In this episode of the PetBiz Podcast, hosted by Janie Budnick, founder and CEO of multiple successful pet businesses, Janie interviews Joe Zuccarello from the Paragon School of Pet Grooming. They discuss the state of the pet grooming industry, strategies for scaling pet services businesses, and the future of mobile grooming. Joe shares his vast experience in the industry, highlighting the importance of training and mentoring, and provides actionable advice for recruiting and retaining skilled staff. The episode also covers effective marketing tactics and innovative ways to integrate grooming services into pet care facilities. Joe offers insights into the significant growth of mobile grooming and how businesses can leverage this trend. Additionally, recommended readings for business and personal development are shared, providing listeners with resources to improve their leadership and business management skills.

00:00 Introduction to the Pet Biz Podcast

00:48 Meet Joe Zuccarello from Paragon School of Pet Grooming

02:15 Joe's Journey in the Pet Industry

03:53 The Evolution of Paragon Pet Grooming School

04:43 Impact of the Pandemic on Pet Grooming Education

08:58 Paragon's Mentorship and Training Programs

13:34 The Future of the Pet Grooming Industry

16:42 The Rise of Mobile and In-Home Pet Services

21:23 Investing in People and Growing Leaders

28:12 Impact of the Gig Economy on Employment

28:51 Embracing Change in the Job Market

29:23 Strategies for Hiring in the Pet Industry

30:47 Fishing vs. Hunting for Talent

32:01 Targeting High Schools and Job Fairs

35:22 Exploring 4-H, FFA, and Scouting for Talent

38:52 Building a Farm Team for Grooming

41:13 The Doodle Grooming Niche

44:04 Retaining Employees and Building Culture

46:54 Recommended Business Books

50:35 Conclusion and Resources

LINKS

National Cat Groomers Institute

JOE'S BOOK PICKS

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Traction by Gino Wickman

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Misbehaving by Richard H. Thaler

CONNECT WITH JOE

Paragon School of Pet Grooming

Hey Joe! Podcast

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Diversification and Innovation: Balancing Your Pet Business Focus

In this episode of the Pet Biz Podcast, Janie draws inspiration from an interesting Facebook discussion about diversification, focusing specifically on starting a pet waste removal service. Janie reflects on personal experiences in the pet industry since 1997, emphasizing the importance of diversification, without diluting core business offerings. She introduces the 70-20-10 rule for managing resources: 70% on optimizing core services, 20% on adjacent improvements, and 10% on bold new ideas. The episode concludes with guidance on sustaining focus while exploring innovations and a call to action for listeners to apply the 70-20-10 rule to their own businesses. Listeners are invited to share topic ideas and industry contacts via email at [email protected]

00:00 Introduction and Episode Inspiration

00:41 Diversification in Your Pet Business

01:43 Personal Experience and Business Focus

08:54 The 70-20-10 Rule for Time Management

14:13 Applying the 70-20-10 Rule to Your Pet Business

20:24 Homework and Final Thoughts

In case you want to reference Alex Hermozi's education head on over HERE

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In this episode of the PetBiz Podcast, host Janie welcomes Liz Wilcox, a renowned email strategist and keynote speaker. Known as the 'Fresh Princess of email marketing,' Liz shares her journey from being an RV travel blogger to becoming a multi-six-figure email marketer. She dives into her signature framework, 'The Email Staircase,' which helps turn followers into friends and then customers. Liz discusses the importance of being relatable, invested, and staying top of mind in email marketing. She also debunks myths about email campaigns and offers valuable tips on building relationships through email. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting, Liz's practical advice on how to leverage email marketing is invaluable.

00:00 Welcome to the Pet Biz Podcast

00:14 Meet Liz Wilcox: The Fresh Princess of Email Marketing

01:07 Embracing the Nineties Vibe

01:49 From RV Blogger to Email Marketing Expert

03:41 The Importance of Email Lists

05:24 Email Marketing Strategies for Pet Businesses

08:14 Building Relationships Through Email

17:39 Frequency and Value in Email Marketing

19:26 Starting from Scratch: Building Your Email List

22:55 Emphasizing Your Business Story

24:08 Setting Email Expectations

25:31 Newsletter Formats and Spam Filters

31:34 Understanding Email Metrics

35:04 Personal Growth and Unique Stories

39:07 Email Marketing Membership

BOOK MENTIONED

Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins

HOW TO CONNECT WITH LIZ WILCOX

www.lizwilcox.com

FOR MORE LISTENING

The Email Sound Booth with Liz Wilcox (podcast)

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In the inaugural episode of 2025, Janie kicks off episode 121 of the Pet Biz Podcast by reflecting on the accomplishments of 2024 and setting an uplifting tone for the year ahead. She dives deep into essential metrics that pet business owners need to track to set and achieve their business goals. The episode breaks down key metrics into three categories: financial metrics like Average Customer Value (ACV), Client Retention, Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Cost Per Lead (CPL), and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC); company metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), Customer Churn, Revenue Growth Rate, Occupancy or Staff Utilization, Net Profit Margin, and business valuation metrics such as SDE and EBITDA; and employee metrics like Employee Retention, Employee Turnover, First-Year Employee Turnover, and the importance of scorecards for team accountability. Janie provides practical steps, valuable insights, and a motivational push for pet business owners to analyze their past performance and plan strategically for a successful year.

00:00 Welcome to the New Year!

00:26 Reflecting on 2024 Achievements

01:53 Importance of Metrics in Your Business

02:56 Financial Metrics: Understanding Your Numbers

03:16 Calculating Average Customer Value (ACV)

09:52 Client Retention and Lifetime Value

14:08 Marketing Metrics: Cost Per Lead and Customer Acquisition Cost

19:46 Company Metrics: Customer Satisfaction and Churn

27:43 Understanding Client Churn

30:51 Analyzing Revenue Growth Rate

33:03 Evaluating Occupancy and Staff Utilization

34:00 Calculating Net Profit Margin

35:40 Determining Business Value

38:53 Assessing Marketing Metrics

46:00 Employee Metrics and Retention

52:57 Final Thoughts and Summary

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In Episode 20 of the Pet Biz Podcast, Janie Budnick delves into the critical aspects of employee contracts in the pet industry. She begins by reminding listeners of the importance of regularly reviewing these documents, particularly as the new year approaches. Janie clarifies the distinction between employee contracts and handbooks, discussing essential contract elements such as job information, benefits, compensation, termination clauses, and various protective clauses like non-disclosure, and non-solicit. She offers insights into avoiding potential legal and business pitfalls related to non-solicit and non-compete clauses, emphasizing the need for legal advice tailored to state-specific regulations. Additionally, Janie touches on the Federal Trade Commission's rulings on non-competes and the evolving legal landscape for such agreements. She also discusses stay-or-pay provisions from her own experience and their implications within the pet industry. Janie concludes with the importance of being compliant and vigilant in this ever-evolving regulatory environment.

00:00 Welcome to Pet Biz Podcast Episode 20

01:05 Understanding Employee Contracts

02:40 Non-Disclosure Agreements Explained

03:14 The Importance of Non-Solicit Clauses

07:58 Navigating Non-Compete Clauses

13:09 Legal Landscape of Non-Competes in 2024

20:58 Stay or Pay Provisions in Employment Contracts

25:49 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Links Shared in this Podcast:

State Non-Compete Map

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In this episode of the Pet Biz Podcast, host Janie Budnick delves into strategic pricing strategies for pet business owners as they approach the end of 2024. Janie emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing long-term goals and aligning them with actionable steps. The discussion covers the impact of industry growth, cost increases, market demand, and customer sensitivity on pricing decisions. Janie shares her personal experiences, insights on economic conditions, inflation, and the importance of understanding your client base. The episode provides practical advice on conducting customer surveys, implementing psychological pricing techniques, and preparing for incremental price increases to maintain profitability and sustainability in the pet industry.

00:00 Introduction to Long-Term Goals

00:31 Welcome to the Pet Biz Podcast

01:15 Pricing Strategies for 2024

01:49 Understanding Market Dynamics

05:17 Cost Considerations

11:33 Customer Sensitivity and Feedback

17:32 Economic and Political Factors

24:43 Strategic Pricing Adjustments

39:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In episode 118 of the Pet Biz podcast, we dive deeper into the theme of breaking free from societal and self-imposed limitations discussed in the previous episode. The conversation expands on how professionals in the pet industry often face misconceptions from others about their work. I talk about overcoming external and internal judgments about career choices. The episode emphasizes the importance of community, particularly in light of the isolation experienced during the pandemic, and how connecting with like-minded individuals can be empowering. The podcast also explores setting ambitious goals, leveraging books like Marie Forleo's 'Everything is Figureoutable' and Dan Sullivan's '10x is Easier than 2x' to shift mindsets from 'I can't' to 'I won't' and envisioning expansive growth. Finally, the host encourages listeners to uncover their passion, purpose, and integrate them into their professional lives, using the parable of the bricklayer to illustrate the varied perspectives on work. The episode concludes with a call to reflect on personal journeys and the factors that drive personal and professional fulfillment.

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Last Week's Episode

00:46 Society's Boxes and Personal Experiences

04:23 The Power of Community and Overcoming Isolation

06:20 Reflecting on Personal Journeys and Setbacks

09:16 Challenging Limiting Beliefs

12:01 Setting Goals and Dreaming Big

15:32 Finding Purpose and Passion in Your Work

23:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Welcome to the PetBiz Podcast! In this episode, we discuss the challenges pet business owners face when responding to lead inquiries and offer solutions to keep your leads wagging. We cover 5 common pain points, including missed opportunities, negative reviews, inefficiency, lack of organization, and frustrated customers. We provide practical tips to streamline your lead management process, improve response times, and increase efficiency. Don't let your leads walk away...learn how to keep them wagging with your pet business.

In this episode we discussed the PetBizCRM - the pet industry's first all-in-one relationship management solution FOR pet business owners BY pet business owners. Discover the easiest way to automate and grow your pet business - whether you are a veterinarian, groomer, dog trainer, boarding and daycare owner, or dog walker and pet sitter!

Sign up for the beta launch waitlist at www.petbizcrm.com. Will you be one of the 100?

Hey there 👋 I’m Janie Budnick - Host of the PetBiz Podcast and founder of the PetBiz University™, including the PetBizMBA® Business Accelerator and the PetBizCRM™ Relationship Manager solution. No matter how far you are down the pet business path from START to FREEDOM I we are here to help!

Friend, your entrepreneurial dreams can 100% be a reality – but, let me tell you, it’s so easy to get discouraged when you’re starting out or in the messy middle. There are so many things to learn.

PetBiz University is the one place where you can get the support and education you need for your stage of entrepreneurship!

“I love finding out about the strategies, tips, and cool people in our industry at the PetBiz Podcast!” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show!

This helps us support the amazing pet industry and provide more education and resources to pet business owners. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode you heard!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. we add new interviews weekly, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!