Pet Sitter Confessional

664: Developing a CEO Mindset

Are you building a business—or just staying busy? In this episode, we explore what it means to shift from being the technician to becoming the CEO of your pet care company. We break down the mental and operational changes needed to move from chaos to structure, burnout to sustainability, and survival to growth. We share practical steps, real-life examples, and honest truths about what it takes to lead well. If you're ready to design a business that runs without breaking you, this is for you. Main topics: Capacity and Burnout Pressures Systems Thinking and SOPs Delegation and Outsourcing Financial Metrics for CEOs Identity Shift and Resilience Main takeaway: At some point I have to stop saying, "I walk dogs" - and start saying, "I run a company!" That shift isn't just about a new title—it's about reclaiming your role as the architect of your business. When you think like a CEO, you stop reacting and start designing. You focus on systems, strategy, sustainability. You build something that lasts. This episode is your blueprint for making that shift—from technician to leader, from burnout to balance. Build a business that works for you! 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: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com 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

663: Leading Through the Next Level In Your Business with Marie and Justin Plummer

What happens when your business grows faster than your systems—and regulations force you to rebuild everything? In this conversation, Marie and Justin Plummer of Winston-Salem Dogcare share how North Carolina's Animal Welfare rules pushed them from "in-home" into a fully regulated, facility-based setup and what that required financially and operationally. We talk about the mindset shift from feeling like problems are "happening to you" to showing up as a prepared problem solver. They unpack how staff surveys revealed unseen disconnects, and how professional development became a retention tool once the team began treating pet care as a long-term career. Finally, we dig into preserving client connection at scale—using boundaries, a flexible "gray area," and a reminder that your software is just a tool, not the heart of your business. Main topics: Scaling through state regulations Leadership as problem-solving Staff surveys reveal gaps Defining the "gray area" Client connection at scale Main takeaway: "We agreed on what our gray was." — Marie Plummer That's the difference between having boundaries and actually being able to live with them when real life hits. Most of us try to draw one hard line for every situation—then we either break it, feel guilty, or become rigid and resentful. Defining the gray means you and your leadership team decide, ahead of time, where flexibility is allowed and what factors make it bigger or smaller (staffing levels, capacity, season, client history, real emergencies). It protects your standards and your sanity, because you're not negotiating from scratch every time something comes up. The goal isn't to be soft or strict—the goal is to be consistent, human, and sustainable. About our guests: Marie and Justin Plummer are the owners of Winston-Salem Dogcare in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Since launching in 2017, they've grown from in-home services into a highly regulated daycare/boarding and in-home care operation, adapting quickly to state and local requirements. They lead a large team while homeschooling their three children, balancing business growth with family priorities. Their approach emphasizes people-first leadership, strong client communication, and building a business that can run well beyond the owners. Links: wsdogcare@gmail.com https://www.wsdogcare.com 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: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com 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 Marketing Unleashed Visit: petmarketingunleashed.com Use code PSC15 to save 15% on your website template

662: The 3 Resets Every Growing Pet Care Business Faces

What happens when the skills that built your pet care business are no longer the ones it needs to grow? In this episode, we respond to a thoughtful listener question about the uncomfortable transition from doing the work to running a company. We unpack why growth often feels harder instead of easier, even when things are "going well." We walk through three major mindset resets that every owner eventually faces as responsibilities shift. This conversation is about sustainability, leadership, and learning how to care at scale. Main topics: From execution to decisions Passion versus standardization Accountability and leadership Identity shift as owner Sustainability at scale Main takeaway: "You didn't stop caring—you learned how to care at scale." If your work feels different than it used to, that doesn't mean you've lost your passion. It means your role has changed. What once required your hands now requires your judgment, your restraint, and your leadership. Caring at scale means building systems, setting standards, and making decisions that protect the quality of care even when you aren't the one doing the visit. That shift can feel uncomfortable, but it's often the clearest sign that your business has grown into something that can last. 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: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com 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

661: Why "Good Enough" Pet Care Isn't Enough Anymore with Niki Tudge

What does "professional" pet care actually mean—and why does it matter so much right now? Collin sits down with Niki Tudge, founder of the Pet Professional Guild, to talk about the gap between what pet owners assume they're buying and what many providers actually deliver. Niki shares the eye-opening real-life process she used to hire a pet sitter for her own dogs—and why it convinced her the industry needs higher minimum standards. Together, they discuss practical ways to educate clients, set non-negotiables, and document care like it truly matters. The conversation ends with a challenge: raise your standards, raise your confidence, and build a business that protects pets, clients, and your team. Main topics: Minimum standards in pet care Client education and expectations Intake assessments and documentation Pet first aid readiness Collaboration and referral networks Main takeaway: "My minimum level of care for every dog or cat… is the same as if it was my own animal" That idea challenges a lot of the shortcuts our industry has quietly accepted over the years. If it wouldn't be acceptable for your dog or cat, it shouldn't be acceptable for a client's—no matter the schedule, price point, or pressure to say yes. This mindset forces clarity. It defines non-negotiables around safety, supervision, documentation, enrichment, and medical awareness. It also gives you the confidence to say no when a service request would compromise an animal's wellbeing. When pet care professionals operate from this standard, trust becomes automatic. Clients may not understand every protocol, but they feel the difference—and that's what builds sustainable, ethical businesses in the long run. About our guest: Niki Tudge is the founder of the Pet Professional Guild and a long-time leader in pet care education and professional standards. After a career in business and operations, she transitioned into the pet industry through training, pet care services, and building scalable systems. She has owned and operated multiple pet-focused businesses, including an animal hospital and boarding facility, and is passionate about improving welfare, ethics, and competency across the entire pet care community. Her work focuses on education, collaboration, and raising minimum standards for anyone handling pets professionally. Links: Pet Professional Guild: petprofessionalguild.com 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: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com 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

660: Starting 2026 on the Right Foot

What if 2026 isn't about doing more—but about doing what actually lasts? In this episode, we talk about why the end-of-year holiday rush can push pet sitters and dog walkers straight into toxic productivity. We walk through how to name what didn't work in 2025 (without shame), especially where policies, boundaries, and overcommitment quietly drifted. Then we shift to what did work—life-giving habits, decisions that reduced stress, and systems that keep you steady even when you're tired. Our goal is simple: a grounded, repeatable, sustainable 2026 built on consistency, not intensity. Main topics:  Toxic productivity after holidays Policies, boundaries, and drift Sustainability over hustle culture Consistency beats intensity mindset Systems that reduce fatigue Main takeaway: "Consistency beats intensity every single time" If 2025 ended with you tired, stretched thin, and running on fumes, you don't need a bigger grind—you need a steadier plan. Sustainable growth usually doesn't come from adding more; it comes from choosing better and trimming what quietly drains you. For 2026, pick one boundary, one system, one habit—and build the year on what you can actually repeat. You don't need a breakthrough year. You need a repeatable one. 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: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com 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