DogCo Secrets

What if the biggest growth opportunity in your business this year isn’t more leads, but keeping the people you already have, both your clients and your team?In this conversation with bestselling author Joey Coleman, we dive deep into client retention, employee retention, customer experience, AI, automation, relationship-building, and what actually creates loyalty in 2026. This episode originally aired earlier in the DogCo Secrets podcast, but honestly? It may be even MORE relevant now.As more businesses race toward automation, AI systems, and scale-at-all-costs growth models, Joey brings the conversation back to something timeless: humans want to feel seen, valued, remembered, and connected.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Why this conversation matters even more in 202601:20 – Meet Joey Coleman & his background05:20 – Why humans are “beautiful and messy”07:40 – Curiosity before criticism11:30 – Transactional vs relational businesses16:50 – AI, automation & the danger of losing connection19:00 – Why businesses obsess over acquisition instead of retention27:00 – Building loyalty through identity & belonging35:20 – The easiest retention strategy almost everyone ignores40:20 – Why the basics still outperform “fancy” strategiesWe also talk about:🐾 Why pet care businesses are uniquely positioned for retention📈 The dangerous obsession with customer acquisition🤖 AI vs real relationship-building🧠 Curiosity vs assumptions in leadership💡 Why remarkable businesses obsess over small moments📸 The retention power of simple client touchpoints🔥 Why most “advanced” strategies fail without basicsJoey is officially returning for the 2026 DogCo Summit. Want to get in on the action? Get your in-person or virtual tickets:https://dogcosummit.comIf you’ve ever struggled with churn, team culture, scaling relationships, or building a business people genuinely want to stay with, this one is packed. This conversation with Joey Coleman is a powerful reminder that sustainable growth is built through relationships, not just acquisition. The businesses that win in 2026 will be the ones that make people feel valued long after the initial transaction or hiring date. If you want to build a business people genuinely want to stay connected to, this episode is packed with insight.-M

In this episode, I’m breaking down the three pieces of software I would use if I had to run a pet care business as simply and effectively as possible.There are a lot of tools out there, and it’s easy to overcomplicate your tech stack. But if your goal is to grow and scale, you don’t need everything, you need the right things working together.  I walk through the three core systems I believe are non-negotiable, a pet care software to run your operations, a dedicated team communication platform to replace text messaging, and a scheduling or CRM tool to streamline how clients book with you.We also get into why delaying these decisions can cost you growth, how the right systems improve both team experience and client experience, and where you can start simple versus where it might make sense to build something more advanced over time.If you’re trying to clean up your operations or feel like things are more complicated than they need to be, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters.🧠 Key Takeaways• You don’t need a large tech stack to scale effectively• A pet care software is a non-negotiable for growth• The right system can directly increase revenue• Text messaging is not a sustainable team communication tool• Centralized communication improves clarity and culture• Scheduling tools reduce friction in the sales process• Letting clients book directly increases efficiency and conversions• CRMs can add power, but simplicity wins early on• Systems should support both your team and your clients• Start simple, then layer complexity as needed🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about building a more efficient, scalable pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th 📍Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com–M

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit and sharing four assumptions I made coming into 2026 that either weren’t correct or should have been on my radar earlier.This year has already forced a lot of growth for me, and I’m realizing that some of the biggest lessons aren’t about what’s working, they’re about what I missed.  I walk through everything from the identity shift required when your team scales quickly, to how changes in AI and search are impacting lead flow, to some personal decisions around travel and energy that didn’t play out the way I expected.We also get into a tactical miss around marketing cadence, specifically how stepping away from audience building too early created friction when it came time to promote something new.If you’re in a season of growth or things feel a little messy right now, this episode will help you think more clearly about what might be happening underneath the surface and how to adjust.And if you’re looking to grow alongside other operators who are thinking this way, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why I’m reflecting this early into the year1:30 – The “messy middle” of growth2:00 – Mistake #1: Not making the identity shift to CEO4:20 – Leading vs collaborating inside a growing team6:00 – Mistake #2: Misreading changes in SEO and AI discovery8:00 – Why lead flow has shifted in 20269:30 – Mistake #3: Overloading the first half of the year with travel12:00 – The cost of poor energy and calendar planning13:30 – Mistake #4: Neglecting audience building early in the year15:30 – Give vs ask, and why marketing felt off🧠 Key Takeaways• Rapid growth requires an identity shift as a leader• You can’t scale a team while operating like an individual contributor• How businesses get discovered online is changing quickly• SEO alone is no longer a reliable lead source• Asking better questions early leads to better decisions• Poor calendar planning creates unnecessary stress and risk• Energy management is just as important as strategy• Audience building must happen before you need it• Giving value consistently builds trust and conversion• Marketing without value feels forced and less effective🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about growing your pet care business and want to be around others navigating similar challenges, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina👉 https://dogcosummit.com–M

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the more controversial strategies I’ve used in my business, and one that had a direct impact on increasing take-home pay for my team.As a business owner, there are real limits to how much you can increase wages without putting pressure on your margins. I ran into that ceiling myself, and instead of pushing further on hourly pay, I started asking a different question: how can I increase what my team takes home in a way the business can actually sustain?  That led me to rethink how tipping works inside a service business, and more specifically, how systems influence behavior.In this episode, I walk through the exact shift I made, moving from an “opt-in” tipping model to an “opt-out” system, and how that simple change significantly increased tips for my team. We also talk about the concept of friction, how small barriers inside your systems shape client decisions, and why where you place that friction matters.This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and I want you to make the decision that feels aligned for your business. But if you’re looking for ways to better support your team financially without breaking your model, this is worth thinking about.🧠 Key Takeaways• Wage increases are often limited by business margins• Systems can influence behavior more than intention alone• Opt-out models typically outperform opt-in models• Friction determines what actions clients take or avoid• Small system changes can create a significant financial impact• Tipping can be structured intentionally, not left to chance• Supporting your team may require creative problem-solving• Transparency is key when implementing changes like this🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about building a stronger, more sustainable pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina👉 https://dogcosummit.com

In this episode, I’m breaking down when it actually makes sense to invest in your business, and when it doesn’t. I’m very pro-investment, but there is nuance, and knowing the difference is what allows you to grow strategically instead of reactively.  I walk through three scenarios where investing tends to make sense, including when you see a clear return, when you’re solving a specific skill gap, and when an investment frees up your time. We also get into the other side of this, the conditions where you should be more cautious, especially around financial stability, lack of savings, or being behind on taxes.If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to put your time or money, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to make those decisions. If you’re ready to take your business seriously and surround yourself with other operators doing the same, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. We’re bringing together top speakers and real operators to help you grow and scale with clarity. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why investing needs more nuance1:30 – Time vs money as forms of investment3:00 – Infinite opportunities, limited resources4:00 – The DogCo Business Summit announcement5:15 – Scenario 1: Clear return on investment (80/20)7:00 – Why data matters before spending money8:30 – Scenario 2: Closing a specific skill gap10:15 – Scenario 3: Buying back your time12:00 – When NOT to invest (financial stability, savings, taxes)14:30 – Final framework for making better decisions🧠 Key Takeaways• Not all investments are created equal• Time is often your most expensive resource• Invest more into what produces disproportionate returns• Data should guide your financial decisions• Solving a clear skill gap can justify investment• Buying back your time creates long-term leverage• Avoid “panic investing” without clear direction• Financial stability should come before major risk• Savings create flexibility in decision-making• Strategic thinking leads to better long-term growth🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about growing your pet care business and want to be around others doing the same, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. October 2nd–4th, 2026 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Learn more at: https://dogcosummit.com-M

In this episode, I’m breaking down my top three takeaways from my recent conversation with Steve Beck, and why I think they matter so much for how you lead your business right now.The biggest one is this, avoiding hard conversations is often the real bottleneck in your business. Not operations, not marketing, not lead flow, but the things you know need to be addressed and haven’t.  I also talk about why inconsistent feedback creates bigger problems over time, and how normalizing feedback early and often changes the entire dynamic of your team.And finally, we get into something that I think is non-negotiable for leaders, you cannot create psychological safety for your team if you are not practicing it yourself.This episode is a quick reflection, but it’s one I’d encourage you to take seriously. If something here stands out to you, it’s probably worth addressing directly.🧠 Key Takeaways• Avoiding hard conversations creates hidden bottlenecks in your business• People problems are often the root of stalled growth• Inconsistent feedback makes small issues harder to fix later• Frequent feedback makes teams stronger and more adaptable• Leaders set the tone for how feedback is received• Psychological safety starts with the leader, not the team• You can’t expect vulnerability if you’re not modeling it• Addressing problems early prevents bigger breakdowns🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf this episode resonated, this is exactly the kind of work we’re diving deeper into at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th, 2026📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina👉 https://dogcosummit.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Beck: someone I’ve known for a long time and someone whose work has become incredibly relevant for the clients I serve today.We talk about one of the most overlooked challenges in growing a team, navigating people, conflict, and communication in a way that actually moves the business forward.  If you’ve ever felt like your business got harder as you added more people, or like you accidentally became a “people leader” without being trained for it, this conversation will resonate.Steve shares how most team issues don’t come from big moments; they come from a lack of clarity, avoided conversations, and delayed feedback. We also get into what actually creates psychological safety on a team, why insecurity shows up in leadership, and how to start addressing problems earlier, before they become much harder to fix.This is one of those conversations that will challenge how you think about leadership, not from a theory standpoint, but from what actually happens inside real teams.Learn more about Steve on his Website: 👉 https://www.cstevebeck.com⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introducing Steve Beck + why this conversation matters2:00 – From loving animals to managing people4:30 – Why most people problems are actually preventable7:30 – The real friction point: lack of clarity and expectations10:00 – Why feedback breakdowns create team issues12:45 – Can leaders create psychological safety?14:30 – Signs ego is driving your leadership16:00 – Avoiding hard conversations and the cost17:45 – “Everything you want is on the other side of a hard conversation”19:30 – Courage vs fear in leadership22:00 – Why avoidance turns into resentment25:00 – How to normalize feedback early27:30 – Catching problems before they compound30:00 – How great teams review and improve consistently31:30 – What Steve hopes for businesses in 2026🧠 Key Takeaways• Most team issues come from delayed or avoided conversations• Clarity of expectations prevents the majority of conflict• Leadership requires a completely different skill set than execution• Psychological safety starts with the leader• Insecurity shows up as reactivity or avoidance• Hard conversations are unavoidable if you want to grow• Feedback should be frequent, not reserved for big problems• Avoidance leads to resentment and bigger breakdowns• Strong teams normalize feedback in all directions• Growth requires courage, not the absence of fear🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf this conversation hit for you, this is exactly the type of work we’re going deeper into at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th, 2026📍 Winston-Salem, North CarolinaSteve will be speaking live, and we’ll be working through these exact challenges, leadership, communication, and building stronger teams.👉 https://dogcosummit.com-M

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple rule we use at DogCo that has had a significant impact on how our team operates: if you have feedback to give, give it within 24 hours.Most issues inside a team aren’t big at the start, they become big because no one addressed them early. They are often a result of avoided conversations, delayed feedback, and an attempt to keep things comfortable in the moment, which creates much bigger problems later.  This episode is about normalizing feedback as part of your culture, not something that only happens when things go wrong. When feedback is consistent, timely, and expected, it becomes easier to give, easier to receive, and far less emotionally charged.If you want a stronger team, better communication, and fewer “hard conversations,” this is a rule worth implementing.🧠 Key Takeaways• Delayed feedback creates bigger problems over time• Most “hard conversations” could be avoided with earlier input• Feedback should be normalized, not reserved for mistakes• Timely feedback reduces emotional weight and tension• Consistency builds trust across a team• Avoiding feedback limits growth and clarity• Feedback is one of the most valuable tools for development• Strong teams are built on clear, ongoing communication🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about building a stronger team and scaling your pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina👉 https://dogcosummit.com

In this episode, I walk through how I’m currently using AI inside my business and what I’m learning as I go. I share a few specific ways it’s been useful so far, along with a challenge I created to get more intentional about how I use it.  I’ll be honest, I don’t consider myself an early adopter when it comes to technology. It’s not something I naturally gravitate toward. But after hearing a compelling argument about how businesses that ignore AI right now may end up in the same position as those that ignored the internet, I decided to take it seriously.So this is not a “perfect system” episode. This is a real look at how I’m learning, testing, and building a working understanding of AI in real time.If you’ve been hesitant to explore AI or you’re not sure where it actually fits in your business, this will give you a practical starting point without overcomplicating it.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why I decided to take AI seriously1:10 – The risk of ignoring AI right now2:30 – Where I draw the line with AI3:45 – Using AI to synthesize content into tools5:15 – Turning ideas and SOPs into usable outputs6:40 – Using AI for analysis and feedback8:20 – AI as a thinking and planning partner9:45 – My AI learning challenge11:15 – The importance of context when using AI12:45 – Treating AI like an employee14:00 – Using AI to support, not replace thinking🧠 Key Takeaways• AI is a tool to support how you work, not replace you• Ignoring AI right now may put businesses at a disadvantage• Synthesizing information is one of the most practical use cases• AI can help bring clarity to data and decision-making• Context significantly improves the quality of output• Treat AI like something you need to train and refine• It can be useful as a thinking and planning partner• You don’t need to master it, you need to start using it• Structured practice accelerates learning• The goal is better clarity, not less thinking🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re serious about growing and scaling your pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th📍 Winston-Salem, North CarolinaWe’ve brought together top operators and speakers to give you real strategies for growth, leadership, and scaling.👉 https://dogcosummit.com

In this episode, I’m talking about something that has become a major focus for me recently: designing a systems workflow for your team.If you’re looking for one of the highest leverage areas in your business right now, this might be it.As DogCo has grown, I’ve had to rethink how work actually moves through the business. What worked when it was just me or a very small team stopped working quickly once we added more people. Communication started breaking down, things weren’t as visible, and it became harder to track who was responsible for what.I share a personal realization I had recently. I was asking my team to operate inside structured systems, but I hadn’t fully done that for myself yet. Once I built out my own workflow inside a project management system, it immediately changed how I think, how I prioritize, and how I execute.So this episode is about what happens when you move from individual effort to structured workflow, and why that shift is critical if you want your team (and yourself) to operate at a high level.  I walk through how I’ve been building this out internally, from capturing meeting notes and turning them into actionable tasks, to creating project dashboards that give visibility across the entire team. I share some great tools that can be used to accomplish this. I also talk about building what I would call a “second brain,” a system for capturing ideas and resources in a way that actually helps you solve problems over time, instead of constantly starting from scratch.If you feel like things are slipping through the cracks in your business, or like your team isn’t as aligned as they could be, this episode will help you start thinking differently about how work gets done.🧠 Key Takeaways• Workflow design is one of the highest leverage areas in your business• What works for a small team breaks quickly as you grow• Lack of visibility creates confusion and missed communication• Systems create accountability and clarity across a team• You need to operationalize yourself, not just your team• Organized thinking leads to better execution• A “second brain” helps you retain and apply what you learn• You don’t need perfect systems, you just need to start• Most workflow systems can be built in a few focused hours• Treat yourself like an operator inside your own business🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business SummitIf you’re ready to take your pet care business to the next level, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit.📍 October 2nd–4th, 2026📍 Winston-Salem, North CarolinaWe’ve brought together some of the best speakers and operators in the industry to give you real strategies for growth, scaling, and leadership.👉 Learn more and grab your spot at: https://dogcosummit.com

We’re 90 days into the year, and this is where most business owners either drift or get intentional. In this episode, I’m walking through how to regroup after Q1, refocus your strategy, and set a clear 90-day plan so you actually make progress in Q2 instead of just staying busy.  ⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why Q2 is the perfect reset point1:30 – Thinking in 90-day sprints3:00 – How to properly evaluate Q15:00 – “If there isn’t a system, there isn’t a commitment.”7:30 – From effort to systems thinking9:00 – Scaling team structure and workflow11:00 – Going digital with operations12:30 – Purpose over panic mindset shift14:00 – How to measure real progress16:30 – When to pivot vs stay the course18:30 – Seasonal realities in pet care businesses20:00 – Building your Q2 90-day plan🧠 Key Takeaways• 90-day sprints create focus and flexibility• You should be directionally on track by the end of Q1• Systems turn effort into sustainable growth• Team organization directly impacts output• Visibility and accountability are critical as you scale• Panic is not a sustainable operating strategy• Progress does not need to be linear, but it must be measurable• If something isn’t working, adjust the inputs• Focus on three priorities for the next 90 days• Consistency beats intensity over time🚀 Want Help Structuring Your Next 90 Days?If you’re trying to figure out what to focus on next and want a clearer path forward, I put together a case study showing how a pet care business scaled from $17K to $73K/month by improving structure, decision-making, and execution.👉 https://dogcolaunch.com/casestudyThanks for watching! You got this!-M

In this episode, I’m breaking down the metric I’ve become the most obsessed with this year, lifetime value, or LTV.This is one of the most underrated numbers in your business, and once you understand it, it changes how you think about growth, marketing, and retention.LTV is the total revenue a client generates for your business over time, minus your cost to deliver the service. When you know that number, you can make better decisions about how much you can afford to spend to acquire a client, and what it’s worth to keep them.The reality in pet care is that most clients are not very valuable at the beginning. By the time you factor in onboarding, meet and greets, communication, and time, that first booking often isn’t very profitable. But over time, especially with recurring services, that same client can become incredibly valuable to your business.That’s where this gets powerful. The goal isn’t just getting new clients, it’s keeping the right clients for as long as possible.When you start looking at lifetime value across different client types, you begin to see patterns. Some services naturally produce higher value clients, and that should influence how you market, how you sell, and how you guide client behavior.It also puts a real number behind things like customer experience. If better service keeps someone with you longer, that directly increases their lifetime value. That’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s a revenue driver.If you take anything from this episode, start getting familiar with your numbers. Look at how long your clients stay, how much they spend, and what that actually turns into for your business over time.You don’t need to overcomplicate it, but you do need to start paying attention to it.🧠 Key Takeaways• Lifetime value (LTV) is one of the most important metrics in your business• Most clients are not profitable at the beginning• Long-term retention is where real value is created• LTV helps determine what you can spend on client acquisition• Different services produce different levels of client value• Customer experience directly impacts revenue over time• Better data leads to better decision-making• You don’t need perfect systems to start tracking this🚀 Want to See This Applied in a Real Business?If you want to understand how metrics like this actually translate into growth, I put together a case study showing how a pet care business scaled from $17K to $73K/month by improving structure, decision-making, and retention.👉 dogcolaunch.com/casestudy

In this episode, I’m walking through a moment that almost every entrepreneur hits at some point, the feeling of “I just want to be done.”If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or like you’ve hit a wall in your business, this is a conversation to slow that moment down and actually evaluate what’s going on before making a decision you can’t undo.I want to be clear upfront, I don’t believe you should stay in something that isn’t serving you. If your business truly isn’t aligned anymore, it is okay to call that. But what I don’t want to see is a decision made purely out of burnout, exhaustion, or a temporary emotional low.In most cases, when someone is ready to quit, it comes down to one of two things, they are either completely exhausted from carrying too much for too long, or they feel stuck in a situation they don’t believe they can change.So in this episode, I break down practical steps to help you step out of the noise, reset your thinking, and figure out what your next move actually should be.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why every entrepreneur hits this point1:10 – When quitting is valid vs emotional2:30 – The sunk cost fallacy in business3:40 – Exhaustion vs disempowerment5:20 – Why most people want to quit6:10 – Step 1, take time away from the business8:15 – The ROI of stepping back to think10:00 – Step 2, reflect and write things out11:45 – “If it’s not written, it’s not real”12:50 – Step 3, what’s actually in your control14:20 – Reframing ownership and responsibility15:40 – Step 4, finding your 80/20 leverage17:10 – Choosing your next step forward18:30 – Planning time off before burnout hits🧠 Key Takeaways• Wanting to quit is a normal phase of entrepreneurship• Not every “I’m done” moment means you should actually quit• Burnout and lack of control are the two most common root causes• Stepping away from the business creates clarity• Writing things down helps you process what’s actually happening• More is within your control than it feels like• Avoiding hard decisions is still a decision• Small changes can create disproportionate improvements• You don’t need a full exit plan, just a next step• Proactive rest is essential for long-term sustainability🚀 Want Help Getting Unstuck in Your Business?If this episode hits close to home and you’re trying to figure out what your next move should be, I put together a case study showing how one pet care business scaled from $17K to $73K/month by improving structure, decision-making, and leadership.👉 dogcolaunch.com/casestudy-M

Episode 100 felt like the right time for me to step back and look at what has actually changed over the past few years, not just in results, but in how I make decisions and evaluate the business. In this conversation, my good friend Collin, the co-host of the Pet Sitters Confessional - https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/ - takes over the podcast and asks me direct questions that force a clearer look at some of my progress this past year. We are not just talking about tactics here. We are talking about the shifts in thinking that led to better outcomes. Early on, a lot of my decisions were reactive, but over time, that shifted toward more structured evaluation, clearer metrics, and a better understanding of where growth actually comes from (and how data is such a huge part of that revelation). This episode is essentially a real-time diagnosis of that transition. What used to feel unclear is now easier for me to identify. What used to create friction is now more predictable. The biggest change has not been effort, it has been clarity around what actually matters and what does not.If you are in a phase where your results feel inconsistent or difficult to interpret, I hope that my own reflections on my business journey will help you zoom out and understand what tends to change as your business matures.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Episode 100 and why I wanted to have this conversation1:18 – Collin’s opening question, what actually changed?3:02 – How I used to make decisions vs how I think now5:11 – How my interpretation of results has evolved7:36 – What I misunderstood about growth early on10:04 – How I use data in decision-making today12:48 – Emotional reactions vs analytical evaluation15:21 – What has become simpler over time18:07 – The shift in how I see myself as an operator21:10 – How this changes the way I move forward🧠 Key Takeaways• Early on, I was making reactive decisions without enough clarity• Growth became more predictable as I started tracking the right metrics• Misinterpreting data led me to make unnecessary changes• Emotional reactions distorted how I evaluated performance• Over time, it became easier to identify the real constraint• Better decision-making reduced friction across the business• Simplicity came from experience, not shortcuts• My identity as an owner shifted alongside the business• Reflection helped me see what actually created progress• Long-term growth has come from clarity, not just effortPS - If you got value out of this episode, please check out the Pet Sitter Confessional Podcast, co-hosted by Collin and Meghan Funkhouser. Their podcast is amazing and if you are in the pet care space, you are sure to get value. -M

Today we’re talking about something almost every entrepreneur experiences but doesn’t always say out loud: What do you do when people in your life don’t understand your path?If you’ve ever had friends, family, or people in your network question your lifestyle, your work habits, or your decisions as a business owner… you’re not alone. More importantly, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.Entrepreneurship is, by definition, a different path. It often looks intense, unpredictable, and even “crazy” to people who haven’t chosen it themselves. And while that concern can sometimes come from a good place, it can still feel isolating when you’re the one living it.In this episode, we unpack what it really means to choose a path that isn’t “normal,” how to navigate that disconnect, and why learning to embrace your differences might be one of the most important mindset shifts you make as a business owner.  🧠 Key Takeaways• Why entrepreneurship often looks “crazy” from the outside• How to reframe other people’s concern or skepticism• The reality that your lifestyle is different, and that’s okay• Why driven, growth-oriented people often feel “out of place” early on• The importance of accepting your unique wiring as an entrepreneur• How to appreciate different lifestyles without conforming to them• Why finding “your people” matters more than having a large network• The power of choosing depth over breadth in relationships• How long-term persistence leads to finding aligned community• A reminder that not everyone needs to understand your path for it to be right🚀 Want to See What’s Possible When You Stay the Course?If you’re building something that other people don’t fully understand yet, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

In this hot-take episode, I’m sharing something I want you to come back to whenever business starts to feel discouraging.Because the truth is, entrepreneurship is not easy.Running a business is messy, vulnerable, and often far more demanding than most people expect when they first get started. Many pet care business owners didn’t originally set out to build large teams or manage dozens of employees. Yet as companies grow, the complexity grows with them.And on any given day, it’s easy to find something that feels discouraging.This episode is a reminder that those difficult seasons are often the ones that shape us the most. In hindsight, the moments that feel the hardest are frequently the ones we end up being most proud of, because we stayed in the work instead of walking away.If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or questioning whether you’re capable of figuring things out, this conversation is meant to serve as a quick reset.Sometimes what we need most isn’t another strategy.Sometimes we just need someone to remind us that it’s going to be okay and that there’s always another move we can make.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why discouragement is a normal part of entrepreneurship• The emotional reality of growing and managing a team• How difficult seasons often become the most meaningful ones in hindsight• Why pushing through discomfort builds stronger leadership• The value of having someone remind you that you can figure things out• Why coaching often provides clarity beyond strategy• The mindset shift that prevents entrepreneurs from spiraling• The powerful reminder: you cannot lose if you do not quit• How setbacks can become the turning point that drives better decisions• Why every challenge in business contains an opportunity to pivot forward🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how structure, leadership, and better decision-making can transform a pet care business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one company grew monthly revenue from $17,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It walks through the real decisions, systems, and leadership shifts that made that growth possible.👉 dogcolaunch.com/casestudyIf this episode helped you reset your mindset, share it with another pet care business owner who might need the reminder today.-M

In today’s episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I’m tackling a question that comes up often for growing pet care companies:Should you bring on a business partner?At first glance, partnership can feel like a smart move. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, the risk can feel heavy, and having someone to share the responsibility might seem like the safest path forward.But in most cases, bringing on a partner does not actually reduce risk. In fact, it often introduces new complexity that can make running your business harder, not easier.In this episode, I break down why partnership is rarely the right solution for pet care businesses, and the three specific conditions where it might actually make sense.If you’ve ever wondered whether bringing in a co-owner could help your business grow faster, this conversation will help you think through the decision more strategically.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction0:18 – Should you bring on a business partner?1:10 – Why entrepreneurs consider partnerships2:45 – The hidden risks of co-ownership4:30 – The 3 situations where partnership might make sense6:20 – When money as a partner contribution matters8:00 – When time contribution could justify partnership9:10 – Why revenue sharing may be a better alternative10:40 – Safeguards to put in place if you do partner12:20 – Building advisors and mentors outside your business🧠 Key Takeaways• Why partnership often increases complexity rather than reducing risk• The emotional reasons entrepreneurs often want partners• How splitting ownership can reduce reward without lowering risk• The three situations where partnership might make strategic sense• Why specialized knowledge can justify equity sharing• When outside capital could accelerate business growth• How time contribution from a partner could change the equation• Why revenue sharing can sometimes work better than ownership• The importance of written agreements and operating documents• Why outside mentors and advisors are critical in partnerships🚀 Want a Real Example of What Scaling a Pet Care Business Looks Like?If you want to see how structure, strategy, and leadership decisions can transform a pet care company, I’ve put together a case study showing how one business grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the operational decisions and growth strategy behind that transformation.👉 dogcolaunch.com/casestudyIf this episode helped you rethink how you’re structuring your business, share it with another pet care business owner who might benefit from the conversation.-M

In today’s hot-take episode, I’m walking through three pieces of software that can dramatically simplify your business and free up your time as an owner.These are not magic tools and they’re not the only options available. What matters is the principle behind them, building systems that remove friction, reduce errors, and allow your company to scale without relying on constant manual effort.In this episode, I break down three categories of automation that every growing pet care business should strongly consider: a pet-care-specific scheduling platform, a self-serve meeting scheduler, and a dedicated team communication tool.If you’re still coordinating visits through texts, emails, and Google Calendar, you are operating with unnecessary risk and complexity. Systems create clarity, reduce mistakes, and give your team the structure they need to perform well.These tools are simple shifts, but they can completely change how organized and scalable your business becomes.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why pet-care-specific scheduling software is essential for growing companies• The operational risks of managing visits through texts and emails• How scheduling software protects against costly communication mistakes• Why clients benefit from structured scheduling systems• How tools like Calendly eliminate back-and-forth scheduling friction• The role automation plays in scaling service businesses• Why centralized team communication improves retention and clarity• The hidden problems with using text messages to manage staff communication• How better systems lead to more professional client experiencesIf this episode helped you rethink how you’re running your operations, share it with another pet care business owner who might need it.-M

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a more honest look at something most business owners experience but rarely talk about: the “murky middle” of growth.There are seasons in business where the data says things are working, but internally, it still feels messy. You’re learning new skills, pushing toward the next level, and suddenly the confidence you once had feels shaky.In this episode, I talk about what it feels like when you’re trying to grow into a better leader, a better operator, and a better business owner, while also wrestling with ego, perfectionism, and the discomfort that real growth requires.We talk about leadership, mistakes I made earlier this year around hiring and staffing, why ego can block progress, and the difference between being responsible to people versus being responsible for them.If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t showing up the way you wanted to as a leader, this episode is for you.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and why this episode is different0:39 – When you feel like you’re a bad boss1:16 – The “murky middle” of growth2:57 – The tension between accountability and being human4:09 – Why business forces personal growth5:52 – Let the data guide you through uncertainty6:20 – Lesson #1: Give yourself space to learn9:01 – Lesson #2: Ego and the fear of imperfection11:21 – A leadership mistake I made this year15:13 – Lesson #3: Responsible to people, not for them🧠 Key Takeaways• Why growth seasons often feel chaotic and disorienting• What the “murky middle” of business development actually looks like• How perfectionism and ego can slow your progress• Why data should guide decisions during uncertain seasons• The leadership tension between accountability and self-compassion• Why nobody comes preloaded with leadership skills• How vulnerability with your team can strengthen trust• The importance of trusting data and forward planning in hiring decisions• Why discomfort is often a signal of growth, not failure• The difference between being responsible to your team versus responsible for them🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how clarity, systems, and leadership decisions can transform a pet care business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, structure, and leadership shifts behind that growth, not just the numbers.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/casestudy and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with clarity and confidence.If this episode resonated with you, share it with another business owner who might be navigating their own “murky middle.”-M

In today’s hot-take episode, I am challenging how you think about meet and greets.If you are treating them like simple information exchanges, you are leaving money on the table. Meet and greets are not just client onboarding moments. They are sales meetings. They are positioning moments. They are leverage points inside your revenue model.In this episode, I break down three tactical strategies you can use immediately to increase conversion rates and client lifetime value without being pushy, awkward, or salesy.We’re talking about authority positioning, recurring service framing, and having a strategic down-sell in your back pocket.If you want predictable revenue in your pet care business, this conversation matters.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why meet and greets should be treated as structured sales meetings• The difference between client-centered and authority-positioned conversations• How framing impacts conversion more than pricing• Why recurring services must be positioned as the default, not the add-on• How social reinforcement increases client buy-in• Why friction should work in your favor inside your business model• The case for charging more for one-off services• How to create a strategic down-sell package that protects your margins• Why onboarding must pay for itself🚀 Want a Real-World Example of Predictable Revenue Growth?If you want to see what happens when pet care businesses build predictable, recurring revenue systems instead of hoping for bookings, I’ve put together a case study showing how one company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the structure, decisions, and positioning that made that possible.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/casestudy and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with clarity and confidence.If this episode made you rethink your meet and greet process, share it with another owner who needs to hear it.-M

In today’s episode, I break down five habits that can meaningfully increase your likelihood of building wealth this year as a pet care business owner.Yes, “five habits to make you wealthy” sounds bold. And I mean it with intention. But before we dive in, I share what I believe is the ultimate wealth-building lever: focusing on how to earn more, not just how to spend less.From getting comfortable looking at your numbers daily, to gamifying savings, to automating wealth-building systems, these habits are about reducing avoidance, increasing clarity, and building long-term leverage.This is practical, tactical, and rooted in real behavior shifts I have implemented myself.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – New office update + episode intro0:35 – Five habits to make you wealthy this year1:09 – Earn more vs spend less philosophy2:11 – Habit #1: Get comfortable looking at your money3:24 – Habit #2: Gamify your money4:46 – Habit #3: Automate savings transfers5:28 – Habit #4: Review numbers with experts6:28 – Habit #5: Pay taxes monthly7:07 – Recap and final encouragement🧠 Key Takeaways• Why earning potential has more upside than expense compression• How avoidance around money creates unnecessary stress• The psychological power of checking your accounts daily• How to gamify savings to build momentum• Why automation removes willpower from wealth building• The importance of reviewing numbers with financial professionals• How paying estimated taxes monthly reduces anxiety• Why time and consistency are your biggest leverage tools• The difference between managing money and mastering it🚀 Want to See What Strategic Growth Looks Like?If you want a real-world example of what happens when pet care owners focus on increasing earning power and making smarter financial decisions, I’ve put together a case study showing how one company grew monthly revenue from $17,000 to over $73,000 in a single year. It breaks down the structure, decisions, and leadership shifts behind that growth, not just the revenue jump.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/casestudy and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with clarity and confidence.If this episode helped you think differently about money, share it with another business owner who needs it.-M

In today’s episode, I am sharing three hard truths that might challenge you, but they might also level you up.If you are not tracking data inside your pet care business, this is not about shaming you. It is about empowering you. I am not advocating for mindlessly tracking every metric possible. I am advocating for clarity. If you want to influence change in your business, you need objective information that supports your decisions.This episode is about eliminating guesswork, strengthening the quality of your decision-making, and reducing unnecessary anxiety as a business owner. Because when you choose not to track what matters, you are not just avoiding numbers. You are often choosing uncertainty.These truths are direct, but I hope you feel them as intended (with respect and encouragement). If you have resisted tracking metrics because you do not see yourself as a “data person,” this conversation is especially for you.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why not tracking data forces you to guess when you do not have to• How guessing creates unnecessary risk in your business• Why decisions made on “feel” are almost always less precise• The difference between tracking everything and tracking strategically• How clarity improves the specificity of your decisions• Why data reduces second-guessing and internal chaos• The connection between anxiety and lack of visibility• How objective metrics create empowerment and control• Why your business needs what it needs, even if it stretches you🚀 Want a Real-World Example of Data-Driven Growth?If you want to see what happens when clarity replaces guessing, I have put together a case study showing how one pet care business grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It walks through the decisions, leadership shifts, and tracking discipline that supported that growth, not just the numbers.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/casestudy and learn how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with data, confidence, and strategic focus.If this episode challenged you in a helpful way, share it with another business owner who needs to hear it.

In today’s conversation, I sit down with Jessica Barry, founder of RCO Pet Care and Where Sit Happens to talk about what real growth actually looks like behind the scenes.Jessica built and scaled her pet care company through grief, COVID, team expansion, and major identity shifts as a business owner. But what makes this episode powerful is not just the revenue growth. It is the internal growth.We talk about the emotional bottlenecks entrepreneurs create for themselves, how data can quiet panic, why boundaries are leadership, and how investing in yourself changes how seriously you take your business.This episode is about stepping into your role fully. Not perfectly. But intentionally.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Introduction to Jessica Barry1:11 – From pre-vet student to pet care entrepreneur3:21 – Surviving COVID and quitting her full-time job5:24 – Ascending toward seven figures7:13 – The real bottleneck: yourself8:14 – Emotional overwhelm and leadership boundaries10:26 – The revenue tracking system that changed everything12:23 – Data vs emotion in business decisions14:15 – Why Jessica invests heavily in coaching16:20 – Building a personal “board of advisors”20:04 – Turning knowledge into frameworks22:46 – The truth about ROI in coaching25:23 – Identity shift as a business owner27:25 – The Vegas workshop story29:03 – Final takeaways on investing in yourself🧠 Key Takeaways• The biggest bottleneck in most businesses is the owner• Data can neutralize emotional decision-making• Tracking revenue correctly prevents panic• Leadership requires boundaries, even when it is uncomfortable• Coaching ROI is often internal before it is financial• Building a “board of advisors” prevents chaos while encouraging growth• Writing down frameworks accelerates clarity and execution• Investing in yourself changes how seriously you take your business• Growth is as much identity work as it is operational workIf this episode resonated, share it with another pet care owner who is ready to level up.-M

If I could go back and change just a few things about my pet care business, they wouldn’t be dramatic pivots or flashy reinventions. They would be quieter decisions that compound.In today’s episode, I share three things I would do differently if I still owned my pet care company. Not from regret, but from experience. I built that business from 2017 to 2023, grew it to 25 staff and 600 clients, navigated the pandemic, and ultimately sold it to launch DogCo Launch. Looking back now, with the perspective I have from working with so many companies, there are a few missed opportunities that feel crystal clear.If you’re building right now, I want to save you time, money, and frustration by helping you see what I didn’t fully understand then.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why working your leads consistently matters more than generating them• How failing to nurture prospects quietly leaves revenue on the table• Why retention and client lifetime value deserve more focus than new acquisition• How structure and environment dramatically impact founder productivity• Why investing in your workspace is sometimes a growth decision• The hidden cost of “floundering” without proactive time blocking• Why asking for feedback feels threatening but accelerates growth• How accepting feedback earlier shortens the learning curveThis episode isn’t about regret. It’s about refinement. Entrepreneurship is iterative, and the more willing you are to examine your own patterns, the faster you evolve.Cheering you on,M

If you’re looking at your numbers and thinking, “Why am I at the same revenue as last year?” this episode is for you.In today’s conversation, I walk through what it actually means to be “stuck” in your pet care business and how to diagnose the real reason growth hasn’t happened yet. January was strange for many companies, unexpected weather, seasonal slowdowns, and discouragement can easily distort how we interpret performance. So instead of reacting emotionally, I want to help you get analytical.This episode breaks growth into four measurable areas. If revenue isn’t moving, it’s not random. There is always a constraint. And when you identify it correctly, you regain control.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – If you feel stuck at last year’s revenue1:52 – Understanding your historical growth arc4:02 – January trends vs emotional reactions5:41 – What is the actual constraint in your business?6:46 – Operational vs demand constraints8:30 – Area #1: Not enough qualified leads9:19 – Area #2: Leads not converting11:34 – Area #3: Client churn is shrinking revenue13:00 – Area #4: Clients not spending enough14:04 – The four growth levers recap🧠 Key Takeaways• Why January numbers rarely tell the whole story• How to analyze year-over-year growth correctly• The difference between operational and demand constraints• Why most businesses misdiagnose lead problems• How conversion gaps quietly stall growth• Why churn is inevitable and must be planned for• The role of client spend in sustainable scaling• How identifying the correct constraint restores momentumIf this episode helped you reframe your numbers, I’d love to hear from you. Tag me on social media and let me know which of the four areas you’re digging into first.Cheering you on,M

There comes a point in your entrepreneurial journey where the problem isn’t effort, intelligence, or ambition; it’s the loop you’re stuck in.In today’s episode, I talk about mindset in a way that feels different than how I would have approached it years ago. This isn’t about hype, positivity, or forcing yourself into a better mood. It’s about understanding how mindset quietly shapes behavior, how behavior compounds over time, and how to reset your internal framing when you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unable to move forward.I share four specific mindset framings I return to when I notice myself spiraling into overcomplication, pressure, or paralysis. These aren’t theories I picked up somewhere else, they’re tools I’ve earned by building, leading, and staying in the work long enough to know what actually helps.If you feel capable but blocked, driven but exhausted, or motivated yet unsure where to start, this episode is an invitation to slow the noise down and reorient yourself toward empowered action.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why mindset isn’t fluff, but the frame behavior flows from• How overcomplication is often the real source of overwhelm• Why asking “what if this were easy?” unlocks clearer action• How identifying one true next step restores momentum• Why taking your work too seriously can quietly sabotage progress• How lightness and rigor can coexist in meaningful work• Why discomfort isn’t a warning sign, but a growth signal• How accepting discomfort accelerates empowered decision-makingThis episode is a reminder that success isn’t just about pushing harder or thinking bigger. Sometimes it’s about removing what’s unnecessary, choosing clarity over pressure, and learning how to stay grounded long enough to keep going.-M

This is one of those episodes that reminds me exactly why I do this work.In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend, colleague, and now team member Rebecca Thompson from Skyline Pet Care - https://www.skylinepetcarehtx.com/ -  Rebecca shares her real, unfiltered growth journey over the last year, including what it looked like to stay emotionally resilient, lean into community, and keep showing up even when things felt overwhelming.If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually possible in a single year when you stay engaged, invest early, and don’t give up on yourself, this conversation will give you a very honest look behind the scenes.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why emotional resilience matters more than perfect strategy• How community creates safety during hard seasons• Why investing early can dramatically shorten the growth curve• What happens when you stay leaned in during discomfort• How confidence compounds through proximity and environment• Why being the smallest company in the room is an advantage• How showing up consistently rewires how you see yourself• Why growth accelerates when you stop doing it alone⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why this episode is so special0:49 – How Rebecca and I first crossed paths2:28 – Joining DogCo as a small, early-stage business3:05 – Nearly doubling revenue in one year4:31 – What the last year really felt like emotionally5:40 – How community changed everything7:31 – Investing early and choosing acceleration9:03 – Being the smallest company in the room11:10 – Confidence, rewiring your mindset, and growth14:53 – Showing up even when it’s uncomfortable16:01 – The moment that defined Rebecca’s resilience19:27 – “How hard do you want to be pushed?”22:00 – Responsibility, ownership, and doing the work23:12 – Final encouragement and why you shouldn’t do this aloneThis episode is a reminder that business growth isn’t just about tactics or timing. It’s about who you surround yourself with, how willing you are to keep going, and how much you’re willing to let the process shape you.

Growth rarely stalls because you don’t want it badly enough. It stalls because there’s a bottleneck you don’t want to face.In today’s Hot Take episode, I talk about why businesses get stuck at the same revenue level, the same problems, and the same frustrations, and how the theory of constraints offers a much more useful way to think about growth. Instead of constantly pushing toward the next shiny goal, I explain why real progress comes from identifying and dismantling the single biggest problem directly in front of you.If your business feels gridlocked, or if you keep sensing there’s one hard decision you’ve been avoiding, this episode is meant to help you sit with that discomfort and recognize it for what it is, an invitation to grow.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why businesses grow only as fast as their biggest constraint• How focusing on bottlenecks creates more control than chasing goals• Why avoidance is often the real thing holding growth back• How discomfort is a signal, not a stop sign• Why the hardest decision is usually the most important one• How solving the next problem matters more than perfect planning• What it actually takes to move your business to the next level🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how facing constraints and making intentional decisions can transform a business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, mindset shifts, and leadership choices behind that growth, not just the outcome.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to confront the right problems and grow with intention.This episode is a reminder that the thing you’re most tempted to avoid is often the exact thing standing between where you are and where you want to go.

If 2026 has had a rough start for you, this episode is your permission to slow down, reset, and change the trajectory before the year gets any further away from you.In today’s episode, I talk honestly about why the start of February can feel like one of the hardest inflection points of the year, especially if January didn’t go the way you hoped. Whether it’s weather-related revenue hits, unexpected cancellations, team challenges, or simply feeling behind on your goals, I share three high-level principles that can help you regain clarity and momentum.If you’re feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or questioning whether this will really be your year, this episode is meant to help you step out of panic mode, identify what’s actually holding you back, and make the decisions that will move you forward.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why February can feel like a make-or-break moment0:44 – Taking a breath when the year starts rough1:39 – Three principles for resetting momentum2:25 – Principle #1: Slow down and exit panic mode4:39 – Facing the real barrier beneath the surface problem6:33 – What’s actually within your control to change8:20 – Principle #3: Making the hard decision8:46 – A real DogCo bottleneck and what I missed10:47 – Hiring before capacity breaks12:55 – Recap and encouragement moving forward🧠 Key Takeaways• Why panic-driven decisions almost always make things worse• How slowing down improves the quality of your decisions• Why surface problems often hide deeper constraints• How to identify what is actually within your control• Why unaddressed bottlenecks only grow over time• How avoiding hard decisions compounds pressure• Why honest reflection creates faster course correction🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how clarity, leadership, and intentional decision-making can change the direction of a business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.👉 You can access the case study at https://www.dogcolaunch.com/casestudy and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with intention and resilience.This episode is a reminder that a hard start does not define your year. What matters is how quickly you slow down, face the real barrier, and make the decision that allows you to move forward.-M

Thirty days into a new year is one of my favorite moments to pause, reflect, and get honest about how things are actually going.In today’s episode, I walk through a 30-day check-in for 2026 and share the questions I ask myself at this point in the year to make sure I’m moving in the direction I intended. Whether your year has started exactly how you hoped or already taken a few unexpected turns, this episode is meant to create space for reflection, clarity, and course correction.If you’ve set big goals for this year but feel slightly off-track, overwhelmed, or unsure what to focus on next, this episode will help you slow down just enough to realign your time, attention, and decisions with what actually matters.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why a 30-day check-in can prevent an entire year from drifting• How to identify what’s going well before jumping into self-criticism• Why unexpected information should shape, not derail, your goals• How tracking where your time goes reveals what you’re really prioritizing• Why clarity often comes from better questions, not more effort• How data can guide your next move when motivation fades• Why accountability is often the missing link between goals and results🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how reflection, data, and accountability can translate into meaningful growth, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care business grew monthly revenue from $17,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, structure, and mindset shifts behind that growth, not just the outcome.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who want to build with intention and clarity.This episode is a reminder that progress doesn’t come from pushing harder without direction. It comes from pausing long enough to see where you are, adjusting with honesty, and putting the right accountability in place to move forward.

Employee retention is one of the most important and most misunderstood levers in a pet care business, and it’s often the hidden reason growth feels harder than it should.In today’s episode, I break down why employees quit and what you can realistically do to keep them longer. I share the three most common reasons I see staff leave pet care companies and the specific areas I recommend focusing on if retention has become a bottleneck in your business.If you’re frustrated by turnover, constantly rehiring, or feeling like you can’t move forward because your team won’t stick, this episode will help you identify where things are breaking down and how to course-correct without trying to fix everything at once.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why retention is the name of the game for real growth1:24 – The difference between one-off work and recurring value2:09 – A resource that changed how I think about retention4:06 – The true cost of losing and replacing an employee5:48 – Reason #1 employees quit: no pathway for growth10:12 – Reason #2 employees quit: lack of clarity14:31 – Reason #3 employees quit: culture and people17:53 – Why culture standards must be enforced18:46 – A pro tip that reveals the real problem19:23 – Final thoughts on retention and leadership🧠 Key Takeaways• Why retention matters more than hiring volume• The real financial cost of employee turnover• How growth pathways improve retention even for non-career staff• Why clarity in onboarding reduces early exits• How cognitive overload leads to employee frustration• Why culture tolerance directly impacts churn• How exit interviews reveal the truth about retention issues🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how clarity, leadership, and intentional systems can transform a pet care business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, structure, and leadership shifts behind that growth, not just the outcome.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to grow sustainably.This episode is a reminder that people don’t leave businesses randomly. They leave systems, environments, and experiences that aren’t supporting them, and those are things you can change.

When I first became an entrepreneur, there were a lot of things I didn’t understand yet, things that only come into focus after you’ve carried the weight of the business for a while.In today’s episode, I share five lessons I wish I had known earlier in my entrepreneurial journey. These are not tactical shortcuts or growth hacks, but hard-earned truths that have shaped how I lead, make decisions, and care for myself as a business owner.If you’re early in your journey, I hope this gives you language for things you may already be feeling. And if you’ve been in business for a while, I hope it helps you reflect on how far you’ve come and what you want to carry forward differently.🧠 Key Takeaways• Why leadership can feel lonely, and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong• How delaying hard decisions only makes them heavier over time• Why people take you as seriously as you take yourself• The one skill that quietly strengthens every other skill in your business• Why understanding your numbers creates better decisions and less stress• How urgency can serve you, but also burn you out if left unchecked• Why the work will always be there, and why learning to step away matters🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how clarity, ownership, and intentional decision-making can transform a business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care company grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, structure, and leadership shifts behind that growth, not just the outcome.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are building something meaningful and sustainable.This episode is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t about doing everything perfectly or knowing everything ahead of time. It’s about learning, adapting, and giving yourself permission to grow into the role over time.

Hiring and retention are the biggest bottlenecks I see in pet care businesses today, and they’re also the areas where small changes can unlock massive growth.In today’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend Doug Keeling, and we dig deep into what actually breaks down when companies struggle to grow their teams. Doug shares his personal journey from solo pet sitter to leading a 30-person team, and the hard-earned lessons that eventually led him to specialize in hiring and retention.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by staffing, unsure where to start with hiring, or frustrated by turnover that keeps slowing your momentum, this conversation will help you understand why these challenges exist and how to approach them more intentionally.🐶 Check out Doug👉 DougTheDogGuyyoutube.com/DougTheDogGuyInstagram (Personal / Main Account)👉 @DougTheDogGuyOfficialFacebook (Pawsitive Hiring Course)👉 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583169482484Website👉 https://dougthedogguy.co/pawsitive-hiring-course⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why hiring and retention are the biggest bottlenecks in pet care0:30 – How Doug accidentally grew his first team2:08 – Making every hiring mistake and learning the hard way4:49 – Why Doug shifted fully to W-2 employees6:05 – From YouTube videos to the Positive Hiring Course8:02 – Why hiring is mystifying for so many owners10:02 – Who the Positive Hiring Course is really for13:02 – Why foundations matter before scaling15:43 – How hiring and retention changed post-pandemic27:00 – Looking ahead to 2026 and supporting teams long-term🧠 Key Takeaways• Why hiring and retention are long-term systems, not quick fixes• How most owners skip foundational steps when building teams• Why culture and alignment now matter more than wages alone• How post-pandemic shifts changed employee expectations• Why proactive culture-building prevents burnout and turnover• How slowing down to build foundations leads to faster growth later• Why staffing issues are solvable with the right framework🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see how clarity, systems, and intentional leadership can transform a business, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care company grew monthly revenue from $17,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down the decisions, structure, and leadership shifts that made that growth possible, not just the numbers.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo Launch supports pet care owners who are ready to scale sustainably.This episode is a reminder that growing a team isn’t about finding perfect people, it’s about building the right foundation so good people can succeed and stay.

In this Hot Take episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I’m getting very honest and very direct, because I genuinely want to see you win this year.I walk through three core mindsets that I believe must shift if you want to see real growth in your business. These are patterns I see over and over again with smart, hardworking pet care owners who care deeply about what they’re building, but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by a lack of momentum.Everything I share in this episode comes from a place of support, not judgment. If something here feels confronting, it’s because I believe you’re capable of more and I want to help you get there.🧠 Key TakeawaysWhy no one is coming to do the hard things for you, and why that’s actually empoweringHow avoiding difficult decisions compounds problems over timeWhy deciding something is “out of your control” guarantees that it always will beHow reframing control changes what’s possible in your businessWhy working harder is rarely the real solutionHow slowing down strategically can unlock faster, more sustainable growthWhy these mindset shifts matter if you want this year to be differentI want to send you a case study showing how one of my clients grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in just one year.👉 Visit dogcolaunch.com/case-study to get the case study and learn more.

If this year is going to be different in your business, it has to start with clarity, not guesswork. I’ve found that grounding your goals in the local context of your business is one of the most effective ways to build momentum at the start of the year.In today’s episode, I walk through how to assess real opportunity in your local market. Too often, business owners focus first on competitors, pricing, and what everyone else is doing. In this conversation, I explain why that’s the least important place to start and what actually matters if you want sustainable growth.If you’ve been setting big goals for this year but feel unsure where to focus, this episode will help you rethink how you evaluate opportunity, define your value, and identify the client types that create outsized returns in your specific community.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why local market context matters going into a big year0:34 – What people get wrong about competitor research1:17 – Differentiation and why pricing should follow value2:14 – Why being the price leader starts with clarity2:52 – Defining your unique value proposition3:20 – Why “who your business is for” should guide everything4:09 – Using community data to identify opportunity5:01 – A real example of narrowing focus without losing growth6:02 – Looking inward at your current client base7:01 – Final thoughts on starting the year grounded and focused🧠 Key Takeaways• Why competitor research matters less than most people think• How clear differentiation creates pricing confidence• Why narrowing your focus actually reduces risk, not opportunity• How defining your ideal client improves every marketing decision• Two practical ways to identify high-opportunity client types• Why local data is more powerful than assumptions• How looking inward can reveal overlooked growth paths🚀 Want a Real-World Example of What’s Possible?If you want to see what clarity, positioning, and strategic focus can actually create, I’ve put together a case study showing how one pet care business grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in a single year.It breaks down how opportunity was assessed, where decisions were made differently, and why focus mattered more than expansion.👉 You can access the case study at dogcolaunch.com/case-study and see how DogCo supports pet care owners who are ready to grow with intention and confidence.This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t come from copying competitors or doing more for the sake of doing more. It comes from understanding your market, your people, and the opportunities already around you, and choosing to build from there.

In this Hot Take episode, I reflect on the single biggest leadership lesson I'm taking from 2025 into 2026 in leadership: the power of clarity.After returning to building a team following time as a solo founder, I'll share an honest look at what changed between an early hiring misstep and a year of rapid, healthy growth at DogCo. With a growing team and expanding responsibilities, I'll breaks down why clarity, context, and intentional onboarding are not optional leadership skills, but foundational ones.This episode explores:Why vision alone isn’t enough without clear communicationThe responsibility leaders carry when teams lack contextHow clarity directly impacts execution, morale, and scalabilityThe shift from explaining everything yourself to building systems that create clarityWhat I'm intentionally focusing on as DogCo moves into 2026If you lead people, or plan to, this episode is a powerful reminder that when people don’t have what they need to succeed, the work starts with leadership.To learn more about how DogCo Launch helps pet care companies grow and scale, visit dogcolaunch.com.

In this episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I sit down with Dan Reitman, owner of Dan’s Pet Care, to unpack a Facebook post he shared in my community that deeply resonated across the pet care industry.What started as a message to dog walkers and pet sitters working through Thanksgiving turned into a powerful conversation about conviction, sales, mindset, and how tools like AI can help service-based businesses grow without sacrificing integrity.Dan shares the real story behind a Black Friday campaign that generated over $100,000 in four days, why sales isn’t a dirty word, and how belief in your work directly impacts results.🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why sales and compassion can coexist in pet care• Why conviction matters more than perfection• What actually drives high-performing promotions• How AI tools like ChatGPT support ethical marketing• Why long-term consistency beats shortcuts⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Why I wanted to have this conversation0:16 – Dan’s background and the post that sparked it all2:47 – Reading the Thanksgiving post and its impact4:37 – From $40K in 18 hours to $100K in four days7:08 – DogCo Launch case study8:32 – Why sales applies to every pet care business model12:10 – Reframing sales as service and education18:14 – Conviction vs perfection in business growth26:15 – How to start planning now for Black Friday 202636:21 – Final thoughts on belief, trust, and leadership🎵 Let's Connect!What does it take to scale your pet care business?I want to send you a case study showing how one of my clients grew monthly revenue from $19,000 to over $73,000 in just one year. 👉 Visit dogcolaunch.com/case-study to get the case study and learn more.🔗 Resources & Mentions•  Business frameworks inspired by Alex Hormozi•  Marketing philosophy influenced by Gary Vaynerchuk• Industry wisdom from Kristen Morrison• Tools discussed include ChatGPT, email segmentation, form builders, UTMs, and CRM systems🔔 Subscribe & Stay ConnectedIf you’re building or scaling a pet care business and want honest conversations about leadership, sales, and sustainable growth, subscribe to the DogCo Secrets Podcast for weekly episodes.-M

We are officially stepping into a new year, and in this episode, I want to talk about how to make 2026 a year that actually feels different. Not just busier, not just louder, but more intentional, more impactful, and more aligned with what you really want from your business and your life.I walk you through three specific shifts I believe make the biggest difference for entrepreneurs, especially pet care business owners who are scaling and carrying a lot of responsibility. These are changes I am actively focusing on myself, and they are rooted in time clarity, execution, and the courage to face hard things sooner instead of later.This is not about setting vague resolutions or chasing more ideas. It is about focus, follow through, and creating real momentum by doing fewer things better.Key Takeaways• Why understanding where your time actually goes is foundational to growth• How doing less, but executing better, creates faster and more sustainable results• Why pushing hard conversations and difficult decisions into the future keeps you stuck• How facing discomfort directly creates the biggest breakthroughs as a leaderIf you are stepping into 2026 wanting real change, not just good intentions, this episode will help you reset your focus and choose where to apply your energy in a way that actually moves the needle.If you want to learn more about how I support pet care business owners through growth and strategy, you can explore resources and case studies at dogcolaunch.com.Thanks for being here, and I hope this episode helps you start the year with clarity and confidence.Cheering you on.-Michelle

2025 stretched me, refined me, and clarified what actually matters. In this episode, I am reflecting out loud on the wins I am proud of, the areas where I fell short, and the lessons I am carrying into 2026 as a founder, coach, and human. If you are closing out a demanding year and thinking deeply about how you want to grow next, this conversation is for you.This is not a highlight reel. It is an honest look at health, momentum, leadership, systems, and what it really takes to build something sustainable without burning yourself out.✨ Key Takeaways• Why prioritizing health changed how I show up in business• What investing in myself taught me about clarity and momentum• The hidden cost of growing without clean systems and data• Why planning further ahead is now non-negotiable for me• How closing the loop on projects creates real client success• What I want 2026 to feel like, not just look like on paper⏰ Timestamps0:00 Intro and why I wanted to reflect publicly1:23 The sweatshirt, discipline, and following the plan1:36 My biggest personal win in 20253:48 What surprised me about DogCo this year4:49 Why investing in yourself creates clarity6:59 The DogCo Summit and momentum heading into 20267:45 Why the podcast became one of my favorite projects9:03 Gratitude for the DogCo team10:26 Planning further ahead and communication gaps12:44 Data, metrics, and systems debt15:46 Shipping full cycles and closing the loop19:41 Hopes, plans, and personal goals for 202624:35 Final reflections and closing thoughtsI also want to say happy holidays! 🎄 I sincerely hope you had a restful, meaningful holiday season and were able to spend time with the people who matter most to you. Thank you for listening, for supporting this podcast, and for being part of the DogCo community. I am incredibly grateful for you and excited for what we are building together in the year ahead!- M

In today’s Hot Take Friday episode, I am sharing three specific, tactical things I want you to focus on next year if your goal is to increase profit in your pet care business. These are not abstract ideas or long-term theories. These are levers you can actually pull, starting now, that I see move the needle for companies over and over again.I am talking about labor costs, recurring service models, and before and after hours fees, and I am being very direct about where I see businesses getting stuck, what growth will not fix, and where profit actually comes from in this industry.If you feel burned out, underpaid, stuck, or frustrated that growth has not solved your financial problems, this episode is for you.💡 Key Takeaways• Labor costs above 60 percent will always bottleneck profit and growth• Growth does not fix high labor, it often makes it worse• Recurring service models protect margin better than one off visits• As needed services should cost more, not less• Before and after hours fees are one of the fastest ways to increase net profit• Profit creates stability for you, your team, and your business long term🎯 Mentioned in This Episode• Episode 067 with Lauren Dunkle, where she shares how she reduced labor by over 24 percent in a high cost market• Real examples from companies inside DogCo that have implemented these strategies successfully🚀 Ready to Go Deeper?If this episode is hitting close to home and you want hands on support applying these strategies to your business, mastermind enrollment is now open - doors close December 31, 2025.The Mastermind enrollment page is - dogcolaunch.com/mastermindWe only open enrollment once a year. If working with DogCo is on your radar for 2026, now is the time to take action.

Automation is not always about doing more faster. It is about getting your time back so your business can actually support your life.In this episode, I sit down with my friend, mentor, and DogCo automation expert Robert Strickland to talk about how pet care business owners can use systems, AI, and intentional automation to reduce burnout, reclaim time, and scale sustainably.Robert shares his journey from corporate process work to building and scaling a multi-state pet care business, and how automation became the unlock that changed everything. If you feel buried by daily operations, stretched thin, or unsure where automation actually helps, this episode is for you.🔗 Connect with Robert StricklandNext Level Pet Businesses Facebook Group👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelpetbusinessesThis is where Robert teaches practical AI and automation strategies alongside some of the sharpest minds in the pet care industry.✨ Key Takeaways• Automation should protect your time, not create complexity• Most bottlenecks in growing businesses start with the owner• Client onboarding and employee management are the biggest time drains• Tracking your time reveals what actually needs automation• AI is changing SEO, discovery, and how clients find pet care companies• Systems should support your life goals, not just revenue growth⏰ Timestamps0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Robert Strickland1:20 – How Michelle and Robert first connected3:40 – Robert’s background in corporate systems and tech5:15 – Hitting burnout as a solo pet care owner6:06 – Treating your side hustle like a real business7:24 – Why automation changed everything9:50 – Time return vs money return12:20 – Scaling impact beyond one on one work14:13 – Building DogCo as something bigger than one person17:09 – Automation as a path to autonomy19:47 – Identifying yourself as the bottleneck21:17 – Tracking time to find what should be automated24:22 – What Robert hopes DogCo members experience next year25:17 – AI, SEO, and the future of client discovery28:41 – Where to find Robert and how to connect🚀 Work With DogCoIf you are ready to scale your pet care business with intention, clarity, and real systems support:👉 Mastermind enrollment page:https://dogcolaunch.com/mastermindEnrollment opens once per year and spots are limited.-M

If you have the ambition to grow a seven-figure pet care business, I want to share a few ways I would encourage you to start operating right now, even if that level still feels far off.In today’s Hot Take episode, I break down three core behaviors I consistently see in companies that successfully scale past the seven-figure mark. This is not about chasing growth for growth’s sake. It is about learning to think long term, to build the right systems early, and to prepare your business for volume before it arrives.If you are feeling stuck, burned out, unsure why profit feels tight, or frustrated that growth feels harder than it should, this episode is for you. These shifts do not happen by accident; they happen by intention.I also share why tracking data earlier than you think matters, how future-focused problem-solving separates growing companies from reactive ones, and how asking “what breaks if we double?” can completely change the way you lead your business.If working with DogCo has been on your radar, Mastermind enrollment is now open. We only enroll once per year.Learn more and schedule a consultation at:dogcolaunch.com/mastermindKey Takeaways• Seven-figure companies think long term, not just in short-term wins• Building systems early makes scaling dramatically easier later• Tracking data when you are smaller gives you a major advantage• Growth requires proactive problem-solving, not constant reaction• Building for volume starts long before you reach itCheering you on, Michele

What if your business could support your life instead of consuming it?In this episode, I sit down with Angela Watts to talk about what it really looks like to intentionally design your role inside your business, rather than letting the business dictate every hour of your time. Angela shares her full journey from early hustle, burnout, and chaos to building systems, leadership, and a role that protects her energy while supporting real growth.This is an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, delegation, community, and why you cannot scale chaos, but you can scale systems. If you are building a pet care business and want it to serve you long term, this episode is for you. ⏰ Timestamps0:00 Introduction and why this conversation matters1:24 Angela’s early story and starting a pet care business4:34 Transitioning from field work to leadership7:54 Hitting burnout and almost selling the business10:35 Asking for help and building management12:26 Community as a turning point15:57 Investing in yourself and education18:37 Joining the DogCo team and mentoring others21:08 Advice for business owners entering a new year25:15 Final thoughts on designing your own path✨ Key Takeaways• You cannot scale chaos, but you can scale systems• Designing your role requires intention, not perfection• Delegation and leadership unlock sustainable growth• Community can prevent burnout and isolation• Investing in yourself directly impacts business health🚀 Ready to Build a Business That Works for You?Mastermind enrollment is now open, but doors close December 31.If you are ready to intentionally design your role, protect your energy, and scale your pet care business with support, learn more at👉 dogcolaunch.com/mastermind🎧 Listen to the DogCo Secrets Podcast onApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

The holidays are here, and if you run a pet care company, you already know this season can feel like a beautiful mix of gratitude, chaos, logistics, and stress. In today’s Hot Take episode, I am breaking down the most effective ways I have found to support your team during the busiest and most emotionally loaded weeks of the year. This is one of the most important leadership topics we cover inside DogCo because the way you show up for your staff during the holidays has a ripple effect on retention, culture, and the trust people place in you as their leader.I am sharing practical strategies that are simple, implementable, and based on what I have seen work across hundreds of pet care companies. These ideas will help you ease the load on your team, reduce friction with clients, improve communication, and add touches of delight that make holiday work feel a little more human. This is a great episode for any owner who wants to nurture a healthy culture even in a high-demand season.What You Will Learn• How client-side expectations can drastically reduce stress for your staff• Why shift-based scheduling is a major holiday sanity saver• Small surprise and delight moments that have a huge cultural payoff• What “status” looks like and why public appreciation matters• How to reinforce healthy boundaries without sacrificing the client experience• Ways to keep your team motivated during the toughest stretch of the yearJoin the DogCo MastermindIf you want to work with me in 2026, enrollment is open right now and we only accept companies once per year. This is your window to join us and completely transform the way you grow and scale your business.👉 dogcolaunch.com/mastermind

Most pet care owners do not have a planning problem - they have a rushing problem. In this episode, I break down the five skills that separate reactive business owners from strategic ones. If you want 2026 to be your strongest year yet, it starts with learning how to slow down, follow the data thread, ask the right questions, and manufacture real accountability.If you want support in scaling your team-based pet care business in 2026, enrollment for DogCo Mastermind is open now. Apply at 👉 http://dogcolaunch.com/mastermind⏰ Timestamps0:00 Welcome to the episode0:15 Why I am already planning for 20260:29 The art of planning well0:47 Five skills for becoming a better planner1:01 Tip 1: Slow down1:12 The client story that changed how I think about planning2:05 Giving yourself the gift of time to think2:39 Why rushing sabotages good planning3:27 If you feel stuck in your pet care business, here is why3:48 Mastermind enrollment is officially open4:24 Tip 2: Follow the thread5:01 Letting curiosity lead your planning5:48 My personal quarterly planning ritual6:41 Tip 3: Break big goals into actionable steps7:26 Why defining next steps increases follow-through8:12 Writing steps down to make them real8:30 Tip 4: Ask better questions when planning9:19 What does done look like vs done well9:20 Identifying failure points and pivots9:45 Tip 5: Manufacture accountability10:08 Why accountability improves discipline10:50 The trainer story and changing your environment11:46 The truth about hitting goals12:33 Final thoughts✨ Key Takeaways• Great planning begins by slowing down and resisting the pressure to rush• Following the thread of your curiosity reveals insights you normally miss• Break every goal into next steps so action becomes inevitable• Ask the four questions that create clarity for any plan• Accountability is not a character trait, it is a structure you can build📣 Work With Michelle in 2026DogCo Mastermind enrollment is officially open and we only bring in new companies once a year. If scaling your pet care business with clear systems, stronger leadership, and better profitability is a goal for next year, submit your application now at 👉 http://dogcolaunch.com/mastermind🎧 Listen on Your Favorite PlatformApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube-M

In this Hot Take Friday episode, I am sharing three honest truths that I wish I could tell coaching clients when they are deep in the struggle. These are insights I hold closely in my own business, and they shape how I coach, how I lead, and how I navigate hard seasons. Some of these truths are not always easy to hear in the moment, but they absolutely transform how you show up in your business long term.If you ever feel like you are carrying too much, worrying about things you cannot control, or frustrated by slow progress, this episode is for you. I hope it gives you a sense of grounding, power, and clarity for the road ahead.✨ Key Takeaways• If it is outside your control, it is not worth the time and energy you are giving it• You have more control than you think, and extreme ownership can change everything• The work has to get done regardless of how you feel about it• Your mindset is one of your strongest business assets• Avoidance feels safe in the moment but creates more pain in the long run🔗 Helpful Links• Explore the DogCo Mastermind and apply at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind• Follow along on Instagram for more coaching insights• Share this episode with a pet care owner who needs a little clarity this week

If you have ever wondered whether you can turn a struggling pet care business into a strong, scalable company, this episode is for you. Today I sit down with my friend, DogCo Team Member, and DogCo Mastermind member, Lauren Dunkle, to unpack one of the most inspiring business transformations I have ever witnessed. Lauren went from ending a year at a major financial loss with a 78 percent labor cost to becoming profitable, paying herself a real salary, and building a team with insane retention.⏰ Timestamps0:00 Welcome and why this episode matters0:17 Meet guest Lauren Dunkle0:52 The financial breaking point in 20232:03 Entering DogCo with a 78 percent labor cost3:40 Learning to understand the numbers4:50 How Illinois labor laws shaped her business5:47 Transitioning from ICs to employees7:01 Discovering and repairing the labor cost gap8:48 Cutting labor cost from 78 percent to 52 percent10:36 Paying staff well without destroying margins12:49 Protecting profit and protecting your team14:25 The mindset shift that changed her business17:16 Why she did not fire anyone to fix the problem20:32 Why profit matters for long term stability23:00 Developing a data skill set from scratch26:09 Deciding to drop pet sitting using clean data33:01 Systems that allowed her to onboard 120 clients36:00 Lauren joins the DogCo team and final reflectionsThis conversation is real, honest, tactical, and incredibly empowering for anyone who wants to run a healthier business without sacrificing values, team culture, or long term goals. I cannot wait for you to hear it.✨ Key Takeaways• How Lauren cut her labor cost from 78 percent to 52 percent• Why labor cost is the most important number in a team based pet care company• How to make data based decisions even if numbers make you nervous• What it looks like to restructure a business without losing momentum• The truth about growth curves, slow seasons, and emotional resilience• How to position staff pay, benefits, and pathways in a high cost of living state• How letting data guide decisions can help you scale cleanly and profitably🚀 Ready to Scale Your Pet Care Business?Mastermind enrollment is open for January 2026. If you want to work with DogCo, this is your window. Schedule your consultation at: dogcolaunch.com/mastermind🎧 Listen on Your Favorite PlatformApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTubeCheering you on, Michelle

In today’s Hot Take Friday episode, I am slowing down a bit and sharing something personal. This week felt like the perfect time to pause, reflect, and talk honestly about what I am most thankful for inside DogCo right now. Running a relational business can be messy and beautiful all at once, and I wanted to bring you behind the scenes of what that looks like for me.If you are growing a pet care company and feeling stuck, tired, or unsure of what comes next, I hope this episode encourages you to look at what is already working, who is already beside you, and why those relational anchors matter more than we sometimes admit.This episode covers three things I am deeply grateful for, pulled directly from what I have experienced this year in DogCo.✨ Key Takeaways• Running a relational company is not always simple, but the richness it adds to your work is unmatched.• Bringing on the right people changes the energy of your entire business and allows you to grow in new ways.• Feeling aligned in your priorities, systems, and direction gives you the energy needed to scale to the next level.• Growth does not happen by accident. When you are ready, the right support can change everything.💛 A Note From MeThank you for being here. Whether you are a long time client, a DogCo Secrets listener, or someone who just found this podcast today, I am thankful for you. I am excited to finish this year strong and step boldly into the next one together.Cheering you on,Michelle

If you are building a long-lasting, scalable, and stable pet care company, you will love this conversation with Kristin Skelton, founder of Floofins and Company. We talk about starting small, growing a team, planning for long-term success, navigating seasons of life and business, creating a supportive network, and building a business that supports your life. This episode is packed with insight for pet care owners who want to think bigger heading into 2026. 📣 Ready to grow your business in 2025? Join the DogCo Mastermind.Mastermind enrollment page is dogcolaunch.com/mastermind⏰ Timestamps0:00 Welcome and introduction to Kristin0:52 How Kristin's business began and the story behind the name4:51 Early bottlenecks and moving quickly into hiring6:05 Realizing she was running both a pet care company and a recruiting company8:26 Why ongoing recruiting is essential to staying ahead of demand10:05 Why Kristin invests heavily in learning and conferences11:03 Building groups like PCP and the early days of NAPS networking12:56 How COVID forced major pivots in the business14:30 Why in person learning accelerates growth dramatically16:57 Entering new seasons as a parent and business owner17:47 Digital learning versus in person transformation20:01 Why the pet industry has massive opportunity going into 202621:20 Building a business that supports your life stage23:08 Industry growth and higher expectations for professional care25:35 Why finding your trusted circle is critical27:10 Pet care as a real career path for teams28:44 The mindset required for long term growth29:35 Creating “almost overnights” and evolving service packages31:47 Reducing service menus and finding the right model32:56 Accepting imperfection and continuing to refine33:39 Closing reflections on learning, community, and growth✨ Key Takeaways• Scaling a pet care company means mastering hiring and recruiting• The industry is full of opportunities for owners who stay adaptable• In-person learning creates breakthroughs that digital content cannot• Your business model will evolve as your life evolves• Long-term success requires refining systems again and again• Networking and your professional circle directly impact your trajectory• Growth is not linear and requires courage to keep changing#DogCoLaunch #DogCoMasterMind-M

In today’s Hot Tip episode, I am walking you through a 2026 financial planning crash course. We are only weeks away from a brand new year, which means this is the perfect moment to take stock of your finances, tighten up your money systems, and set yourself up to scale with confidence.I am sharing the exact things I am doing inside DogCo as we grow our team. These are the foundations I believe every pet care business should have in place before the new year hits.This episode will help you get crystal clear on what to focus on for stronger financial health, how to protect your net profit while still investing wisely, and how to prepare for your biggest year of growth yet.What You Will Learn• How I am planning my own 2026 financial strategy• Why net profit protection matters more than top line growth• The two financial support roles every pet care business needs• How to prep your savings and tax accounts the smart way• What to audit before the new year to keep your business lean• Why planning ahead creates massive clarity for your goals• The simplest way to map the gap between where you are and where you want to goMastermind Enrollment Now OpenIf you want support scaling your team-based pet care company in 2026, this is your moment.Enrollment for the DogCo Mastermind is officially open, and we only take companies once a year.Learn more and schedule your consultation at dogcolaunch.com/mastermind#petcarebusiness #businessfinancialplanning #dogcolaunchIf this episode gave you clarity or momentum, share it with another pet care business owner who wants to level up next year. Cheering you on as always.-M