The K9PT Academy Podcast: Business lessons for canine rehab therapists

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation & physical therapy that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business! 

It is episode 150! In this milestone episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s at the heart of long-term success as a canine rehabpreneur: transformational leadership. Whether you're solo or managing a team, how you lead—yourself, your clients, and your business—matters more than anything else.

We explore the difference between transactional vs. transformational leadership, why most of us were raised around transactional models, and how shifting your mindset can build a stronger business, deeper client relationships, and a more empowered team.

Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Transformational leadership is key to long-term business success, whether you're solo or managing a team.

Transactional leadership relies on a reward/punishment model, which often leaves people feeling undervalued and unsupported.

Transformational leadership focuses on developing people, not just getting tasks done—helping them grow in skill, confidence, and purpose.

You must lead yourself first—your growth as a business owner directly impacts how far your business can go.

The client relationship should be transformational too, not just transactional. Educate and empower clients to feel involved and supported.

“Drop-off” appointments risk making clients feel like a number—being present and involved builds loyalty and connection.

Help your team (or yourself) understand the 'why' behind processes, not just the 'what'—this builds buy-in and improves outcomes.

Transformational leadership differentiates you in a competitive field, especially as corporate and mobile clinics continue to grow.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business! 

We are now almost at 150 episodes for this podcast, which to honest it is something I am extremely proud of because this was a project that I had wanted to start years ago, but at the same time I knew consistency was going to be important and I didn’t want to be someone who started a podcast and then either quit a few months later or had many weeks when we would skip because I didn’t have time to record an episode. Because of that, what I am extremely proud of is the consistency of not missing a single week with a new episode since we launched the podcast in August of 2023, and today I wanted to discuss how being intentional and persistent is the key for us to “get lucky” with our business. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Consistency is a superpower: Success isn’t built on luck—it’s built on showing up, week after week, even when it’s hard.

Persistence trumps perfection: Most people give up too soon. Staying in the game is often what separates success from failure.

There’s no shortcut to success: Sacrifice, mistakes, and continued learning are the real ingredients to building a sustainable business.

Being intentional creates momentum: You have to decide what you want and go after it with purpose—not just hope things “work out.”

People see the outcome, not the effort: Outsiders may call you “lucky,” but they don’t see the behind-the-scenes work it took to get there.

Invest in yourself continuously: Ongoing coaching, mentorship, and growth are key—even when others think you’ve “made it.”

You already have the tools: Information is everywhere. The gap lies in follow-through and commitment.

Your next breakthrough starts with a choice: Ask yourself: “Am I being truly intentional with the success I want?” Then act on it.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business! 

The more strategy calls I do with canine rehabpreneurs from all over the world, the more I notice how many false beliefs we tend to tell ourselves when it comes to raising our fees and charging what we are worth. There are many reasons behind that, including cultural, emotional, and even the way we were each raised by our parents. However, one thing we need to keep in mind is that if almost everyone who we speak to on the phone is ready to book an eval right away then odds are we are significantly undercharging for our services! It is actually not good for our business to have a crazy high conversion rate from leads to evals because it actually shows that people have no pushback to how much we are charging, and we need to understand that a certain level of pushback is not only absolutely normal but kind of needed for us to know if we are at the right price point. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

If everyone says "yes" too easily, you’re probably undercharging:
A high conversion rate without any pushback often means your prices are too low and not reflecting your true value.

Pushback is normal—and necessary—to validate your pricing:
Expect and embrace some skepticism as part of the buying process. It helps ensure you’re charging at a sustainable and profitable level.

Skepticism is natural — your job is to educate and guide:
Clients may initially doubt the value of rehab, but through education and relationship-building, you can move them from doubt to deep trust.

Avoid the trap of “comfortable answers” when it comes to pricing:
Relying on what "people are willing to pay" or comparing to local competitors keeps you stuck and undervalued. Shift to thinking about what your business needs.

Clients will tell you they wish they found you sooner — focus on creating that experience:
These powerful testimonials show that clients will pay for value once they see it. Use this as motivation to charge what you're worth and improve awareness through marketing and partnerships.

Standing out is the key to moving past price objections:
Differentiate yourself through your messaging, intake process, nurturing systems, and relationship-building to help clients see the unique experience you provide.

Stop focusing on the few who push back and start focusing on the many who value you:
Don’t let occasional rejection hold you back from raising your rates and delivering higher value.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

In this episode, we dive into a topic that hits close to home for so many canine rehabpreneurs: desire vs. action. After a recent strategy call, I found myself reflecting on the gap that exists between what business owners want and what they’re willing to do to make that a reality. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Desire is the gap between where you are and where you want to be—but it’s only powerful if paired with action.

Many rehabpreneurs stay stuck in desire due to fear, self-doubt, or lack of confidence—not lack of clinical skills.

Desire alone doesn't grow a business—it must be backed by uncomfortable but necessary actions like hiring, marketing, or raising rates.

Fear often leads to self-sabotage, such as delaying hiring or avoiding outreach to vets, even when those actions align with business goals.

Growth begins with mindset shifts—reframing discomfort and failure as part of the learning and success process.

The solution is personal growth, not just business tactics—address the mental and emotional blocks to move forward.

The real transformation happens when you pair strategy with self-awareness, which is a core part of our Business Sherpa and Incubator Mastermind programs.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

As a reminder, feel free to join us for the "Client Magnet Challenge" that I am hosting in partnership with the team at Online Pet Health this week! We have been going live each day from Monday through Friday inside a private Facebook group, each day diving deep on one particular area of marketing that will help your canine rehab business, and even if you are listening to this podcast later on you will be able to watch the recordings. Here is the link to sign-up:

https://onlinepethealth.com/getting-new-clients-challenge/ 

For today's podcast episode we discuss the challenges and tribulations of our journey as canine rehabpreneurs, focusing on strategies to make it through and succeed regardless of what life throws at us. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Business ownership = problem solving: Running a canine rehab business is a constant game of solving problems — the key is choosing the right problems to solve.

Don’t fear problems — create better ones: Rather than reacting to problems outside your control, aim to create problems that move your business forward, like needing to hire help because you’re too busy.

Busy schedule? That’s a good problem: If your marketing works too well and you're overbooked, it gives you leverage to raise rates, hire help, or refine your services — all growth opportunities.

Pricing fears are holding you back: Most rehabpreneurs undercharge due to fear of pushback. But starting with stronger rates creates better challenges to tackle (like demand management) rather than burnout from overworking.

There’s no prize for playing small: Choosing comfort over discomfort stunts your business. Growth requires leaning into uncomfortable situations like pricing, hiring, and marketing yourself.

You can always adjust: Worried about setting prices too high? You can always course-correct — but most of the time, clients adapt when you focus on education and value.

Surround yourself with a growth-minded community: Being around others who challenge your thinking and raise the bar helps shift your mindset from scarcity to confidence and expansion.

You’re always going to have problems — choose ones that create opportunity: The goal isn't a problem-free business. The goal is a business that creates better problems that lead to growth, freedom, and fulfillment.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

First of all, please join us next week for the "Client Magnet Challenge" that I am hosting in partnership with the team at Online Pet Health! We will go live each day from Monday through Friday inside a private Facebook group, each day diving deep on one particular area of marketing that will help your canine rehab business. Here is the link to sign-up:

https://onlinepethealth.com/getting-new-clients-challenge/ 

For today's podcast episode we touch base on the importance of measuring and tracking our numbers and KPIs when it comes to many aspects of the business, but in particular when it comes to marketing so we know what strategies are working or not working so we can adjust our marketing plan moving forward. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Numbers Tell a Story — So Track Them: Marketing isn’t about guessing — it’s about tracking what’s working and what’s not so you can make data-driven decisions.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

Last fall we had a training inside our K9Rehabpreneur Community discussing the 5 pillars of a successful and sustainable canine rehab business, and given some of the economic and political landscape I thought it would be helpful to share that with all of our listeners. Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

The tide has changed in the economy, and businesses that thrived in 2021–2022 without solid foundations are now being exposed. Sustainable growth depends on how we operate during hard times.

Build relationships through marketing and nurture – Pet owners are still spending money, but only with businesses they trust. Relationship-based marketing that makes people feel heard is key to standing out and justifying your rates.

Don’t rely solely on word-of-mouth or vet referrals – They’re great but unpredictable. Create a predictable lead generation system (e.g., Google ads, SEO) to maintain steady growth.

Educate and nurture your leads – Offer helpful, free content (emails, blogs, workshops). Guide them with consistent follow-up after inquiry calls or form submissions, because people need time and reminders to make decisions.

Keep investing in marketing, even during slow times – Marketing is the lifeblood of your business. Budget 5% of your desired revenue and treat it as an investment, not an expense.

You’re selling confidence and clarity – Especially now, clients need to feel confident in you and understand exactly how you’ll help their pet. Use simple language and a clear framework to communicate your value.

Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

We talk a lot about marketing and everything the comes with it because marketing is always going to be the driving force of any business, regardless if it is a canine rehab clinic or not. Without marketing there are no leads, without leads there aren’t new customers, and without new customers there isn’t revenue coming into the business. But, one thing I don’t believe I have emphasized enough is how important it is for us to automate, and at times depending on where you are at with your business, delegate some of that marketing to someone else. 

Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Marketing is the Driving Force: Without marketing, there are no leads, no new customers, and no revenue. Marketing is essential for sustainable business growth.

Automate and Delegate Your Marketing: Automating marketing tasks and delegating them to skilled individuals can help you stay consistent without sacrificing patient care.

Hiring Help Can Boost Marketing Efforts: Hiring people to manage tasks like blog writing, social media, and Google Ads can free up your time and improve your marketing impact.

The Power of a Comprehensive CRM: Implementing a CRM system can streamline client management, automate follow-ups, and enhance client satisfaction.

Integrated Marketing Platforms Save Time: Tools like the K9Rehab Marketing Platform offer social media management, email automation, and reputation management in one place, making marketing more efficient and effective.

Building an Automated Marketing System is Key: By investing in a platform that automates and centralizes marketing efforts, you can focus more on patient care while still generating leads and growing your business.

 Are you interested in learning more about our K9Rehab Marketing platform? That is the only CRM and marketing software available in the market for canine rehab therapists, and it has been an integral component for our business and for dozens of our clients! Just follow the link for more info: https://k9rehabmarketing.com/ 

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

Last podcast episode focused on when and how to hire, and changing our mindset on it so we get the most from that situation. I got some great feedback from many of you, and with that mind I wanted to build up on that topic today and discuss how we can create an environment that will allow our team members to grow and succeed in their role.

Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Hiring is just the start — the real work is creating an environment where your team can grow and succeed.

Managing people is a skill most of us haven’t learned, but it's essential to grow a sustainable business.

Culture matters as much as performance — a high-performing team member with poor culture can do more harm than good.

Understand who you're working with — A, B, C, and D players all require different leadership approaches.

People change over time — the “Twin A vs Twin B” concept shows why continued personal growth is critical.

Personal accountability leads to growth — leaders must own their mistakes to improve team dynamics.

The right fit leads to opportunity — when a role is aligned, team members look for ways to grow, not things to complain about.

You can’t do the work for them — you can create the space and support, but their success is ultimately up to them.

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks

Welcome to The K9PT Academy podcast, the only podcast in veterinary rehabilitation that focuses on helping business owners and entrepreneurs build and scale a profitable and successful canine rehabilitation business!

Through the years we have mentored and helped many different canine rehabpreneurs in a variety of different business models. Some of them were just getting started, others were growing and working through going solo to having a team, and others already had a facility with multiple staff members and were trying to figure out how to make their business more efficient and profitable. The thing to keep in mind is that regardless of the circumstances we need to develop a business model that works for us, keeping in mind our personal goals and how the business aligns with that. Because of that, some of us may want to stay small, either as mobile therapists or with a small space, while others may want to grow a larger space with many staff members. However, no matter if you are big or small, at one point you will encounter a challenge with business growth and sustainability so the business doesn’t necessarily revolve 100% around you, and usually speaking those challenges with be related to finances or staff.

Listen to the full episode as we discuss: 

Business Growth Comes with Challenges – Whether you’re just starting, hiring your first team member, or scaling an established practice, business growth requires financial and strategic planning.

Hiring Should Solve a Problem, Not Just Add a Role – Instead of asking "How much should I pay?", focus on what hiring someone will allow you to do and what problems they will solve for your business.

Your Time is Your Most Valuable Asset – Hiring should eventually free up your time, but it won’t happen instantly. You need to invest in onboarding and training before you can truly reap the benefits.

You Can Only Optimize for One Business Phase at a Time – Choose between revenue/survival, profit, growth, or stability. Trying to grow while maintaining the same level of profit is a common mistake.

Growth Requires Investment – Expanding your business often means spending money before making more money. You may need to reinvest profits, secure a loan, or bring in an investor, each with its own trade-offs.

Avoid Funding Growth from Your Operations Account – If you deplete your financial cushion without a solid plan, it leads to stress and instability. Be strategic with financial decisions.

Success Comes from Having a Clear Plan – Hoping things will change by taking things day by day creates unnecessary stress. A clear growth strategy will help you stay focused and reduce financial anxiety.

The Key to Long-Term Business Success is Planning – Whether it’s hiring, expansion, or financial investments, success comes from making informed decisions that align with your long-term goals.

Book a FREE strategy call: https://calendly.com/thek9pt/strategy-call

Join our Canine Rehabpreneur Community: www.facebook.com/groups/k9rehabpreneur/ 

Download our fee calculator and training: https://thek9pt.mykajabi.com/Fee-calculator 

Download our 'marketing done easy' worksheet and training: https://www.k9ptacademy.com/marketing-done-easy 

...

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and if you found this content valuable here are some additional ways we can help each other:

1) Go to www.k9ptacademy.com for more resources on business ownership, including our free Fee Calculator and Marketing Done Easy worksheet

2) Send us your question or subscribe to our weekly newsletter by emailing us at [email protected] 

3) Share this episode with a colleague who might also find it helpful :-)

4) Leave us a 5-star review so we can expand our reach and help more folks