No matter what stage your business is in, it’s always a good idea to begin with the end in mind—which, in the pet industry, often means the eventual sale of your business. Even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon, it’s important to understand what you need to do to maintain an appealing business that someone would want to buy—because you never know.

Eyal Cohen from the Pet Resort Hospitality Group joins us today to explain how to set up your business so you’ll be able to sell it one day. You’ll learn what steps you should take now to prepare for an eventual sale, as well as what the process will look like when the time comes.

Running a dog daycare or boarding business can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique stresses—long hours, emotional demands, and the constant pressure to grow and succeed. In this episode, we’re diving into why taking care of your mental health isn’t just good for you—it’s essential for your business. From the impact of stress on decision-making and relationships to the physical toll it can take, we’ll explore why self-care should be at the top of your priority list.

You’ll also walk away with actionable strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, and build resilience to handle future challenges. Learn how to incorporate daily habits that foster mental well-being, delegate tasks effectively, and tap into the power of community and support. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just looking for ways to fortify yourself for the road ahead, this episode is packed with tips to help you thrive—not just survive—in the pet business world.

Today we’re diving into the impact of employee morale on pet resorts and how creating a positive work environment can lead to a better company culture, higher retention rates, and an overall thriving business. Our special guest, Laurie Yost from Playful Pups Retreat, shares her personal journey to boosting team morale by adding simple but heartfelt touches of appreciation that transformed her staff’s experience. Laurie’s approach began with handwritten notes to her team, acknowledging their efforts and the unique strengths they bring to the table. What started as an experiment quickly turned into a core element of her management style, helping her build a workplace where employees feel valued and motivated to give their best.

Laurie’s success with these personal notes inspired her to create her own pet industry-specific cards, making the practice of showing appreciation a regular and meaningful part of her company’s culture. Now, handwritten cards are a celebrated tradition at Playful Pups Retreat, where each card serves as a tangible reminder of gratitude and respect for each team member’s hard work. This thoughtful approach has not only helped Laurie retain great staff but also attracted like-minded individuals who appreciate the supportive and uplifting environment she’s fostered.

In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we’re joined by Jeff Adney from TWC, a leading expert in designing and building pet care facilities. We dive deep into the essential best practices for creating a functional and attractive space that meets the unique needs of dog daycare and boarding businesses. Whether you’re launching a new facility or expanding an existing one, Jeff shares insights on zoning requirements, architectural planning, and securing the right funding to bring your vision to life.

Tune in as we discuss everything from the foundational steps of construction to the finer details of a successful build-out, designed to enhance efficiency and enrich the experience for pets and staff alike. With Jeff’s wealth of knowledge and practical advice, you’ll get a clear roadmap to create a top-tier facility that sets your business up for long-term success.

Discover how to organize your pet care facility for maximum effectiveness. Alex Varney, VP of Operations at Pinnacle Pets walks you through how to identify and resolve the inefficiencies in your daily operations that hinder your team's performance and those that lead to chaos and customer dissatisfaction. In addition, you’ll gain insights into creative problem-solving techniques to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve clarity for your team.

In this episode, we dive into the ins and outs of adding a transportation service to your pet resort or daycare. Joined by Katrin “Kay” Green from The Dog Patch, we explore how a simple idea—using a minivan to shuttle dogs during COVID—grew into a full-scale operation with multiple buses. Kay shares her journey from that initial minivan setup to running three shuttles daily, discussing the costs, logistics, and unexpected perks of providing transportation for clients. She also offers practical tips on safety, organization, and handling challenges like finding qualified drivers and dealing with inevitable messes on the road.

From building relationships with clients to creating a community icon, Kay’s story illustrates how adding transportation can be a game-changer for pet care businesses. Whether you’re considering a single van or a fleet of buses, this episode provides valuable insights for anyone looking to expand their services and deliver extra convenience for their customers.

In this episode we dive into the world of luxury branding and explore how positioning your pet care business as a premium service can set you apart in a competitive market. From fostering unmatched customer loyalty to enabling higher profit margins, creating a high-end brand experience offers significant benefits for businesses willing to go the extra mile.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your existing services, this episode offers actionable insights for creating a premium client experience that resonates with pet owners who prioritize quality. You’ll gain tips for enhancing service standards, overcoming challenges, and refining your brand message to attract a selective, loyal clientele.

In this episode, we’ll explore the potential pitfalls that pet business owners face after reaching success. Achieving your business goals is an incredible milestone, but what happens next? We’ll dive into the dangers that can arise from complacency, missed opportunities, or simply not knowing how to leverage success to reach even greater heights. Plus, we’ll offer actionable strategies for staying on top and continuously growing your pet business.

The big buzz in the dog daycare industry is enrichment. Everyone seems to be talking about it, and many businesses have been rolling out different enrichment programs with great success. It’s exciting but also a bit overwhelming.

Today, I’ve brought Dominic Hodgson back on the show to tell us all about his recent Enrichment Summit, share some of the key takeaways from the event, and help us understand how we can make enrichment work.

You and your business will always be limited by the knowledge you don’t have. The good news is that there’s no shortage of places to learn and expand your skills. To truly reach your full potential, you need a lifelong commitment to continued learning and education. The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be, and the fewer mistakes you’ll make.

In this episode, Fern shares his five favorite books that will not only help you take your business to exciting new heights, but also enable you to grow and improve as a person.