Dog Trainer to Franchise Creator: Turning Passion into Profits

Turning a passion into a thriving business requires vision, resilience, and the right mindset. In this episode of The Inner Estate Podcast, host Bridget Stuart sits down with Ryan Wimpey, founder of Tip Top K9, to explore how he transformed his love for dogs into one of the fastest-growing dog training franchises in the U.S. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, franchise owner, or someone looking to scale your business with purpose, this conversation offers actionable strategies, leadership insights, and mindset lessons that can accelerate growth. Ryan shares his journey from dog trainer to business owner, revealing the challenges of moving from employee to entrepreneur, the pivotal role his wife Rachel plays in operations, and how mentorship and continuous learning shaped his leadership. Together, Bridget and Ryan discuss resilience, family values, franchising as a growth strategy, and the mindset shifts that helped him expand from a single location to over 25 nationwide. This episode is packed with lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a purpose-driven business.   Episode Highlights How Ryan turned his passion for dog training into a thriving national franchise The mindset shift required to move from employee to business owner Why coaching and continuous learning are non-negotiables for success The role Rachel Wimpey plays in leading operations and supporting growth How franchising created opportunities for rapid expansion The importance of resilience, family values, and mentorship in building a legacy Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs considering franchising as a path to growth   Book mentioned: Potty Training That Works!: For Puppies 8 Weeks & Older by Ryan Wimpey Dog Training Simplified by Ryan Wimpey Doing Hard Things by Steve Magness Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hills   Guest: Ryan Wimpey Ryan Wimpey is the founder of Tip Top K9 Dog Training, a national franchise with more than 25 locations across the U.S. Known for his ability to blend leadership coaching, business systems, and a deep love for dogs, Ryan has built a company rooted in family values, mentorship, and results-driven training methods. Alongside his wife Rachel, he continues to expand Tip Top K9 while helping franchise owners succeed with strong coaching, operations, and mindset practices.   Grab a FREE copy of Tip Top K9 downloadable e-book: https://tiptopk9.com/resources/how-to-e-book/    Connect with Ryan & Tip Top K9: Website: www.tiptopk9.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TipTopK9 Instagram: www.instagram.com/tiptopk9 Facebook: Tip Top K9 LinkedIn: Ryan Wimpey   Host: Bridget Ann Stuart Bridget Ann Stuart is an executive strategic performance real estate coach and host of The Inner Estate podcast. With 27 years in the business, she's known for her deep commitment to personal development, business mindset, and helping real estate professionals grow with purpose.  Connect with Bridget: Website: therealbridgetstuart.com Instagram: @therealbridgetstuart Facebook: @TheRealBridgetStuart   Interested in being a guest on The Inner Estate? I would love to hear your story. You can view available dates and request to join the show here: calendly.com/bridgetstuart67/theinnerestatepodcast