Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast with Dominic Hodgson

Is it a good idea to start a pet business with your life partner? 

Can you really run a thriving business, and still maintain a healthy and happy home life away from work? 

What happens to your relationship when the business faces real challenges?

Well, you are about to find out because in this week’s show, I’m talking to six couples who chose to build a pet business around their relationship, or should that be, build a relationship around their pet business! 

Either way you are in for a real treat with this episode, where we talk about the stresses, strains, strengths and weaknesses that you need to be aware of, as well as how to maintain good physical and mental health when you aren’t at work, and how to keep the business moving forward whilst you also stay true to your shared vision for your future together. 

Tune in to learn about;

Owning Your Superpower - Why you need to find out, and lean into what your individual business superpower is, to make your partnership stronger.

Business Down Time - Why it’s crucial you have downtime away from the business, and why you should schedule it into your routine.

Why Opposites Attract Really Works! – When both partners bring different skill sets you become the twin engines in your business.

The Bonus Business Courtship – Why going into business together forces you to learn about each other all over again.

The Business Couples Recipe – Why a shared vision, patience and constant communication are the keys to moving forward together through your business journey. 

Know thyself (and thy business partner) – Why staying grounded, putting your relationship first and prioritising your mental health over the financial health of the business, is crucial to ensure you have a long-lasting business and personal relationships

Huge thanks to all of the awesome couples who kindly gave up their time to share their story on this week’s show. 

Enjoying this podcast? Then please subscribe and leave us a review.

Huge thanks to this week’s show sponsor Pet Resort Hospitality Group. PRHG are building a family of the highest quality Pet Boarding & Daycare brands in North America. If you want to know what the future of your business could look like if you ever want to sell, then reach out to PRHG by going to petresorts.love

You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com

Barkleigh’s next big pet boarding expo is Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West, in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 20-22, 2024. 

Pet Boarding and Daycare West is an exciting national conference for professionals in the pet boarding and daycare industry. Featuring a two-day trade show showcasing the best products and companies in the industry, top industry speakers sharing their expertise, and an awesome line up of educational seminars. To inquire about a trade show booth go to Petboardingexpowest.com

To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com

Find out more about this week’s amazing guests below;

Find out more about Tamsin and Nigel’s business by going to AmblesideDogWalkers

Find out more about Allison and Henry’s business by going to ScoutsHonour

Find out more about Britt and Sully’s business by going to TheBarkYard

Find out more about Sarah and Pete’s business by going to k9Adventures

Find out more about Maria and Pete’s business by going to TheSighthoundSavoy

Find out more about Amy and Bill’s business by going to SocialPetHotel

Episode Time Stamps

01.02- The Valentines couples special episode! 01.51 – The reviews for the podcast are in…03.17 – How to subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare magazine03.51 – How Pet Resort Hospitality Group can help you sell your business05.11 – Meet Tamsin and Nigel from Ambleside Pet Care11.56 – How Allison and Henry maintain balance in business21.17 – How Britt and Sully have successfully split their business roles23.55 – Why Pete has found the perfect business partner with his wife Sarah27.18 – How Maria and Pete from the Sighthound Savoy hatch and action business ideas31.19 – Meet Amy and Bill from Social Pet Hotel40.46 – What to do if you enjoyed this week’s show41.06 – Coming up in next week’s episode, discover the one system you need but don’t have…

Are you thinking about opening a pet care facility?

Are you afraid to stepping away from a secure job and start your own pet business?

Would you like to avoid the common mistakes that new doggy daycare business owners make?

Then you’re in luck, because in this week’s show I’m talking to three pet business owners in the doggy daycare space.

One is around a month away from opening his first facility, the second has recently opened his first doggy daycare business after more than 10 years running a successful dog walking business, and I’m also speaking to an awesome couple who are just about to celebrate their first full year in business.

Tune in to discover;

The Diverse Routes to Pet Biz Freedom: Follow three different paths that dog lovers took to open their first facility

Leveraging Relationships: Why you should connect with established pet business owners who can help you move forward faster

Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles: How couple Britt and Sully had to rewrite the zoning laws to get their business opened

Crafting a Pre-Open Buzz: Why you need to build a waiting list LONG before you open your facility

The Value of Prudent Financial Planning: Why you need deep pockets and patience on your doggy daycare journey

Innovative Opening Offers: How Dan Reitman used a creative competition to create excitement and boost demand

And much, much more…

Huge thanks to Chris Kennedy, Britt Bolnick and Todd ‘Sully’ Sullivan, and Dan Reitman for sharing their amazing stories in this week’s show.

Enjoying this podcast? Then please subscribe and leave us a review.

Huge thanks to this week’s show sponsor Forever Stainless Steel. Forever Stainless Steel is the world’s quality leader in animal bathtubs and related systems. Find out more about how their innovative systems can help your pet business by going to Foreverstainlesssteel.com

You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com

Barkleigh’s next big pet boarding expo is Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West, in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 20-22, 2024.

Pet Boarding and Daycare West is an exciting national conference for professionals in the pet boarding and daycare industry. Featuring a two-day trade show showcasing the best products and companies in the industry, top industry speakers sharing their expertise, and an awesome line up of educational seminars. To inquire about a trade show booth go to Petboardingexpowest.com

To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com

You can find out more about Chris Kennedy’s business by going to KennedyCanineCamp

You can find out more about Britt and Sully’s business by going to TheBarkYard

You can find out more about Dan Reitman’s new facility by going to DansPetCare

Episode Time Stamps

00.51 – Three doggy daycare start up stories in this week’s episode01.44 – Pet Business promotional ideas you can use this week04.27 – Forever Stainless Steel show sponsors05.49 - Meet Chris Kennedy from Kennedy K9 Camp12.23 – Meet Britt Bolnick and Todd Sullivan15.18 – From Pit Bull rescue to their first daycare24.15 – Meet Dan Reitman of Dan’s Pet Care30.25 – How Dan used Facebook groups to get help with his new venture40.25 – How to  use a competition to get eyes on your new business42.36 – Dan’s advice for new facility owners47.00 – Coming up next week’s valentines special…

Do you find you work too many hours in your pet business?

Do you wish you could charge higher prices for the amazing service you offer?

Well, this week’s episode will help you bust out of that long hours/low pay mindset, because Dom is talking to Tim Jackson, a dog behaviourist and doggy daycare owner from the North East of England.

Tim started his pet care business as a side hustle to his vet nurse job, eventually adding more services, and staff members until he finally opened his daycare in 2009. He made the classic mistake of thinking he needed to charge low prices, which led to long hours, low profits and staffing struggles.

Then Tim invested in a business education that unleashed a passion and a talent for marketing that has transformed the business and elevated him above the competition. 

Tune in to discover;

From Peanuts to Premium Prices: How Tim went from working long hours and charging low prices to offering premium pet care services

Revolutionizing Doggy Daycare: How Tim Jackson re-imagined doggy daycare, transforming it from a basic service to an exciting experience for both pets and their owners.

Mastering the Art of Upselling: The secret to introducing irresistible upsells, that significantly boosts revenue while enhancing customer satisfaction.

Building a Brand That Resonates: How Tim crafted a compelling brand story that resonates deeply with his target audience, and positioned himself as a local expert through publishing and events.

Personalizing Pet Care: Explore Tim's innovative approach to personalizing pet care, creating an unparalleled experience that keeps customers coming back.

Mentorship and Growth: Learn about the pivotal role mentorship played in Tim's journey, offering crucial guidance and support that continually pushed him out of his comfort zone

And much, much more…

Enjoying this podcast? Then please subscribe and leave us a review.

You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com

Barkleigh’s next big pet boarding expo is Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West, in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 20-22, 2024. 

Pet Boarding and Daycare West is an exciting national conference for professionals in the pet boarding and daycare industry. Featuring a two-day trade show showcasing the best products and companies in the industry, top industry speakers sharing their expertise, and an awesome line up of educational seminars. To inquire about a trade show booth go to Petboardingexpowest.com

To find out more about Dominic and his consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com

Thanks to this weeks guest Tim Jackson. You can find out more about Tim by going to Pets2Impress.com

Episode Time Stamps

00.51 - Early reviews for the podcast02.46 - What’s in the latest issue of PB & D magazine06.36 - Meet Tim Jackson, doggy daycare innovator13.25 – Too many services spoil the business22.30 - Tim’s amazing dog daycare upsell offers25.28 – Why enrichment is good for the dogs, staff and profits30.09 – How Tim won pet business marketer of the year33.05 – How writing a book turned Tim into a local, celebrity expert35.42 – Why Tim filmed a Christmas movie42.24 – Building a pet care business around your family44.30 – Coming up next week…

Welcome to the inaugural ‘pilot’ episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare podcast, your ultimate resource to help unleash the next phase of your pet business growth.

Join your host Dominic Hodgson, as he shares what you can look forward to in the coming weeks and months, including real-time industry news, practical marketing tips, and insightful interviews with industry experts, all wrapped up in weekly show, delivered in Dom’s uniquely entertaining style.

In this opening episode Dom shares his pet business journey that took him from being a local dog walker in North East England, to a sales and marketing specialist, author of 8 books, international speaker and host of this show!