Summary On this episode we discuss the different types of hats you may wear, and the ones you shouldn't. From being an IT manager to a marketer and CFO, there are a lot of things to do. The key is determining which hat you should be wearing versus finding a way to have someone else, or software, wear it. Natasha O'Banion answers the question, "How do I fire an employee in a healthy way?"

Topics on this episode:

• What are some hats we all wear?
• What we are NOT?
• How to not wear so many
• Find a balance
• Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion

Main takeaway: YOU get to decide which hats you wear. Wear the ones that align with your strengths and passions.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Automated CEO Promo Code: PSC20 for 15% off
• Pet Sitters Associates Promo Code: Confessional

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Summary Burnout and compassion fatigue are such a huge topic in the pet care industry, because we all struggle with it. Kristin Morrison joins the show to share her own struggles with burnout and what a road to recovery looks like. We discuss why it's important to redefine what success looks like for you and why understanding our time commitments helps us set aside time for ourselves. We also discuss why it's so hard to 'rest' as a business owner, and what it takes to replace negative mindsets with positive ones.

Topics on this episode:

• Redefining success
• Replacing negative mindset with positive
• How do we 'rest'?
• What does successful burnout recovery look like?

Main takeaway: Start practicing rest and work through the normal uneasiness that we feel through that process.

Full show notes and transcript

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The world of pet business insurance can seem overwhelming, but Colleen Giles-Harris, Manager and Underwriter with Pet Sitters Associates, joins us to discuss what we need to know about being fully protected as pet care professionals. Colleen shares what it means to recognize the liability we're exposed to and how even with waivers we still need insurance to protect us. We also discuess why using your personal insurnace isn't the best idea and how not all insurance policies are created equal.

Topics on this episode:

• Basic coverage and common claims
• Release forms and waivers
• Adding employees or family members
• Biggest misunderstandings

Main take away? Get connected with a good agent and start making sure you're as covered!

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

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

• Pet Perennials Promo Code: Use 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
• Time to Pet Promo Code: 50% off first 3 months

Summary Did you know you're an educator? As a pet care professional, you're perfectly positioned to educate your community on being awesome pet parents. We're also able to educate our clients on the range of pet care service options and the problems they solve. We discuss the importance of first educating ourselves and how to be supporting and loving to the clients we may disagree with. Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I sell myself better?"

Topics on this episode:

• Seeing ourselves as educators
• Be a resource
• Overcoming the 'default'
• Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion

Main takeaway: Being a resource to your clients and community means being an educator and advocating for the pets.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Automated CEO Promo Code: PSC20 for 15% off
• Pet Sitters Associates Promo Code: Confessional

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Summary: Have you thought about franchising your pet care business? Carmen Chávez de Hesse, owner of Slinky Cat at Home, shares her experience of franchising and what we need to consider, from legal and financial obligations, to the management of a franchise. We also discuss the growth in cat care across the pet sitting industry and how she plans to leave a legacy business for her daughter.

Topics on this episode:

• Leaving a legacy
• Being an awesome cat sitter
• Why choose a franchise?
• Legal and financial considerations
• What makes a good franchise?

*Main takeaway: * We all want growth and security in our business, so determining if you should franchise depends on how you run your business.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Pet Sitters International
• Time to Pet Promo Code: 50% off first 3 months

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Each day we experience some sort of 'first' in life and in business. We break down some of the most influential firsts we've encountered over the past nine years. We also share the lessons we've learned from them and how we've changed how we operated, from our first client, to our first time saying no. Then, Natasha O'Banion answers, "How do I prioritize what to cut back on?"

Topics on this episode:

• Why learn from them?
• Some of our firsts
• Ask a Pet Biz Coach with Natasha O'Banion

Main takeaway: Anytime we experience a 'first' in life or business, we need to be open to learning from it and allowing it to make us better.

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

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

• Pet Sitters Associates Promo Code: Confessional

Summary: After years in hospitality and running a high end wedding service company, Kimberly Richmond knew it was time to follow her passion and dive into pet care. Starting Posh Pets in the middle of a global pandemic wasn't easy, but the fundamentals of meetings others needs didn't change. Kimberly shares how she brings high end service to her company. She discusses how to be great at public relations, how to be a cheerleader for ourselves, and what it means to be a boutique pet service company.

Topics on this episode:

• What does boutique pet care mean?
• Hospitality in business
• Role of public relations
• Get connected to a cause

Main take away? Public relations is about standing up for your business and being your own cheerleader.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Pet Perennials Promo Code: Use 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
• Time to Pet Promo Code: 50% off first 3 months

Support Pet Sitter Confessional

Summary Happy Professional Pet Sitters Week AND International Women's Day! We discuss the tremendous impact women have made, and continue to make, on the pet care industry. We also talk about how the industry has changed and the state of pet care. We highlight what being a professional pet care provider means and how to have a more balanced business. YOU are what this week is all about. Thank you for inspiring us and for making the industry better. Natasha O'Banion answers, "What should more people be doing in their business?"

Topics on this episode:

• State of the industry
• Role of customer service
• What it all means for us
• YOU are awesome
• Ask a Pet Biz Coach

*Main takeaway: * You are an inspiration to us. Your passion, dedication, and professionalism are what this week is all about. YOU make this industry excellent by setting the bar high and pushing boundaries.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Pet Perennials Promo Code: Use 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
• Pet Sitters Associates Promo Code: Confessional

Support Pet Sitter Confessional

Renee Neideigh, owner of Day with Renee Dog Walking, dove into pet sitting to avoid burnout as a vet tech and better align her passion with her mission. She talks about how to care for pets (and their owners) after a cancer diagnosis and the importance of just being there for them. Renee shares what the transition into pet sitting has been like, and the importance of authenticity and honesty in pet care. We discuss how to build a better relationship with our clients and how pet sitters nurture a better bond between the pet and their owner.

Topics on this episode:

• Lessons from a vet tech
• Reiki in pet care and living it's precepts
• Passion and compassion
• Securing confidence in your clients
• Pets as teachers and healers

Main takeaway: Secure confidence in your clients through how you live and work out your core values.

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

Sponsored by:

❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

• Pet Sitters International
• Time to Pet Promo Code: 50% off first 3 months

Summary Safety should always be a top concern for us as pet care professionals. This safety is not just for the pets, but also for you. This was highlighted recently by the brutal attack on Ryan Fischer, Laga Gaga's dog walker, and the abduction of her two French Bulldogs. While this is an extreme case, it should spark a conversation about safety in the pet sitting and dog walking industry.

Topics on this episode:

• Social media
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Have protocols and standardize how you operate
• Arm yourself with knowledge
• Ask a Pet Biz Coach

Main takeaway: We can all take small steps to being safer as we care for the pets in our community.

Full show notes and transcript

Sponsored By:

• Automated CEO Promo Code: PSC20 for 15% off
• Pet Sitters Associates Promo Code: Confessional

Support Pet Sitter Confessional