Are you struggling to turn the grooming side of your pet care business into a profit center?

How can you overcome staffing challenges and build a profitable grooming team?

Want to learn how to maximize your grooming operations and boost your bottom line?

Many facilities struggle with grooming because it requires skilled labor that owners can't readily replace. This creates a "we vs them" culture. However, done correctly grooming can be incredibly profitable – generating anywhere from  $125k to $150k in revenue annually for each grooming station.

The key is for facility owners to focus on growing their own groomers, by hiring for attitude and training for skills. This gives you control over your staffing pipeline.

To help give you a plan of action, in this insightful episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast, Dom Hodgson is joined by industry legend Joe Zuccarello from Paragon School of Pet Grooming.

Joe shares a wealth of expert knowledge about how to transform your grooming services into a significant profit center, and how to overcome common staffing hurdles.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Profit Potential: How to turn grooming into one of the most profitable areas of your business.

Staffing a Sustainable Styling Squad: Proven strategies for building and maintaining a highly skilled grooming team.

Maximizing Grooming Revenue: Key performance indicators (KPIs) every grooming business should aim for.

Building a Bathing Business: Learn how focusing on bath services can lay the foundation for a successful grooming department.

Operational Efficiency: Tips on avoiding "cold tables" and ensuring every grooming station is productive.

Grooming Frequency = Consistent Cash Flow: The benefits of regular grooming appointments and how they can drive business growth.

Grooming Station Profit Centres: How treating each table as its own potential profit centre will transform your business.

Plus, in Dog News Dom shares advice for how you can turn any size facility into an enrichment filled wonderland…

Remember, the next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo is happening in Hershey from 4th-7th November. Be the first to find out when the show info goes live by clicking here now

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pet Resort Hospitality Group.

Pet Resort Hospitality Group 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

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

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

Episode Time Stamps:

01:00 – Coming up in this week’s show…

02.41– Dog News! Stranded Oregon man saved by dog who ran four miles for help!

04.39 – How Dom sold scent work upsell services in his pet business 

09.00 - How Pet Resort Hospitality Group can help you sell your business

09:35 – Meet this week’s guest Joe Zuccarello!

11.30 – Joe’s origin story, from bathing dogs to training groomers

13.30 – Why grooming is a unique pet care service, with unique challenges…

16.52 – Avoiding the grooming culture clash

21.39– Grooming KPI’s you should be aiming for in your facility

25.15 – The Cold Table Conundrum

30.03 – How to service pent up demand for grooming

32.12 – How Paragon helps unleash grooming profits

36.55 - Coming up on next week’s show!

What do attendees, vendors and speakers learn by attending a Barkleigh expo? 

How can you attend and maybe become a speaker at a Pet Boarding and Daycare Conference? 

Want to learn first-hand from those who are shaping the future of pet boarding and daycare?

Join us for a special episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast, recorded live from the bustling trade show floor of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas.

Dom Hodgson and his son Toby scour the expo, and track down industry experts who share crucial insights about their expo experience. This episode is packed with exclusive interviews, expert insights, and real-life stories from the expo that you won't want to miss.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Cutting-Edge Tech: Discover the latest technological advancements that can streamline your operations and enhance your pet care services.

Goose Lowdown: Get the skinny on Goose, the oven-ready reservations platform that helps simplify online bookings and enhance revenue management

Employee Retention Secrets: Hear Rich Schlatter’s tips on fostering a loyal and motivated petcare team 

Hot Business Strategies: Explore proven methods to expand your business and increase profitability.

DogDaycare TV: How installing cameras in your daycare can enhance the client experience

K9 Cleaning Solutions : Hear from Brandon about how to create a happy, healthy facility

Continuous Learning: Discover the value of ongoing education and how to stay ahead in the pet care industry.

From Attendee to Speaker: Hear how Allison Jacobs and Kristen Perrus wowed the expo crowd with their enrichment seminar

Whether you’re looking to innovate, grow, or simply improve your day-to-day operations, this episode has something for everyone. Thanks to all the awesome guests who took part in this week’s episode, you really helped share some of the magic that happens at a Barkleigh expo.

The next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo is happening in Hershey from 4th-7th November. Be the first to find out when the show info goes live by clicking here now

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro.

PackPro provides Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

Find out more about the Professional Animal Care Certification Council by going to PACCCert.org

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

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

Episode Time Stamps:

01:00 – Introduction to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West

01.59 – Interview with Eve Molson: Benefits of attending pet boarding and daycare expos

03.46 – Launch News! New DogHandler Academy Online First Aid Course

06.30 - Rich Schlater shares employee retention tips and fostering a strong company culture

09:48 – How Pack Pro training can help train your staff members

12:47 – MeetChris Tilson on integrating cutting-edge technology in pet care facilities

16.55 – Aaron from iDogCam on the benefits of high-quality web camera services

22.26 – Brandon from Health Technology Professional Products on effective cleaning solutions

26.47 – John Beres on providing fecal testing for dogs directly from boarding and daycare facilities

31.30 – Alison Jacobs and Kristen Perrus on the future of personalized enrichment programs

37.13 – Coming on next weeks show!

Do you ever feel lonely running your pet business, and wonder if other business owners are facing the same challenges as you?

Would you like to hear real-life experiences, from pet care providers just like you? 

Then you will love episode 18 because Dom is speaking to a bunch of awesome pet care providers who attended the Pet Boarding and Daycare expo in Las Vegas!

You’ll hear from passionate pet professionals from all over the USA, Canada and even Australia, and you’ll hear first-hand, why SO many pet boarding and daycare business owners take precious time out from their business, to work ‘on’ their business, as well as network, share strategies, and talk shop!

These amazing attendees share their inspiring stories of how they’ve started, built up, extended, expanded, and sold their pet care businesses…

In this episode, we explore:

Expo Stories: Find out why pet pros are attending the expo, and what led them to start a pet business in the first place – inspiring stuff… 

Lindsey's COVID-19 Adaptation: Learn how Lindsey navigated Camelot Kennels through the pandemic, making strategic improvements and growth

Gary Eggleston's Expansion Strategy: Discover how Gary manages two successful pet care facilities across different states and the challenges he overcomes.

Ben Larson's Career Shift: Be inspired by Ben’s journey from sports broadcasting to running a thriving pet care business.

Why PackPro LOVES the Expo: I catch up with one of PackPro’s founders Dan Poirier about why they love attending Barkleigh events

Spencer Mack’s Community Impact: Understand the role Spencer's business plays in the local community and how they build strong client relationships.

Dog Daycare Down Under: Hear from Kaz, who runs a one-stop shop pet care facility in Brisbane, Australia…

The next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo is happening in Hershey in November. To be the first to find out when the show info is posted, click on this link and fill in the simple contact form. Click here to add your info. 

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro.

PackPro provide Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

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

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

Episode Time Stamps:

00:51 – Introduction and what is coming up in today’s show

02.13 – Meet Gary who has pet businesses in Seattle and Texas

06.15 – Lindsey from Camelot Kennels 

10.40 – Ben Larsons expo insights  

15.53 – Dom Meets Kaz from Down Under

19.27 – How PackPro training can help train your staff members

20.12 – Meet Dan Poirier from PackPro 

23.37 – How to become a show sponsor

23.51 – Davidlee from Doggies Wonderland FW, Texas 

27.07 – Why dog trainer Veronica is building a puppy school 

29.59 – Meet Spencer Mack from MackPack Training 

34.24 – Mike Schmidt, GM of Leashes and Leads, MN

36.59 – Sneak peak at what is coming up in future episodes…

39.47 – Coming up in next week’s show!

Do you want to know how top professionals are navigating the challenges and seizing opportunities in pet boarding and daycare?

Have you ever wondered if it’s worth leaving your facility, jumping on a plane to attend a pet care expo? 

Then get ready to be inspired by real-life examples, as you hear from pet care business owners just like you, who are this week attending the PB & D expo in Nevada!

Dom Hodgson is broadcasting live from the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West in Las Vegas, as he brings you a dynamic episode packed with insightful interviews, expert tips, and first-hand experiences from industry leaders.

You'll hear personal stories from various pet care professionals who have travelled from all corners of the USA, to join in the magic that only happens at a Barkleigh expo, each sharing their unique journeys and the values that have shaped their business.

Dom is also joined by his son, ‘Producer Toby’, who is attending in an official capacity for the first time, and they immerse themselves in the excitement of the Expo.

Tune in to hear the Pet Biz Wiz reconnect with familiar faces and meet new friends, and he also shares six game-changing marketing secrets from Sin City, that you can use to promote your local pet services…

In this episode, we explore:

Vegas Vibes: Experience the energy and excitement of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West as Dom and youngest son Toby hit the expo floor.

Groomer to Boarder: A third-generation dog groomer from Illinois, Caprice Harden shares her journey from grooming to starting a specialized boarding service for small dogs.

Pet Ranch Pioneer: David Weiss discusses how he transformed Four Paws Pet Ranch into an award-winning facility in Santa Rosa, California.

Pet Spa Success: Sherry Barnett from Santa Fe, New Mexico, talks about her 30-year journey in pet care and the importance of continuous learning and attending industry events.

From Horses to Hounds: Learn how Kelly and Sam transitioned from horse boarding to a successful dog boarding business.

Rover and Out: Discover how Kate is leveraging (and moving on from) her experience using Rover to expand into a commercial pet care facility.

Pet Resort Growth: Eyal Cohen talks about expanding his pet resort business, the importance of team development, and the benefits of attending industry expos

Marketing Magic: Dom shares six essential marketing lessons from his experiences in Las Vegas that can transform your business.

The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. Why not head down to the Horseshoe right now to attend the final two days of the Las Vegas Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo, and check out the amazing trade show floor, to register go to petboardingexpowest, or, register on the door for the event.

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro.

PackPro provide Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

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

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

Episode Time Stamps:

00:51 – Introduction and who is in today’s show

02.00 – Meet ‘Producer Toby’, Dom’s youngest son!

02.58 - How Pack Pro training can help train your staff members

06.01– Podcast listening in the shower

08.52 – Why attendees are marketing to the affluent 

13.38 – Sin City Sales Secrets

22.09 – Casino design takeaways for your daycare 

27.59 – How great mentors make great businesses

32.25 – Why you need to build new doors in your business ...

Does the thought of raising your pet care prices send chills down your spine? 

Are you constantly wrestling with your pricing strategy, worried it might turn customers away?

\Do you wonder how high is too high when it comes to setting service rates in your pet care business?

If inflation and rising costs are eating into your margins, and you are unsure about how to tackle a price increase, then you are in the right place, because in this week’s power-packed episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast, Dom Hodgson dives deep into the world of premium pricing and its transformative impact on your business.

You’ll discover how everything is tied to pricing in your business. The more you charge, and the more creative you are with upsells, cross-sells and promotions, the easier it is to fund the growth of your business, invest in staff, ongoing training, and facility upgrades.

If you know you should be charging more, but don’t know how to increase prices without losing clients, then this masterclass is the answer to your pet business prayers.

Join us as we explore:

Pricing Psychology: Understand the fears and misconceptions that hold you back from charging what you’re truly worth.

Strategic Pricing Models: Learn about dynamic pricing, charm pricing, and why cost-plus pricing might be limiting your growth.

Client Perception and Pricing: How to position your business to attract clients who value quality over cost and are happy to pay premium prices for top-tier service.

Premium Pricing Secrets: Dom shares his expert strategies on how to elevate your pricing without losing clients but instead lock their loyalty!

Pricing Pitfalls to Avoid: Why you should ignore industry standards, price calculators and competitors prices…

Leveraging Luxury: How to market high-end services that justify higher prices and attract a more affluent clientele.

This episode is not just about numbers; it's about confidently claiming your value in a competitive market.

We’ll break down the real elements that dictate pricing, from market positioning to understanding the psychology of your affluent clientele.

Also, in this episode, my good buddy Fernando Camacho stops by to preview the awesome presentation we are doing together on Monday of the Expo week, and Rebecca Shipman from Barkleigh talks through some of the package options, and what you can expect if it’s your first time visiting the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo... 

The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro and Pet Resort Hospitality Group.

PackPro provide Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

Pet Resort Hospitality Group 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

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

To find out more about Fern Camacho go to Overdogdigital

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

Episode Time Stamps:

00:51 – Introduction and who is in today’s show

02.22 – Fern Camacho stops by to talk about our Vegas presentation

07.35– Why Ferns thinks you must attend the PB&D Expo

09.10 - How Pack Pro training can help train your staff members

10.

Are you overwhelmed by the financial complexities of starting your pet care business?

Do you find the maze of banking options for start-ups confusing and intimidating?

Are you worried it’s too early, or you are leaving it too late to talk to someone about financing?

If these questions are keeping you up at night, then today's episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast is tailor-made for you.

Dom is joined by Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank, who will unveil critical banking strategies and insights crucial for every new pet care entrepreneur.

Dom and Claire talk about everything from project conception, contingency funds, construction through to closing, and Claire shares why the team at Live Oak do everything they can to not only put you into business, but also ensure you are able stay in a stable, sustainable, successful pet business.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Easy Peasy Email: In Dog News Dom shares how to turn newspaper stories into simple ‘non-salesy’ emails that leverage customer loyalty

Heather Beck Preview: This year’s PBD Expo keynote speaker pops by to share her cool origin story 

Banking Basics for Start-ups: Claire demystifies the first steps that business owners need to know when stepping into the world of financing a facility.

Navigating Financial Pitfalls: Discover the common financial mistakes and how to avoid them, ensuring a smooth start for your venture.

Early Bird Banking Tip: At what stage in your pet business journey should you contact a bank representative?

Why Starting Small is Starting Smart: Learn why Claire and the team will help you create a business plan that enables you to scale as you grow.

Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Ask: Claire outlines the must-ask questions to ensure your banking decisions align perfectly with your business goals.

Dom is also joined by expert dog trainer, Heather Beck, and Rebecca Shipman from Barkleigh stops by to talk more about the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas—where knowledge meets opportunity!

Show guests Heather Beck, Claire Cronin and Rebecca Shipman will all be attending the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo which is happening in Vegas, May 20-23. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsor Pack Pro. PackPro provide 

Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

Huge thanks to Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank for sharing her wisdom. Connect with Claire and the Live Oak Team at LiveOak.Bank

Thank you to Heather Beck for sharing her story. Learn more about Heather at HeathersHeroes

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

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

Episode Time Stamps:

00:51 – Introduction and who is in today’s show

02.12 – How Pack Pro training can help train your staff members

02.43 – Dog News: A fishy tale with a happy ending

05.36 – How to use email marketing to grow your client base

06.00 – Quick catch up with PB&D Expo keynote speaker, Heather Beck

14.05 – Meet Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank

17.17 – Claire’s Origin story, from Au Pair, to recruitment to banking

22.00 – Mapping out the purchasing process

25.27 – What stage should you contact a bank?

28.05 – Benefits of a phased build out

34.50 – How to contact Claire

37.52 - Expo preview with Rebecca from Barkleigh

42.

Are you tired of spinning your wheels on social media without seeing any real growth in your pet care business?

Wondering how to effectively convert your social media efforts into tangible business results?

Do you feel despondent when your like, loves, hearts and views fail to convert into paying clients?

Most pet business owners agree that social media marketing is fast, free and easy to use. But, it’s also noisy, overcrowded, and because all of your competitors are using social, it makes it really difficult to stand out…

So, if you’re want to turn likes and views into better customers and bigger profits, then you need to leverage social media into a broader marketing strategy…this episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast will show you how. 

Dom sits down with Scarlet Rockwood, a leading social media strategist, who will share her proven blueprint for social media success in the pet industry. Get ready to revamp your approach and see real results!

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Celebration as Strategy: Discover how marking milestones in your business can create buzz and strengthen client loyalty 

Beyond Basics: Why simply posting on social media isn't enough—discover strategies to create compelling content that converts.

Video Rocks!: Skarlet shares why you should prioritize video content on your social media platforms.

Why Social Isn’t Scary: How to easily connect with local pet parents by giving them a behind the scenes ‘peak’ into your business

List Building Lessons: Why you should funnel people off Facebook and Instagram and onto your email list. 

Marketing Ecosystems: Understand how to integrate your social media with other marketing channels for maximum impact.

Social media marketing will be one of the topics being covered at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Thank you to Skarlet Rockwood for sharing her expertise and insights. Learn more about Skarlet at SkarletRockwood

If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery

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

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

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

Episode Time Stamps

01.00 – Coming up in today’s show…

03.41 – How to use business birthdays to sell services

06.13 - Sponsor Message from Forever Stainless Steel

07.22  - PB & D Magazine May/June rundown

12.00 - How to register for Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West

13.22 – Meet Skarlet Rockwood, social media expert 

19.20 – Why Skarlet niched to the pet industry

27.56 – Skarlets CREATOR signature system

36.53 – Why you need to move people OFF social media

39.25 – Create a club on your email list 

42.10 – Don’t forget to register for the Vegas expo!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the possibilities in the pet industry?

Need inspiration how you can innovate within your existing business model?

Wondering how you can diversify your pet care business to increase revenue and reduce burnout?

Then, tune in to this week's episode where we dive deep into the art of pet business diversification, with the dynamic Eve Molzhon from Dog Handler Academy.

Eve worked in corporate sales and marketing before getting into the dog industry with Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. She needed a place to raise foster puppies in bulk so she could work on training them outside of her house, so in 2013 her first pet business, Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare was born.

Since then, Eve’s passion for pets has multiplied into successful pet care business ventures including an enrichment based daycare, a dog training business and an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program; Dog Handler Academy. She also created 2nd Chance to Shine, a non-profit organization that provides basic manners training and social rehabilitation to several dogs who are currently in rescues throughout the Midwest.

Eve shares key lessons from her entire business journey including, how to hire for your culture, the challenges of marketing brick and mortar pet business vs selling online training programs, and how she gets so much done by leveraging a virtual team!

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Diversification Mastery: How Eve expanded from a traditional daycare to licensing a unique dog school model and why diversification is key to sustainability in business.

Automation for Efficiency: Insights into creating an automated online training platform that serves thousands internationally, reducing workload and enhancing training consistency.

Strategic Expansion: The thought process behind opening multiple business types, from dog schools to posh pet country clubs, and how each caters to different market needs.

Future-Proofing Your Business: Eve's approach to staying ahead by planning future ventures that address untapped market niches and current client demands.

Blueprint for Success: Dive into how Eve strategically transformed a simple dog daycare into a diverse portfolio of specialized services, setting a new standard in the pet industry.

Beyond the Business: Uncover Eve's philosophy on work-life balance and how she manages multiple ventures while still finding time for new projects, personal growth and her family.

Eve's story is not just inspiring; it's a blueprint for anyone in the pet industry looking to expand their horizons and innovate within their businesses.

This week’s podcast guest, Eve will be joining us at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Thank you to Eve Molzhon for sharing her expertise and insights. Learn more about Eve and Dog Handler Academy at DogHandlerAcademy

If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery

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

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

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

Episode Time Stamps

00:51 – What’s in today’s show…

01.

Are you stuck in the daily grind of your pet business, wondering if there's a better way to operate?

Do you feel like your pet care business could use a burst of creativity to help you stand out in a crowded market?

Are you looking for an edge but keep getting dragged into the day-to-day tasks, and never have time to develop your business?

If so, this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast will help give your business the creative boost it needs, because we are diving into the world of innovation. 

Dom is joined by Alex McKinnon, a seasoned innovator with years of experience at companies like Braun. Alex brings a wealth of knowledge about breaking conventional patterns and injecting creative strategies into your pet care practices.

You will discover Alex’s ten innovation principles that will help you create an environment and culture, where business breakthroughs can thrive.

Dom also shares the story of his own pet care innovations, and some of the most successful business and marketing innovations he has engineered for his clients, including induction programs and recurring revenue memberships.  

In this episode, we explore:

Innovation Origins: Explore how Alex McKinnon invented a new feeding system to help boarding businesses with hygiene, staffing and profitability 

Cross-Industry Insights: Learn how to apply successful strategies from non-pet related industries to your pet care business for fresh, impactful results.

Creative Culture: Discover how fostering a creative work environment at your facility can lead to innovative ideas from your team members.

Risk and Reward: Gain insights into balancing risk with potential rewards, helping you make bold decisions that lead to business growth.

Sustainability in Innovation: Understand the importance of sustainable practices within innovative business models to ensure long-term success and minimal environmental impact.

Client-Centric Innovation: Find out how to centre your innovations around client needs and expectations to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.

Principles of Innovation: Alex unveils his top 10 essentials of innovation, providing you with a roadmap to reimagine every aspect of your pet business.

Newsjacking Content Hack: Learn how to repurpose dog stories from around the world to help you create content that sells your enrichment services.

If you’re ready to transform the way you think about your business and spark significant change, this episode is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and practical strategies that will help you unleash the full potential of your pet business through innovation.

This week’s podcast guest Alex McKinnon will be joining us at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May, which is prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Thank you to Alex McKinnon for sharing his expertise and insights. Learn more about Alex and his innovative Kleanbowl product for the pet industry at Kinninc.com

If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery

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

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

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

Episode Time Stamps 

00:51 – Welcome from Dominic Hodgson01:53 – Sponsor Message from Forever Stain...

Do you ever feel isolated in your pet business journey?

Do you struggle to push yourself out of your comfort zone, which holds you back from making meaningful connections? 

Wondering how forging strong relationships can actually impact your bottom line and business resilience, especially in tough times?

In this week’s insightful episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast, we unravel the game-changing strategy of networking, and nurturing key relationships that could redefine the trajectory of your pet business.

Host Dom Hodgson, is joined by Jen the Vet, Amy and Bill Hillis from Social Pet Hotel, and Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank, as they dive deep into real-life stories that showcase the power and benefits of community engagement and strategic partnerships.

This episode sheds light on:

Unlocking Vet Partnerships: How aligning with local vets can turn them from little-known acquaintances into invaluable allies.

Banking Beyond the Basics with Claire Cronin: Navigating financial storms with a trusted banker — why the right financial partner is your safety net in turbulent times

Resilience Roadmap with Amy and Bill Hillis: The art of thriving through adversity — learn how strategic partnerships and quick pivoting kept their doors open when the world shut down.

The Networking Multiplier: Uncover how networking can serve as a multiplier for business growth, innovation, and community support within the pet industry.

Essential Networking Insights for Pet Business Owners: Practical advice on building a diverse network to position your business for expansive growth and sustainability.

The Face-to-Face Factor: Why todays guests recommend attending industry events, like the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo.

If you’ve struggled to build a network and a community, then this episode is packed with actionable strategies, heartfelt advice, and motivational success stories that will give you the confidence to get out there, and open local relationships with key industry allies. 

Many of today’s podcasts guests will be joining us at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May, which is prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Huge thanks to Jenn the Vet, Claire Cronin, Amy Hillis and Bill Hillis for sharing their winning networking strategies.

To find out more about Jenn the Vet go to DrJenthevet

To find out more about Amy and Bill Hillis and Social Pet Hotel, go to Socialpethotel

To find out more about Claire Cronin and Live Oak Bank go to LiveOakBank

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

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

Get a FREE copy of Dom’s How to Disnify Your Pet Business Book click here

Episode Time Stamps

01.00 – Coming up in this week’s show…01.53 – Jen the Vets advice for creating an alliance with your local vet 07.07 – How Pet Resort Hospitality Group can help you sell...