Pet Biz People

Your pet business has legal blind spots,  and they could cost you everything.In this episode of Pet Biz People, small business attorney Neil Stern breaks down the legal essentials every pet industry entrepreneur needs to know. From preventing legal risk before it happens, to understanding the critical difference between employees and independent contractors, to drafting contracts that actually protect your business, this is the conversation most pet business owners never had when they were starting out.Whether you're a groomer, boarder, mobile service provider, or pet food brand owner, this one is required listening.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Neil Stern and His Legal Practice02:53 Transitioning to Small Business Law06:00 Navigating the Pandemic: Neil's Experience10:06 The Importance of Legal Guidance for Business Owners12:57 Understanding Employee vs. Independent Contractor21:02 Consequences of Misclassification in Employment27:02 Navigating Legal Risks in the Pet Industry29:25 Understanding Contracts and Client Expectations36:28 The Importance of Clear Communication with Clients43:34 Setting Performance Expectations for Employees49:10 The Value of Legal Guidance in Business

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a pet business from scratch — and keep it standing when everything falls apart? This week, Matthew sits down with Jessica Abernathy, founder of Chicagoland Cat Sitters and Professional Pet Sitters, for an honest, funny, and genuinely inspiring conversation about the lessons she's learned after decades in the industry.From naming her first business after a dog named Kramer to surviving a five-year lawsuit with her devices confiscated and a deposition the next morning Jessica has truly been through it all. And she's still here, still growing, and still thinking big picture.In this episode:🐾 How Jessica discovered that cat owners don't trust dog businesses — and launched a whole separate brand to meet them where they were⚖️ The make-or-break moment that almost ended everything (and the mindset shift that pulled her through)🤝 Why partnering with veterinarians is the single best marketing move in the pet industry🧠 Her one interview question that instantly tells her if someone can follow directions📋 How to stop being stuck in the day-to-day so you can actually grow your businessTimestamps00:00 — Intro & catching up02:33 — Telling your story: how Jessica's first brand evolved05:00 — The cat-only business idea that changed everything06:45 — The lawsuit, the confiscated devices, and hitting rock bottom09:26 — How she turned her mindset around and powered through13:48 — Building culture: the non-negotiables when hiring17:00 — The one-word interview question (steal this immediately)19:06 — #1 marketing tactic: partnering with veterinarians21:34 — The lost art of gratitude in client relationships23:19 — Big picture vs. day-to-day: how to actually grow26:03 — Rapid fire: favorite movie, artist & dog breedQuotes from this episode"I just realized in that deposition that I was not going to let this woman defeat me. I changed my mindset — I wasn't going to let these one people ruin my business."— Jessica Abernathy"If you stay in the day to day, you'll never get out of it. Your job is big picture."— Jessica Abernathy"You can train anybody except how to be positive."— Matthew

This week Jessica and Matthew sit down with Natalie Hoop, founder of Hoop Strategy and Consulting, a fractional COO who specializes in building operational foundations for businesses and nonprofits that are either stuck in manual chaos or growing faster than their systems can handle.Natalie breaks down what "fractional" actually means, why business owners are so afraid to be honest with consultants (and why that fear costs them real money), and how she approaches the unique dynamics of nonprofit organizations. She also shares her proven method for breaking big, vague goals down into the specific actions that actually move things forward — plus her own biggest business mistake and the one thing she credits most for her success.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Fractional Leadership02:48 Understanding the Value of Fractional COOs06:04 Overcoming Fear in Business08:45 The Importance of Honesty in Business11:55 Navigating Nonprofit Challenges15:00 Setting Clear Goals for Nonprofits17:47 Breaking Down Big Goals into Actionable Steps20:52 Streamlining Operations for Efficiency24:03 The Role of Passion in Nonprofits26:48 Key Considerations for Starting a Nonprofit29:56 The Importance of Communication in Leadership32:50 Diversifying Revenue Streams for Sustainability36:04 Planning for Uncertainty in Business39:03 The Power of Knowledge and Planning41:54 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Oh friend, we are SO happy you're here!! 🎉Welcome to the very first episode of the Pet Biz People Podcast Meet the founders — the show that's honestly been a long time coming and we cannot believe it's finally happening!I'm your host Jessica Abernathy, co-founder of Pet Biz People, and in this episode I'm sitting down with my business partner Matthew Kutas to do something we almost never do: go all the way back to the very beginning.No polished founder stories. No "and then everything just clicked" moments. Just the real, unfiltered, laugh-out-loud truth of what it's actually like to build a pet care business from scratch.Matt started his dog walking company by accident — completely by accident — with a flip phone, a plan to spend one summer walking dogs before moving to New York, and marketing that said "because Rover can't get a gym membership."And somehow, 25 years later, here we are.In this episode we talk about:The actual day it all started (and why it had nothing to do with a passion for pets)The Great Dane van incident that made them both sit in silence questioning everythingThe wildest things they saw going into clients' homes (dog walkers know TOO much)The dumbest money they spent in year one (hint: it involved a school bus)The art of faking confidence when you have absolutely no idea what you're doingThe exact moment the business stopped feeling like a side hustle and started feeling realWhy the question "why do you want to own a business?" is the most important one you'll ever ask yourselfWhether you're just starting out or you've been in the pet industry for years, this one is going to feel like that conversation you wish someone had with you on day one.New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe now so you never miss one, and if you're loving the show, please leave us a review — it genuinely means the world to us and helps more pet business owners find us! 💙🐾Connect with us at www.petbizpeople.com

Welcome to the very first episode of Pet Biz People, the podcast built for pet industry entrepreneurs who are done playing small. In this debut episode, your hosts Jessica Abernathy and Matthew pull back the curtain on why they created Pet Biz People — and what it means for pet business owners across Canada and the United States.This isn't just another business podcast. This is your community. Your mentorship. Your unfair advantage.In this episode, you'll hear about:The bold vision behind Pet Biz People — consulting, coaching, and agency services built specifically for the pet industryWhy community and mentorship are the secret weapons most pet business owners are missingThe CEO on Demand program — and how it's changing the game for pet entrepreneurs who need expert support without the overheadVirtual assistant services designed to free up your time so you can focus on growthWhy financial literacy isn't optional — it's the foundation of every sustainable pet businessWhether you're a groomer, a boarder, a mobile service provider, or building your own pet food brand, this episode is your official invitation to stop guessing and start growing — with the right people in your corner.