Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast with Dominic Hodgson

Ep. 101 – Your 2026 Dog Daycare Success Plan! The Lessons Smart Pet Professionals Are Taking into the New Year 

Do you feel fired up in January… then somehow end up repeating the same harmful patterns by March? Are you working harder every year, but not always seeing that effort translate into momentum and profitability? And what are the most switched-on pet business owners actually doing differently as they head into 2026? In this New Year’s Eve episode, host Dom Hodgson reflects on the close of 2025 and opens the door on the Elite Mastermind, sharing real, unfiltered lessons from experienced pet business owners who are actively shaping what their next year looks like rather than blindly hoping it turns out better than the last. You’ll hear directly from Elite members as they talk through the biggest lessons they’re carrying into 2026, the habits and decisions they’re deliberately leaving behind, and the changes they wish they’d made sooner. Plus, Dom breaks down his own biggest takeaways from 2025, including why enrichment crossed the line from “add-on” to business model, how delegation finally removed him as the bottleneck, and why recurring revenue and continuity remain non-negotiable for calmer, more profitable businesses. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Annual Goals Fall Apart – And how Elite owners use 90-day planning to keep momentum rolling. When Enrichment Becomes the Model – How enrichment stopped being a side offering and became the commercial engine. Who, Not How – Why delegation and bandwidth are the real growth unlock for overwhelmed owners. The Real Staffing Issue – How unclear standards and soft leadership create most people problems. The Power of Continuity – Why memberships, retainers, and recurring revenue reduce stress and panic selling. Huge thanks to my Elite Mastermind members for sharing their big lessons from 2025. Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free! Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the inaugural Pet Boarding and Daycare, Barkleigh Pet Pros Cruise in January. Go to BarkleighShows.com to book your cabin! Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now Episode Highlights [00:51] – Dom introduces the episode on New Year’s Eve and explains why January is really just the start of another quarter.[03:07] – Why Elite owners plan in 90-day sprints instead of relying on bulky annual resolutions.[05:43] – When enrichment crossed the line from “add-on” to a core business model you can’t afford to be left behind on.[07:05] – The “Who Not How” lesson that removed Dom as the bottleneck in his own business.[09:11] – Why most staffing problems are actually leadership system problems.[11:29] – How memberships and continuity stabilise cash flow and reduce daily stress.[13:43] – Why investing in yourself often unlocks the next level of growth.[18:51] – Elite members share the lessons they’re taking into 2026 — and what they’re leaving behind.[24:13] – Confidence, pricing, delegation, and finally doing the hard things sooner rather than later.[42:21] – Dom’s New Year sign-off and setting the tone for a stronger, more intentional 2026. Huge thanks once again to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Ep. 100 – Enrichment Dog Daycare is Here to Stay! How to turn a Merry Enrichmas into New Revenue Streams in 2026

Are you sitting on an untapped revenue stream inside your dog daycare… and barely touching it? Do you understand that enrichment is important, but struggle with structure, consistency, staff buy-in, or selling it confidently? And what actually happens when enrichment stops being “a nice extra” and becomes a core part of how your business runs? In this milestone 100th episode, host Dom Hodgson delivers a Christmas special based around the untapped power of enrichment, using three real-world case studies of Enrich University members who are using the tools Dom is supplying to transform their facilities, their teams, and their bottom line. You’ll hear directly from Sarah, Stefani, and Kelli, three dog daycare owners at different stages of their journey, all using the same enrichment framework and and each getting eye-opening, jaw-dropping results. The three owners we hear from have been able to turn every-day enrichment into a fully marketed, story-driven programme that drives consistent sales, improves dog behaviours and staff morale, provides structure and simplicity instead of complex chaos, and most importantly gives clients a reason to keep coming back, even during the quieter months of the year. Plus, if your ticket to the first ever Pet Boarding and Daycare Cruise is still languishing in your online basket, Dom includes quick-fire reflections from the kick-ass pet resort owners from across the US who attended a private event back in October who are eyeing up retainers, memberships, prepayment, and premium positioning for their facilities in 2026. In this episode, you’ll discover: From Ideas to Execution – Why most enrichment fails at the planning stage, and how structure changes everything Selling Without the Awkwardness – How story-driven enrichment makes upsells feel natural, not pushy What Real Growth Looks Like – How facilities are seeing 40%, 200%, and even 3× increases by monetising enrichment correctly. Staff Buy-In & Better Dogs – Why structured enrichment improves behaviour, morale, and day-to-day calm Why Enrichment Isn’t “Optional” Anymore – And why 2026 will widen the gap between facilities who do this well… and those who don’t. Huge thanks to this week’s awesome guests Stefani Cotton, Sarah Stevens and Kelli McEntire. If you want to make enrichment the foundation stone of your progress next year then join Kelli, Stefani and Sarah inside Enrich University now. Click here to enroll Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free! Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the inaugural Pet Boarding and Daycare, Barkleigh Pet Pros Cruise in January. Go to BarkleighShows.com to book your cabin! Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow Episode Highlights [00:51] – Dom introduces Episode 100 and explains why many owners are still very much “on the tools” this Christmas week.[04:19] – Why enrichment remains the biggest untapped growth opportunity for dog daycares heading into 2026.[08:13] – Sarah Stevens on having plenty of enrichment ideas… but no structure, no plan, and constant catch-up.[13:07] – Stefani Cotton on the shift from passive enrichment to a fully marketed, story-driven programme.[18:57] – Kelli McIntyre on launching Enrich U alongside a brand-new facility — and scaling up from day one.[20:02] – Why around 50% of clients now regularly buy enrichment add-ons — and what that does to cash flow.[24:18] – Sponsor spotlight: Canine Lab Testing and protecting facilities from hidden parasite risk.[29:23] – Live bootcamp reflections: pricing confidence, retainers, and uncovering hidden revenue inside existing clients.[33:49] – Why paper-and-ink newsletters still resonate with clients, and how you’re missing a trick if you’re doing online-only outreach.[45:04] – Dom signs off Episode 100 with a Christmas message –  and sets the tone for a stronger, smarter 2026. Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Ep. 99 – The Pet Care Niching Blueprint: How Going Cat-Only Helped Lynn Paolillo Build Authority, Attention, and Demand

What happens when you stop trying to serve everyone and instead build a business around a very specific kind of pet owner? Do you assume cats are “easy,” independent, or somehow less demanding than dogs — and could that assumption be costing your business a huge opportunity? And what does it really take to build a profitable, respected, expert-led business in a niche most of the industry still overlooks? In this week’s episode, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Lynn Paolillo, founder of Catnaps Cattery and one of the most respected voices in feline grooming and care. Lynn shares her full business journey as well as discussing niching down, becoming the expert, and building a business that attracts the right clients, not just more clients. Lynn explains why cats are often misunderstood, why cat owners behave differently from dog owners, and how positioning yourself as a specialist transforms everything from pricing to loyalty to referrals. You’ll also hear how Lynn uses education-led marketing, Google search, content, and social media (including a TikTok account with millions of views) to normalise cat grooming, solve real owner problems, and build a snowballing client base that markets the business for her. Plus, there’s news of both the dog and Dom varieties, covering both the importance of keeping your clients engaged between visits and the latest updates from the coaching trenches. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Niching Wins – How going cat-only helped Lynn stand out, charge properly, and build authority fast. Expert Positioning in Action – How Lynn became the obvious choice for cat owners looking for real answers to their questions. The Google Strategy – Why SEO, education-led content, and search intent outperform generic ads. Client Snowball Effect – How loyal, educated clients become your best sales team. The Untapped Cat Market – Why feline care is still wildly underserved — and ripe with opportunity. Huge thanks to this week’s awesome guest. To find out more about Lynn go to CatNapsCattery Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free! Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the inaugural Pet Boarding and Daycare, Barkleigh Pet Pros Cruise in January. Go to BarkleighShows.com to book your cabin! Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow Episode Highlights: [00:51] – Dom introduces the episode and previews a deep dive into cat care, specialisation, and premium positioning.[03:14] – Dog News: PETA’s proposed dog-walking law — and how to turn stories like this into daycare and enrichment sales.[08:53] – Dom explains why businesses with values, opinions, and a backbone win better clients.[16:59] – Meet Lynn Paolillo: cat-only groomer, boarding business owner, educator, and industry authority.[18:28] – Lynn’s origin story: from dog grooming to discovering the untapped world of professional cat care.[21:36] – Why combining grooming and boarding makes businesses stronger and more profitable.[24:14] – How grooming improves animal welfare — and why groomers are the “eyes in the field” for vets.[27:00] – The biggest difference between dogs and cats: socialization, handling, and hidden stress.[30:32] – How Lynn attracts clients using Google, SEO, and “They Ask, You Answer” content.[47:11] – TikTok, luck, authority, and how one video unlocked millions of views — without chasing trends.

Ep. 98 – Your December Dog Daycare To-Do List: How to Turn This Year’s Holiday Sales into 2026’s Recurring Revenue.

Are you unknowingly sitting on a December sales opportunity that could carry your business into 2026? Do you have a plan to turn one-time holiday boarders into long-term, multi-service, high-value clients? Curious as to how gifting your clients can trigger a wave of upsells, future bookings, and repeat spending? In this week’s episode, Dom breaks down why December is one of the richest selling seasons of the year, and why most pet care businesses barely scratch the surface. You’ll learn how to use the many themed days of December (including Christmas Card day and re-gifting day) as strategic sales levers… and how reciprocity can turn a simple gift into a profitable surge of client spending. Dom also recaps the most recent UK Elite Mastermind meeting, sharing how owners uncover their biggest business blockers, confront uncomfortable truths, and build 90-day plans that create real momentum. And finally, he previews the upcoming Barkleigh Pet Pro Cruise, the very first of its kind, where he’ll be running hotseats, clarity coaching, and a “mini mastermind at sea.” If you want to kick-off 2026 in style, then now is the time to book your cabin! In this episode, you’ll discover: The December Advantage – Why clients are already in a buying mindset and how to turn festive traffic into future revenue. The Reciprocity Effect – How gifting creates wow moments, deeper loyalty, and increased spending. Mastermind Mechanics – How wins, challenges, and hotseats help owners identify the one big thing holding the business back. The Big Thing Principle – Why facing uncomfortable issues now is the key to accelerating growth in 2026. Turning Seasonal Bumps into Long-Term Wins – How to convert first-time holiday clients into repeat, multi-service customers. Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free! Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the inaugural Pet Boarding and Daycare, Barkleigh Pet Pros Cruise in January. Go to BarkleighShows.com to book your cabin! Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow Episode Highlights: [00:51] – Dom previews the episode and explains why December is one of the richest selling windows of the year.[04:00] – Dog News: The top literary-inspired pet names of 2025—and how to turn dog names into easy, client-curated content.[08:08] – Dom recaps the Elite Mastermind: wins, challenges, hotseats, and how members identify their biggest blockers.[12:12] – The uncomfortable truth: growth often requires tackling the problem you’ve been avoiding.[16:59] – Dom’s challenge to listeners: identify the one big issue you’re ignoring and write it down… then fix it, obviously.[20:44] – Pour yourself a cup of tea and find out what you can learn from the England Cricket Team’s disastrous (at the time of recording) Ashes campaign.[26:34] – What to expect from the first-ever Barkleigh Pet Pro Cruise, including onboard hotseats and interactive coaching.[31:10] – Why December is more important than other popular holidays for retailers and dog daycares alike.[34:37] – The importance of giving gifts to your clients not just at Christmas, and not just when you want them to buy stuff from you.[36:39] – How to capitalise on the first-time clients that the holiday season offers up, and turn them into weekly regulars. Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Ep. 97 – Mission Enrich: Inside the Book Opening a New Chapter for Dog Daycare Innovators

Ever thought about writing a book to elevate your authority… but convinced yourself you’re “not ready”? Wondering how a simple paper-and-ink asset can transform your marketing, attract affluent clients, and position your facility miles ahead of the competition? And did you get a copy of Mission Enrich, Dom’s brand-new business parable that launched at the Hershey Expo and is already pulling in glowing reviews? In this week’s episode, host Dom Hodgson gives you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at his tenth book — Mission Enrich — and breaks down why book-writing is one of the smartest strategic moves any dog daycare or pet resort owner can make. Dom explains how creating a book becomes a 24/7 salesperson for your business, why affluent dog owners gravitate toward experts with published works, and how a well-written book instantly elevates your perceived expertise in a way social media never will. He also talks openly about the creative challenges of moving from “how-to” books to story-driven content and why stepping outside your comfort zone is the gateway to bigger opportunities. You’ll also hear Dom read the full preface and opening chapter of Mission Enrich, plus he takes a look at a few Amazon reviews from early readers who’ve already put the book into action. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Write a Book? – The overlooked marketing power of a published book and why it instantly elevates your status. The Spirit of Canis – A first-ever audio preview of Dom’s new parable Mission Enrich and the ancient bond it explores. Expert Positioning for Pet Pros – How a book becomes your business card, your authority signal, and your most persuasive sales tool. Standing Out in a Crowded Market – Why affluent dog owners seek out the experts… and how a book makes you the obvious choice. Comfort Zones Block Creativity – What Dom learned moving from how-to books to story-driven writing — and why growth feels uncomfortable. Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free! Remember, next big Barkleigh event is the inaugural Pet Boarding and Daycare, Barkleigh Pet Pros Cruise in January. Go to BarkleighShows.com to book your cabin! Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow Episode Highlights: [00:51] – Dom previews upcoming guests and sets the stage for this week’s big topic: his brand-new book Mission Enrich. [05:04] – Why book-writing is one of the most powerful “expert enhancers” a pet business owner can create.[06:30] – Dog News returns: posh dog names, origin stories, and how they inspire user-generated content.[12:20] – Live from Hershey: Alison Stroud on growth, team development, and expo takeaways.[19:37] – Dom introduces Mission Enrich — his first story-based book — and shares the creative challenge of writing it. [22:20] – How books act as a 24/7 salesperson, helping you attract affluent, high-value clients without social media burnout.[28:13] – AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: Dom reads the full Preface and Chapter One of Mission Enrich.[33:05] – Meet Amy, a passionate dog daycare owner who does her very best for the dogs but is still struggling to keep the doors open, sound familiar to anyone?[43:21] – Dom previews his sessions on the January Pet Pro Cruise and invites listeners to join him at sea.[47:24] – Final reminders: where to get the book, where to read the December magazine, and what’s coming up next week.