo and a dream. With a combined passion for dogs and business done properly, Jo and Vicky have helped hundreds of canine professionals build sustainable, profitable businesses rooted in real impact. Their award-winning work has earned recognition including:– UK StartUp Awards: Business to Business (Midlands)– Small Business Awards UK: Most Innovative Small Business 2025– Business Awards UK: Most Innovative Pet Product 2024– Plus shortlists at the Women in Business and Great British Businesswoman Awards They’re also No.1 bestselling authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy, featured on BBC Radio, FOX, NBC, and more—with 63,000+ downloads of this very podcast. Their philosophy is simple: Give a shit. Get shit done. Get results.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/