What would happen to your pet care business if you needed (or wanted) to step away? Collin speaks with Kaz Kelly, founder of Founder to Future Consulting, about preparing a business for sale long before an exit becomes urgent. Kaz explains why annual exit-readiness audits, documented systems, independent teams, and clear financial boundaries make a business more attractive to potential buyers. They also explore the emotional realities of selling, including releasing control, redefining your identity, protecting yourself during due diligence, and accepting that a buyer is not responsible for preserving your legacy. Whether retirement is approaching or selling has never crossed your mind, this conversation will help you build a healthier, more transferable business today.

Main topics:

• Preparing Before Selling Begins
• Auditing Through Buyer Eyes
• Separating Founder From Business
• Navigating Sale Emotions Successfully
• Planning Life After Ownership

Main takeaway: "We don't know what we don't know, and having someone that has been through the process of what you want to walk through, is invaluable."

That is especially true when we try to evaluate a business we have spent years building from the inside. The passwords stored in our heads, the clients who call our personal phones, and the decisions only we know how to make may feel normal—but they can become serious obstacles when it is time to step away. Kaz Kelly encourages owners to look at their businesses through a buyer's eyes before an exit becomes urgent. An annual exit-readiness audit can reveal the systems, boundaries, financial clarity, and team development needed to make the business healthier and more transferable. You may not be ready to sell today, but preparing now gives you more choices when the time eventually comes.

About our guest: Kaz Kelly is the founder of Founder to Future Consulting, where she helps female founders prepare themselves and their businesses for succession, sale, or a step back from daily operations. Before entering consulting, Kaz built and sold a successful enrichment-based dog daycare, grooming, and training facility in Queensland, Australia. Her background also includes working as a detector dog handler for the Australian Border Force and investigating animal cruelty cases for the RSPCA. Drawing from her own experience as an exited founder, Kaz helps business owners navigate both the operational demands and emotional realities of leaving a company they built.

Links:

Founder to Future Consulting: foundertofutureconsulting.com⁠

Founder to Future Consulting on Instagram: @founder2future⁠

Kaz Kelly on Instagram: @itskazkelly⁠

Kaz Kelly on LinkedIn: Kaz Kelly

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

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DogCo Summit

What do we do when working harder stops producing better results in our business? We explore how to recognize when we've genuinely hit a limit rather than simply experiencing a temporary slow season. We talk about separating what we can control from what we can't, managing the frustration that comes with feeling stuck, and treating a plateau as useful information instead of personal failure. We also break down practical ways to move forward by retiring tactics that aren't working, asking for outside help, and turning big problems into small, measurable experiments. Most importantly, we're reminded that being stuck is temporary, but how we respond while we're there determines what kind of business owner we'll be when things start moving again.

Main topics:

• Recognizing When You're Stuck
• Separating Control From Frustration
• Retiring Tactics That Fail
• Running Small Business Experiments
• Creating Momentum While Waiting

Main takeaway: "Being stuck means that we've reached the edge of what we currently know how to do."

That doesn't mean we've failed. It means the strategies, habits, knowledge, and effort that got us here may not be enough to get us to the next place.

The temptation is to respond by working harder—posting more, pushing more, trying the same hiring strategy again, or simply telling ourselves to keep grinding. But when more effort keeps producing the same result, the answer may not be more effort. It may be time for new information, a different perspective, or a small experiment.

Being stuck gives us information. The question is what we're going to do with it.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

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Pet Sitters International Visit: https://www.petsit.com/psc Code: PSC15

Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!

Earn 1 CEU!

What would happen to your pet care business if you suddenly could not run it? Attorney and business owner Sativa Boatman joins Collin to explain why wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and succession planning matter long before retirement. They discuss the risks of allowing a business to pass through probate and the operational gap that can leave employees, clients, and family members without anyone authorized to act. Sativa encourages owners to recognize their businesses as valuable assets and clearly communicate whether those businesses should continue, be sold, or be responsibly closed. This conversation offers a practical starting point for protecting what you have built while giving the people around you greater clarity and peace.

Main topics:

• Avoiding Probate for Businesses
• Trusts and Ownership Transfers
• Planning for Owner Incapacity
• Choosing a Business Successor
• Treating Business as Assets

Main takeaway: "You do not want your business to be run through probate court if you die."

That statement may feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation does not protect the business you have worked so hard to build. Without the proper legal structure, there may be no one immediately authorized to sign payroll, access critical accounts, manage contracts, or make decisions for your company. Your employees, clients, family, and community could all be affected while the courts determine who has the authority to act.

Planning does not mean that you expect the worst to happen tomorrow. It means recognizing that your business is an asset worthy of protection. A thoughtful succession plan can provide clear instructions for whether the business should continue, be sold, or be responsibly closed. In this episode, Sativa Boatman helps us begin asking the difficult—but necessary—questions that create clarity and peace for everyone involved.

About our guest: Sativa Boatman is an attorney and business owner with Assertion Law Firm LLC, a Missouri transactional law firm serving families and businesses throughout the state. Her practice includes estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration, business matters, and real estate. She focuses on helping clients understand complicated legal decisions and create plans tailored to their assets, families, businesses, and long-term goals. Through her work, Sativa seeks to educate and empower clients so they can move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind. (Assertion Law Firm LLC)

Links:

• Assertion Law Firm LLC
• Sativa Boatman and Firm Contact Information
• Assertion Law Firm Business Law Services
• Assertion Law Firm Educational Articles
• Sativa Boatman on LinkedIn

Assertion Law Firm provides legal services involving estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, and business law throughout Missouri. The firm's business-law services include entity setup, contracts, business purchases, succession planning, and business transitions. (Assertion Law Firm LLC)

Phone: 888-887-4170

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months

Tiny Paws Bookkeeping - visit TinyPawsBookkeeping.com to start putting profit first!

What if some of the decisions that feel most responsible today are quietly creating bigger problems for your business tomorrow? We explore how avoiding immediate discomfort can show up in our pricing, hiring, marketing, client policies, documentation, and willingness to delegate. We discuss why doing everything ourselves, tolerating mediocre performance, underpricing services, and saying yes to every client can eventually limit the business we actually want to build. We also look at how stronger systems, better documentation, consistent marketing, clear contracts, and intentional team development give us more options instead of fewer. Ultimately, we challenge ourselves to accept a little discomfort today so that our future selves inherit a business instead of simply another job.

Main topics:

• Escaping the knowledge trap
• Building intentional team culture
• Pricing for sustainable growth
• Creating better client boundaries
• Choosing long-term business thinking

Main takeaway: "Long-term thinking is really about willingness to feel a little discomfort today, so that future you inherits a business instead of a job"

It can be tempting to make the decision that feels easiest right now. Keep the price where it is. Do the difficult visit yourself. Skip documenting the process. Say yes to the client even though you know they are outside your boundaries. The uncomfortable conversation, price increase, new SOP, hiring standard, marketing investment, or boundary you establish today may be exactly what gives you more freedom tomorrow. You don't have to fix everything at once, but you can identify one area where "just for now" has quietly become the permanent way you operate.

Links:

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

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Critter to turn insights into action. Use 'PSC20' for 20% off your first three months

Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!

What does it take to rebuild a pet care business without losing sight of why it matters? Collin talks with Dave Peterson of Bethesda Dog Walkers about buying into a family business, rebranding, changing operations, and learning to lead through uncomfortable seasons of growth. Dave shares how marketing, client trust, reviews, onboarding, and consistency all work together to create a premium client experience. They also discuss why doing the simple things well can be more powerful than constantly trying to go above and beyond. This conversation is a reminder that long-term businesses are built through service, clarity, and a willingness to do hard things for the right reasons.

Main topics:

• Client confidence through clarity
• Rebranding after business acquisition
• Premium service without desperation
• Systems that support growth
• Long-term service business mindset

Main takeaway: "Just keep doing the right thing, and the money will happen."

It's easy to become distracted by growth, revenue, and the next marketing tactic. But lasting businesses aren't built on shortcuts—they're built through thousands of consistent moments of serving clients well. Dave Peterson shares how focusing on people instead of chasing numbers completely changed the way he approaches business. Success isn't about going viral. It's about earning trust every single day. That's the kind of business worth building.

About our guest: Dave Peterson is the owner of Bethesda Dog Walkers, a professional dog walking company serving the Bethesda, Maryland area. After a career that included music, marketing, and creative work, Dave stepped into the pet care industry by taking over the business originally started by his mother and her business partner. Since then, he has focused on rebranding, improving client onboarding, strengthening operations, and building a company rooted in consistency and long-term trust. Dave brings a thoughtful, entrepreneurial perspective to what it means to grow a service business well.

Links:

Bethesda Dog Walkers: https://bethesdadogwalkers.com

Instagram: @bethesdadogwalkers

Dave's personal Instagram: @davidfeff

Email mentioned: [email protected]

Book mentioned: Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini

Codie Sanchez - https://codiesanchez.com

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months

Pet Sitters International Visit: https://www.petsit.com/psc Code: PSC15

What if the biggest reason clients and employees stay has nothing to do with pricing, pay, or perks? In this episode, we explore how understanding why each visit matters transforms ordinary pet care into meaningful service. We discuss the difference between simply completing tasks and delivering genuine care, and how giving your team client context changes the way they show up. We also share two practical systems that strengthen both employee engagement and client retention. Together, we'll discover how purpose and feedback create a healthier business for everyone involved.

Main topics:

• Finding purpose behind visits

• Task quality versus care

• Client context for teams

• Feedback strengthens retention

• Building meaningful systems

Main takeaway: "The walk is just the delivery mechanism. The freedom we give families is the product."

We're not simply walking dogs or scooping litter boxes. We're giving someone the confidence to travel, attend a wedding, recover from surgery, work a long shift, or finally take the vacation they've been putting off. Every visit represents a person who is trusting us with something deeply important.

When our teams understand why they're showing up—not just what they're supposed to do—the quality of care naturally changes. And when we consistently share client feedback with the people who earned it, purpose becomes something they can see, not just hear about.

Purpose creates better care. Better care creates stronger relationships. And stronger relationships build businesses that last.

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!

Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days

What happens when your business changes faster than your brand does? Collin talks with Rebecca Thompson of Skyline Dog Walkers about rebranding, shifting toward dog walking, and learning how to communicate what makes a business different. Rebecca shares how she moved from teaching into pet care, built a team-based service model, and began using data alongside instinct to make stronger decisions. They also discuss visibility, social media, client acquisition, and the challenge of leading a team through change. This conversation is a reminder that growth requires clarity, consistency, and the courage to keep showing up.

Main topics:

• Client acquisition through visibility
• Rebranding with business clarity
• Team-based dog walking systems
• Balancing data and instinct
• Creating emotional client connection

Main takeaway: "We cannot live on vibes alone."

That line from Rebecca Thompson is such a powerful reminder for pet care business owners. Our instincts matter, especially when we know our clients, our team, and our service deeply. But if we only make decisions based on how things feel, we can miss what the data is actually telling us. Growth often happens when we combine our gut with real information: revenue trends, client behavior, service demand, team capacity, and marketing results. That is where we start making decisions with both confidence and clarity.

About our guest:

Rebecca Thompson is the owner of Skyline Dog Walkers in Houston, Texas. After leaving the classroom as a teacher, she built a pet care business that has shifted heavily toward dog walking and team-based service. Rebecca recently led her company through a rebrand to better reflect the elevated, reliable, and relationship-focused experience her team provides. She is passionate about building systems that support clients, pets, and employees while continuing to grow as a business owner.

Links:

Skyline Dog Walkers: skylinedogwalkers.com Instagram: @skylinedogwalkers Email: [email protected]

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

DogCo Summit

Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months

What if the biggest influence on your business isn't your marketing, your policies, or even your employees, but you? In this episode, we explore how every business gradually becomes a reflection of its owner's values, standards, and daily actions. We discuss why professionalism, integrity, education, and accountability must be modeled before they can be expected from a team. We also examine how culture is created through what leaders reward, tolerate, and consistently reinforce. Finally, we challenge you to identify the values you want your business to embody and evaluate whether your systems and leadership truly support them.

Main topics:

• Leadership shapes company culture
• Professionalism beyond appearances
• Teaching values through actions
• Integrity under difficult circumstances
• Building lasting business culture

Main takeaway: "The question really isn't what kind of business do I want to build. The question is, what kind of leader would build that business?"

The business you're building is becoming a reflection of you, whether you realize it or not. Clients don't just experience your logo or your website. They experience your values through every phone call, every visit, every report, and every interaction your team has with them. If you want your business to become more trustworthy, more professional, or more compassionate, it starts with becoming that kind of leader yourself. The culture of your business isn't created by what's written in your handbook, it's created by what you consistently live out every day.

Links:

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!

DogCo Summit

What if better communication was less about winning arguments and more about building stronger relationships? Whitney Guison, President/CEO of the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about hard conversations, community involvement, and why business owners need shared language with their teams. Whitney explains how clear expectations, defined policies, and immediate feedback can prevent unnecessary conflict. They also discuss how chambers of commerce can help pet care businesses build legitimacy, relationships, and local trust. This conversation is a practical reminder that pet care may start with animals, but it grows through people.

Main topics:

• Clear communication in business
• Handling hard conversations well
• Building shared team language
• Chamber involvement for growth
• Community trust and legitimacy

Main takeaway: "It's not about winning arguments. It's about winning people."

This is the heart of what strong communication is really about. In pet care, hard conversations are unavoidable — with clients, employees, contractors, community partners, and sometimes even ourselves. But the goal should not be to bulldoze our way to the end or prove that we were right. The goal is to build enough clarity, trust, and shared language that the relationship is stronger on the other side. Better communication helps us lead better, serve better, and create businesses people can trust.

About our guest: Whitney Guison is the President/CEO of the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce and a keynote speaker focused on leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. She holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in Communication, with an emphasis in conflict resolution, and is a trained mediator. Whitney works with leaders and teams to help them approach hard conversations with clarity, humor, and practical tools. Her work centers on helping people turn conflict into stronger relationships.

Links:

Whitney Guison website: https://www.whitneyguison.com/

Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce: https://www.nixachamber.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-guison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61588893950449/

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Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months

DogCo Summit

What easy button are we hoping will finally solve everything in our business? We examine why more clients, another employee, new software, AI, additional services, or a manager may create new challenges instead of eliminating our existing ones. We discuss how instant gratification and shiny object syndrome can distract us from the consistent, sometimes boring work that builds a dependable pet care company. We also explain why tools, systems, and advice only become valuable when we understand the real problem and possess the discipline to implement the solution. Ultimately, we encourage pet sitters to stop searching for a silver bullet and commit to executing the fundamentals extraordinarily well.

Main topics:

• Chasing Business Quick Fixes
• Hiring Without Proper Systems
• Tools Versus Operational Discipline
• Testing New Business Solutions
• Consistency Over Shiny Objects

Main takeaway: "Most of us don't need another strategy. We need about six months more of execution on the one that we said that we would do in the first place."

It is tempting to believe that new software, another employee, a rebrand, a manager, or an AI tool will finally make business ownership easier. Sometimes those tools genuinely help, but they cannot replace clear systems, thoughtful implementation, and consistent execution. Before moving on to the next exciting solution, consider whether you have given your current strategy enough time and attention to work. The strongest businesses are rarely built through one dramatic breakthrough. They are built by owners and teams who keep showing up, refining their processes, serving clients well, and doing the fundamentals consistently.

Links:

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook

Email us at: [email protected]

Full show notes and transcript

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!

Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days