What happens when pet sitters come together to shape the future of their industry? In this episode, Collin talks with Savanna Westwood and Charan Favazza from the Florida Pet Services Association about professionalism, education, and advocacy in pet care. They discuss why small business owners must think beyond daily tasks and understand legal, operational, and industry-wide responsibilities. The conversation highlights the power of community in overcoming isolation and raising standards. They also share insights into their upcoming summit and how it equips pet care professionals with real, actionable tools.

Main topics:

• Industry professionalism and standards
• Small business legal responsibilities
• Hiring and employee challenges
• Value of networking community
• Actionable conference takeaways

Main takeaway: "We are not just pet sitters and dog walkers—we are small business owners."

This should change how we approach everything we do. It means understanding your numbers, your legal responsibilities, and your role in the industry.

It means stepping up, not just showing up.

Because when you start thinking like a business owner, you stop reacting—and start building.

And that's where real growth happens.

About our guests:

Savanna Westwood is the owner of The Savvy Sitter Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Orlando, Florida, and serves as President and co-founder of the Florida Pet Services Association. She is passionate about raising industry standards through education, professionalism, and advocacy.

Charan Favazza is the owner of Rusty's Furry Companions in Lutz, Florida, and serves as Secretary of the Florida Pet Services Association. With nearly a decade in business, she is deeply committed to networking, education, and helping other pet care professionals avoid common mistakes and grow sustainably.

Links:

Florida Pet Services Association: https://flpetassociation.org

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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:

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

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What if the problem in your business is not your systems, your discipline, or your schedule—but your sleep? In episode, we talk about how chronic sleep deprivation impacts decision-making, client communication, employee patience, service quality, and long-term sustainability. We explore why pet sitters and dog walkers are especially vulnerable to fragmented schedules, mental overload, and caffeine reliance. We also share practical ways to improve sleep quality, including consistent routines, better sleep environments, caffeine cutoffs, and hiring for early or late time blocks. Most importantly, we remind ourselves that protecting sleep is not selfish—it is part of running a healthier, sharper, more sustainable business.

Main topics:

• Sleep and business performance
• Chronic stress and burnout
• Caffeine reliance and fatigue
• Hiring for sleep protection
• Building better sleep routines

Main takeaway: "Sometimes the most effective business move that you can make is just getting enough sleep consistently."

As pet sitters and dog walkers, we often look for another system, another app, another SOP, or another productivity hack when we start feeling overwhelmed. But sometimes the issue is not that we are disorganized—it is that we are exhausted. Poor sleep impacts how we communicate with clients, how patient we are with employees, how quickly we respond in the field, and how clearly we make decisions. Protecting your sleep is not stepping away from your business; it is protecting your ability to run it well. If you want to care for pets, clients, your team, and yourself for the long haul, sleep has to be part of the business plan.

Links:

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📞 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

Pet Sitters Associates Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com Code: Confessional

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

Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate PetFirst Aid Month!

What happens when you stop trying to serve everyone and build a business specifically for cats? In this episode, we talk with Grace Taylor of Furever Friends Cat Sitting about what it really looks like to niche—intentionally and unapologetically. Grace shares how defining success for both clients and sitters transformed her onboarding, pricing, and team culture. We dig into medical cat care, client education, and why more time—not less—is often the answer for cats. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone wondering whether specialization limits growth or unlocks it.

Main topics:

• Cat-only business niching

• Defining client success

• Training and team trust

• High-touch pricing strategy

• Community-driven marketing

Main takeaway: "Someone else can give amazing care—but it isn't your care unless you teach it."

That single idea reshapes how you hire, train, and lead a team. In this episode, Grace Taylor explains why great onboarding isn't about skills—it's about expectations, communication, and defining success from day one. When clients feel consistency and sitters know exactly what great care looks like, trust follows. If you've ever struggled to duplicate your level of care as you grow, this conversation is for you.

About our guest: Grace Taylor is the owner of Furever Friends Cat Sitting, a cat-only pet care company based in Baltimore City. With a background in education and over 200 foster cats behind her, Grace has built a team specializing in medical, behavioral, and high-touch feline care. Her business is known for strong client education, community involvement, and creative service offerings like staycations. Grace is also co-founding an initiative to elevate professional feline care standards industry-wide.

Links:

Built for Cats Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/843523431827984/

Furever Friends on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fureverfriendscatsitting/

Furever Friends on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fureverfriendscatsitting/

Their website: https://fureverfriendscatsitting.com

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📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

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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 do we do when our local pet care community won't support us? We explore the reality that not every market is collaborative, even when we've done all the "right" networking steps. We unpack why other professionals may be closed off, from fear and past experiences to scarcity mindsets. We walk through what not to do when faced with rejection or silence. Finally, we outline practical ways to grow your business anyway—by shifting focus, expanding connections, and doubling down on client experience.

Main topics:

• Networking without local support
• Scarcity mindset in pet care
• Handling rejection professionally
• Expanding beyond pet industry
• Client-focused growth strategy

Main takeaway: "Focus on your clients, not your peers."

It's easy to get caught up in what other pet sitters are doing—who's referring, who's not, who's supporting you, and who isn't. But that energy is often better spent somewhere else. The real growth in your business doesn't come from other professionals—it comes from the experience you create for your clients every single day.

When you prioritize clear communication, reliable service, and genuine care, your clients notice. They come back. They tell their friends. They become your strongest advocates without you ever having to ask.

So instead of looking sideways, look forward. Build something so strong that it speaks for itself.

Links:

Conferences: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/conferences

Podcasts & Coaching: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/other-resources

Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate PetFirst Aid Month!

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

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

Pet Sitters Associates Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com Code: Confessional

DogCo Summit

Wanna earn a CEU? Go here! CEU: https://forms.gle/LthLsWwnABtGNoPX7

How do you build a strong team when your employees rarely, if ever, see one another? In this episode of Pet Sitter Confessional, Collin talks with Don Harkey of People Centric about what it takes to create healthy remote culture in pet care businesses. Don explains how leadership, communication, autonomy, and feedback all work together to help employees feel connected and set up for success. They discuss practical ways to build community across distributed teams, improve onboarding, and create better systems for performance and accountability. This conversation is a helpful reminder that strong culture does not happen by accident, but it can be built deliberately and fruitfully.

Main topics:

1. Remote culture in pet care

2. Leadership through better systems

3. Feedback that builds trust

4. Community in distributed teams

5. Autonomy and accountability balance

Main takeaway: "You can design an organization that works really well for people that also works really well for the company."

Too often, business owners feel like they have to choose between caring for their team and building a successful company, but those two things are not in conflict. In fact, when we build better systems, communicate clearly, and lead with intention, both people and businesses benefit. This episode is a great reminder that healthy culture is not fluff or extra work for someday. It is part of building a business that lasts.

About our guest: Don Harkey is the CEO of People Centric, a Springfield, Missouri-based company that helps organizations build healthier, more effective workplaces. A self-described recovering engineer, Don began his career at Fortune 500 companies including Archer Daniels Midland and 3M before turning his attention to the science of people and organizations. Through training, coaching, and systems implementation, he helps businesses create environments where employees can thrive and companies can perform better. Don is also the host of the People Centric Podcast, where he explores leadership, communication, strategy, and workplace culture.

Links:

Wanna earn a CEU? Go here! CEU: https://forms.gle/LthLsWwnABtGNoPX7

People Centric (Don Harkey's consulting firm): https://peoplecentric.com/

Don Harkey – Founder and CEO Bio: https://peoplecentric.com/about/

People Centric Blog / Articles by Don Harkey: https://peoplecentric.com/author/donharkey/

Don Harkey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-harkey-8911556

Trello (project management tool referenced in the episode): https://trello.com

Slack (team communication platform referenced in the episode): https://slack.com

Microsoft Teams (team collaboration tool referenced in the episode): https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams

Gallup CliftonStrengths / StrengthsFinder: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths

Book referenced: Multipliers by Liz Wiseman: https://thewisemangroup.com/books/multipliers/

Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx

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Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

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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

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

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

What if the services filling your schedule are the very ones holding your business back? In this episode, we talk about why pet care business owners need to understand profit per service instead of only looking at total revenue or yearly profit. We walk through the difference between gross profit and net profit, and we explain how labor, mileage, admin time, and scheduling inefficiencies all affect what we actually keep. We also discuss how certain services, routes, and add-ons can either strengthen or weaken the business depending on how they are structured. Most importantly, we encourage pet sitters and dog walkers to think like owners and operators so we can build businesses that are sustainable, efficient, and profitable.

Main topics:

• Gross profit versus net
• Direct labor and costs
• Scheduling and route efficiency
• Service pricing and structure
• Profitable growth decision-making

Main takeaway: "More clients with bad margins just equals more stress."

Growth by itself is not the goal if the services we are offering are underpriced, inefficient, or draining our time and energy. Sometimes the answer is not adding more clients, but taking a hard look at which services are actually helping the business and which ones are quietly hurting it. When we understand profit per service, we can make better decisions, protect our team, serve our clients well, and build something that lasts. Sustainable growth starts with clarity.

Links:

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

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

Pet Sitters Associates Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com Code: Confessional

DogCo Launch Summit

What happens when you finally build the business you dreamed of—and it still doesn't make you happy? In this episode, Corinne Moore shares the emotional and practical reality of deciding to close a pet care company after years of building systems, leaders, and stability. We talk about the "grief" of letting go, the guilt many owners carry for clients and staff, and how maternity leave created space to see the truth clearly. Corinne explains how tracking patterns (not just bad days) helped her separate a rough patch from a real endpoint. The conversation closes with encouragement: you can finish well, take care of people, and still choose what's best for your life.

Main topics:

• Maternity leave and clarity
• Business grief and identity
• Staff transitions and ethics
• Client communication when closing
• Rough patch vs endpoint

Main takeaway: "You deserve to be happy in your company."

Corinne's remark can feel almost too simple—until you realize how many owners are running on guilt, obligation, and sunk cost. Corinne shared how stepping away (and tracking patterns over time) helped her see what was true: not every hard season is just a temporary dip, and not every business has to last forever to be meaningful. Finishing well can still include caring for clients, supporting staff transitions, and communicating with integrity. The goal isn't to quit on a bad day—it's to tell the truth about a bad year and choose a healthier next chapter. Your business should support your life, not slowly erase it.

About our guest: Corinne Moore is a pet care professional based in Madison, Wisconsin, and the former owner of a pet care company called Paws and Claws. Known as "the data girl" in the pet care space, she supports business owners through coaching and a metrics-first approach to decision-making. Corinne also works in bookkeeping and runs Pawsome Metrics, helping service businesses make sense of their numbers and operations. Her passion sits at the intersection of sustainable leadership, clear reporting, and building businesses that truly fit the owner's life.

Links:

Dog Co Launch: https://www.dogcolaunch.com/

Tiny Paws Bookkeeping: https://tinypawsbookkeeping.com

Corinne's previous appearance, "565: How Metrics Transform with Corinne Moore": https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/565

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See all of our discounts!

Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

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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

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

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

Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate Pet First Aid Month!

How do we help clients trust our employees when they have only ever trusted us? In this episode, we talk through the real challenges of moving from a solo business to a team-based model and why this transition can feel so personal for both pet sitters and clients. We break down several common employee structures, from fully team-based to primary-and-backup models, and explain how each one shapes client expectations. We also discuss what it takes to set employees up for success through hiring, onboarding, skills training, oversight, and clear communication. Most of all, we share how we can frame team growth not as a downgrade, but as an upgrade in reliability, consistency, and long-term care.

Main topics:

• Employee model structure choices
• Why clients resist teams
• Training employees to standards
• Transferring trust to staff
• Framing growth as upgrade

Main takeaway: "We're growing so we can serve you better for the long term."

That mindset changes everything. Hiring help is not about lowering your standards or stepping away from quality care. It is about building something stronger, more reliable, and more sustainable for both your clients and your team. When growth is done well, clients gain consistency, backup coverage, and the confidence that care will continue even when life happens. Building a trusted team is not a step backward. It is one of the clearest ways to serve more people with excellence.

Links:

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

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

Pet Sitters Associates Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com Code: Confessional

DogCo Launch Case Study

What if the biggest thing your numbers could give you isn't stress—it's options? In this episode, Collin sits down with CPA and financial literacy coach Jamie Trull to unpack why so many pet care business owners feel overwhelmed by money. Jamie explains the difference between "compliance" (taxes/bookkeeping) and using financial data to run a smarter, more resilient business. They dig into common blind spots like ignoring labor costs (even when you're solo), running too lean, and missing opportunities hidden in your service-level margins. The conversation ends with practical mindset shifts around pricing, differentiation, proactive CEO habits, and building a business that can scale—and potentially sell.

Main topics:

• Compliance vs. financial clarity

• Money awareness and curiosity

• Pricing for real margins

• Cash flow and payroll timing

• Differentiation vs. commoditization

Main takeaway: "If I want to grow, there are two things I can invest in my business: I can invest my money, or I can invest my time."

Most of us started by bootstrapping with time—wearing every hat, doing every visit, solving every problem. But eventually, time becomes the bottleneck, not effort. The shift is realizing that investing money in the right places isn't "wasteful"—it's what turns a job into an asset. When your time is finite and demand is real, letting your money do some of the heavy lifting is how you stop being busy-broke and start building something sustainable.

About our guest:

Jamie Trull is a Certified Public Accountant and financial literacy coach who helps small business owners step into the role of their own CFO. She specializes in making business finances practical and approachable—without requiring an MBA or a love of spreadsheets. Jamie is the author of Hidden Profit and shares free education on topics like profitability, taxes, and business money systems through her website and YouTube channel. She's especially passionate about serving the pet services industry and helping owners build sustainable, resilient businesses.

Links:

https://jamietrull.com

https://jamietrull.com/book

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

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

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

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

How do we keep one hard morning from ruining an entire workday? In this episode, we talk about what happens when the day starts with client messages, employee issues, schedule changes, and mental overload before we've even had a chance to catch our breath. We share five practical ways we reset our mindset, focus on the next task, notice small wins, trust our systems, and reconnect with why our work matters. We also discuss how these ideas apply not just to pet sitting visits, but to admin work, team leadership, client onboarding, and business ownership as a whole. This conversation is a reminder that even when we start the day with dread, we can still finish it feeling accomplished, grounded, and grateful.

Main topics:

• Turning bad days around
• Focusing on next task
• Noticing daily micro wins
• Building better business systems
• Remembering why work matters

Main takeaway: "We don't have to let one part of the day affect the rest of the day."

That idea is simple, but it is not always easy to live out in pet care. One difficult client message, a lock issue, a messy visit, or a packed schedule can make it feel like the whole day is already lost. But one hard moment does not have to decide the tone of everything that comes after it. When we pause, reset, and focus on the next right thing, we give ourselves a chance to recover and move forward with purpose. Sometimes the biggest win of the day is not that everything went perfectly, but that we refused to stay stuck in the overwhelm.

Links:

Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate Pet First Aid Month!

Check out our Starter Packs

See all of our discounts!

Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

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

Pet Sitters Associates Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com Code: Confessional

Pet Marketing Unleashed

Visit: petmarketingunleashed.com

Use code PSC15 to save 15% on your website template