Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

You switched from ChatGPT to Claude and nothing changed. You built a Custom GPT and it still sounds like a robot. You are not bad at AI. You just have not built your AI Brain yet. This is the episode that answers how to make AI sound like you. The fix is not a smarter tool or a cleverer prompt. The fix is one master file you build once and use everywhere. Timestamps: [00:00] — The Marco Polo that started this episode [01:30] — What 'how to make AI sound like you' actually means [03:00] — The four building blocks every AI platform gives you [07:00] — Why projects, styles, instructions, and memory sit empty [08:30] — What an AI Brain actually is [10:30] — Magai mention (30% off link in resources) [11:30] — The warning before you build — garbage in, garbage out [13:00] — Six steps to build your AI Brain [17:30] — The read-out-loud test [18:30] — Why your AI Brain is a living document [19:30] — One thing to do this week + Jumpers CTA In This Episode You'll Discover How to make AI sound like you in any platform — Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or whatever drops next The four building blocks every AI tool gives you to load YOU into (and why three of them sit empty in most accounts) What an AI Brain is, what goes inside it, and why it is the single most important asset you will build this year The six-step process to build your AI Brain from the content you have already created The simple read-out-loud test that tells you if your AI Brain is actually working About This Episode This is the episode that answers the most-asked question Bella gets right now — how to make AI sound like you. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with the tool, the prompt, or the project. It has to do with the one master file every small business owner needs to build before anything else. Bella Vasta has been helping pet business owners and small business owners scale their operations for over a decade, and she now teaches AI fluency to the same audience that built Jump Consulting into a leading voice in the pet industry. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Magai — 30% off all major AI tools in one place     Free 20-minute call with Bella   The Jumpers Mastermind  George B. Thomas master prompt: It’s more than just grammar and your voice. It is deeper. Here is an example…. You are going to act as my personal interviewer and reflection coach. Your goal is to help me identify and define my 7 Core Values, 7 Core Mindsets, and 7 Core Beliefs that can guide the building of my digital clone.Please follow these steps carefully:1. Ask me one reflective question at a time. Do not move to the next question until I’ve answered.2. After each answer, ask a short follow-up to go deeper or clarify.3. Keep my answers simple, conversational, and human. No jargon.4. At the end of the full interview, create three separate draft lists:• Top 7 Core Values (what I stand for and won’t compromise on)• Top 7 Core Mindsets (how I approach life, business, and challenges)• Top 7 Core Beliefs (what I teach, repeat, and want others to carry with them)5. Use my exact phrasing when possible so the lists feel authentic to me.Interview FlowStep 1: Core ValuesStart with: “Let’s explore your core values. What principles do you try to live by, no matter what?”Then ask 5–7 follow-ups like:• What would make you walk away from a client, even if it cost you money?• When do you feel most proud of yourself or your work?• What do you want humans to always experience when they work with you?Step 2: Core MindsetsTransition with: “Now let’s uncover your core mindsets. How do you naturally think about challenges and opportunities?”Ask 5–7 follow-ups like:• What’s your first thought when something goes wrong?• How do you keep moving forward when things feel overwhelming?• How do you think about growth—personally and in business?Step 3: Core BeliefsTransition with: “Finally, let’s capture your beliefs. These are the truths you share again and again.”Ask 5–7 follow-ups like:• What lessons do you repeat so often your friends or clients could quote you?• If you could leave one message behind for your community, what would it be?• What do you believe about humans, business, or life that guides every decision you make?Wrap UpOnce I’ve answered all the questions, create my draft lists of 7 Core Values, 7 Core Mindsets, and 7 Core Beliefs.Label them clearly. Keep the language simple and human, like I’d actually say it.I hope that gives you something to think about and I hope I explained it enough  Bella's blog on setting up Claude properly   RELATED EPISODES Episode 433 Episode 435 Episode 444 Episode 464 Connect with Bella Website Sessions with Bella   The Jumpers Mastermind   Subscribe to Bella in Your Business   Bella's Website   Find Bella on Instagram and Facebook — search Bella Vasta   Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do I make AI sound like me? A: You build an AI Brain — a single master file containing your voice, beliefs, vocabulary, stories, and stances. You upload that file into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or any AI tool, and the output instantly sounds like you. Switching platforms without an AI Brain does not change the output, because the new tool is just another empty container. Q: What is an AI Brain? A: An AI Brain is a portable markdown file that holds your full voice and identity. It includes your pillars, beliefs, vocabulary, forbidden words, stories, and registers — how you talk to clients, how you talk to peers, and how you talk on stage. You drop it into any AI platform and that platform instantly knows who you are. It lives in your Google Drive or Dropbox so you can use it everywhere. Q: Should I use Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini to make AI sound like me? A: The platform matters less than what is loaded inside it. Bella recommends Claude for written content because it is the strongest writer, but the AI Brain strategy works in ChatGPT (Custom GPTs), Gemini (Gems), and Magai equally well. If you want to test all four without paying four subscriptions, Magai gives you one login for all of them. Q: Why does my Custom GPT still sound like a robot? A: Because the project is empty. A Custom GPT, Claude Project, or Gemini Gem is just a container. Without an AI Brain loaded inside it, the AI has nothing to draw on except generic training data. You did not load YOU in. You loaded a business card. Build the Brain first, then build the project on top of it. Q: What are the four building blocks of any AI platform? A: Projects (Claude Projects, Custom GPTs, Gemini Gems), Styles (Claude Styles, ChatGPT Custom Instructions, Gemini Gem instructions), Project Instructions (the rules inside a single project), and Memory (universal memory across the platform plus project memory inside one workspace). Most small business owners only use one of these. Filling all four is the difference between AI that sounds generic and AI that sounds like you. Full Episode Transcript I got this DM last week and this pet sitter was so excited because she was like, I finally switched to Claude. She's been hearing me talk all about how Claude is so much superior in terms of writing and thinking to ChatGPT. She couldn't wait to finally tell me that she's done all this stuff, that she uploaded her website, she's created her projects. She did everything that I basically had talked about in my last blog. where I explained the whole difference of it. And then she's even in the mastermind where I went into a whole hour of like specific things of tips and tricks for Claude, okay? So she was on fire, she was totally excited, but I felt bad because I had to kind of slow her down. she wasn't like, she wasn't using AI, she was really just. changing apartments and stay with me here. It was like she was coming from ChatGPT and just mooch like changing the address on an empty apartment. Empty. OK. Like same four walls, same bare floors, brand new logo. Like but if you've ever built a custom GPT and it still sounds like a robot or if you've ever switched platforms like. three times or you're trying to go between all of them and you feel like they just all don't know about you. This is the episode for you today. I'm going to go through all of it and make sure that you understand that when you put something into AI how it should literally sound like you and not AI. People should be like, how are you working so much? Like how are you doing so much? Because they don't even know that it's AI that they're getting from you. All right. In today's episode, I'm literally gonna talk all about your AI brain. My name's Bella Vasta, and this is Bella in your business. Let's get into it. Today, I'm gonna give you a name for a thing that's been missing from your AI setup. I've taught you the technicalities of it, and I've given you the overview of it, right? But today, we're gonna talk about your AI brain. And as far as I'm concerned, I think I'm the only one that's coined this term. It is one file. It contains you. All right. It travels with you across every platform. I'm talking Gemini. I'm talking Claude. I'm talking ChatGPT, Perplexity. And it is the single biggest reason why your AI is going to start sounding like you. Or it's going to keep sounding like garbage, which hopefully you're a jumper that's not going to happen for you because you got me and you got a year and a half worth of podcast episodes at the very least or almost 40 trainings inside of the mastermind. So let's get into it. All right. Because the next 20 minutes, you're going to understand what your AI brain is and why three out of four AI features you're paying for are simply empty, probably. And exactly how you need to build yours. Now, let me just tell you one thing. If you are getting value from this show, please hit subscribe, please, and please give us a rating. I would love that so much. It would really help me.

If you've been watching pet business owners post in groups about closing their doors and wondering if you're next... this is for you. Because there is a wave coming. And the line between who survives and who sells out is being drawn right now — and AI is the divider. Timestamps [0:00] — Cold open: $80 billion just bet on the future of AI [2:00] — Why this affects YOUR pet sitting business [3:30] — The Google + Anthropic deal explained simply [6:00] — OpenAI just announced agents are replacing GPTs [7:00] — Magai: how to access every major AI model in one place [8:00] — The listener message I had to read on air [9:30] — Three reasons the selling wave is starting RIGHT NOW [11:00] — A line in the sand: who this episode is NOT for [12:30] — How the AI gap will split this industry in two [14:30] — VC and private equity are circling pet businesses [16:00] — The 3-layer survival system: SOPs ? Brain ? Agents [19:00] — Why you cannot do this alone [20:00] — Mastermind invitation + your one action this week In This Episode You'll Discover Why a wave of pet sitting businesses are quietly closing or selling in 2026 (and the three reasons converging at once) What the $80 billion Google and Amazon investment in Anthropic actually means for small business owners The line in the sand: who is positioned to survive this shift, and who will get left behind The 3-layer AI survival system — SOPs, AI brain, and agents — and why skipping any layer guarantees failure Why first-mover pet business owners will be the BUYERS in the consolidation wave, not the sellers About This Episode Bella Vasta is the CEO and founder of Jump Consulting and the host of Bella in Your Business — the longest-standing pet business podcast in the industry. She has coached pet sitters and small business owners for over 25 years, and is widely recognized as the go-to voice for AI integration in the pet industry. Her Jumpers Mastermind has helped pet business owners scale, hire, and now adopt AI in ways their competitors haven't even considered. Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Jumpers Mastermind — Monday-Friday access to Bella, two live monthly meetings, free monthly coaching call, and 8 years of archives — the room where Bella teaches the SOPs ? AI brain ? agents progression in real time. Magai (30% off, all major AI models in one place) — Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok in one subscription — so you're not locked into one vendor as the AI landscape changes. How to Set Up Claude in Your Pet Business (Bella's recent blog) — The step-by-step companion to layer 2 of the survival system — building an AI brain that actually knows your business. Free 20-Minute Call With Bella — Bring one problem. Bella helps you think through it. No pitch. Connect with Bella Website Sessions with Bella The Jumpers Mastermind Subscribe to Bella in Your Business Bella's Website Find Bella on Instagram and Facebook — search Bella Vasta Frequently Asked Questions Q: Why are pet sitting businesses closing in 2026? A: Three pressures are converging at the same time. First, many of these businesses launched 15 to 20 years ago and the founders are ready to exit. Second, profit margins are getting squeezed by rising wages, insurance costs, and taxes. Third — and this is the one nobody is talking about yet — AI is creating a competitive gap where businesses that have adopted it can serve more clients with less staff, and the businesses that haven't are watching their bookings drift to competitors who can. Q: Will AI replace pet sitters? A: No. AI cannot walk a dog, give a cat insulin, or sit with a senior pet. What AI replaces is the back-office workload — the inquiries, scheduling, care notes, hiring, marketing, and admin work that eats your evenings. Pet sitters who use AI well will have MORE time for the actual care work. Pet sitters who refuse to use AI will burn out trying to compete. Q: Should I sell my pet sitting business? A: Only if you've decided you're done — not because you're tired of the admin. The pet business owners who sell out of exhaustion in 2026 will likely sell low, because consolidators and venture capital firms know the seller is desperate. If your real problem is overwhelm, the answer might not be to sell — it might be to learn AI, document your business, and let the systems carry the weight. That's what the Jumpers Mastermind exists to teach. Q: What did Google's $40 billion investment in Anthropic actually mean for small businesses? A: It signals that the company building Claude — which most pet business owners haven't even tried yet — is about to get faster, cheaper, and more powerful, with Google's compute and data center infrastructure behind it. Practically, that means Claude will likely show up inside Google Workspace, Gmail, Drive, and Calendar over the next 12 to 18 months. The small business owners who already know how to use Claude will be ahead. The ones still using only ChatGPT may find themselves on the wrong tool when the shift happens. Q: How do pet business owners actually start using AI without getting overwhelmed? A: There is a specific order. Layer one: document your standard operating procedures (SOPs) — every process in your business written down. Layer two: feed those SOPs into an AI like Claude to give it a 'brain' that actually knows your business. Layer three: build agents that can run pieces of your business for you. Most owners try to skip to layer three and fail. Get the SOPs done first. Everything else builds from there. Full Episode Transcript Google just dropped $40 billion to Anthropic. $40 billion! That brings the total that Google has put into the company that builds Claude, Anthropic, to over $55 billion in two years. Billion with a B, okay? And Amazon is in for another $45 billion. So the company that makes Claude and the AI tool I literally use every single day in my business and life. just had $80 billion walk through its front door by the two largest cloud companies on the planet. Okay? The number is bigger than the GDP, gross domestic product, of most countries. And here's why this matters to you. Because while everyone else is still asking if they should bother to use AI or a prompt for chat GPT, the biggest company in the world, they're telling us exactly where this is going. with their checkbooks. And in this episode, I'm going to tell you what I think happens next and why a wave of pet sitting businesses and small businesses across the whole country are about to sell clothes or get swallowed up and what the people listening to this podcast need to do right now so that you don't become one of them. Hi, I'm Bella and this is Bella in Your Business. Let's get into it. Real quick before we dive in, if you haven't subscribed yet or hit like or subscribe or any of that, wherever you're listening, this episode is one that you're wanna come back to. You're gonna wanna save it, you're gonna wanna share it with your friends. And if you know one small business owner who is overwhelmed by all this AI stuff, share the episode with them. Don't let them get left behind and let them understand what's going on on a higher 30,000 foot view, all right? So let's... Let's get into. And if you know one other small business owner who's overwhelmed by all of this AI stuff, share this episode with them. Please don't let them get left behind. It's gonna be a very big overview so that everyone's gonna be able to consume this and then percolate on what they should do in their own business. I cannot wait to get into it. All right, so you've been hearing about all these AI investments and your eyes glaze over because honestly, who can even comprehend billions of dollars, right? and like 40 billion, 65 billion, 80 billion, it sounds like monopoly money. But here's what's actually happening underneath those numbers and why I want you to pay attention. All right, so most business owners scroll past these headlines because what does it have to do with you, right? Like you're trying to fill a schedule, hire a sitter, get out of the weeds. You don't have time to track what a tech company is doing and who bought out who or whatever. Like I get it, I do, and that's why I'm here. I saw a really sharp breakdown from Jonathan Maas this week and I wanted to pull a few pieces out of it because what he laid out is something that every business owner needs to understand. So here's what's going on. Google has been quietly building a stake in Anthropic for a couple of years now. 300 million here, 200 or 2 billion there. They were already around 14 % ownership and now they just took another 40 put another 40 billion on the table. With performance milestones attached, like you get more if you perform X, all right? Google doesn't write a $40 billion check to companies that they plan to sit back and watch. This is what Jonathan says. Performance milestones mean that Google has a seat at the table for what Claude becomes next, how fast it moves, what it builds, which is just mind blowing because Google also has Gemini. Are you staying in here with me? Okay? I mean, And then on the other side, Amazon is also up for 25 billion running Claude through Amazon AWS, through AWS. AWS is like what like holds the cloud compute for so many companies, all right? So putting it inside Amazon Bedrock, so any developer building on Amazon's cloud has Claude right there in the cloud already. So the company that already makes Claude, has the two biggest cloud providers in the world elbowing each other to be their preferred provider. Are you with me? Okay, and this isn't an accident, it's leverage. And here's where it gets really interesting. Right now the most well known tool is ChatGBT by millions on the numbers, okay? And most of you have probably tried it, you probably have a subscription to it, but Claude, the one Google, like,

Hey Jumpers! Have you ever wondered what sets apart those who crumble under life's pressures from those who seem to effortlessly bounce back, stronger than ever? In a world filled with unpredictable twists and turns, where challenges and setbacks often seem to be lurking around every corner, one thing becomes abundantly clear: resilience is the secret sauce to success. In today’s episode of  "Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast,"  we will discuss the importance of resilience. Life throws tough challenges, but resilience is about bouncing back. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and a support system can make all the difference. Facing fears head-on and taking responsibility for your actions are crucial. Conquering fears is empowering, and personal growth comes from owning up to mistakes. I also want to remind you about "Better Marketing with Bella," designed to help small businesses improve their marketing and customer base. As a special offer for our listeners, there's a discount on the program. If you need marketing help, let's connect for a 20-minute call to discuss your goals and how I can assist you. Always remember that resilience is key. Surround yourself with positivity, confront your fears, take responsibility, and make small changes for big transformations. You've got this!

Have you made your mindset shift yet to scale your pet business? If you are someone who is looking to switch from solo to scaling your pet business, start hiring employees, and are ready to get uncomfortable to make the decisions needed then this podcast is just for you. Listen in as Bella tells you all about how to change your mindset to the one you have been looking for. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss Do You Work FOR Your business or ON Your Business? If you are doing things on repeat or spending your time doing simple tasks then you should be able to pass them over to someone else and focus your attention on what your business needs to expand. Look at how you spend your days, how much time do you spend on tasks that someone else could have done? Are Your Processes Simple and Accessible? If it is complicated for you then it is complicated for your clients and potential employees. If it is not accessible then how is anyone able to help you? These are so important as thinking this way is taking that shift for your mindset to really scale your pet business. Think Outside the Box, What If You Wanted To Sell? You never know when this is going to happen since life is always changing. Even if you are not ready to sell it is all about setting up your business to be able to. Would you buy a business with no employees? What about one that does not have a PnL? Whether you actually sell or not keeping your business at this standard shows you what you need to continue to scale your business. Show Highlights 3 Major topics to start your mindset shift [7.20] Asking the questions and having the thoughts needed to change your mindset [11:40] Do you know why you are doing this and how to sell it? [16.23] Links: Bella's Website Solve One Problem With Bella Let's Connect: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 257 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I am here today to talk to you about a mindset shift—one that some of you have not made yet but should have made a while ago. Guys, I’ve been on these awesome complimentary coaching sessions with those of you I haven’t met yet, and we’ve been meeting on Instagram, we’ve been meeting on Facebook. I always like to offer you a complimentary session to solve one problem that you might have. And it comes up a lot where people are trying to solve problems, but they’re trying to solve them as if they were the only pet sitter and not like the boss in charge or someone working with a team. Now, if you are a solo sitter with no desire to ever have anyone working for you and that works out fine for you, this podcast is not for you. If you are someone who does not ever want to hire, doesn’t trust people, or doesn’t want to get out of your comfort zone and get a little uncomfortable, this podcast is not for you. You should skip forward to the next one. But this episode is for those who are looking to figure out why they can’t actually scale. You’ve tried to hire people, it hasn’t worked out, or you’ve hired people but now you’re busier than ever doing stuff and can’t seem to get out of the rat race. This is for you, and I want to talk about that today. Your mindset is huge. One thing I always love to do is blow things up—get them microscopic and then as big as possible. For this one, I want you to think about hotels like Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton. Do you think Mr. Marriott or Mr. Hilton are at the front desk checking in customers? No. Did they do that when they first started? Sure. But are they doing that now? No, they’re not. And there’s a reason for that, a reason why they’ve been able to grow such a conglomerate. Now, you might say, “Bella, I don’t want to grow my business that big.” That’s fine—totally fine—but stay with me here. You really have to think about a couple of things. The first thing is: is everything you’re doing something anyone else can do? Look at the tasks you’re doing every day and start getting upset when you’re doing something someone else could actually do for you, or if you’re doing something over and over again. There’s no reason to repeat things manually. If it’s a process, then put it into a process and hand it off. You have to constantly be putting yourself out of a job. To do that, you have to get it written down. You’ve heard me talk about handbooks, manuals, standard operating procedures, SOPs, workflows—all those buzzwords. But basically, it means getting it out of your head and onto paper. One of my biggest tips when coaching people is that if you feel like you can’t sit down and write it out, that’s fine—it’s actually difficult. But the next time you’re about to do something online, use Loom. It’s an extension that records your computer and your pretty little face in the corner if you allow it. Just start taking short videos under three minutes of the things you’re doing. Put them in a file and then find someone to watch those videos and write out the steps you took. You have to get things written down because there’s no way you can grow and scale your business if everything’s in your head. Nothing can last that way. Hiring people “on your gut” or training people by saying, “Hey, come shadow me for three days, I’ll tell you everything I know,” doesn’t work. Another thing I want you to think about is whether you have milestones and checkpoints. If you’re going to go from a solo mentality to scaling, you need to give your team checkpoints and wins. These serve two purposes: if they’re not doing something correctly, you can correct and continue; if they’re doing well, you can cheer them on and build confidence. Speaking of assets, remember that your staff is your biggest asset in your pet sitting and dog walking company. This is not a brick-and-mortar business with equipment—your employees are your assets. Think of it as changing the oil or greasing the gears so things run smoothly. Another thing to consider: is it simple? Is the way you run your business easy to understand? I’ll give you an example. So many of you have convoluted cancellation policies you can’t even remember. Here’s what I used to have: if you cancel within two weeks for day visits or four weeks for overnights, you’re responsible for half the invoice. That’s it. For dog walks, cancel by 6 p.m. the night before to get a credit. Simple. If you have to look it up, your clients will too. Same with billing—people make it overly complicated. Stop wasting time making things harder than they need to be. Keep your processes straightforward and simple, and make sure they tie into your overall goals. So far, I’ve talked about: is it written down? Are there milestones? Is it simple? Is it easy to remember? Your mindset must shift from solo sitter to scaling business owner. Otherwise, it’s going to implode. As you shift to this mindset and put yourself out of a job, you’ll be able to work on revenue-generating projects instead of mundane tasks. Ask yourself: what are you doing today? Are you doing something you could easily hire someone to do, or something that helps grow the business? Doing walks and pet sits keeps it alive—it doesn’t grow it. Growth comes from collaborations, partnerships, sponsorships, and visibility. Do you have an organizational chart? You need one so you know who reports to whom. Is it just you to everyone else? That’s overwhelming. You need a hierarchy of responsibilities. That’s the only way to move from solo mentality to a scaling one. Do you have enough money to pay yourself and the business, not just your sitters? When you’re first solo, it’s just you. But when you get employees, you might be so relieved they’re working that you give away the house. Don’t do that. You must ensure your margins support scaling. First, pay yourself. Yes, pay yourself enough to save monthly. Then pay the business. The business needs money to run. Don’t be held hostage by lack of funds. After that, pay your staff. Now, examples of moving from solo to scaling mentality: your billing process, booking process, and communication policy. Do they support a big business or a small one? Does everything have to go through you? If so, that must change. You can’t be everyone’s personal concierge. Communication, too—it’s often a big mess that causes stress and confusion. Streamline it. Clearly define how you communicate with clients and staff: when to use journals, texts, calls, and emails. Finally, ask yourself why you’re doing this. The best reason to scale your business is to sell it. Some of you just had a knee-jerk reaction to that, but hear me out. Life happens. You may want or need to sell one day. Build your business as an asset,

Ever feel like you just need someone right there with you to help coach you through your pet business goals? A Few of you have reached out to me feeling this way and that is why I am going to tell you all about how I started doing in-person intensives and how beneficial they can really be for your business. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss How In-Person Intensive Sessions Began It started with just one person. Someone who reached out and needed help, more than just what a couple of hours on zoom can do. So It happened... I jumped on a plane and we spent ALL DAY hashing things out and focusing on everything she needed to take the steps she wanted. Behind the Scenes Getting Real and Connecting One of the best parts is the homey environment. Sometimes you just need to curl up on the couch and just start getting real about everything that is going on. Opening your mind to thoughts and ideas that you have been wanting to get out. These intensive sessions are just that, a chance to spend all day on everything you haven't had time to even think about. Trying New Ideas and Finding the Positive Side As incredible as these intensives are, they are still very new. With that, it leaves me learning a lot from each one and continuing to find ways to improve the process and make it EVEN BETTER! Finding the positive side in the things that go wrong helps me learn what I need to do to keep improving. That is why I want to try something new. Show Highlights How I Started Doing In-Person Intensives [9.40] Behind the Scenes Experience [16.15] The Connection that Grows from this Experience [22.08] Finding the Silver Linings [28.42] Interested in Doing an In-Person Intensive? [33.21] Let's Connect: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 256 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we're going to talk about the truth about what happens in the in-person intensives. Over the past few months, I’ve been doing these intensives across the United States, and I thought it was time to share what really goes on behind the scenes—what the experience is like, the breakthroughs, and even the travel chaos that sometimes comes with it. I started doing these because I realized that sometimes the best way to make real progress in a business is to get out of your day-to-day environment and have someone come in, sit down with you, and help you see your business from a higher level. These intensives are about total immersion. It’s not just a coaching session—it’s a full day of strategy, breakthroughs, and implementation. When I go to see a client, I come prepared. I have all their materials, we’ve already done prep work, and I often bring supplies like easel pads, Post-its, markers, snacks, and even lunch delivery. I want it to feel like an executive retreat focused entirely on you and your business. One of my recent trips started off with a bit of drama. The Airbnb I had booked looked beautiful online, but when I arrived, I couldn’t get into the building because the key wasn’t left where it was supposed to be. There were a few other issues too, so I decided to check out early and switch to a Marriott. It ended up being the right call because the next day I was heading to my client’s home office. She wanted me to come to her space and really dive into her operations. She had been to one of my retreats in Arizona before, so this was like a full-circle moment. That day, we spent hours mapping out strategies to help her scale her business to a million dollars. We broke down hiring systems, client experience workflows, and marketing sequences. We literally covered the walls with giant Post-it sheets—each one representing a key system or goal. At the end of the day, she surprised me with an ice cream cake for my birthday, which was such a sweet gesture. These are the moments I love most—where business meets genuine human connection. After wrapping up that session, I took some time to drive into D.C. I got to see the Lincoln Memorial and the White House—sights I hadn’t visited since I was a kid. Then, I flew home the next morning and immediately started preparing for the next intensive. That one was equally inspiring. The client had started her business right before the pandemic and was already nearing six figures. But she was still operating with a solo sitter mentality. During our session, we worked on shifting her mindset and systems toward scalability. We also talked a lot about celebrating wins. I encouraged her—and I’m encouraging you—to keep a “celebration jar” on your kitchen table. Every time something good happens, write it down, fold it up, and throw it in the jar. When you’re feeling discouraged, open it and remind yourself how far you’ve come. It’s a simple but powerful way to reframe your thinking. Toward the end of our day together, we moved from strategy to heart-to-heart. We talked about how business is often a mirror of our personal lives—that the same patterns show up in both. We both got emotional, and it was one of those moments where you realize that success isn’t just about tactics. It’s about the person behind the business. Now, let’s talk about the travel side. On my last trip, the Airbnb looked gorgeous online—floor-to-ceiling windows, city view—but no blinds. None. It was like living in a fishbowl. So once again, I checked out and went to a hotel. Then, my flight home got canceled because of engine trouble. I had to reroute through Dallas with a long layover and didn’t get home until hours later than expected. To make things worse, my bag didn’t make it home with me—and my car key was inside it. Thankfully, my mom was able to grab the spare key and drive to the airport with my daughter, but traffic from an accident delayed her too. I ended up sitting at the airport for another hour before finally getting home. It was exhausting. But even in that moment, I realized how important it is to find the silver lining. It would’ve been easy to get angry or frustrated, but I chose to stay calm and grateful. I told myself, “At least they found the engine problem before takeoff.” That shift in mindset changes everything. Traveling right now is stressful—fewer crews, unpredictable schedules, and a lot of frustrated people. But it’s also a reminder that in business and in life, we have to stay flexible and positive. It’s so easy to get lost in stress or negativity, but focusing on what’s still good—the silver linings—keeps you grounded. That’s why I often say, “When life gets you down, always keep jumping.” It’s not just a cute slogan—it’s a mindset. And honestly, that’s what I want my clients to take away from these intensives. Yes, we work on systems, strategy, and scalability, but we also work on resilience, mindset, and joy. As I reflect on these experiences, I’ve been thinking about trying something new. Instead of me flying to clients, what if clients flew to me? I’ve been looking at Airbnbs and VRBOs here in Arizona, thinking about hosting “reverse intensives.” You’d come here, stay in a beautiful space, and we’d spend a full day together—just you and me, diving into your business with zero distractions. Because I wouldn’t have travel costs, it would be more affordable—probably around $3,300—and would include two nights of accommodations and a full-day intensive with me. If that sounds interesting, email me at [email protected]. I’m open to exploring it. These intensives are life- and business-changing. They aren’t just meetings; they’re transformation days. We dig deep, plan strategically, and build systems that will actually move your business forward. So that’s the truth about what happens in the in-person intensives. They’re powerful, emotional, exhausting, and deeply rewarding—for both me and my clients. They’re about creating clarity, systems, and a renewed sense of purpose. As we head into the end of the year, I know many of you are struggling with hiring, burnout, or just trying to grow. You can fix it—but you have to be willing to do the work. Don’t keep doing the same thing expecting a different result. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting change. So stop repeating what isn’t working. Try something new. Thank you for listening. I hope this episode inspired you and reminded you to find the joy in what you do, to celebrate your wins, and to always keep jumping. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play,

Losing employees is never easy especially when it is happening every other week or every other month, however, are you hiring the right employees to begin with? In this podcast, Bella is going to talk about understanding high employee turnover, how you have control, and how to ensure you are using the right resources to keep setting yourself up for success. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss Understand Turnover and How This Can Change Your Business Turnover occurs everywhere and it is important to understand the chain reactions that come with this. Knowing how to identify where your turnover is originating is one of the first steps to making a change. You Have Control Over Your Processes and Phases The things you choose to implement have a high effect on how successful the outcome is. Do your phases and marketing set you up for success? Do You Use the Right Resouces for Your Phases? Using the right software and tools to create and change your phases is a major key to success. Do your resources cover every angle you need to plus some? Or do they leave you hanging in some areas that you are now having to devote more time and energy into figuring out? Show Highlights How Turnover Works and Why it is so High Right Now [8:00] You Have Control  [17:50] JazzHR Works and How it Can Change Your Turnover [23:00] Links: 20min Work With Me Call Mastermind Better Marketing with Bella JazzHR Let's Connect: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Free Download Here for your free download of a lead form and resources from Bella? Put your email below and we will get it right to you!   Subscribe Built with ConvertKit .formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] *{box-sizing:border-box;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"]{-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] legend{border:none;font-size:inherit;margin-bottom:10px;padding:0;position:relative;display:table;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] fieldset{border:0;padding:0.01em 0 0 0;margin:0;min-width:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] body:not(:-moz-handler-blocked) fieldset{display:table-cell;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h1,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h2,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h3,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h4,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h5,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h6{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-weight:inherit;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h2{font-size:1.5em;margin:1em 0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] h3{font-size:1.17em;margin:1em 0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] p{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-weight:inherit;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] ol:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] ul:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] blockquote:not([template-default]){text-align:left;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] p:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] hr:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] blockquote:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] ol:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] ul:not([template-default]){color:inherit;font-style:initial;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .ordered-list,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .unordered-list{list-style-position:outside !important;padding-left:1em;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .list-item{padding-left:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"][data-format="modal"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"][data-format="slide in"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"][data-format="sticky bar"]{display:none;}.formkit-sticky-bar .formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"][data-format="sticky bar"]{display:block;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-select,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-checkboxes{width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit{border:0;border-radius:5px;color:#ffffff;cursor:pointer;display:inline-block;text-align:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;margin-bottom:15px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button:hover,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit:hover,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button:focus,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit:focus{outline:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button:hover > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit:hover > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button:focus > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit:focus > span{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-button > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-submit > span{display:block;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;padding:12px 24px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input{background:#ffffff;font-size:15px;padding:12px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;line-height:1.4;margin:0;-webkit-transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input:focus{outline:none;border-color:#1677be;-webkit-transition:border-color ease 300ms;transition:border-color ease 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input::-moz-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-input::placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="dropdown"]{position:relative;display:inline-block;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="dropdown"]::before{content:"";top:calc(50% - 2.5px);right:10px;position:absolute;pointer-events:none;border-color:#4f4f4f transparent transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:6px 6px 0 6px;height:0;width:0;z-index:999;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="dropdown"] select{height:auto;width:100%;cursor:pointer;color:#333333;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:0;padding:0 6px;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;appearance:none;font-size:15px;padding:12px;padding-right:25px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="dropdown"] select:focus{outline:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"]{text-align:left;margin:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"]{margin-bottom:10px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] *{cursor:pointer;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"]:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"] + label::after{content:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]:checked + label::after{border-color:#ffffff;content:"";}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]:checked + label::before{background:#10bf7a;border-color:#10bf7a;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label{position:relative;display:inline-block;padding-left:28px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::before,.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::after{position:absolute;content:"";display:inline-block;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::before{height:16px;width:16px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;left:0px;top:3px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::after{height:4px;width:8px;border-left:2px solid #4d4d4d;border-bottom:2px solid #4d4d4d;-webkit-transform:rotate(-45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-45deg);transform:rotate(-45deg);left:4px;top:8px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-alert{background:#f9fafb;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;border-radius:5px;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;list-style:none;margin:25px auto;padding:12px;text-align:center;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-alert:empty{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-alert-success{background:#d3fbeb;border-color:#10bf7a;color:#0c905c;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-alert-error{background:#fde8e2;border-color:#f2643b;color:#ea4110;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-spinner{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:0px;width:0px;margin:0 auto;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;width:0px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;}.formkit-form[data-uid="17b843049c"] .formkit-spinner > div{margin:auto;width:12px;height:12px;background-color:#fff;opacity:0.

In this week's Podcast, Bella is going to give you 4 major tips on how to handle the increase of leads that may be leaving you feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. Are you taking on the right clients or hiring the right employees? Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss Are You Considering Inflation? Inflation entails a lot but the biggest thing is supply and demand. If you are experiencing stress from your increase of leads then maybe it is time to increase prices. Show What Kind of Clients You Want, Don't Just Settle  The type of clients you bring on will have a huge impact on your new leads. are you willing to accept just anyone? Filter down the clients coming to you by showing them who you are looking for. It is okay to say no. The Right Employees Will Help Relieve the Stress of Bringing on New Clients Having the right employees is so important when you are expanding and receiving an influx of leads. They will help set you up for success by being able to take new leads off your plate. Imagine how much stress will disappear if you had the perfect staff. You CAN make this happen. Show Highlights Are You Feeling Stressed Out About How Many Leads You Have? [4:00] Raise Prices - This is a Huge Part of Inflation [6:15] Find Clients that You Want and Not Just the Ones Coming to You [8:15] What if You Had the Perfect Staff? It is Time to Start Hiring Correctly [11:35] Get your Leads and Follow-ups Organized [16:20] Bella's Recent Coaching Stories [18:00] Links: 20min Work With Me Call Mastermind Free Download Here for your free download of a lead form and resources from Bella? Put your email below and we will get it right to you!   Built with ConvertKit .formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] *{box-sizing:border-box;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"]{-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] legend{border:none;font-size:inherit;margin-bottom:10px;padding:0;position:relative;display:table;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] fieldset{border:0;padding:0.01em 0 0 0;margin:0;min-width:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] body:not(:-moz-handler-blocked) fieldset{display:table-cell;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h1,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h2,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h3,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h4,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h5,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h6{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-weight:inherit;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h2{font-size:1.5em;margin:1em 0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] h3{font-size:1.17em;margin:1em 0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] p{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-weight:inherit;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] ol:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] ul:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] blockquote:not([template-default]){text-align:left;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] p:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] hr:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] blockquote:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] ol:not([template-default]),.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] ul:not([template-default]){color:inherit;font-style:initial;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .ordered-list,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .unordered-list{list-style-position:outside !important;padding-left:1em;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .list-item{padding-left:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"][data-format="modal"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"][data-format="slide in"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"][data-format="sticky bar"]{display:none;}.formkit-sticky-bar .formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"][data-format="sticky bar"]{display:block;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-select,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-checkboxes{width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit{border:0;border-radius:5px;color:#ffffff;cursor:pointer;display:inline-block;text-align:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;margin-bottom:15px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button:hover,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit:hover,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button:focus,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit:focus{outline:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button:hover > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit:hover > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button:focus > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit:focus > span{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-button > span,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-submit > span{display:block;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;padding:12px 24px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input{background:#ffffff;font-size:15px;padding:12px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;line-height:1.4;margin:0;-webkit-transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input:focus{outline:none;border-color:#1677be;-webkit-transition:border-color ease 300ms;transition:border-color ease 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input::-moz-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-input::placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="dropdown"]{position:relative;display:inline-block;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="dropdown"]::before{content:"";top:calc(50% - 2.5px);right:10px;position:absolute;pointer-events:none;border-color:#4f4f4f transparent transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:6px 6px 0 6px;height:0;width:0;z-index:999;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="dropdown"] select{height:auto;width:100%;cursor:pointer;color:#333333;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:0;padding:0 6px;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;appearance:none;font-size:15px;padding:12px;padding-right:25px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="dropdown"] select:focus{outline:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"]{text-align:left;margin:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"]{margin-bottom:10px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] *{cursor:pointer;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"]:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"] + label::after{content:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]:checked + label::after{border-color:#ffffff;content:"";}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] input[type="checkbox"]:checked + label::before{background:#10bf7a;border-color:#10bf7a;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label{position:relative;display:inline-block;padding-left:28px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::before,.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::after{position:absolute;content:"";display:inline-block;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::before{height:16px;width:16px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;left:0px;top:3px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] [data-group="checkboxes"] [data-group="checkbox"] label::after{height:4px;width:8px;border-left:2px solid #4d4d4d;border-bottom:2px solid #4d4d4d;-webkit-transform:rotate(-45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-45deg);transform:rotate(-45deg);left:4px;top:8px;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-alert{background:#f9fafb;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;border-radius:5px;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;list-style:none;margin:25px auto;padding:12px;text-align:center;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-alert:empty{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-alert-success{background:#d3fbeb;border-color:#10bf7a;color:#0c905c;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-alert-error{background:#fde8e2;border-color:#f2643b;color:#ea4110;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-spinner{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:0px;width:0px;margin:0 auto;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;width:0px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;}.formkit-form[data-uid="1564e54bbe"] .formkit-spinner > div{margin:auto;width:12px;height:12px;background-color:#fff;opacity:0.3;border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;-webkit-animation:formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-1564e54bbe- 1.4s infinite ease-in-out both;animation:formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-1564e54bbe- 1.4s infinite ease-in-out both;}.

In this week's Podcast, I am going to talk about the secrets to make your employee scheduling more efficient. Don't be afraid, look at your SOP and employee handbook, do they set you and your employees up for success? Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss How Does Your Business Handle Employee Route Schedules? Giving your employees the freedom to set their own schedules using time blocks can save time and money. However... are they trained to be able to do this correctly? Look at your systems and processes and ask yourself if you are just doing the work because you are afraid to let them take it over? SOP and Employee Handbooks Having an SOP and Employee handbook that streamlines this process will help you not have to micromanage. Employees will be more responsive if you are able to provide them with the trust that they can hit all their appointments as they need to and have you there to help them if they are unable to create their own route. Is Fear Controlling Your Decisions? Don't let fear be the thing that holds you back. Fear comes from the unknown so make things known. This helps you take those steps that desperately need to be taken to make your business more efficient and get the most out of your employees. They want to do good and help you but micromanaging can prevent them from being able to do this. Show Highlights Does your SOP train your employees to schedule their own routes? (5.40) Now when to take over scheduling and Offer help to assist them (7.15) When to be alerted about when your employees are late (7.50) When to realize you are micromanaging and how this can save you time and money (8.48) Don't be afraid of change. Rely on your SOP and Employee handbook (11.45) Be prepared for the new changes in the business world (14.14) Links: Bella's Email: [email protected] Liz Illg Group SOP Jump Mastermind Better Marketing with Bella Let's Connect: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 253 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump. Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I’m so excited to be here with you today, talking about something that, honestly, I think every single one of you listening has probably struggled with at some point in your business, and that’s employee scheduling. Scheduling your team can feel like a full-time job on its own—especially when you’re growing, trying to accommodate different availabilities, and making sure clients’ needs are met. So today, we’re diving into the secrets behind employee scheduling. I’ve worked with so many pet sitting and dog walking business owners who say that scheduling their team is one of their biggest headaches. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be. There are strategies and systems that can make this so much easier, and that’s exactly what I want to share with you. Before we dive in, though, let’s talk about why this is such a pain point. Most of the time, it comes down to two things—overcomplicating your process and trying to do too much manually. Many of you are still using spreadsheets or even pen and paper to manage schedules. That might have worked when you had a small team, but as your business grows, it’s just not sustainable. You need systems that can scale with you, not slow you down. So let’s start with the first secret: boundaries. You’ve got to have clear boundaries with your employees. One of the biggest mistakes I see is owners who allow their staff to dictate their schedules entirely. And look, I get it—you want to be accommodating. You want to keep your people happy. But if you’re bending over backward every week trying to make everyone’s schedule work perfectly, you’re going to burn out. Instead, create clear availability expectations right from the hiring process. When you bring someone onto your team, make sure they understand your business needs come first. Here’s a phrase I love to use: “We schedule for the business, not the babysitter.” What that means is that you build your schedule around what your clients need, and then you plug in your staff based on the availability that fits that model. You are not here to create a custom work-life balance for every single employee. You are here to serve your clients and build a business that works efficiently. Now, the second secret is automation. There are so many great software options out there for pet sitting and dog walking businesses—Precise Petcare, Time to Pet, Pet Sitter Plus, and so many more. Each of these has features that allow you to automate your scheduling process, communicate changes, and avoid mistakes. If you’re still manually sending texts or writing down schedules, it’s time to evolve. Automation doesn’t mean losing control—it means gaining time. Time to focus on growth, time to train your team, time to actually live your life. You can set up recurring schedules, recurring visits, and rules that assign jobs automatically to your team based on their availability, location, and workload. Use those features! The third secret is communication. I can’t tell you how many scheduling issues are really just communication issues. Maybe someone didn’t see the update, maybe a shift was changed but not confirmed, or maybe there’s confusion about time off. You need a clear, consistent communication system. Whether that’s using your software’s built-in messaging feature or something like Slack, it’s got to be centralized. No more chasing conversations across text messages, Facebook Messenger, and emails. Keep it simple, keep it consistent. Another big piece of this is training your staff to take responsibility for their own schedules. Teach them to check the app daily. Teach them to confirm their shifts. Teach them to communicate early when something comes up. When your team understands that scheduling is a shared responsibility, not just yours, you take a huge weight off your shoulders. The fourth secret is flexibility with structure. I know that sounds contradictory, but hear me out. You want to have a structured system in place for how scheduling works, but within that, you need some flexibility. Life happens. People get sick. Cars break down. Kids need to be picked up. Build your team with enough redundancy so that when something like that happens, you have backups ready to step in. Don’t let your entire business crumble because one person can’t make a shift. This is why cross-training is so powerful. If you have people who can cover multiple neighborhoods, handle different types of clients, or switch between dog walks and pet sits, you’ll never be held hostage by your schedule again. Train for flexibility. Plan for it. Expect it. Finally, the fifth secret is mindset. Scheduling will always be part of your business, but it doesn’t have to be the monster under the bed. When you have the right systems, clear expectations, and the right tools, scheduling becomes routine. It becomes predictable. You stop feeling like you’re constantly reacting and start feeling like you’re leading with intention. And here’s the real truth: when you get your scheduling under control, your whole business feels calmer. You stop dreading those last-minute texts. You stop waking up at 2 a.m. wondering if someone’s going to show up for the morning walk. You start to breathe again. You can actually enjoy running your business instead of feeling trapped by it. So let’s recap. The five secrets behind employee scheduling are: Boundaries – Set expectations from the start. Automation – Use technology to save time and reduce errors. Communication – Keep everything centralized and consistent. Flexibility with structure – Build in room for real life, but keep your systems strong. Mindset – Take control of your scheduling instead of letting it control you. I want to challenge you today to pick one of those areas and improve it this week. Don’t try to overhaul everything all at once. Just pick one. Maybe it’s setting clearer expectations with your staff. Maybe it’s finally trying out a scheduling software you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s organizing your communication so everything happens in one place. Whatever it is, take action. If you need help figuring out which scheduling software is right for your business, check out the resources on my website at jumpconsulting.net. I’ve got tons of guides and comparisons to help you make the right choice. Scheduling doesn’t have to be stressful, and you don’t have to do it alone. You can absolutely build a business where your team runs smoothly, your clients are happy, and you actually have time to breathe. So what did you think? Did you love this episode?

Choosing a pet sitting software is not an easy task. Maybe you're overwhelmed with all of the different options out there, or even tried them all but just can't decide. It's difficult to determine which features are important to YOU and then to match those needs up with software. In this episode of Bella In Your Business, I sit down with Kristin Young, where she shares her scientific process for successfully choosing a pet sitting software to use in your pet business. Kristin spent 20 years in corporate real estate and business. She "woke up" one day and realized she wanted to take control of her time and get away from the common cubicle. With two young kids and a supportive husband, she began the search for an income model that she could manage, grow, and LOVE. In January of 2019, she came across the opportunity to buy NOT ONE, but TWO cat-sitting companies, with the intent to merge them into a single business. Kristen uses her business experience to take a little of what she knows and a little of what she doesn't know to learn how to run a pet care business. One of the first steps was finding the RIGHT pet sitting software company. Show Highlights [5:30] - Who is Kristin Young? [8:00] - What was the driving force behind switching pet sitting software companies? [10:45] - Can you describe what an "RFP" is? [21:00] - How did you come up with the methodology for RFP and choosing a pet sitting software company? [19:15] - How long did you try each pet sitting software for? What advice would you have for someone that is stuck trying to choose a pet sitting software? [25:00] - Where can you find Kristin online? Links Kristin's Website: www.preciousfur.com Jump Consulting Facebook Group Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 252 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome jumpers to today's episode. Today's episode is very, very important. It is something that I've actually had a lot of conversations with you guys recently where you have been saying to me things like, how do I get all my leads organized? How do I land more leads? How do I understand how many miles my people are driving? How do I streamline the communications so that we are never missing anything happening when someone sends us a journal and we lose a thousand-dollar booking because I did not see that message come through? Guys, there is so much muck out there. There are so many muddy waters of people's systems and softwares, and a lot of softwares are actually working against my clients. My clients are wanting to do things one way, but their system is bucking against them. So friends, this is when you take a step back and honestly say, am I molding my business to the software company that I'm currently paying because I'm too afraid to switch? Or do I actually understand what my most important things are with my business, my growth, and my expansion—and get a software that helps assist that? Guys, I got news for you. A lot of the popular ones are actually working against my clients. Once they’ve realized this and made the switch and made the flip, things have skyrocketed. In today's episode, we're going to talk about choosing a pet sitting software that is going to help support your business and support your growth rather than work against you. Our guest today is going to help us with that. She is going to walk us through her experience of evaluating different software options and how she came to her decision. She’s also going to share her process and the lessons she learned along the way. Let’s dive right into it. The first step she took was identifying what she really needed in a software. She didn’t just jump into demos or free trials; she actually started with the end in mind. She asked herself what was most important for her business, what problems she needed to solve, and what features would make the biggest impact. From there, she created a spreadsheet to compare options. She started by listing all the available software she could find—everything from Precise Petcare, Time to Pet, Pet Sitter Plus, and others. Then she narrowed it down to a handful she could really dig into. Next, she developed ranking and weighting criteria to evaluate them. For example, one of her biggest priorities was key management, since in cat sitting, keys are constantly switching hands. Because of that, she weighted key management very heavily in her comparison. Price was another factor, but it wasn’t the most important one. All the options were within about $100 to $150 of each other monthly, so price didn’t influence her decision as much. What did matter was functionality, customer service, and ease of use. Once she had her ranking and weighting system built, she reached out to four or five of the software companies for interviews. She sent them her list of questions ahead of time to see who would take the time to prepare and respond thoroughly. Interestingly, two of them didn’t even look at her questions, which immediately disqualified them. The ones that did respond demonstrated that they cared about customer service and valued communication. After reviewing their answers, she conducted one-on-one interviews with the remaining software companies. Each interview lasted about an hour and a half, during which she and her team walked through every key feature and evaluated it against their criteria. She also created a Gantt chart to help visualize implementation timelines and transitions. Each feature was scored and weighted according to its importance. For example, key management might have an 80% weight, while price might only be 10%. That way, the final decision wasn’t just based on feelings—it was based on a quantitative analysis that reflected what was most important for her business. After all the research and interviews, she made her final selection and created an implementation plan. She even called the launch day “D-Day” because it was such a big event for her team. They ran both systems simultaneously for a short time to smooth out any errors and make sure the new software was running correctly before completely switching over. One key takeaway here is that she didn’t rush the process. From start to finish, it took her six months to complete the evaluation and implementation. She says that trying to do this in one or two weeks is unrealistic—you’ll only overwhelm yourself. But if you take your time and approach it strategically, you’ll feel confident in your decision. When asked if she was happy with her choice, she said yes—she was very happy. She narrowed it down to two major contenders: Precise Petcare and Time to Pet, both well-known in the pet sitting industry. Ultimately, she chose Precise Petcare because of its strong customer service and willingness to listen to users’ feedback. For example, one of her biggest pain points was communication between sitters and clients. She wanted her sitters to be able to communicate directly without her having to be the middleman. The team at Precise Petcare promised to work on improving that feature, and their responsiveness and openness to feedback were major deciding factors. However, she also mentioned that Time to Pet had a beautiful client interface, which she thought was more visually appealing from a customer’s perspective. In the end, though, she chose the option that best aligned with her priorities. She also pointed out that while she’s happy with her choice, she believes that the pet sitting software industry as a whole still has room to grow and improve. Her advice to other business owners? Communicate with your software company instead of just complaining. It’s easy to vent frustrations in Facebook groups or forums, but that doesn’t solve anything. Instead, have open, honest, and positive communication with your software provider. Tell them what you love about their product so they don’t remove those features, and clearly explain what needs improvement and why. For example, don’t just say, “I don’t like this button.” Instead, say, “My clients are struggling to find this button, which affects their ability to book services.” That kind of feedback helps software companies understand your needs and make meaningful changes. As pet business owners, it’s our responsibility to push software companies to innovate and evolve. We need to advocate for our industry’s needs in a constructive way that helps everyone grow. If you want to check out our guest’s business, you can find her at preciousfur.com. She’s also active in the Jump Consulting community on Facebook, where she shares tips and experiences with other pet sitting professionals. Cat sitting businesses can thrive,

Imagine starting a new job, feeling welcomed, and having all the resources you need to succeed, compared to feeling lost and unsupported. Bella will share some relatable examples and personal experiences to help you understand why onboarding is crucial for employee retention and company success. In this week's Podcast, Bella is going to take you on a journey of understanding the importance of a smooth and effective onboarding process. Biggest Takeaways Real-Life Examples of Things Pet Based Business Owners Say and Do When It Comes to Employees [7:28] Why you’ll be needing to onboard employees in record time very soon and how you can be ready [10:10] Exactly what NOT to do in the onboarding process [10:45] Defining Onboarding and what it means [11:45] Studies pertaining to high employee turnover [13:00] Why employees leave companies [13:30] Standardization of onboarding process [13:05] Importance of schedule for onboarding [18:30] Why pet care team training videos can give you a headstart [21:45] What is an employee's worth vs a client's worth? [23:35] Types of employee learning and training styles for employees [26:30] Links: Pet Care Team Training Jump Mastermind Subscribe To The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 251 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to the summer of 2021, where our businesses are exploding and we cannot hire fast enough. What's up, everybody? My name is Bella Vasta, your host for this podcast, Bella in Your Business, because guess what? I am totally in your business. I recently got off two intensives in Maryland, and one of my girls said to me, “Bella, how does it feel always being right?” It’s kind of embarrassing to say that, but I kind of was. I predicted a lot of the stuff that happened. In fact, there was something so important that I really want to put on this podcast again. This is why I'm bringing it to you again. The one thing that's going to be happening right now is, as I've been saying, the market is very volatile and we want to do our best to decrease turnover. That means that just like when you market for new clients, you need to be disruptive when you're marketing for new employees as well. That looks like a way to really start the company culture from the very minute that they read your job description and then through the whole entire ecosystem from beginning to end. I want you to think of a rainbow—how it starts on one side and goes all the way to the other end. Unfortunately, I think people just kind of say, “Cool, you're going to work for me, awesome,” and then people end up helping them, not actually working for them. And then they end up basically being a slave to them. They’re like, “You can’t do it this weekend? Okay, I’ll let you work another time.” The other person doesn’t take the business seriously because their entire onboarding process wasn’t really that amazing to begin with. If you really think about how you can create raving employees and make them part of your company culture where they never want to leave you, I think you could radically change your business because your people are now never leaving you. Imagine if you never had an employee leave your company. Now, is that feasible? Probably not. If you’ve got them for a year, that’s really good. Obviously, you want them longer than that, but we want to get people on board and not dropping. We don’t want people ghosting us or getting confused during training and feeling like they’re supposed to be mind readers. We want them empowered. In today’s episode, I’m going to break that down for you and show you exactly how you can decrease turnover and create raving employees. I have a really cool thing for you today—we’re going to talk all about problems with onboarding new employees. You’ll want to stick around for this because there are constant challenges that people overlook all the time, and they cause massive problems later on. Before we dive in, I just want to thank you for all of your feedback on the last couple of podcasts. Our downloads have been skyrocketing, and I’ve gotten amazing feedback from you guys. I wanted to read a few because I’m so honored that you took the time. First, W. Fisher says: “No matter how big my company gets, I'm still picking up useful advice from Bella. She gives away mountains of information for free, which is greatly appreciated by all who follow her.” Thank you for everything, Bella. We appreciate you.” Well, I appreciate you too! You're exactly right—I’ve been in your shoes. And another one, from Angel Karma: “I listen to all Bella’s podcasts and they always motivate me. Bella cares about her community and tries to make the pet care industry better. I’ve been amazed with her motivation during the pandemic, but today's episode blew me away.” She’s referring to the episode where I talked about growing your business through a divorce, and I shared what I went through two years ago. I’ve now come through it, but I’ve also consoled many of you going through it. Without further ado, let’s transition. This topic has been birthed from your questions about how to properly onboard people. Once you finally hire someone, you're elated. You’ve interviewed what you thought was the perfect person, and now you have to extract everything from your brain into theirs—and trust that they’re picking it up. There’s so much information about our business. People often come in thinking it’s just dog walking or pet sitting, as if it’s just playing with puppies all day, without realizing the responsibility and professionalism required. As leaders, it’s our job to rise up and empower others to help us grow. But I’ve heard so many stories: “They shadowed me for days, but they still don’t get it.” Or, “I told my best sitter to train them.” Or, “I wrote everything down in caps and red text with five exclamation points, but they still don’t get it.” Sound familiar? That’s how I used to think too—without realizing I was sabotaging myself. There are so many new people entering the industry right now, ramping up after the pandemic. Many of you have had to cut staff, but now with travel reopening and pandemic puppies everywhere, people will start booking vacations again. You’ll have to onboard staff at record pace. And remember—you’re not the only option. If you don’t make the onboarding process amazing, you’ll lose them. You need to make them feel excited, empowered, and appreciated. Today, I’ve got seven things I don’t want you to do. The first is not having a standard process. Standardization means everything is done the same way for everyone. If you don’t have written steps or a manual, new hires won’t clearly understand where instruction ends and autonomy begins. They may feel micromanaged—or completely ignored. It also confuses whoever handles onboarding for you. You can’t tell clients “everyone’s trained the same way” if you don’t actually have a system for it. The second mistake is not having clear instructions during training. Your new hire wants to impress you, but if your expectations are a moving target, they’ll get frustrated. You need a handbook explaining your mission, values, policies, and step-by-step procedures. Don’t assume that because you’ve said something once, it’s locked into memory. Provide reference materials they can revisit. The third mistake: not having a training schedule. Assuming a new hire knows everything after shadowing for three days is unrealistic. Each employee learns differently, so some will miss key details. Have a schedule: “Day one, we’ll cover these 10 things.” Review them at the end of the day. This structure ensures consistency and builds trust. Without it, your business looks disorganized—and that erodes confidence. Fourth: no follow-up or goals. How do you know training went well? Did they absorb it? Are they confident handling clients? Set goals and check in. Employees who know they’ll be evaluated tend to feel empowered and confident. They perform better and go the extra mile. Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your clients. Fifth: not offering a variety of learning resources. People learn in different ways—visual, auditory, verbal, and kinesthetic. The more senses you engage, the better. That’s why tools like Pet Care Team Training are powerful. They offer professional, engaging video training you can customize. Avoid boring slides or monotone recordings. Combine videos, manuals, and hands-on learning. Finally, remember: your employees are worth more than any client. If one employee brings in $20,000 a year and your average client brings $2,000, who’s more valuable? Your focus should be on keeping your staff happy, trained, and loyal. I know building systems can be overwhelming. That’s why I created the Mastermind—to help you develop onboarding processes, systems, and strategies that grow your business sustainably. You don’t have to do this alone. If you join, I’ll even give you $25 off every month. It’s $147 a month, no contract. I challenge you to join, show up Monday through Friday, and work alongside others building the same systems. Are you further along this month than last month? If not, it’s time to take action. I’ll help you every step of the way—but you have to show up. I love you guys. Remember,

This week's podcast is all about perseverance and how this can make you a better leader. You will learn the benefits of being a part of a community and how to motivate yourself and your staff. As well as how to find the different things that make you want to preserve more. Biggest Takeaways: Perseverance "Doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." It is all about how you press on and keep going no matter what challenges you have to face. Be Apart of Your Community, Isolation is Dangerous The people you surround yourself with are going to have the most impact on you. They can see what you are blind to, where you need help, and have faith in you. You can succeed and keep pressing on and having the right people around you will give you that motivation. To Be A Great Leader You Need to Know What Makes You Preserve Other people having faith in you is important but you need to have faith in yourself! What motivates you? What makes you try again and again until you can do it? Knowing what gives you motivation and providing support to your employees will make you a better leader! Show Highlights How to Keep Pressing On (3.40) Screen Your Applicants and Learn Who to Select (5.45) Recognizing if You are off Balance and Jump Back-Up (9.00) Look at the People You Surround Yourself with (14.00) Find What Makes You Persevere (17.50) You are a Leader, Uplift Yourself so You Can Uplift Others (22.20) Links Jump Start Your Pet Business Facebook Group Episode 243 – Why You Need Hiring Phases To Hire Fast and Effectively Mastermind Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review' Transcript: Coming up next is episode 250 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. What's up all you jumpers? Welcome to the 250th episode of Bella in Your Business. I cannot believe that we are at 250 episodes, and let me tell you, it takes a lot of perseverance to keep this up. We’ve gone through a lot of different ebbs and flows with this thing. First, it started off solo, then I did about 200 episodes of interviewing just about everyone I knew about all kinds of topics. Then, starting in January 2020, I just started talking to you personally. And it seems like you guys actually like this the best. But perseverance, man—you have to persevere. You have to keep going. That’s what today’s topic is about, because I would not be here with you if I didn’t keep persevering, especially when I didn’t want to continue. There have been some days where I’m sliding in the recording of the podcast just a couple of days before it airs, either because I had a really busy week, wasn’t feeling motivated, wasn’t sure what I wanted to talk about, or just wasn’t organized. Imagine that, right? I know you guys have all felt that or been there at some point in your business life. I was listening to someone this weekend who was talking about how you need to keep pressing on, to run toward the challenge sometimes. And I started thinking about how this ties into being a great leader for your team. You have to keep persevering when you have a team surrounding you. You have to keep pressing forward. The true definition of perseverance is doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Ain’t that the truth? Owning your own company and going forward is difficult. It’s always difficult. And it never feels like success comes when you want it, right? It feels delayed or full of obstacles, or like you don’t have enough staff, clients, or good enough social media. There’s always something. What gets you through it all is how you persevere—how you press on and keep going. Right now, the job market is very volatile. You’ve got to be a leader inside your company. It’s not enough to throw a handbook or manual at someone and expect them to know what to do. You can’t just say, “You signed it, so you got it,” or on the other side of the spectrum, be a pushover asking, “When do you want to work? Can you do this shift?” People tend to swing between dictator and pushover, but there’s a happy medium. The greatest gains you’ll ever get come from persevering through the pain. Remember when you work out, your muscles hurt not because of the workout itself, but because they’re rebuilding. The same goes for business—growth comes from the rebuild after the struggle. Adversity helps you sharpen your sword. You’ll get better at screening and selecting. Just today in the Jumpstart group, which is our free Facebook group, I was talking to people from all different business levels. Some don’t have clear systems for hiring—they’ll say, “I have a phone call, then an on-the-job interview,” and then wonder why they’re hiring the wrong kind of people. You have to get better at screening and selecting. You must persevere and push through when things don’t go your way—when you make the wrong hire or when someone quits after three months. It’s not always you, but good leaders persevere by reevaluating and zigging and zagging around challenges. When you can get better at screening and know what kind of person you need, you’ll gain more confidence to persevere through onboarding, training, and nurturing relationships. Your staff is your biggest asset—more important than your clients. You have to run toward the pain. If you’re feeling stressed, challenged, or overwhelmed, it means things are out of balance. It doesn’t mean things are wrong; it just means you need to rebalance. The problem is many people stick their heads in the sand and refuse to acknowledge it. Persevering means fighting back, not being passive. So, what have you been persevering through in your business? Is it your website that’s been half-done for six months? Maybe it’s your handbook or SOPs that you’ve been putting off. Or maybe you want to hire an office manager but feel blocked about writing things down. You’re not persevering right now—but you can. You’re bigger than that. You’re better than that. If you truly want to succeed in this business, you have to persevere. I have clients who’ve opened four new businesses in the past two years. Have they all been perfect? No—they’ve faced lawsuits, zoning issues, and one business even lost money. But they keep going forward. If they stayed down after getting knocked down, they wouldn’t be persevering. One of my favorite sayings is: it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how fast you get back up. That’s perseverance—the grit it takes to make things happen. As a coach, I’ve worked with so many businesses, and within fifteen minutes of talking, I can tell if someone’s going to succeed or stay stuck for years. That’s why I only do intensives with people I believe in. You have to have grit. You have to persevere. You have to be the one who turns inspiration into action. You must run toward the pain. But here’s the thing—it’s hard to do alone. When you’re isolated, stuck in your head, and the only people you talk to are online, it’s easy to lose motivation. You might feel like your business is eating you alive. The way to get out of that is through community. Surround yourself with people who believe in you when you don’t. I know because there are times I don’t believe in myself either. When you’re too emotionally wrapped up in a problem, others can help you see clearly. Maybe you’ve got someone at home who doesn’t believe in your business. I’ve seen clients held back by unsupportive partners—and once they left those relationships, their businesses took off. They grew because they became aware of their blind spots. Are you aware of yours? You need people who can point them out, so you’re not blindsided. You also need to see others doing what you thought was impossible—like running a business remotely, raising rates, or hiring in seven days. When you’re around others achieving big things, that energy rubs off on you. Perseverance isn’t about doing it alone. You need people cheering you on through challenges, personal struggles, or setbacks. Isolation kills perseverance. You have to surround yourself with people who push you, hold you accountable, and call you out when you’re not following through. That’s what will make you a better leader—the kind of leader your team wants to follow, even into the fire, because they know you’ll persevere and find the silver lining. People need your leadership, your light, and your guidance. Are you leading from confidence or from crisis? Are you pouring into your people and teaching them perseverance through your example? Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about balance, awareness, and empathy. So, what’s knocking you down right now? What do you need to get back up from? I’m telling you—you can do it. You can persevere. I’ve been there. I’ve stared down impossible odds and survived. You can too. But it’s easier when you’re not alone. Build your community. Find people who believe in you. Let them hold you accountable. That’s how you become a better leader—by persevering, leaning into pain, finding lessons in hardship, and helping others do the same. From my heart to yours, I believe in you. My goal is to inspire hope, and you’re listening to this for a reason. Take action. Join a mastermind. Build your tribe. Don’t be afraid of failure—embrace it. You’re going to fail more than you succeed,

In this week’s podcast, we are going to get MOTIVED and TAKE ACTION. I am so thrilled all of you get so inspired but it is time to do something with that inspiration I am going to tell you how you can motivate yourself to take action and what to analyze to make sure you continue to take action. Biggest Takeaways: Inspiration and Results Many people get inspired but no one really does anything about it. We are going to jump in and get motivated. It is time to take action! Actions to Take Just trying to figure it out... that is the worst thing you can do. There are so many positive actions you can take from your inspiration. Think about them all and use your resources. Get Motivated and Get Uncomfortable Taking the proper steps to get motivated and actually do something with your inspiration can be challenging. But what happens when you get challenged? You get uncomfortable? Then what... you do something about it. Recognize the time you stepped out of your comfort zone and think about what happened when you did. Show Highlights What is Being Done with Your Inspiration? (3:30) Actions that can be taken from Your Inspiration (5.30) How to Get Motivated and Take Action (9.20) Acknowledge the Challenges You Overcome (10.55) What do You do When You Get Inspired? (12.40) Links Bella's email [email protected] Mastermind Mel Robbin's 5 Second Rule Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review' Transcript: This is episode 249 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I literally just got off a coaching call and knew exactly what I wanted to talk to you guys about. I want to give a big shout-out to Adriana for a great coaching call together. We talked about something that I wanted to share with you today, and that's basically what to do when you're inspired. Because here's the thing I hear all the time: “Bella, you're so inspiring. You're so motivating.” And I'm like, that's great, but you can't take that to the bank, you guys. Today, I'm going to blow the lid off of that because there are a lot of things you're listening to in this podcast, which is great. You know about the things I talk about. You've heard them. You binge on Bella. But what have you produced? What have you actually done? I love hearing that you’re inspired—but what have you implemented? I want to know right now. Write me at [email protected]. I’ve told you so many amazing stories about how people in the mastermind are doing things like hiring three or four people at once and getting them all through the interview and training process within one week. What? Yeah, because throughout COVID they were actually working on it. But I don’t need to beat you over the head about that because you already know the stories. As I was on this coaching call, something was brought up that some of your friends or family—or people in other groups—might tell you: “Just figure it out as you go.” No, don’t do that. Please don’t do that. If you figure it out as you go, that’s no better than falling on your face trying to go skateboarding when you’ve never done it before—no pads, no helmet, no clue. You’ll end up bruised and bleeding with gravel in your skin. Don’t do that. “Figure it out as you go” is one of the worst pieces of advice you can follow. You’ll spend money in random places and have nothing to show for it. Even worse, you’ll waste a lot of time. Last I checked, none of you are walking around saying, “I have so much time on my hands.” I know you’re running around right now, and I hope that you’re either celebrating the fact that you spent 2020 creating systems and processes to onboard fast—both clients and employees—or you’ve realized you need to brush up on those skills. In any case, being motivated or inspired without taking action means nothing. Every episode, I give you a goal or focus point, and I really want to encourage you to take that seriously. Don’t just keep listening. I love that you listen, share it, and post about it—but don’t just keep absorbing. Do something. The reason people say “figure it out as you go” is because they don’t have structure. And when people told me that, I asked, “How big is their business? How successful are they? How much do they have in the bank?” Usually, the answer is “not much.” So consider your source. If you want to know what to do when you get inspired, surround yourself with other inspiring people. Get in a community that will help you achieve your goals. Don’t always be the biggest person in the room—sometimes you want to be surrounded by people bigger than you. You want to be around winners, not naysayers or Debbie Downers telling you what you can’t do. When things like virtual consultations or interviews come up and most of the industry balks, there are others doing it successfully—growing their staff, working less, and actually taking vacations. I’ve never seen so many six-figure business owners taking time off with family as I do now. Meanwhile, others are suffocating in their business—and it doesn’t have to be that way. You listen to these podcasts, get motivated and inspired—but what do you do with it? I am begging you: do something with it. Join a community. State your goals to people who care, people who know what a real goal is, people who will ask you how it’s going. Surround yourself with people who face challenges and keep pushing. Be around people who have a healthy relationship with fear. Fear is always there—it’s there for me, it’s there for you. The difference is what we do with it. Does it paralyze you or push you to act? The biggest thing you can do as a business owner is make decisions—even wrong ones. Just keep moving forward. When you’re inspired, move forward. Try something. Take a step. Use that energy. And like Mel Robbins says in The 5 Second Rule—count down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—and do it. Psych yourself up, get momentum, and act. When people step out despite fear, they realize the thing they dreaded wasn’t that bad. Ask yourself: what’s the worst that could happen? When you finish a podcast feeling inspired but unsure what to do, take a step forward. Guys, I appreciate you listening to this podcast. I love your feedback, but I beg you to take action. A lot of you are doers, but I know many of you are lurking in the shadows—listening while you’re walking dogs, tired, hungry, dehydrated, or up late worrying. Maybe you’re going through something hard—family struggles, business chaos, burnout. Life wasn’t meant to feel like that. And if you’re a jumper, it’s my goal to show you there is hope. I believe I was put on this earth to inspire hope, especially in pet sitters and dog walkers. You can do this—but you have to be around people who are doing it too. You started this business for a reason—freedom, security, choices. Business should give you options, not trap you. So what do you do when you get inspired? Get around other inspiring people. Surround yourself with those who challenge you, who make you a little uncomfortable. Growth only happens outside your comfort zone. Let’s talk about that. When was the last time you were uncomfortable? For me, it’s scuba diving—I get seasick, my ears hurt, and I doubt myself. But I push through because that discomfort stretches me. Same with dancing—I feel awkward, but I do it anyway. I get around people better than me, and I fight through negative thoughts. As your coach, I know I need to stay uncomfortable to grow—and I want you to do the same. So what do you do when you get inspired? Get uncomfortable. Take steps. Move forward. Do things you’re not used to doing. Prove to yourself that you can do hard things—not because life forces you to, but because you choose to grow. Build mental resilience by challenging yourself. When you’re inspired and uncertain, draw confidence from all the times you’ve overcome discomfort before. You’ll know you can do hard things. It’s conditioning your mind—reading, listening, learning, and surrounding yourself with others doing the same. This is your invitation to join the Mastermind. That’s what funds this podcast and allows me to help you. What do you do when you get inspired? Do you act or just move on to the next task? What’s one thing you’ll do today? Email me at [email protected] or tag me online. I want to see you move from inspiration to action. If you follow my weekly emails, you know my in-person intensives are booking fast. I’ve done some incredible sessions—Chicago, DC, and beyond—and they’ve been amazing. If you want me in your business physically, reach out. I’m doing about two intensives a month now. So what do you do when you get inspired? Let me know. It’s not enough to be motivated—you have to turn it into action. I love you guys. Remember to always keep jumping. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

In this week’s podcast, we are talking about the current influx of clients and how to properly handle taking care of our clients so that we can continue to expand. You probably want an office manager so your business can be taken care of and you can maintain the balance of work and life. Are we right? Today's podcast will cover topics such as managing client expectations, using technology, communication flow, and more! Biggest Takeaways: Balancing Your Business During Expansion Communication Processes and Proper Client Love How to Stand Out with Current Conditions Show Highlights Being Aware of Your Sales Process and How the Influx of Clients Effects You (11.30) Do You Have a Good Communication Flow? (16.40) When to Show Your Clients Love (18.30) What are You Doing to Stand Out? (24.00) Links Bella's email [email protected] Mastermind Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 248 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I start them all out like that, right? First, I got to give a shout out. I got to give a couple of shout outs. First, I want to shout out to Catherine. What's up, girl? Thank you so much for listening and always reposting this stuff on Instagram. I love that you get the word out there. Thank you also to Michelle, which just so happens to be Catherine's accountability partner in the mastermind. She too is always commenting and sharing this podcast. Thank you so, so much, ladies. I appreciate that. And then Tiffany, Tiffany Lewis, thank you so much for also listening. I got a lot of emails from you guys recently. I think it's probably because I've been asking you to let me know when you're listening, but nonetheless, I absolutely love to hear from you. So you keep it coming. [email protected]. Let's get into this week's show. Guys, this is a big one and I'm actually putting aside all of the hiring talk that we've been doing for the past, I don't know, two months, right? If you don't remember or you're a new time listener to the show, you might have realized or remembered that in the past, I actually made a prediction and the prediction has come true. That often happens, not to toot my own horn, but toot toot. I have been making a lot of predictions in this industry six months out or so, and it absolutely has come true if you just kind of look on a bigger scale. I really try to surround myself by people that are smarter than me and really listen to kind of what they say and then kind of see what's happening in our industry. And sure enough, a lot of people that spent the time in 2020 perfecting all of their systems and processes, I mean, new client systems, I mean, new employee systems, onboarding, client love, 100 days, we're going to talk more about that today, have really been reaping the benefits. There's two different things that you really want to be aware of right now. If you're listening and you are saying, but Bella, my business is back and it's just amazing and look at what happened. And it just kind of feels like it's falling out of the sky. Guess what? It is. It totally is. But right now you have an incredible moment to either celebrate and grab it on and make it long term or it could be a flash in the pan because guys, like everything in life, everything's about balance. The whole entire universe is on balance and everything is always going like a pendulum, going from one end of extreme to the other end of the extreme. And it's just a matter of time. And when we feel like everything's balanced, it's just a matter of time before things get unbalanced. Generally speaking, at least that is my take on it. And so right now what is happening is we are experiencing the big, great revenge spending, I've been calling it. It's where everyone's been holding back and now it is the summer. People are excited. They are traveling. They are getting out. They are doing stuff. Most of the travel is domestic or down to Mexico, of course, because our friends to the north in Canada are still locked down and our friends in the UK, although we can go there, they can't come here. So travel has shifted just a little bit, but nonetheless, it is very much out there. Last week, I myself was in Chicago doing two all-day intensives with a couple of amazing clients and it was so fantastic. And I just, I love being on airplanes, coming and visiting you guys. But while that was all happening, something really interesting happened and I'm going to actually read these to you. The very first one, these are my clients. They're posting things saying, hi, Bella, just wanted to share with you this huge win. We broke $17,000 in June with me taking two weekends off. That's my highest revenue in 10 years. Guys, I want to be really clear. What I'm about to read you, this one and a couple of others is not just, hey, let's compare it to last year and then say, oh, we're doing great because obviously, you're probably doing better than you were last year, right? But she says, this is my highest revenue in 10 years. April and May were also record breakers. Look at that growth. And she actually included a chart.

Unlock the secret to attracting the right clients for your pet-sitting or dog-walking business with our exclusive guide to the 4 different types of avatars that work best in this industry! Say goodbye to generic marketing strategies and hello to tailored techniques that will help you connect with your ideal customers and grow your business. In this week’s podcast, we are talking about 4 different types of avatars that work for pet sitters and dog walkers. Biggest Takeaways Finding and Attracting the Right People to Hire (11:50) Who are the 4 Different Avatars (24.00) The Psychology Behind the Avatars and Ourselves (30.30) Links Join Jumping Scale, here Google: Social Media Week Lima, here Let's Connect Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 246 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we are going to talk all about four types of hiring avatars that work for pet sitters and dog walkers. What is an avatar, you may wonder? I'm going to tell you all about that today. But first, I want you to know that we have a free resource for you. It is called Jumping Scale. If you go to joinjumpconsulting.net, you will be able to sign up for it. It’s a three-hour class—yes, it sounds long, but I really go on a deep dive with you to explain exactly how to do these avatars. It is three one-hour classes that go in increments, and you get to understand what an avatar is. So what is an avatar? It is a personality, a profile, a persona, a character—however you want to talk about it, I’m going to call it an avatar today. They are types of people that you’re going to want to look for to hire in your business, and there are four of them. I’m going to break them down today. I’m going to explain a little of the psychology behind it and also why I know this. The top four are: the stay-at-home mom, a freelancer, a college student, and a Jill of all trades. Let’s get right into it. If this is your first time here, welcome. My name is Bella Vasta. I am the host of this podcast as well as the administrator and coach for the Jump Mastermind, which also helps sponsor this podcast. It allows me to do this weekly and pay my staff to do the show notes, production, and promotion for free to you. These podcasts this year have basically become a bunch of trainings for you, and if you are one of those amazing, loyal listeners who are “bingeing on Bella,” I want to sincerely thank you for letting me be in your ears. It is a huge honor and one that I do not take lightly. I always try to bring you value each and every episode. Last week’s episode had an amazing amount of feedback—you guys really felt woken up by it. Some of you felt challenged by it, which was exactly my idea. Now is the time—2021 is the time—to buckle up, buttercup, and get going because it’s time to jumpstart our businesses and get back up on that saddle. It might be a wild bucking ride; we might get thrown off a few times, but I’ve got your back and we’re going to do this together. One of the biggest things that’s happening with a lot of my clients is that while there might be other institutions out there helping you get your business back, we’re way beyond that. We did that six or nine months ago—we got our businesses back. Now I know that you jumpers are feeling the pain of not having enough people to help you. Clients are raining down, and while it’s tempting to think that it’s all your marketing, the truth is, the country’s reopening, people are being vaccinated, and the money they’ve been sitting on is now being spent. People are on a buying frenzy. As that’s happening, a lot of industries are still struggling—restaurants are understaffed, rental cars are scarce, Uber and Lyft are overbooked. Everything’s volatile. And though we’re talking about hiring avatars today, I want you to understand that the problem is not finding people to hire—it’s being attractive to the right people. That’s what’s going to make or break your business this summer. So let’s get real: some people you paid through PPP loans won’t want to come back. They’ll prefer sitting on unemployment. When that happens, you have a choice to make. And if people show you who they are—believe them. Let them go. It’s hard, but necessary. Now is your time to rebuild your dream team. Assume every new hire may only stay for three months. That’s okay. Your job is to hire smart, train fast, and set them up for success quickly. So let’s talk avatars. If you’ve been using the same generic hiring ad from last year, stop. Every business is hiring right now—it’s a job-seeker’s market. You can’t just throw out a template ad and expect good results. You need to talk directly to your ideal candidate. Think of it like marketing—you’re not just hiring, you’re selling the opportunity to work for you. The first avatar: the stay-at-home mom. She’s not trying to pay the mortgage or buy a car—she wants to contribute to the family vacation fund or buy herself something nice without touching the family budget. She might also feel unappreciated or restless after having kids home all year. She wants something for herself—a purpose. Words of affirmation will mean more to her than a $1 raise. She’ll thrive on being told she’s doing great work and feeling valued. She’s likely perfect for midday walks when the kids are in school. When you write the ad, talk to her emotions—freedom, balance, fulfillment. Write it like a love letter. The second avatar: the freelancer. These are people who work from home—maybe as designers, developers, or consultants. They need an excuse to get out of the house, move their body, and reset their mind. For them, this job is the perfect break in their day. They’re not doing it for the money; they’re doing it for purpose and balance. You could literally say, “Do you work from home and need a reason to step away from your screen?” That ad will speak directly to them. The third avatar: the college student. Especially online students—they love flexible schedules and steady pay. They don’t want unpredictable restaurant shifts or customer-facing jobs. They want to make money doing something active and meaningful. Here’s an example of a college student ad: “Are you in college, online or in person? Do you love, love, love dogs? Well, I have the best job for you! See, I own this amazing dog walking company called XYZ Pet Sitting, and we’re looking for a college student like you—someone who loves dogs, wants to get paid to exercise, and values flexibility. Sound like you? Check us out on Instagram, then apply!” That’s conversational, upbeat, and fun. Don’t write corporate-sounding ads. You’re not hiring for a cubicle job—you’re inviting someone into a community. The last avatar: the Jill of all trades. This person might have multiple part-time gigs—maybe she babysits, works retail, or has a flexible remote job. She’s motivated, adaptable, and thrives on variety. She’s not going to dedicate herself entirely to you, but she can fill important gaps in your schedule—weekends, evenings, or float shifts. Talk to her lifestyle in your ad: “Are you juggling a few flexible jobs but want to add something rewarding that fits perfectly between them?” Now that you understand these four avatars, stop trying to hire “anyone.” If you attract general, you’ll get general. If you’re clear, you’ll get quality. You need to know exactly who you’re looking for and what drives them. Then you’ll hire faster, train better, and retain longer—even if it’s only for a season. You’ve got this. You can build a team that loves you so much they’d work for free—because they feel valued and fulfilled. Don’t isolate yourself trying to figure it all out alone. Keep learning, growing, and connecting with others doing the same. I hope this has inspired you to think differently about hiring. Build your avatars. If you want to go deeper, take my course at joinjumpconsulting.net—it’s a three-hour step-by-step guide to creating hiring avatars that work. And if you’re serious about growth, join the Mastermind. That’s where we create, brainstorm, and refine together every day. Thank you so much for listening, for sharing, and for always showing up. Keep going. Keep growing. And remember: when life gets you down, always keep jumping. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

In this week’s podcast, we are thinking big and talking about what you can do to level up with the tools you already have. BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: You won’t grow your business trying to do everything yourself. Make use of organic opportunities. The last thing you need is another business course. Show Highlights Testimonial of what can happen when you start thinking big! (9:50) Perfect your processes and nothing can stop you. (14:00) Questions you need to ask yourself. (20:00) Bella's call to action. (24:00) Links Ready to get serious about your hiring process? Sign up with Jazz HR, click here. Ready to join Mastermind and start thinking big? click here. Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business here. To sign up for Pet Care Team Training click here. To email Bella, if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 245 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. I want to tell you a story about one of my clients. Her name is Rhonda Clark with Tail Chasers. Her and her husband, Matt, run this magnificent business. They joined the mastermind in 2018. She was one of our OG, original gangsta members. She was struggling to delegate employees when communicating what she was trying to convey with different tasks. Her dog walks at the time were only $17 for 20 minutes or $75 a week, and her plan was to raise her rates $2 per visit on February 1, 2018. She wanted to rebrand her whole company because she wanted to go from being known as dog walkers to everything pet care because she had this big vision for herself. She was working on all of these grandiose plans while doing it scared and wondering what’s happening. She was also living more in the city in a high-density area with her two young sons and just living life, trying to figure it all out. Today I want to talk to you—are you playing too small in your business? And just how much growth can you see in a year or two? I'm going to give you examples of many of my different clients, both in the mastermind and in Better Marketing with Bella. Through those programs, we get to work together long-term, which is always really amazing because there’s accountability and working through struggles and fears the whole time. But I want you to wonder—are you playing too small with your business? How are you solving problems? The way you solve your problems determines the answer to this question. Are you using things to the best of your advantage, or are you just of the mindset that, “Well, this is good enough for today,” or “Another day, another dollar,” or “I’m so busy, I don’t even have time to eat, so I’ll just go through drive-through”? Things get worse before they get better, and what determines if they get better is your mindset and your connection to your vision and dreams. Are you dreaming bigger? Are you building a business with a vision for one, two, three, four years from now—or just doing it to get by today? Are you solving problems or creating dreams? Are you creating systems and structures that will let your business grow beyond you? Most of the time, we miss out on opportunities because we don’t have the time or headspace to take advantage of them. I want to talk about software because I see this as a major pain point in pet sitting and dog walking companies. When I talk about software, I mean all of it—your pet sitting software, JazzHR, your phone, ClickUp, Slack, Evernote, Asana. Are you playing too small? Are you using them to their fullest capability to streamline your systems? It’s rarely the software’s fault—it’s the user. We need to humble ourselves and say, “I don’t know,” or delegate it to someone who can become an expert. Do you understand integrations and APIs? You don’t need to be an expert, but you need to know enough to be dangerous. When we evaluate members’ systems in the mastermind, we see huge differences between how people use the same software. Two businesses might use Precise Petcare or Time to Pet, but one appears sleek and automated while the other is clunky—all because of how they set it up. Some let clients self-manage bookings; others insist on doing it for them. How can you grow when you’re spending time being your clients’ virtual assistant? Dream big—it’s possible. What about Slack? Do you have channels set up or one big chat? Many ask me the difference between Slack and text. It’s huge. Slack allows organization, collaboration, and boundaries. Text threads don’t. You get constant pings, no threading, and chaos. I’ll tell you right now—you don’t need more courses or education. You just need to use what’s already in front of you better. If only you know how to do things in your business, you’re playing too small. If you were gone tomorrow, could someone take your place? If not, that’s a red flag. You’re not that indispensable—you’re not a brain surgeon. Working from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a road to burnout. In 2014, when I birthed one of the world’s smallest female babies—only 12 ounces—I would never have been able to sell my business for six figures if I hadn’t built systems and a bigger vision. If I was still doing it all myself, I would’ve lost everything. Let’s go back to Rhonda. She raised her rates, rebranded, and got flooded with clients—even old ones returning at the new rate. She hired an office manager, opened a daycare, moved her family onto the property, launched her own dog food line, and opened five businesses in three years—all while homeschooling her boys. Was it smooth? No. Was it worth it? Absolutely. This is what happens when you delegate and dream big. Start solving problems with a big mind. Think bigger. Grow into your business like shoes that are too big now but will fit soon. What have you done since last year? Are you still waiting for things to “go back to normal”? That’s small thinking. Or are you making a plan and going for it? Big thinkers don’t wait—they act. I’ll give you another example: a Boston pet sitter who was terrified to hire. She was the queen of control freaks, but she pushed through. Her manager quit with one week’s notice. She hired five new employees—and spent the entire month traveling. Her business had its biggest month ever. She believed in herself. That’s what happens when you prepare instead of panic. Another client of mine is hiring three people at once because he perfected his systems early. He now runs a $400k business with a VA who works only 10 hours a week. That’s efficiency. You’re not winning if you have a waitlist—you’re losing revenue. Supply and demand, people! If demand is high, raise your prices. The world is adjusting, and so should you. This isn’t just about hiring. It’s about thinking bigger. Start systematizing. Create processes for complaints, client calls, employee issues. Build confidence through structure. Ask yourself: are you building a job or a business? A job depends on you; a business runs without you. Don’t build roles around people’s preferences—build them for the company. Read Powerful by Patty McCord—the Netflix story. It’ll teach you about letting people go when they outgrow their role, welcoming new energy, and understanding that not everyone is meant to stay forever. Hire for the company’s needs, not sentimentality. Loving dogs doesn’t qualify someone for office work. You’re not a hostage to your business—you’ve made yourself one. So what are you going to do about it? Automate your marketing, join a mastermind, surround yourself with big thinkers. Or will you keep running in circles until burnout catches up? We are in a service industry revolution. It’s time to wake up. You are the captain of your ship, not the deckhand. When the iceberg comes, you better be steering. So—how big can you dream? Can you grow from one business to five in three years? Can you travel for a month while your business runs itself? You can—but only if you dream bigger and systematize smarter. It’s not easy right now. Hiring is tough. But buckle up, buttercup—it’s supposed to be. The ones who get through this are the ones who build strong systems, protect their mindset, and collaborate with peers. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and stay small. Everything you’re going through is normal—but it’s doable. My clients prove it every day. I poured my heart into this one, and it’s different from my usual episodes. So please, email me at [email protected] and tell me what you thought. I don’t do this for me—I do it for you. When I record, I think of you—the business owners in my mastermind and Better Marketing with Bella who are pushing through, crying, scared, and still doing the work. The only difference between those who win and those who give up is that the winners keep showing up. If you’re ready for me to fight for your business like I do every week, join the mastermind at jumpconsulting.net/mastermind. You can save $600 a year by paying in full. Make that commitment to yourself. Life is hard, but if you keep jumping, you’ll never get stuck in a rut. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher,

So you think you're ready to hire but are you? Do you have a manual? Do you have a handbook? Wait.... aren't those the same thing?  I'll be honest with you, hiring can be frustrating. Having these things in place will make the process much easier for you. BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: Yes, there is a difference between a handbook and a manual. You need an avatar for your business. Empower your team with pet sitting software for communication and scheduling. Show Highlights 10 things you need. (1:15) Application anatomy and legal requirements (3:00) Streamlining to get your employees trained and certified! (18:00) Links Ready to get serious about your hiring process? Sign up with Jazz HR, click here. Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business here. To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, click here. To email Bella, if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 244 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we are going to continue on this hiring choo-choo train, choo-choo, and we are going to talk about the ten things that you need before you start hiring. Now, if you've already been hiring, that’s quite all right. This podcast is also for you. It does not mean that you cannot brush up on your skills, or maybe you feel like you're epically failing, or there's just something missing, but you're not quite sure what it is. Today I’m going to give you ten different things that I believe you need to do, but you’re going to have to really think about if it’s going to work for you or if this is something you can actually implement. Some of them are completely free and the only currency is your brainpower, and others will have a little bit of a cost associated. But as my mastermind members know, many of them understand exactly how much it costs to hire someone between all of the expenses involved. What I'd like for you to consider is the investment. You might spend two, three, maybe four hundred dollars for every new hire that you get. However, they can bring in ten, fifteen, even twenty thousand dollars in revenue. That’s a pretty good ROI if I say so myself. So guys, in no particular order, I am going to run down a list. Here it is: handbook, manual, application, avatar, pet sitting software, payroll company, workman’s compensation, training program, workflow training, and training template videos. The first one is a handbook, and it should not be confused with a manual. They are two separate documents. The employee handbook includes how to do specific tasks like scooping litter, cleaning bowls, walking multiple dogs, or locking up a house. It is specific to your company and explains how to do your job—your secret sauce. The employee manual, on the other hand, is more administrative. It includes things like jury duty, holidays, EEOC policies, and equal opportunity employment language. It’s where you include legal jargon and general policies that most companies have. Next is the application. Legally, you need one. It should include previous employment, availability, background check consent, and space for a signature verifying accuracy. You must also store it securely for at least 18 months. Be aware of privacy and security requirements, since applications contain sensitive personal information. The next thing you need is an avatar. How do you know if you’re sitting in front of the perfect applicant if you don’t know who that person is? You need to define your hiring avatar—just like you’d define your ideal client. Maybe it’s a stay-at-home mom with kids in school who loves nurturing and wants to feel appreciated. Or maybe it’s someone looking for a purpose beyond home life. Knowing your avatar lets you target your hiring ads effectively. Generic ads don’t work anymore. We’re in a volatile hiring market. Write specific ads to attract the right people. The fifth item is pet sitting software. Do not, I repeat, do not give instructions by email, text, or handwritten notes. That’s outdated and creates confusion. A good scheduling software empowers your employees and helps them feel confident and organized. For example, in my company, after consultations, staff had to write down each step in the client’s profile so anyone covering could follow along easily. This ensures consistency, efficiency, and clear communication. Next is a payroll company. Don’t do payroll manually or through QuickBooks yourself. If you make a mistake or miss a tax filing, it can cost you dearly. Payroll companies handle this and assume the liability. You can even get competitive quotes between companies to find the best price. Workman’s compensation is next. It protects your employees if they get hurt on the job—anything from a dog bite to a broken ankle. If you’re new, you might start with your state’s fund until you qualify for a private carrier. Established businesses should review their policies and classification codes regularly, often with an insurance broker. Expect yearly audits, which are normal. You can pay-as-you-go or pay a lump sum upfront and reconcile at year-end. The next essential piece is video training. Whether it’s short clips explaining specific tasks or an organized online course, visual learning makes onboarding faster and more effective. My favorite program is Pet Care Team Training, which offers engaging, customizable videos. Each lesson is three to seven minutes long with built-in check-ins, visuals, and interactive cues. It keeps trainees engaged and excited to work. You can even add Pet First Aid and CPR certification to make your team more prepared and marketable. Then there’s workflow for training. You need to know exactly how you’ll move candidates through your hiring process. Each interview phase should test specific qualities like empathy, reliability, or attention to detail. The process should feel fast, professional, and well-organized. Using a tool like JazzHR can help you move candidates through multiple stages efficiently, giving them a positive impression of your company from the start. Finally, you need a training template. Outline what each day of training includes and what the employee should master by the end of it. Instead of simply shadowing, give structure—Day 1 covers these tasks, Day 2 builds on that, and so on. This sets clear expectations, gives new hires confidence, and keeps training consistent. These ten components—handbook, manual, application, avatar, pet sitting software, payroll company, workman’s compensation, training program, workflow, and training template—are what separate successful businesses from struggling ones. Skipping them causes frustration, confusion, and turnover. If you implement these, you’ll establish trust, respect, and excitement with new hires. Hiring doesn’t have to be miserable. Build a process that makes people want to work with you. If you need support, resources, or community, join the Mastermind. It’s $147 a month or discounted annually. We share strategies, tools, and real-life systems that work. Visit jumpconsulting.net/mastermind to learn more. I want to remind you that when life gets you down, always keep jumping. Don’t be a stranger—send feedback or let me know what topics you’d like covered next. This podcast isn’t for me—it’s for you. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next Thursday. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

This week's podcast is all about hiring phases. Focus on what's important to you in YOUR business, and use hiring phases to save you both time and money. BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: Do some brainstorming to narrow down the traits you're looking for. Your systems are only as good as you are. The market is open. What are you going to do about it? Show Highlights What are you looking for in a potential employee? (3:00) Use interview phases to help you identify the things you want to test for. (5:00) Your solution to hiring fast and efficiently. (7:00) Links Ready to get serious about your hiring process? Sign up with Jazz HR, click here. Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business here. To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, click here. To email Bella, if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 243 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Hello and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I'm here today to talk to you all about phases of hiring. You guys, we just finished up with the high gear hiring challenge. That was a pop-up group that I did last month, and I really feel like these podcasts are starting to become like mini training series for you. If you're one of those people that have been binging on Bella, as we like to call it, and listening to all the podcast series, shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you and let me know what resonates with you. My email is [email protected]. Something that comes up a lot in the mastermind—we actually just went through a bunch of people's JazzHR accounts. We went through four different ones to see how they set up their phases. Now, phases of an interview are like the different stages, right? It's not enough to just find someone's application and then all of a sudden want to interview them. You can't do that. You're going to waste a lot of time, you're going to get ghosted, you're not going to have qualified applicants, and honestly, I am here to tell you that your time is worth money. So do not waste your time jumping into an interview before you even know the person, before you know that there are things like trustworthy, detail-oriented, an animal lover, or an empath, or whatever it might be that you're looking for, okay? So number one I want you to take from this is to understand what you're looking for. What I love to do with this is get a bunch of sticky notes and just kind of brainstorm and stick them all up on a wall. These are almost like your topics or your buckets or something like that. Maybe there are four major things that you really want to test for. Then you can break it down underneath it and examine how you’re going to test for this. Phases of an interview are really, really important. If you own the Employee Quick Start program, which I started about a decade ago, it teaches you a very simplified interview process. This is before the days of JazzHR. If you have not checked out JazzHR yet, you want to go to jumpconsulting.net/jazzHR. That will give you a sign-up form to talk to Abby, and she can tell you all about it. Abby's been working with pet sitters and dog walkers for three years now, and a lot of my members have been having a lot of success hiring even in this volatile market. Adriana, one of my mastermind members, actually said that because of the phases and because of JazzHR, she was able to get someone past three phases in one hour the other day. When the market is so volatile and you get a fish on the hook, you are going to want to reel that fish in and get them on the boat as soon as possible. With JazzHR and those systems, you really can—but those systems are only as good as you are. And that’s why I’m talking about phases today. So let’s take a step back here because I just kind of threw a lot at you, and I’m going to keep this podcast episode short as well. I really, really want you to think about what you are wanting in your next person. Are they in a certain place in life? Are they a stay-at-home mom? Are they a freelancer who is already working from home online but wants to get out and do something else—and this money isn’t their “real” money but their play money? Are you attracting someone who is retired but very active? Are you maybe attracting an online college student who is hustling, working three different jobs? That was me, by the way. Who are you looking for? It starts off, obviously, with the job post and talking directly to that avatar. Your very first stage should be those knockout questions, and those knockout questions are your non-negotiables. It’s things like: do you live in the area? Do you have a car and a cell phone? Are you able to care for dogs and cats or cuddle with them? It always amazed me when people would apply and say that they’re allergic. Are you kidding me? Anyways, that’s literally your knockout question stage. Knockout questions are really important because if you have them set up correctly, you are only going to see the qualified applicants. You won’t see people that are half-assing it, not serious about the position, or don’t have the basic qualifications you’re looking for. Then we get into more of the intangibles. So the first phase, we might want to be testing for something like “common sense.” Someone said that the other day in my mastermind, and I asked what she meant by that. She said, “Things like attention to detail, what they would do in situations, or how they would approach challenges.” I said, “Okay, give me your questions.” And when she did, I told her, “You’re actually testing here for responsibility, attention to detail, and following directions.” Common sense is so abstract—it’s very hard to test for. So we broke it down into specific scenarios where she felt that following directions really applied. Creating questions and presenting them can be done through a questionnaire, open-ended questions, video responses, or multiple choice. The important part is that you focus on one of these things each phase. If they pass, they move on to the next phase. After knockout questions, you might test for attention to detail, then responsibility. Think about times in your business where responsibility really stood out—an exemplary employee or a memorable situation—and create a question out of that. Maybe the next phase is empathy or nurture. You want to find people that are doing this job because their heart wants to, not because their wallet wants to. Being a pet sitter, especially in today’s gig economy, means you can’t expect someone to stay for one or two years anymore. That’s why it’s important to always have a funnel of new employees—to have that pipeline filled and to get them through that pipeline really fast, with just a click of a button, going through phases using JazzHR. I have yet to find another solution for hiring efficiently and fast than JazzHR. I know this sounds like I’m pushing it, and guess what? I am. Because I use them myself to find my own nanny and my own virtual assistants. I really believe in this program. If you want to spend your day trying to keep track of who you said what to and what stage they are in the interview, or if you’re just jumping straight to phone interviews without qualifying candidates, you are doing yourself a terrible disservice. So if you want to get serious about the interview process, please consider doing phases. And if you want to learn more, you definitely have two choices. One, go to jumpconsulting.net/jazzHR and get on a phone call with Abby and be like, “What is Bella squawking about?” Or two, join the mastermind with us. You can go along the journey as people test and refine their processes and achieve great success. Now, do they have success 10 out of 10 times? No. But what they do is collaborate, figure it out together, and share what’s working and what’s not. They are a community of doers. So if you want to do this, I suggest you join us—jumpconsulting.net/mastermind. I told you I’d keep this episode short and sweet. I wonder, do you like them when they’re longer, like a half hour, or do you like these bite-sized ones? Shoot me an email and let me know at [email protected]. Now is the time to hire. Now is the time to get your systems perfected and smoothed out so you can take on as much business as possible. The puppies from the pandemic and COVID kitties have increased the number of pet owners right now. More people are staying at home, which means they need you to walk their dogs so they can focus on Zoom calls. Your problem has changed. More businesses are shutting down, which means there’s more market share for you. So what are you going to do about it? Are you going to let me help you through it? I hope so, because this excites me, as I hope it excites you. This has been another episode of Bella in Your Business. Remember, when life gets you down, always keep jumping. Do your phases, guys. Do your phases. Bye now. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review.

In this week's podcast, I'm challenging you to try something new! Today I am sharing valuable information that has been tried and tested during our Higher Gear Challenge. Tune in to learn what you should be doing to hire the right candidates for your business. It works! BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: The future of hiring is now and it's virtual! Use your application process to test your candidate's attention to detail.  Get your applicants to invest in YOU before you invest in THEM.  Ask questions that will help you understand where your candidate is in life. Show Highlights Approaching video applications and the tech factor - (2:35) What types are questions are best for video submissions - (8:00) Stick to your process - (13:50) Links Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business here. To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, click here. To email Bella, if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business/li> Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 242 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today, I'm going to let you in on a little excerpt of something that I did in that high gear hiring challenge that we had this past month of May 2021. It was an incredible time where a lot of pet sitters kind of came together and rallied together to hire as many people as they needed to. And I'd like to say it was a huge success. We had over 25 people hired across the board and in this volatile hiring environment, I consider that a major win. Also, we had a lot of good information and insight and ideas thrown around and definitely out-of-the-box examples of the way things work. Now, if you didn’t get a chance to join us in there, you can always join us in the mastermind at jumpconsulting.net/mastermind to really be around a bunch of winners who are making things happen—not in the normal ways you hear about in Facebook groups. I also would be remiss if I did not give a shout-out to our other two sponsors, JazzHR, who are helping pet sitters and dog walkers hire multiple people at once because of the simplification of the process they provide for us, and Pet Care Team Training, which is a simplified, strategic, and specific onboarding system where you can do 13 videos in under two hours and get your pet sitters and dog walkers certified, even adding pet CPR and first aid. You can go to PetCareTeamTraining.com to check that out, or if you want to see the videos, visit petcareteamtraining.com/freevideos. All right, we're going to get right into this episode. This is going to be a smaller one again, but I have made a commitment this year to give you what you need to know. We’re going to stay on this hiring theme, and today we’re going to talk about how to accept video applications. What? Yeah—we can accept video applications, and we're going to get into that today. So, how do I go about taking video applications? Is there a best practice around the length of video? What types of questions are best for video? And what are the top five interview questions to find the right candidate? I love this, and I’ve got notes for you guys—it’s also to help make sure I stay on track. The first thing we need to discuss is how to accept them because there’s a tech factor to figure out. This is a great opportunity to test for things like attention to detail or their ability to move around online. Maybe in your software system, you want competent people who can figure things out. How to send a video really isn’t that hard, but when you attach specific instructions or give them multiple options, it shouldn’t hinder them from being able to send it. Here’s how you can go about taking video applications. You can start a Google Drive folder and say, “Upload it to this folder.” You could also say, “Here’s a Dropbox folder—upload it there.” Another option, which might be a bit more advanced, is to have them upload it to YouTube, mark it unlisted, and send you the URL. That one’s great if you’re hiring for an office manager or virtual assistant who should be tech-savvy. The key to this is giving clear instructions. Even if it seems simple to upload to Dropbox or Google Drive, it’s still a good test because we’re not only testing them on what they say in the video but also how they follow directions. Do they come back saying, “I can’t figure this out”? If so, that’s a good indication they might not be tech-savvy enough. You don’t have to be an expert, but you do need to know how to send pictures or videos to clients. As for video length, I like one minute. It’s not the only answer, but I like it because it’s simple yet challenging—it tests if they can follow directions and stay concise. If you tell them one minute and they send three or four, that says something. Maybe they didn’t read carefully or they don’t respect boundaries. Maybe they’re nervous and ramble. If they ramble, that might be a red flag—imagine them at a client consultation. This is also a great test of following directions and respecting boundaries. Next, what types of questions are best for a video? I recommend inserting this in about phase three of your interview process. Maybe phase one is knockout questions, phase two is open-ended questions, and by phase three, you’ve narrowed it down to people you like. This is where you’ll see who’s serious. You’ll lose some applicants here, but that’s okay—it weeds out people who aren’t truly invested. Now, for video questions. Here are some I recommend. You can either give them a choice or just assign one. One good question is, “Why shouldn’t I hire you?” It’s unconventional and reveals personality and honesty. Another good one is, “Why should I hire you?” Ideally, they’ll reference your job description, showing they did their homework. Give them one minute to answer. Another option is, “Tell me the difference between caring for large dogs and small dogs,” or, “Tell me the difference between caring for a cat versus a dog.” You’ll see if they go with stereotypes or speak from experience and understanding. Video interviews reveal a lot. Don’t be discouraged if many drop off at this stage—it’s part of the filtering process. If you’re looking for someone who can handle social media, communicate well, and be proactive, this is essential. We’re all used to video now—even my 91-year-old grandmother uses Zoom. Don’t let your fear stop you. Another great benefit: if I send you a video of me, I’m more invested. It builds a connection and makes me more likely to follow through with the interview. It becomes a mutual relationship, not just you chasing them. As for the top five interview questions to find the right candidate, it depends on what you’re looking for. There’s no one-size-fits-all. For pet sitting and dog walking, focus on attention to detail, empathy, organization, and life balance. I also like to ask, “How much money do you need to make per month?” If they say they need $2,000 but your position starts around $800, that’s an opportunity to discuss expectations and availability early on. I can’t stress enough how effective video interviews are, especially when you use JazzHR. People in the mastermind who’ve tested this say the quality of applicants improves dramatically. Yes, some will drop off—but those who remain are serious. Don’t let your ego convince you you’re losing out on the “best” people. If following this process is important to you, stick with it. So I hope this helps you approach video applications with confidence. Give it a try and see what happens. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. I also want to remind you that when life gets you down, remember to always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.

On today's podcast, I'm making my next prediction! There are 8.1 million job openings and 9.8 million unemployed per the Dept of Labor. It's time to stop complaining and start making adjustments to get people hired. You are not alone.... let me help you get your business back! BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: We are in a service industry revolution! Nobody is looking at your old hiring ads. Add more phases to your hiring process and get better applicants. Your applicants are checking you out too! Show Highlights Bella's next prediction! (6:45) Training determines how long people stay with your company. (12:00) Change up your hiring process. (14:50) Your business is not meant to put you in bondage. (20:00) Links Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business here. To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, click here. To email Bella, if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 241 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Boy, if you missed it on Monday, I really went off on my Facebook page. I had notes, I had signs, and everything. I just started going—to the point that I actually started sweating. Monday, May 17th, this is my Facebook Live, and I wanted to share it with you all. Please heed my advice. If you’re having trouble with hiring, reach out. You don’t have to struggle alone. There are so many different things you can do, both free and paid, that I can help you out with. Let’s have a chat because you deserve to have the business you want. Without further ado, here’s the next episode. There are 8.1 million job openings right now and 9.8 million unemployed per the Labor Department. What? My name is Bella Vasta, and if we’re just meeting for the first time, I am the leader of Jump Consulting, also a mastermind, also an agency where we provide people’s graphics and manage Facebook groups. I’m also a podcast host from Bella in Your Business, and today I’m here to give you guys another prediction because I want to tell you something really quick. This is going to start off really in your face. Those of you who know me and love me know this is how I am. I’ve predicted everything that’s happened the past year, and I’m here with more predictions. But I’m not just here with predictions; I’m here with solutions to your problems. I don’t know how long this is going to go, but this is so important for me to get out to you right now that I’m basically going live on every single channel I possibly can via StreamYard. So first step of business—grant StreamYard permission. Just click that little thing at the top of the comments if you want to interact with me and let me know that you’re here. I’ve got a meeting with my team in 18 minutes that I’m prepared to push back because this is how important this is. I’ve got a list of notes to tell you guys, and we’re going to get straight into it. But first, for those just joining, take a look. If you are a pet sitter or a dog walker company trying to hire right now, look at this. I am so tired of hearing people say that it’s the job market. We’ve heard that the sky is falling many times. If you want to stay in that camp, this video is not for you. If you don’t want solutions or to get a little uncomfortable and have me challenge you, this video is not for you. But if you want some tough love and ideas backed with facts, this is for you. I predicted this bubble. We knew this bubble was coming, and the people in the mastermind got all their systems smooth. All their onboarding systems—like the six steps to getting someone onto their team—are now easy. But now we can’t find people, right? I’ve asked a couple of questions in the groups. I said, “Okay, so what have you done differently?” You’re always going to have hiring problems. The only thing you can change is how you’re doing it—how you’re looking at the problem, how you’re zigging and zagging. If you’re doing the same thing you did in early 2020, it’s not going to work—or it’s going to take a long time to work. It’s always going to be up to you to change things. Back in the first quarter of 2020, the unemployment rate was at 3%, and people were saying there’s nobody to hire. Now we’re saying the unemployment rate is off the charts, everything’s volatile. Unemployment was just extended to September. Let’s get into this. Stocks have tumbled for the week as investors stress about rising prices and inflation. Consumer prices jumped 4.2% in April—the biggest increase since 2008. Amazon is now paying new hires $17 an hour. Chipotle bumped up to $15. Uber and Lyft are offering bonuses to get drivers. Walmart raised its average rate to $15. President Biden extended the $300 extra per week benefit to September. This isn’t political—it’s just reality. Women carried the bulk of childcare duties as schools remained closed. Women stayed home, their jobs were the first to go. Things are moving, and we don’t need to be scared; we need to be armed with information. “Okay, Bella, how do I compete with $17 an hour? Do I need to pay $18?” No, you don’t. The people you hire for dog walking and pet sitting are empathetic nurturers who would do it for free because they care. It’s not a lifelong career job, and turnover might be high. But remember, we are in the service industry—and I predict we are entering a service industry revolution. You’ll hear it more soon, but mark my words—you heard it here first. There’s a shortage everywhere—restaurants, salons, trades—and it’s going to change how we attract workers. You only have to be this good to do it. First, have the right people on your team. Then hire and continuously train them to impress customers so they stay with you. Many pet businesses went under last year, but there are also more “pandemic puppies” and “COVID kitties.” Even if shelters are full from returns, those pets still need care. There’s a huge opportunity right now. Stop saying, “I hope people will apply.” If your job ad is 21 days old, they won’t. It’s time to work smarter. Now’s the time to hunker down. If your systems aren’t smooth yet, do it now. You can hire in multiples. When unemployment runs out, it’ll get more volatile. The only thing you can control is how you attract people. Do you have multiple ad versions? Do you know your conversion rate—how many views versus applicants? Do you track which job boards give you the best results? You deserve to know this data. Live in the data, tweak weekly. I suggest posting weekly and using JazzHR. Go to jumpconsulting.net/jazzHR—I got you 50% off. Hundreds of pet sitters use it to hire in bulk. They can even re-engage past applicants quickly. If you think JazzHR just posts jobs, you’re wrong—it’s much more. I’ve shown blogs, videos, playlists—everything. You’re so busy right now, leads are coming in, and you don’t have workers. That must change. I won’t let you say, “I can’t find anyone to hire,” until you’ve tried everything. You can’t keep posting the same ad. Once you get people, train them properly—with excitement. They need to see it, read it, and hear it repeatedly. Pet Care Team Training helps with that. You can see five sample videos at petcareteamtraining.com/video. We are in a service industry revolution. How will you train and invest in your people? In 2019, we complained we couldn’t hire because unemployment was too low. Now it’s high, and we’re still complaining. When will we stop and adapt? I have people in my mastermind hiring multiple staff a week because they’ve implemented phases: questionnaires, open-ended questions, short videos, personality tests, and in-person interviews. The further candidates go, the fewer no-shows. Others use social media, videos, and graphics to show that their business is credible. Applicants look at your pages and decide—does this look like a real, professional business? People want to work for someone who looks reliable, not a mom-and-pop setup. You can do this. You just have to change your mindset. Once you get great candidates, move fast. Don’t wait days to reply—they’ll go somewhere else. If you contact them and wait 10 days for a response, that’s on you. Each hiring phase should test something—empathy, trustworthiness, attention to detail. There’s a better way. Please reach out to me if you’re struggling. If you had a full staff, what would that mean for your business? Your business isn’t meant to suffocate you—it’s meant to give you freedom: freedom to rest, travel, care for loved ones, and live. You have to fix hiring to get that freedom. My mastermind members spent 2020 smoothing out systems. They’re not complaining—they’re collaborating. You need to hang out with people who are making it happen fast. A new hire could mean $20,000 in revenue. JazzHR costs about $120 a month—it’s worth it. I want you to experience freedom. You need a hiring system that runs smoothly, not one that traps you in emails and Indeed chaos. Automation is the way forward. It’s hard because it forces you to define what you want—but it pays off. You need to test people before hiring. You need to keep training, meeting, and investing in them to keep them engaged.

Are you wondering if you're ready to take the next step and hire employees for your business? Tune in to today's podcast where we dive into the question of "How do I know if I'm ready to hire?" It's not an easy answer, but we have some expert advice to share with you. Get ready for an exciting and engaging discussion on the challenges and considerations of growing your team. Remember, it's going to get worse before it gets better, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can make the transition smoothly. BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS: Do you have time to lay the foundation? (5:17) How are you going to nurture and coach? Where are you getting your leadership skills? (7:08) It's going to get worse before it gets better. (9:20) Think about how much people are worth to your business because that mindset is will change what you are willing to deal with. (12:09) Special Offers $10 Hire Challenge! From May 1st – 31st. A $525 value for just $10! Bella is that committed to helping you scale! www.jumpconsulting.net/challenge Links Interested in getting more hires? Get more information on the Challenge starting May 3rd, visit www.jumpconsulting.net/challenge Free Facebook group, Jump Start Your Pet Business https://www.facebook.com/groups/jumpersnetwork/ To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, visit www.jumpconsulting.net/marketing To email Bella if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email her at [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 240 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I'm going to continue on the hiring train, you guys. I've got a lot to say about this and it was actually inspired by one of you amazing people who reached out to me in a DM on Instagram. The big question was, how do I know when I'm ready to hire? They really wanted to know, right? And so I wanted to talk about this on the podcast. I love it when I get questions from you guys because it truly does tell me what you're thinking and what you need to know. So if you are in that position where you're wondering, when can I hire? What do I need to hire? When is the perfect time to hire? I’ve got news for you—there is no perfect answer. I'm so sorry, okay? But I am going to tell you some factors to consider, and that's something that you really have to think about. I think that a lot of us feel like it has to be the perfect storm. We actually have that problem with everything in life. People think that there has to be the perfect timing for things—the stars have to align, you have to have everything taken care of. And while that is true to an extent when it comes to hiring—you can’t just do it suddenly—you do need to do some things leading up to it. I believe a lot of it comes down to mindset. And here's why: you're going to fail a lot. You just are. The minute you can get over that failure and accept it is when things will really be beneficial for you. Because if you understand that you might not pick the right person, or you might end up asking the wrong question, or you might think you found the perfect person and then they quit three weeks later, you could see that as failure—or you could see it as a learning curve. Your definition of failure and what you do with it is vitally important. I want to encourage you to think of failure as a learning experience. What did you learn from it? What could you have changed? Sometimes you can’t change anything, right? Because you can only change yourself—you can’t really change other people. But you can get better at predicting things. So the very first thing I would say when you’re asking, are you ready to hire, is this: how good are you at failure? Because if you’re not and you’re willing to learn, it’s going to teach you a lot. And if you are good at it, then you’ll be fine. The other thing to consider is time. How much time do you have? There is a lot of time required in creating or getting ready for it, but there’s also a lot of time needed to nurture it. Let’s talk about time first. The time to create SOPs—standard operating procedures—does not mean a handbook and a training manual. A handbook and training manual is one thing. That’s the Bible of your company. That’s the thing that explains what you do when you need time off, or how to scoop a litter box. But a procedure manual is a step-by-step checklist: what we do when we come into a house—first, turn off the alarm, then let the dog out, then check the water bowl, find the cat, and so on. You need systems and procedures for everything. How do you send those text messages? What do you put in them? What does the anatomy look like? How do you greet a customer on the phone, on email, or in person? All of these things matter. You should know that no matter who you send to a house, the client gets the same experience. One thing I was talking about this morning was pictures. How do you actually send a picture to a client? Do you want one staff member who edits all their photos beautifully while another sends poorly lit pictures from bad angles? How do we systematize that? How do we make sure every single employee is giving the client the same kind of picture? That’s a small but important thing that you might not have accounted for. Along with that, it’s not something you always have to do alone. I am the co-founder of Pet Care Team Training, and at petcareteamtraining.com/freevideos, you can see five sample videos. It’s a series of 13 two-to-five-minute videos that are congruent and streamlined, teaching things like how to send care notes, take good pictures, and recognize bad ones. So, are you ready to hire? Do you have the time to lay the proper foundation? You can’t invite someone into your house if you don’t have a bed for them to sleep in or food to feed them, right? It’s the same thing here. The next question: are you ready to invest in people? I mean monetarily. If you balk at spending $117 for an online training or $1,000 for a customizable handbook and manual, okay, go do it yourself—but then it comes down to time. Do you have 50 or 60 hours to create that handbook and manual? Then add more time to hire a film crew and create videos. Everyone learns differently—you can’t just tell them something. They have to read it, see it, and experience it. You have to keep investing time in them. Just because you know something by heart doesn’t mean they will. You need to invest in your people and be a good leader. Also with time—what kind of personal development are you doing? What kind of books are you reading? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are you expanding your mind or just surviving day to day? We can only empower and train people in our business to be as good as we are. We have to give them tools to help them succeed. Next, nurturing. How are you going to coach your new hires? It’s like what I do with you guys—I repeat lessons in different ways because sometimes you hear them, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you’re having a good day, sometimes you’re overwhelmed. That’s how we work. We have to nurture our people with patience and consistency. When they make mistakes, ask: is this a “me” problem or a “them” problem? Did I not present it well enough, or did they not follow instructions? If they don’t have clear instructions, it’s on you. If they do, and still don’t follow them, then it’s on them. You need to understand that and coach accordingly. Leadership requires self-awareness. You have to keep learning and growing. I don’t think I’ll ever be a perfect leader—there’s always more to learn. Leadership starts with yourself. If you can’t lead yourself, how can you lead others? You have to create safe environments where people trust you. So are you ready to hire? Are you ready to nurture relationships? These are rhetorical questions. Sorry to those who wanted a clear yes or no. It’s not one-size-fits-all. Are you ready to rise to the occasion? You might think hiring will instantly make your life better. But no—it gets worse before it gets better. There’s always a honeymoon phase, and then challenges hit. It happens. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s why your mindset needs to be strong. Mindset is crucial. When failure happens, think about how much each person is worth to your business. Let’s say your business makes $100,000 with five employees and you don’t work in it. That’s $20,000 per person. One mastermind member said it costs her $358 to onboard a new employee. Some might say that’s expensive. But if that $358 investment helps bring in $20,000 in revenue, that’s only 1%. That’s a fantastic ROI. That’s how you need to think about hiring—an investment, not an expense. And when frustrations happen—like someone eating cheese from a client’s fridge—pause. Yes, that actually happened, and someone got fired over it. But think about the bigger picture. How much are people worth to your business? Knowing that changes what you’re willing to invest in them, both time and money. The initial investment of that handbook, that training manual, those SOPs, and online video training—all of it makes a huge difference. So, are you ready to hire? Only you can answer that.

In today's show we are rounding out the series that has been all about Social Media and the best way to actually leverage it! We're going to talk to you about using the graphics you can get from Better Marketing With Bella, (or any graphics you might make) and how you can create a campaign to attract people in your local area, who are already members of your page, to work with you. First off, it's important to remember: US & Canada Ads must not discriminate or encourage discrimination against people based on personal attributes such as race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, disability, medical or genetic condition. Show Highlights Difference between 'Boosting' and an ad. Ads are used to get people to take action and it then directs traffic to your website. A boost just pushes it out to as many people as possible so your ad can be seen. A boost doesn't inspire action. [2:50] A Campaign Setup is the initial part to do when in Ads Manager. You start setup in under the umbrella which is your hiring campaign [3:41] When starting your hiring campaign, you must declare to Facebook that it's a hiring campaign when you're in the U.S. and Canada. When using a Custom Audience, be sure that your audience selections do not discriminate against people based on certain personal characteristics. [4:07] Have your pixel on your website. It will immediately start gathering data. Research how to add your pixel. [7:53] Location is the next part. We desire to hire with our proximity, but with FB ads it's difficult to get a precise location range. Not use of postcodes or specific locations [9:23] Power of the localized audience. This is where it helps you find the right people [10:43] Be selective and broad with your targeting interest to have more of a range in results. Think of people like your team [11:07] Placements: go with all placements just to start with and let Facebook to the optimization [12:09] Optimization: Important to select Landing Page View so Facebook know what action you want people to take [12:44] It's important that people press "see more" because that tells Facebook that you are engaging your audience [14:26] Can you come up with one sentence, or five words, that will make me want to click "see more" [15:06] Create ad copy. Use a well performing post from your page to create the ad. Keep it short and simple, lead with the benefits, and do not include a list of "must haves" Media: Do not use stock images. Use pictures of you actual team members with dogs, selfies, or behind the scenes photos. Carousel ads. Better Marketing With Bella graphic [16:00] Headline: Have fun with it! Finish ad with website URL. Send traffic to your landing page [18:07] Make sure everything is working properly and all the correct links from your landing page is taking people the right place [12:12] Make sure your pixel is on and tracking is captured Biggest Takeaway: You have to make sure that the entire process is completely taken care of and is a smooth journey for your visitors - from start to finish. Links Where to find Pam, visit her Instagram page at, www.instagram.com/vibrantmarketingonline/ How to add a pixel to your website free training! visit www.jumpconsulting.net/pixel To add the pixel to your website, visit www.hotjar.com Plugin to speed up your website, visit www.nitropack.io Google Website Speed, visit https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/ Interested in getting more hires? Get more information on on the Challenge starting May 3rd, visit www.jumpconsulting.net/challenge To sign up for Better Marketing With Bella Semester 2, visit www.jumpconsulting.net/marketing To email Bella if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email her at [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 237 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and we are rounding out our series all about social media and how to actually leverage it the best way. You guys know that we're on the tail end of actually accepting people into the Better Marketing with Bella program, which you can find out more at jumpconsulting.net/marketing. But today we're going to actually talk about how you can use the graphics that we get from Better Marketing with Bella or any graphics you might make and how to actually create a campaign so that you can attract people in your local area who are already members of your page to work for you. Ooh, hiring, yes guys. And I want you to stay tuned because at the end, I'm going to tell you about this amazing group that I'm about to set up just for you for the entire month of May 2021, where I'm going to come alongside you and inspire, motivate, and guide you on how to do an entire hiring list because the bubble's here, guys. The bubble that I have been predicting is here, and people are super duper busy and they don't have enough staff. I'm going to help you pull up your pants so that they don't stay down. We're going to do it. But as to get used to that, okay, I want to introduce you to my good friend, Pam Curry. Pam was not always a friend. I first met Pam when she actually owned Toronto Dog Walking and she now licenses it out. She is in Ireland taking care of her mom, hanging out with her mom during this whole quarantine thing. But what I love about Pam's story is she created Vibrant Marketing a couple of years ago. I was one of her first clients. She was able to grow her pet sitting company to a certain level where she could then turn it over to somebody and then move into her zone of genius and her passion, which is doing Facebook ads and driving traffic to websites through awesome marketing tactics. And she has done an amazing job with us at Jump Consulting. So we were talking and because she also is helping me, she said, “Bella, it's so easy to get people wanting to work for these pet sitting companies. And I've done it for pet sitting companies before. Let me teach your viewers.” So I said, “Okay.” So strap up, you guys, kick back, relax, grab a pen and paper, get out your notepad on your phone, whatever it might be. Or maybe you're listening to this again for the second time because I'm about to blow your mind with my guest, Pam Curry. Woo. Second time on the show. Yeah, that’s because you're that good, girl. That’s because you're just that good—like so much goodness. So Pam, I know that like when everybody starts out with Facebook ads or whatever, we're like, “Yeah, I've done Facebook ads,” but really it was a boost. So can we just start out really quick? Can you just tell me the difference between boosting and an ad? Yeah. So if you want to go along and actually find people to take the action, like in this case, we're going to be going through hiring ads. If you want somebody to actually see your post and go to your website and view your ad or your job description, you actually want to get hyper-specific and target them. So you use ads, whereas the boost is going to push it out to so many people—who knows what action they're going to take. They might like it, they might comment, but they're not actually going to do anything and take the action that you want them to take. So you definitely want to be getting into Ads Manager. And we're going to dive in deep today and tell everybody exactly how they're going to do it. Love it. So it sounds like boost is kind of like throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what happens. I wouldn't even say it’s going to stick. Awesome. Okay, so I know first step is something about campaign setup. What the heck is a campaign? Can you break this down for me? Okay guys. So for your campaign setup, it's the initial part—what you're going to do when you go into Ads Manager. So you're going to create your campaign. In this instance, the umbrella will be our hiring campaign. So that is where we start and we get set up. In here is where you're going to make, if anybody has done ads in the past and has gone in here, you might just say, “Okay, I'm going to call this Ad 1.” But there's one difference when it comes to hiring, especially when you're in the United States and Canada. You actually need to declare to Facebook that this is a hiring ad. If you don't declare to Facebook that it's a hiring ad, you run the risk of getting your account shut down. Your ad will be rejected and it's going to ruin the quality of your ad account. You’ll then have to make amendments because if you set up the ad without declaring it's a hiring ad, you've actually set up your targeting and stuff with information that you will not have access to for your hiring ads because you may have discriminated against people. The limitations for the ad setup are very, very different. Normally, you can say, “I want to target people who shop at PetSmart or Petco.” All of that is totally removed when it comes to hiring because you cannot discriminate. So on the campaign setup, you need to make sure you tell Facebook this is a hiring ad. Incredible. Okay, so can you give me an example of like a mistake that happens? Like unknowingly, I discriminated and automatically we get cut out?

I am the founder of remoteworkadvocate.com, the go-to place for both companies embracing flexible work and individuals willing to thrive in the remote world. Within the past few years, having worked with various international clients, I created a Remote-Ready Audit as a tool to guide companies through the remote work implementation process. Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure of hiring hundreds of candidates for various remote and hybrid companies and created long-lasting business relationships around the world. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss: What has changed in our attitude towards working within the past year? Nadia describes the major shift she has witnessed in companies culture and work environments in regard to remote and flexible work. She explains how this change stems from mindset and attitude in order to make everything work.  How can companies benefit from implementing flexible work models? We all know there are benefits to remote work and Nadia breaks each of these benefits down showing how changing from a traditional workplace to remote and flexible work can help companies achieve the growth they want and the lifestyles people desire. Where should companies start if they're willing to embrace a scalable and transparent remote work model? Our most valuable resource is time and Nadia provides the steps needed to take in order to start saving your time. From automation, cloud storage, to onboarding, and more you'll be surprised to learn all that can be embraced from a remote work model. Why have you decided to advocate for remote work in the first place? What's your mission? Nadia is someone who likes to challenge things.  She always questions "why is that so?" Working remotely for the majority of her career Nadia questioned why the workplace didn't offer more remote work opportunities. You'll want to hear what she discovered in her search of why we work the way we do and why she is so passionate about companies developing a remote and flexible working style. Show Highlights: We're always resistant to change as human beings [3:12] The pandemic left no choice but to adapt [3:20] The pandemic has torn us out of our comfort zones [4:16] You don't have to be located in a skyscraper in order to have a great career [8:11] This particular industry can definitely benefit from automation [9:13] We can go digital with anything we basically want [9:28] 70% of onboarding is repetition... [10:03] How did Nadia become Nadia? [11:40] Why is the workplace the way we see it these days? [12:42] Who gets to determine what the workweek is? [14:14] There are a ton of means that can help us become more human [16:32] Link: www.jumpconsulting.net/mastermind Downloadable Offer: Feel free to visit www.remoteworkadvocate.com Share The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 236 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got a really special guest for you. You guys, she was such an amazing person in the mastermind. She came in and she did this amazing presentation that I just kind of had to share her with all of you guys as well. Now we can't give away all the secrets that she did in the mastermind because that's reserved for the members. And if you're not a member yet, why not? But she is so fantastic that we're going to actually blow the lid off of another topic today. Today we're going to be talking about the new era of work and how that looks like as a business owner and trying to hire people and just all the different things that you probably aren't thinking about because you're trying to get your business back. Our guest today is Nadia and she is all the way over in the UK right now. She is the founder of Remote Work Advocate and the go-to place for both companies embracing flexible work and individuals willing to thrive in the remote world. Within the past few years and working with various international clients, she has created a remote ready audit as a tool to guide companies through a remote work implementation process. Throughout the years, she's had the pleasure of hiring hundreds of candidates to work with various remote and hybrid companies, creating long-lasting business relationships around the world. You guys, this is important for you as pet sitters and dog walkers in local areas because the more that our society changes, the more that business changes. We are incorporating more and more virtual ways. This could be virtual hiring, virtual training and onboarding, or ongoing virtual trainings for your company and not actually having to get together in a physical place. So I want you to just open up your ears and your heart today and think about what Nadia is about to tell us and see if you can apply any of it to your business. So without further ado, Nadia, welcome to the show. I'm really happy to be here and thanks for all your kind words in the very beginning. I'm truly flattered. And well, you know, I can just say that that's a topic I can talk about endlessly because I'm just so passionate about it. So I have hope and I deeply trust that I'm going to add value today. I trust that you are. I only bring on people I know that will add value. So buckle up, you guys. Nadia, I kind of alluded to the fact that things have been changing. So can you elaborate on that? Like what has changed in our attitude towards working within the past year or so? The short term, we've learned things I believe we should have opened up to before, but we're always resistant to change as human beings. So here we had an external factor, which was the pandemic, and it left no choice but to adapt. Suddenly, everything that we believed in—that that's the way it is, it can't be changed—and I know what I'm talking about because before the pandemic, I was working with remote-first and hybrid companies, but not only. Sometimes there were companies that reached out to me because they were interested in what I was doing. And then they listened and said, you're really a cool person, but no, that's not for us. Now I see these companies months later adapting flexible working and starting to think about changing the working habits that they have in their environment. So all the things that they said were not possible are suddenly, like magic, becoming possible. So how can that be? One of the major takeaways is that we need to change our mindset and our attitude in order to make everything work. That's the hardest part. But I believe that the pandemic has torn us out of our comfort zones and that has partially happened. So I think that we should really get ready and move on and start an amazing journey of creating change ourselves these days. Wow, how inspirational is that, you guys? Are you inspired? Because I'm inspired. As you're talking, Nadia, I'm thinking back to 12 months ago in the mastermind where I brought in Marcus Sheridan, who's an incredible salesperson. He blew the lid off and gave our mastermind members a step-by-step process of how to do a virtual consultation with a new client. When you talk about changing your mindset and saying, “No, I can't do that,” pet sitters and dog walkers were terrified because they were like, “I need to meet the dog. There's absolutely no way that can happen, Bella.” Fast forward a year later, and a lot of the companies that are killing it right now and got back faster are the ones that offered that solution. Because at one point, pet sitters and dog walkers coming into people's homes were a threat. It was like, “What are you coming in with? What germs?” People didn’t want to see you. So it ended up saving a lot of the bottom line. What Nadia is saying is absolutely true to our industry. So I want to continue on and say, how can companies benefit from these flexible work models? There are tons of benefits, but tons of risks as well. One may say I'm full of bias because I am a remote work advocate, but that doesn't mean I'm unaware of all the risks lurking out there. We should do it wisely and remember that too much of anything is unhealthy. Always try to keep the right balance. Talking about all the great things we can benefit from if we start implementing either remote work or flexible work—number one, time. Time is the most precious thing these days. Imagine if you lose a lot of time because you have to commute somewhere without reason. If you have a meaningless meeting and nothing comes out of it, at least now you did it at home—you didn’t have to commute for an hour or two. So number one, it’s time. Number two, it’s obviously cost-efficient as well. Now, in the beginning, if you're talking about interviews with people, things like that—but for the long run, it's the cost efficiency for companies that sometimes consider hiring experts who are not going to be pet sitters, but people to support their businesses. There's a lot to do behind the scenes. You don't have to rely on the local talent pool anymore. You can hire great experts from distant places. So sometimes companies say they want to expand and need cool people to do that with. That’s where flexible or remote work comes in, because you can get people from the place where you want to be. That’s amazing.

Did you know that social media isn’t just for getting new clients? What if we showed you how to use social media to attract new staff for your business without you even having to go out and look for them. Listen in as Bella shares different ways you can use your social media to bring in those new ideal employees because if you're only using it to get new clients and then you're missing out. Biggest Takeaways They will check you out - what story are you telling? Always look for people who are good at social or telling stories… Have you thought about posting on Nextdoor? You have to have a strategy... The only thing they know about you is what you put online. You want them to stalk you… Show Highlights There are a lot of different things that your social media and marketing help [3:37] Imagine a world where you didn't even have to post and people would slide into your DM asking, “Are you hiring?” [4:30] Why would you only leave it up to just posting for jobs on Indeed? It’s reactionary. [6:24] How do you make a job look appealing online? [6:56] If its not on Facebook or if it’s not on Instagram, it’s not happening [9:00] Social Media is where you will fall or soar [9:28] Growth happens when you are uncomfortable. [11:33] The only thing that anyone knows about you is what you put online. [14:52] Hiring is 50% of all the problems you will have in your business [18:39] What is your social saying about attracting staff to work for you? [20:38] We’re already facing a stereotype of things like “It’s just dog walking”. [21:40] What are you going to do to level up? [22:59] Offer: That’s where we come in. In Better Marketing With Bella, we don't only create social media content targeted to getting new clients, but only social media content to attract staff. It’s not too late!  Grab your spot now! Link: /waitlist Share The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 235 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today is going to be a solo episode. You guys, how have you been liking this since the beginning of the year? Kind of because of my poor planning, kind of because of my energy and want and need to be speaking again. I actually have been doing a lot of solo episodes as you've seen. The numbers show that apparently you guys really like the solo episodes as opposed to the interview ones. It's not to say you don't like the interviews, right? But it seems to be more popular when it's just me. I mean, again, guys, I do this for you. Some of you have been replying back to me, which, my gosh, feels beautiful. Like I'm not in an echo chamber. Shoot me an email at [email protected] and tell me how you like the podcast. How do you like it coming to you? Another thing that I kind of want to do a shout-out for before I get into today's topic, which is using social media to get new staff—yeah, you can stay tuned for that—but first I want to give a wicked big shout-out. That's the Boston in me—wicked big shout-out to the 90% of Better Marketing with Bella people who were in the first semester and just signed up for the second semester. Because of that, we did not have a lot of seats to offer to new people because we are only so big. We can only help so many people. However, I did get back with the team, and after we added a couple of people from the waitlist, we agreed to open five more spots—five more spots, which will make this the most popular Better Marketing with Bella ever, but also arguably one of the most important ones. You guys, Better Marketing with Bella gives you all of your social media and marketing needs through graphics, videos, cover videos, copy, content calendars, group coaching calls, individual coaching calls, emails, and blog and Facebook outlines. We basically help you on your coaching call create an entire strategy. And the other amazing thing is you’ve got to remember social media is not a decaying thing. Social media is something you can reuse over and over again. Just because a semester is over doesn’t mean you can’t reuse it. A lot of people in our program understand that, which is why they stay in semester after semester after semester. We have some people that have been in there for five semesters—that’s two and a half years, you guys. Their entire social media feed is all Better Marketing with Bella stuff, just poppin’. And because of that, we don’t even give you the same holidays or anything. I mean, obviously Christmas and Thanksgiving we do, but we’re not going to do the same “Love Your Cat Day” every year because we did that last year. Every year we switch it up so that you really get a variety of content. Guys, if this is you or if you think this is exciting and want to learn more about it, please again shoot me an email or DM me wherever you can. Email is [email protected]. Now, to do a nice little segue into here—that is your social media. And a lot of people think that Better Marketing with Bella is only to get clients. Oh gosh, you are sadly mistaken. Let me tell you, there are actually a lot of different things that your social media and marketing help with. It is the difference between people wanting to collaborate with you and give you free stuff. It is the difference between other businesses taking you seriously. And it is the difference between someone applying for your company and cyber-stalking you—deciding whether or not they’ll show up for an interview or even apply at all, and whether they think they can take your business seriously based on what you put out on social media. If you or someone you know was about to apply for your business and you went to your Facebook or Instagram feed, would you get excited? What would make you excited about working there—anything? This is something that sadly a lot of people mistake. Imagine a world where you didn’t even have to post. You actually had people coming to your DMs saying, “Hey, are you hiring?” And you had such a process—an interview process—that you could literally just put them straight into a funnel and, with maybe a click of five buttons, know whether or not you’re going to hire them. You’d have an onboarding process about a week long, and then they’d be in the field. Can you do that? Guys, it’s coming. The bubble’s coming. Things are opening up all around the country right now. Travel is going up. Tickets to places are expensive—but it’s because everyone’s starting to travel again. You guys, it’s happening. Whether you like it or not, you’ve got to be ready for it. And if you can’t hire fast enough, that means saying no. I love telling the story about how I had reached, I think it was $120,000 when I had my business at one point. I had five people working for me, and I was not in the field at all. I looked at that and thought, “Wow, $120,000 and I’ve got five people working for me all the time now.” That basically means that each person is worth $24,000 in revenue to me. So on the contrast, if you had to say no to a client, how many clients would you have to say no to because you didn’t hire enough people? What if your only lifeline to hiring people was to post on JazzHR, which posts to 15 job boards? I don’t know why you wouldn’t use it and only post on Indeed—it’s like having one dart instead of 15 darts for a bullseye. But that’s a whole other story. Why would you leave it up to just posting for jobs? It’s very reactionary, right? Imagine if your social media could actually attract the right people to you. They are definitely going to check you out. They’re going to figure out what story you’re telling and if they can see themselves in that story. They’re going to see if it’s the same person burnt out all the time. They’re going to see if it’s just about the owner, or if it’s about a community of people in your business. They’re going to see if it looks fun to work there or if it looks like chaos. They’re going to see if you’re consistent or if you post once every two months. They’re going to see if your page is full of random graphics or memes, or if it really tells a story of who you are as a business. Your social media is your digital storefront. You wouldn’t want your physical storefront to have burned-out lights, chipped paint, and an outdated sign, right? Then why would you want your digital presence to look like that? If you want to attract the right people—not just clients but also staff—you’ve got to start showing that your business is a great place to work. Post your team. Post your wins. Post behind-the-scenes moments. Post things that make people go, “Oh, that looks like a cool team. I could see myself there.” It’s not about faking anything. It’s about showing what’s real, showing your values, and showing how you care. Because people these days don’t just want a job—they want to be part of something meaningful. If you show up authentically and consistently, and if you have systems in place for hiring and onboarding, then social media becomes a magnet—not a megaphone. It’s not about shouting, “We’re hiring!” every week. It’s about making people want to work for you before you ever ask. I’ve had so many clients who didn’t even post a hiring ad,

Established in 2014 by me, Becky Lea, Paws Around Motown offers mobile services to fit into your busy lifestyle! We come to you and offer dog walking, pet sitting, obedience training, pet taxis, and yard cleanups all around Oakland County. This company and the customers we serve is everything to me and I am dedicated to offering positive reinforcement pet services by people who love animals as much as I do. What started out with me, with one dog, and a dream has flourished and grown 350 customers strong with 20 pet sitters. Every Pet is different and we pride ourselves on knowing each pet as an individual and developing a care plan suited for each individual. What makes them tick, what do they like, what do they not like. We love all animals, all breeds, all shapes, and all sizes. Love does not discriminate. To provide a safe, stress-free, and quality pet care experience for pet and pet parent. We do this through compassion, patience, honesty, open communication, and respect. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss: What were some of the ups and downs experienced in 2020? Becky gets real about the hard decisions of having to let go of good staff and the struggle of losing 70% of her business this past year. She also shares the lessons learned and the amazing positives that never would’ve happened if the world had never shut down. What was a blessing that came from 2020 that you were grateful for?  Becky realizes how the entire experience, as hard as it was, was truly a blessing. How she had to step back and rethink her entire business. What came out of it is something she never imagined. What kept you going throughout it?  Becky shares her driving motive to keep going. Even with debt stacking up, Becky knew she wasn’t going to go without a fight. She explains the action taken to keep her customers, staff, and community going. Where do you see your business going in 2021?  Being awarded Best Dog Sitting and Walking Company in 2021 has been a great start to the year. It has shown Becky that her hard work this past year has paid off but she’s not stopping there. Decisions made in 2020 have caused her to take on new avenues, showing her nothing is impossible. Did 2020 change anything in your business?  Becky shows how 2020 not only changed her business but it also changed her. It has helped her to become a better business owner, person, and member of her community. She attributes the ability of these changes to her experience with Bella’s Mastermind and Better Marketing with Bella. Listen in to hear her explain how. Show Highlights: What life was like in 2020 [5:39] Reconsider customer service going forward [14:00] What kind of decisions did you make on a daily basis? [15:58] I was not going to go down without a fight [16:40] How did you decide on what to work on? [19:33] What would be your best advice for people still in the haze? [22:42] We were on a stay-at-home getting new clients as a result of that. [26:52] There’s a lot of things you can do to train yourself that doesn’t cost a thing [27:35] What have you seen as a benefit throughout 2020 with the Mastermind & Better Marketing with Bella [29:40] Links: https://www.pawsaroundmotown.com/ https://petcareteamtraining.com/ /marketing /mastermind Share The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 234 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today I've got a special treat for you. I've got one of my clients who literally just jumped on a webinar with me last week because that's how badass she is, you guys. Becky Lee is the owner of Paws Around Motown. She started it in 2014, and it offers mobile services to fit into your busy lifestyle. They do dog walking, pet sitting, obedience training, pet taxis, pet yard cleanups, and all around Oakland County. Becky has been in the Mastermind and in Better Marketing with Bella. Therefore, I've really gotten to know her very, very well—through the ups, through the downs, through the excitements and through the not-so-excitements, especially of last year, 2020. One thing that has always inspired me about her is that she's always upbeat and she's always trying to figure out, “If I can't do it this way, then I’ve got to do it another way.” She's willing to do everything fearlessly, or at least it looks like she does it fearlessly. Currently, she's even sporting this awesome pink hair that I wish I had the guts to do, which is another thing I admire her for. But without further ado, Becky, thanks so much for agreeing to come on the show. Well, you should be because you really are an incredible person. And I know that in the next 20 minutes or so, you're really going to inspire people. I really feel like they're going to be like, “Wow, I can do this too.” Guys, I know that we've had a lot of excitement in the past year and there's been a lot of challenges, and you've really had to dig deep and figure out, “Do I actually want my business? And how am I going to get through this?” So Becky, let's turn it to you. Why don't you just give our listeners an overview of what life has been like for you in 2020 with Paws Around Motown. So 2020—it’s crazy because I started the year out thinking, “This is going to be my year. I'm going to get everything together this year, and this is going to be awesome.” And then like two months into the year, all this madness started happening. I was faced with a lot of down moments like a lot of business owners and just a lot of people in general. We lost like 70% of our business, 70% of our clients, 70% of our revenue. We had just leased a training space, about to open our first brick-and-mortar facility. We leased it in February, and we were supposed to do a grand opening in April. Then we had a stay-at-home order. So now we had this facility we were paying rent and bills for—a space we couldn’t really use. We had to eliminate management staff. I went from having three managers to just my general manager and myself, which was really difficult because I had to have some tough conversations with some really amazing people that I didn’t want to lose but didn’t have a choice. It was a tough decision I had to make. I began to fall into a state of depression and an almost shame spiral, getting down on myself, thinking, “What didn’t I do in the past that caused me to be in this position now? I should have had more money saved. I should have scaled my business the right way.” I kept having all these self-defeating thoughts. I kept thinking about what I did wrong. Then, through that, came blessings. We received two grants from the county, got our PPP in line, and our clients were amazing. We had people paying for services they weren’t even using. We had people buying stuff for the future, offering to do online training instead of in person. My client support was out of this world. I didn’t even know how important we were to a lot of people—and how important they were to us. We went from that to starting to utilize people in my industry and everything educational I could do. My debt was growing, but I didn’t let it stop me from improving my education and learning ways to do things. Then, I started opening up to people—which is not me. I’m actually, for how cheerful and upbeat I am, very closed off. I don’t ask for help. But I started asking for help. I stopped being depressed and started thinking, “How can I use this downtime to make my business and myself better than ever?” You said spiral, and what I heard was that you were grieving. You were like, “What did I do wrong? How did I do this?” Every day you thought, “I’m going to lose my business.” When you're an entrepreneur, that business is like your child. It encompasses your whole world, all your emotion. It’s like losing part of yourself, your identity. I don’t think you’re alone at all. I think a lot of listeners are feeling the same. One of the coolest parts about Becky is that she’s brave and has moved past those “I don’t share” walls. Look at her now—she’s on the podcast sharing. What I also heard you say is that you got your face shoved in a miraculous mirror—your clients shining back at you, showing you how much they valued and loved you. At a time when you were questioning who you were, you were given an opportunity to see all that amazingness reflected back at you. We had people saying, “We just want to do whatever’s best for Paws. If you need to charge us more, you can.” I’m not someone who would ever start a GoFundMe, but my staff did—and clients donated generously. We did check-in calls with them, asking how they were doing and saying we missed their pets. I realized we were truly part of their family, and they were part of ours. It made me rethink my entire future and how I do customer service. It made me realize the importance of connecting personally with clients and rolling with change. I started thinking: when we get new clients, we should send thank-you cards. When we train a new dog, we should give them a fun bag. When clients donate, we did free yard cleanups for them because we were so grateful. You also had a choice—you could’ve just hid under the covers and said, “It’s not happening.” What decisions did you make not to do that?

Biggest Takeaways You Don't Want to Miss: Social media is the storefront of your business and doing it on your own can be tough. Finding the time, knowing the strategies, and planning it all out takes a lot of time. Many pet sitting and dog walking businesses make the mistake of delegating their social media management to someone [usually younger] on their team when they don't know the first thing about managing a social media presence. Others may look to marketing agencies for help, only just to be sold a fantasy and end left empty-handed. When they do promote your business, they may not be in line with your brand (i.e. colors, logo) and your business' beliefs. That's why it's crucial to have someone who knows the ins and outs of the business. In this episode, we're diving into the importance of social media management & things to consider if you're going to: Manage your own social media Hire someone from your team Hire an outside agency I also explain the importance of how social media management can help or hurt your business. What most don't realize is that because you don't have a storefront, your social media IS your storefront and the way you show up online will either encourage people to hire you or repel them from doing so. Show Highlights Handling your own social media accounts [3:00]  Start with one social media platform, Instagram [4:10]  What is the point of your social media? [6:37]  The mistake of hiring someone on your team to be a social media manager [9:24]  Create SOP's for your brand guide [10:49]  Your store front is your social media [14:57]  3rd Option - Hiring an outside agency & ensuring strategies [15:32]  What qualifies someone to be social media expert? [24:11] Special Offers 10 steps to make your social media poppin' You’ll receive a big workbook, 3-D Presentation with real life examples The bonuses of how to be engaging with your own stuff and with other people's stuff to get them to talk to you online. We will also give you a calendar with all of the pet holidays to have at your fingertips A whole bunch of responses to use to engage with people on your social media All this for $9.  Free to all Mastermind members Links To sign up for the workshop, visit www.jumpconsulting.net/workshop Better Marketing with Bella waitlist To sign up for Agorapule and get 2 months free www.jumpconsulting.net/ag To email Bella if there is anything you’d specifically like to hear about, email her at [email protected] Share The Show Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 233 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we are going to continue on our series about social media and talk about something we’ve never talked about, which is awesome and exciting because, let’s face it, we are on our 232nd episode. Wow. I never dreamed that I would get to 232 episodes when I started recording this in my closet on the floor because it was the only place in my old house that had carpet. I didn’t even have a microphone, you guys—just speaking into my laptop. If you haven’t heard the first couple of episodes, I really do encourage you to scroll back and listen to them for a couple of reasons. One, you’re going to hear a lot of my backstory and who I am if you’ve ever wondered who this crazy girl is in your ear. The other thing is you’ll see where I started. I think that’s really important because these days we look at things and think, “I could never be like that.” We’re always comparing ourselves, and it’s the worst thing anyone can ever do. If you go back to the beginning, you’ll hear a very different quality, confidence, and outlook on life because you can’t compare my first episode to my 232nd episode. So why would anyone ever compare themselves to someone who’s been doing something a long time? Today we’re going to talk about a topic that I see happen a lot in the Mastermind, in Better Marketing with Bella, and in my free groups. If you’re not in any of the free groups, there’s one called Jumpstart Your Pet Business—go ahead and find it, or just go to jumpconsulting.net/group and it’ll take you right there. Hiring someone to do social media in your company is a very big task. It’s not a gig, and it’s not something you just “kind of do” or “just post.” Especially in this day and age when your social media is literally your storefront, it’s something that way too many people take too lightly. We’re going to talk about the different ways you can accomplish getting your social media out there and the things you need to consider—whether it’s you, someone on your team, or you’re hiring it out. I’ll talk about all three because we don’t discuss it enough. Too often we think someone on our team can do it just because they’re under 30 and must be good at social media. Wrong, guys. That’s going to be so bad for your company. Let’s start with you doing it. Because everything I’m about to tell you that you need to consider are the same things you’ll need to think about when bringing someone else on. If you’re going to do the social media—and I’ll walk you through all the 10 steps you need in my upcoming webinar, just go to jumpconsulting.net/workshop—you can register for it. It’s the 10 steps you need to make your social media pop. Basically, I walk you through my entire Better Marketing with Bella routine—all the steps you need for a solid social media strategy. If you’re going to do it yourself, you really need to figure out what social platforms you’re going to dominate. I’d love to see you start with one and then move on to others. These days, if you’re just starting out your business, I’d say start on Instagram—it’s easier than Facebook and the second-largest platform out there right now. Leave TikTok, Twitter, Clubhouse, and LinkedIn behind for now. And please, don’t put all those links in your email signature or on Facebook just to look cool. If you’re not keeping up with them every 48 hours, you’re doing it wrong. You’ll need to time-block. Every month or every quarter, take time to plan. If it’s quarterly, maybe lock yourself in a hotel room for two days to storyboard and plan out everything you’re going to do. If it’s weekly, it’ll be more cumbersome—like running a marathon every week. Try to batch at least one month at a time so you can look ahead and plan around what’s coming up. Consider what platform you’re on, what topics you’ll talk about, and how you’ll repurpose that content. When you create content, repurpose it into a story, a Facebook Live, a blog, or an email. It’s not about creating more content—it’s about creating smart content that you can build an arsenal with: questions you’re always asked, or common local issues like “I lost my cat” or “someone’s not picking up their dog poop.” Write educational articles about things like that to contribute value to online conversations. Social media isn’t about immediate sales. It’s about building relationships, awareness, and brand trust. Think about the last time you hired someone—you probably checked their social media. People do that with you too. They’re looking to understand who you are. If you’re doing your own social media, understand your consumer, your audience, and where they are in the sales process. Stop saying “We do dog walking, hire us!”—that’s sleazy. It’s about connection, meaning, and value. Now let’s move on to having someone on your team do it. Too often, people assume that just because someone’s on Instagram all the time, they can handle social media for your business. Nope. If they don’t understand your brand voice, tone, or audience, you’re wasting time and money. Without clear SOPs that explain your brand lingo, emoji use, logo placement, and overall tone, you’re setting them up for failure. Social media isn’t just cute dog pictures—it’s about storytelling and consistency. You can use tools like Agorapulse, which even has a full social media school. You can get two free months at jumpconsulting.net/ag. There’s no excuse for not learning. Understand your goals. Social media works—if you work it. If you don’t understand the basics, you’ll waste money. For example, Facebook is getting rid of “likes” on business pages. That’s huge. Your social media is your storefront. You wouldn’t let a kid design your physical store signage, right? So why let them run your online one? Finally, let’s talk about hiring it out. There are different levels—you can hire someone to just create graphics, or you can hire a strategist. A true strategist asks about your audience, goals, and brand story. They understand that your audience isn’t just potential clients—it could also be potential employees or collaborators. Good social media isn’t random—it’s strategic. They should understand design, platform differences, post sizes, and copywriting. They should know how to write captions that draw people in. They should understand Instagram Stories, hashtags, polls, and engagement strategies. You also need to make sure they know your brand voice, how to create emotion in posts, and how to represent your company professionally. If your social media looks unpolished, people will assume your business is unprofessional.

This week Bella talks about the importance of onboarding new staff properly along with the consequences of not having a standard onboarding policy in place. Bella’s vast experience in the pet based industry provides her with invaluable insights and the ability to go straight to the heart of why you can’t ignore having your own onboarding procedures. NOTE: Some listeners may hear themselves in Bella’s examples. The onboarding problems she talks about are so common we think you’ll see some of your own business’ characteristics in this episode. Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want To Miss Real Life Examples of Things Pet Based Business Owners Say and Do When It Comes to Employees "I can't believe they left the door unlocked!" "They didn't know they were on the schedule." "They told the client too much and now the client is upset. I wish they contacted me first about the incident before calling the client." If any of this sounds familiar you definitely need to listen to this week’s show! Why Pet Based Businesses are Going to Explode Soon Are you one of the many businesses that decreased their staff down to 50% during the Covid pandemic? Bella talks about the reasons this is going to change and what you need to do to be prepared. What NOT to Do In Your Onboarding Process The sad thing is that so many people are already making one or more of these mistakes in their businesses. Bella covers several critical areas that can make a difference in how long you keep your employees. Show Highlights Real Life Examples of Things Pet Based Business Owners Say and Do When It Comes to Employees [4:28] Why you’ll be needing to onboard employees in record time very soon and how you can be ready [7:10] Exactly what NOT to do in the onboarding process [7:45] Defining Onboarding and what it means [8:45] Studies pertaining to high employee turnover [10:00] Why employees leave companies [10:30] Standardization of onboarding process [11:05] Importance of schedule for onboarding [15:30] Why pet care team training videos can give you a headstart [18:45] Types of employee learning and training styles for employees [22:00] Links: Pet Care Team Training Jump Mastermind Subscribe To The Show: Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Transcript: This is episode 227 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and I have a really cool thing for you today. We're going to talk all about problems with onboarding new employees, and you're going to want to stick around for this because there are constant challenges and issues that people completely forget about all the time, and they're causing massive problems in the business down the line with employees. So stay tuned, we've got a show for you today. Before we get into that, I want to thank you for all of your feedback on the last couple of podcasts. I love it. I don't know if it's the beginning of the year or if our promotions are working better or what, but our podcast is getting really high amounts of downloads, as well as some really cool feedback from you guys. I just wanted to read some of them out loud because I'm so honored that you took the time to do it. First is W. Fisher, and the title is Industry Leader. “No matter how big my company gets, I'm still picking up very useful advice from Bella. She clearly puts a lot of effort to stay in current events with an ever-changing industry. She gives away mountains of information for free, which I know is greatly appreciated by all who follow her. I think that because she said she had her own pet care business, she understands where we are all the time, pressed and hard. She prioritizes her advice with that fully in mind. Thank you for everything, Bella. We appreciate you.” Well, I appreciate you too, and you're exactly right. I have been in your shoes. So when I say I get it and I understand, I really do. And another one—Angel Karma says, “Blew me away. I listened to all of Bella's podcasts and they're always motivating, and they really make you think about your business. Bella cares about her community and tries to make the pet care industry better. I've been amazed with her motivation and energy during the pandemic, but today’s episode blew me away. Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable. I know it's hard to put on a happy face every day when you're going through your own personal stuff. Today’s episode probably hit home with many listeners. Keep jumping and loving on that baby girl.” I love that. And she’s referring to two episodes ago when we talked about growing your business through a divorce. I shared what I went through two years ago, and I’ve now come through it. I've consoled so many of you all going through it and scared and trying to figure out how to save your business and not give half of it away to someone who you are now dissolving a marriage with. Without further ado, we are going to transition. I always love your feedback. I especially love when you tell me exactly what you want to hear about because it helps inspire me to go in the direction that I know you want. This topic was birthed from a lot of your questions about how to properly onboard people. I know that when you finally hire someone, you're totally elated. You're so excited—you've interviewed what you thought was the perfect person. That’s obviously why you hired them, right? And now you basically have to extract everything that's in your brain and somehow get it into their brain. Not only that, but you have to trust that they're actually picking up what you're throwing down. I love that phrase—are you picking up what I'm throwing down? Because it's true. There’s so much information about our business. And I think a lot of you can relate—people come in and say, “I thought this was just dog walking or just pet sitting,” as if you're just getting licked by puppies all day and there’s no responsibility or professionalism involved. Well, there is, and it’s our job as leaders—yes, knock knock, you are a leader—to rise up and allow people the excitement to come alongside you and help grow your business. So what inspired this podcast is that in our groups and coaching calls, people say things like, “They shadowed me for days, and I told them everything I know, but they still don’t get it.” Or, “I told them to go around with my best pet sitter—she knows everything—and just shadow her.” Or, “I wrote everything down, I even put it in caps, bold, red, and underlined with five exclamation points, Bella! You don’t get it, I emphasized it!” And yet, they still don’t get it. Does this sound familiar? It sure does to me. I used to think the same way without realizing I was sabotaging myself. Many of you are ramping up right now. I recently asked in my group Start Your Pet Business where you were with your employees, and many said you were down about 50%. You had to cut back your staff, but guess what? The vaccine is out, the pandemic is nearing its end, and this summer, people are going to go buck wild. Pet sitters—people are going to travel. They’ve got pandemic puppies and COVID kitties, and their travel budgets are saved up. The influx of clients will increase. And with that comes a huge responsibility, because you’re going to have to onboard staff at record pace. You also need to realize you’re not the only cat in town—they have options. If you don’t make the onboarding process an amazing start to your relationship—if you don’t make them feel excited, empowered, and valued—you’re going to fail. So today, I’ve got seven different things I don’t want you to do. The first mistake is not having a standard process for onboarding. Standardization means that everything is done the same way for everyone. When you don’t have that, employees won’t know where the instructions end and their judgment begins. They might feel micromanaged or abandoned. It also confuses anyone you delegate training to—like if you have your best walker train someone but no manual, they’re flying blind. Second, not having clear instructions during training. The worst feeling is when a new hire wants to impress you but the goalpost keeps moving. Without a handbook or an easily searchable online manual, everything feels inconsistent. Don’t assume they’ll remember everything—they need repetition and accessible reference material. Third, not having a training schedule. Without one, information gets skipped. Each employee learns different things at different paces. For example, one may never learn how to properly clean a pet’s feeding area because it wasn’t scheduled. When training is unstructured, employees lose trust and think things are made up on the spot. A Jobvite study in 2018 found that 30% of new hires leave within the first 90 days due to unclear expectations and culture mismatches. Fourth, no follow-up or goals. How do you know they understand the job? Are they meeting expectations? Did you ever explain what success looks like? Employees who know what’s expected will feel empowered and confident. They’ll take ownership and perform better. Remember—your employees should be your top priority. Take care of them and they’ll take care of your clients. Fifth, not offering a variety of learning resources. People learn differently—visually, auditorily,

Why The Market Is Saturated With Privately Owned Pet Care Companies Dying To Be A Top Dog and The Solution Are you making this marketing mistake in your pet business? As an entrepreneur and business owner, everyone has a unique value proposition or what we call the "Secret Sauce". Most of us don't know, but we all have something unique about our businesses. We just need to dig deeper and discover where our business does well and to send that message about our brand. Today we'll be talking about how it all starts with sharing visuals, such as graphics. Graphics allow you to share your unique value with an audience. A picture can speak a thousand words, right? Well, those 1000 words should include your brand's authority, and how you stand out in your community. It doesn't stop there. There's more ways to stand out from the crowd, like emblems. Think of emblems as your shiny trophies that you can share with your audience. It tells your ideal clients to pick you, without you having to say so! It's time for you to stop hiding your best kept secret in your business, which is YOU. Biggest Takeaway You Don’t Want To Miss: Educating through graphics will show why you're valuable as a business.  This is why I appreciate Pet Care Team Training so much. They take the thinking out of creating by providing branded graphics, training emblems, and exposure for your pet care business. Having all of this in one distinct place for you is one way to stand out in an effortless way. Stand out without the burn out! Marketing Mistake Show Highlights What is "Secret Sauce"? -1:40 Foundation of Training: Training people the same way -4:49 Educating through graphics -7:46 Putting Distinctions on your Website -9:55 Why do we need training? -11:25 How to stand out from the pack? -16:03 What is Pet Care Team Training? -17:00 Links: Pet Care Team Training: https://petcareteamtraining.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetCareTeamTraining Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 219 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. This is part of our video training series where Liz Illig, my partner in crime with Pet Care Team Training, has joined us to talk about lots of different subjects to give you inspiration and ideas on how to better your team and further expand your empire. Listen in as we talk about today's topic. Welcome, everybody, to another episode of Pet Care Team Training. Today, we’re talking about marketing mistakes—and wondering if you're making this very big, crucial mistake that so many business owners make. My guest and co-owner of Pet Care Team Training, Liz Illig, is here with me. Liz, how are you today? “I'm good. Thanks for having me on your podcast.” Yeah, and thanks for being here too. So, we were talking about how a lot of people are hiding their best-kept secret in their business and just not talking about it. Honestly, that’s understandable because even we’ve been guilty of it. Sometimes we’re so close to our business that we don’t even realize it. A lot of pet-sitting business owners struggle because the market is saturated. There are so many dog walking and pet sitting companies vying for attention—hobbyists, friends, family, and platforms like Rover. But there’s one marketing thing you can do to help you stand out and be outside of the pack. So Liz, do you have any idea what it is? “Graphics? Social media?” Yeah. You have what’s called a unique value proposition. Or as Liz likes to call it—your secret sauce. Your secret sauce is something unique about your business. Some people say, “There’s nothing unique about what I do,” but there always is. It’s how you opened your business, how you deliver your services, or what makes your client experience different. You need to discover what that is and make it part of your brand messaging because that’s what will make you stand out—no one else can replicate it. Sometimes it’s as simple as talking about what others don’t talk about. Maybe that’s showing what your client updates look like, or sharing your accreditations. Many of you have been taking new certifications, learning dog training techniques, or joining programs like Pet Care Team Training. That’s valuable! You’re gaining knowledge that builds trust and security for your clients. You’re showing them you’ve gone above and beyond. So how do you showcase that? Graphics. The graphics you post on social media can display how awesome you are and what your secret sauce is. That kind of content stops the scroll and draws attention—it’s not just another pet photo. You can put these graphics in your newsletters, on your website, or across your social media. It builds trust and positions you as the expert. With Pet Care Team Training, anyone who signs up gets a custom “We Care About Training and Onboarding” graphic. We celebrate them with their logo and branding to help them promote that accomplishment. If your certification provider doesn’t do this, make your own. That’s a unique selling point you shouldn’t keep secret. It also shows potential clients that you train your team the same way across your entire company. Unlike gig platforms where each worker operates independently, your team is unified. If you’re promoting the idea that any team member can walk a client’s dog, then it’s vital that you actually train everyone consistently. That consistency builds confidence and strengthens your brand’s foundation. As a business owner, you should be proud to say, “Yes, I train my staff. I know they meet my expectations.” That confidence sells your service—whether Sally or Ryan shows up, you know they’ll deliver the same standard of care. Every team member can have their unique personality, but your training creates a consistent client experience. If you’re going to promote that everyone’s trained equally, make sure it’s true. Uphold those standards. That’s how you build a trustworthy brand and strong client relationships. Now let’s talk about how to show it off. Add it to your website. When clients look up your staff, they’ll read bios, check pictures, and—let’s be real—probably stalk them on Facebook. So why not proudly display training badges or certifications next to their names? Put them in the footer or near your awards and recognitions—don’t clutter the top fold, which should focus on your client’s problem. With Pet Care Team Training, your staff can earn two certifications: Pet First Aid & CPR through ProPet Hero, and the Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Training certification. So next to your team’s names, add icons for those. When’s the last time you saw a pet-sitting site do that? It’s rare, but it immediately boosts credibility. If not everyone on your team is trained yet, that’s okay—but let it push you toward completing that process. It builds accountability and strengthens company culture. Longtime team members might resist, saying, “I already know everything.” But ongoing training refreshes knowledge, corrects bad habits, and ensures consistency. You can’t assume everyone will see your post once. Keep the conversation going throughout the year. Talk about training regularly. It shows pride in your team and commitment to professionalism. Clients love knowing that the people entering their homes are experts. This also boosts company culture. When you tell the world about your training, it holds you accountable to maintain your onboarding standards. And remember—it’s not enough for just the business owner to complete training. Everyone should. It’s an investment, not a cost. When you invest in your people, they’ll invest back into your business. So, put out graphics, share it on social media and stories, display it on your website, and stop keeping it a secret. Then, collaborate with others—veterinarians, groomers, trainers, and pet stores. Do interviews or live videos where they ask you how you maintain your high standards. Create blogs or repurpose that video. When you collaborate, their audience sees it too. And if you’re part of Pet Care Team Training, tag us! We love celebrating our clients’ success by sharing your wins—it increases your visibility and engagement. So don’t keep your secret sauce a secret. You don’t even have to do something new—just start talking about what you already do. As we wrap up, remember this: If you want to stand out, focus on what makes you unique. Training, certifications, and consistent branding are marketing gold. They also keep you accountable and aligned with your staff and clients. This episode was sponsored by Pet Care Team Training—a new 13-video series designed to help you streamline your onboarding process.

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner struggling to create effective video training for your employees due to a lack of videography and editing skills? Don't let the hurdles of inadequate lighting, software, and equipment hold you back from providing your staff with the training they need to succeed. There are customizable methods available, but without the proper tools and know-how, it can be a cumbersome and frustrating process. Video training doesn’t have to be long, slow, and boring. Our sponsor, Pet Care Team Training, takes care of ALL of that. Pet Care Team Training is specific, streamlined, and simply engineered for the success of your employee onboarding. Its videos keep the viewers engaged and excited by throwing the right graphics and instructions during the training to keep you and your employees entertained while learning. . With Pet Care Team Training, you can build the foundation of your training from the video aspect and documentation, and YOU as the business owner get to decide the added things that you want to incorporate in your business. Biggest Takeaways: Main issues, such as how to train someone on everything - 2:50 How to have new team members retain information - 6:03 List of "must have" training videos - 7:00 Make your new team members feel excited to work with you - 9:52 Video training brings your employee handbooks to LIFE - 11:05 All of the bonuses that come with Pet Care Team Training - 20:24 Did you love this episode? Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 218 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. We're going to learn the proper way of how to use each individual leash, collar, harness, and no-pull device. Hi guys, this is Liz and Bella and we're going to share with you a really cool video. I want you to see it. I didn’t want to keep playing it for you because I wanted you to know that we're coming here live for you. We'll be right back. Watch this really cute, short, exciting clip. We're going to learn the proper way of how to use each individual leash, collar, harness, and no-pull device so you feel even more comfortable when walking your dog. Get to know the dog you're walking and which no-pull device will work the best. Let's face it, nobody likes to clean litter boxes, but if you know how to do it right, you could save yourself a lot of time and hassle. As a pet sitter or a dog walker, it's really important to know that there is a wide variety of crates. Did you get all that? Liz, I just love that clip. It makes me so excited, and even as a business owner, just to share that with the world. What's up everyone? Thanks for joining us. Let us know where you're tuning in from. This is the second of our series on pet care team training. Quite honestly, that’s a video training series. Today, we're going to talk about why most video training doesn't work and what you can do to turn it around to make it work. Because let's face it, we are in 2020, the year of the video—whether you like it or not. We've been telling you video is so important, and it's even more crucial now to help train your staff because everyone is afraid of being together and getting the coronavirus. Liz and I started having weekly meetings a year ago, outlining this entire training program together. Liz has a background with five grooming shops and multiple other companies, and she’s helped many pet sitters create their SOPs. I’ve been a coach in the industry for over a decade and have built and sold my own pet sitting company. So we know what works, but we also wanted to bring you something streamlined, simple, and specific that gets your staff excited. One of the biggest problems is overwhelm. There's just so much to train someone on, and you have to ensure that in a short amount of time, the information actually sticks. That’s why video training works—it’s visual. If you even look at that video clip we showed, it demonstrated three types of crates. Anyone watching will remember those crates and be able to recognize them in real life. That’s the power of visuals—they stay in your mind. When you’re training someone, it’s hard to write everything down in a manual. You can put pictures, but it’s very different when they can see, hear, and experience it. Video training helps them absorb and retain that information safely and effectively. The problem is, when business owners try to make their own video training, it often becomes too long—10, 20, even 30 hours of video. Time is money. You have to pay people to watch those videos, and if it’s too long, it’s costly, exhausting, and overwhelming. It doesn’t excite people to work for your business. Training should make them feel supported and confident—not bored and drained. Sometimes we’re so close to our own brand that we forget the basics. We assume people know what we know, but they don’t. You almost have to start from square one. And if you want your team to retain information, you need to make it memorable—and that’s why video works. It engages the senses and creates lasting impact. We’re not built to retain hours of business-specific information at once. It’s not about talking endlessly—it’s about designing the content strategically so that people retain it, remember it, and even get excited about it. Anyone can get on video, but making it effective takes structure. For example, how would you show your puppy step-by-step protocol? What about what to do when a pet has an accident? Every company has a different policy. Some owners want you to clean it up and tell the client. Others want you to notify management first. There’s no one-size-fits-all. With this training, we accounted for that by giving you a place to personalize your company’s policies. That’s one of the coolest parts—you can make it your own. Liz, the systems queen, designed that customization feature. You can outline your emergency vet protocol, what to do if a pet runs out of medication, or even your social media policy. These are things every company handles differently, and we’ve made it easy for you to tailor the training to your needs. Training is your company’s secret sauce—it defines your standard of excellence. Video training helps make that repeatable. It’s easy to onboard new people, and it ensures everyone is learning consistently. You can even make the training portal interactive. Send them a login, make them feel like they’re part of something, and let them learn at their own pace. When they’re done, they’ll feel proud to be part of your company because you’ve onboarded them professionally and with care. I’ve always said your training should be just like your handbook—it’s your foundation. The difference is, video brings it to life. People retain 70% more information when they can both see and hear it. That’s why we made this program. If you’re hesitant, you can preview it. We’ve provided five free videos at petcareteamtraining.com/freevideos. You can see examples like “How to Take a Picture of a Pet,” “What to Do If the Key Doesn’t Work,” and “What to Do If You Arrive and the Client’s Home.” Every video is short, engaging, and practical. This project took a year and a lot of hard work. We invested in professional editors—including one who edits for Social Media Examiner’s YouTube channel—to keep the visuals exciting with zooms, graphics, and transitions every few seconds. Each video is between three and seven minutes long, arranged in sequence to build one concept after another. Unlike most training that feels like a random collection of topics, ours flows step-by-step for better retention. We also brought in real experts: a cat behaviorist, a veterinarian, and a dog trainer named Mark Siebel. Liz and I covered the sitter-specific parts like scheduling and communication. That combination of expertise makes the training truly well-rounded. The second element of this program is the supporting documentation—fillable PDFs that correspond to each module. You can customize them to reflect your company’s specific policies. We even offer a creative team who can help you fill them out in a 30-minute consultation if you want extra support. The best part? These materials can serve as a standard for best practices and be updated anytime as your business evolves. You don’t have to re-record videos every time something changes. You simply update the documentation. That flexibility keeps your training relevant and up to date. Now, let’s talk about bonuses. When you join, you’ll receive quarterly blueprints—action plans to engage your team. You’ll also get a done-for-you team newsletter every month. You can rebrand it and send it as your own. It’s a simple way to keep your staff connected, reinforce training lessons, and build culture without starting from scratch.

Pet Care Team Training is specific, streamlined, and simple engineered for the success of your employee onboarding. Its videos keep the viewers engaged and excited by throwing the right graphics and instructions during the training to keep you and your employees entertained while learning. Video training doesn’t have to be long, slow, and boring. As an entrepreneur and business owner, you can customize your training through Pet Care Training’s paw print to keep your "Secret Sauce" and have a way to show to your people this is how you do it. With Pet Care Team Training, you can build the foundation of your training from the video aspect and documentation, and YOU as the business owner get to decide the added things that you want to incorporate in your business. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: Long videos can cause information overload. Video Learning may not work for everyone and it doesn’t work unless you pay attention. Having said this, you need to invite your team member to be a hero in your client’s story. You also have to cater to multiple learning styles in your training and “Game-ify” your training process! Pet Care Team Training has these cool elements so you can onboard your employees the right way. You can watch it, read it, you can go to a checklist on it, and you can personalize it as your own business. It also has those visual elements that people can see something as we’re talking and see how it’s actually done with actual products. Video training doesn’t have to be long, slow, and boring. You will be a happy entrepreneur or business if you train your employees properly. This way, you will have a staff that are going out to the field equipped and ready to move your business forward. You will get 2 certifications for each of your employees with Pet Care Team Training. Show Highlights: Problems that we hear from Business Owners with Video Training 1:14 Not a lot of companies are using video trainings 6:55 1-minute sneak peek of Pet Care Team Training 9:25 Pet Care Training free video 11:14 People quit right after you train them 11:45 Handbook and manuals compared to Video training 14:53 “Game-ify” things 18:00 2 Certifications for employees 20:48 Links: www.petcareteamtraining.com www.facebook.com/bellavasta1/ www.instagram.com/bellavasta/ Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 217 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome everyone. My name is Bella Vasta, and I'm here with Liz Illig. We are the co-founders of Pet Care Team Training. How are you today? We are so excited to see you. If you're watching live or on the replay, let us know. We would love to just talk with you because we're not doing this just for ourselves. We are starting this video training series today, coming to you every Wednesday on Facebook Live to tackle a few different issues or questions that we’ve heard from some of you, and we have a lot to say about them. Today, we're going to talk all about the problems and the solutions to video training and some of the stuff that might hold you back as a business owner from doing video training. Liz, I'm excited about this topic today and can’t wait to get going. What are some problems that you hear from business owners who say, “No, I don’t want to do video training,” or, “I did video training and it didn’t work”? A lot of what I hear is that they provide training or give videos, but it's not in any order or structure of how people should learn. It’s almost like, “Here, view this video, this one, and that one. You can find it in Drive or Dropbox.” It’s all over the place. There’s not one place that takes you through proper modules to onboard someone without overwhelming them. You always have to think about providing an experience to the people you’re bringing onto your team. It’s a reflection of you and your business. How do you make sure people love your business and feel so empowered that they’re ready to hit the ground running? That’s exactly the thing you have to focus on as an entrepreneur—bringing people on where they feel empowered. One of those ways is to ensure you onboard them correctly. Don’t give them too much or dump word vomit and video vomit all at once. Take people through an experience of how you would like to be taught. As business owners, we have so much we want to teach people, and we just want to get it all out within an hour. That’s why we created this course—because we’ve seen what’s being done and what’s not working. The problems really are that long videos get boring. And when I say long, I mean anything over five minutes, or when you just have a talking head. Many training videos try to be professional but end up shaky, poorly lit, or unengaging. These days, attention spans are short. Watch any professional video—you’ll notice how often the visuals change, how audio draws you in, and how motion keeps your eye engaged. Many videos also lack storytelling, which is key to helping people remember. Video learning doesn’t work for everyone because people have different learning styles. But the beauty of video training is how comprehensive it can be. You can offer checklists, note sections, and fill-in-the-blanks to help people retain information. Quizzes alone can be intimidating. That’s why we made ours interactive, like Mad Libs. Each video includes fill-in-the-blanks to help learners focus on what’s important. You can’t just say, “Watch these videos, I’ll pay you for four hours,” and call it a day. That’s not accountability or action. You need personalization. And yes, you’ll always have onboarding costs—don’t be cheap about it. Waiting to train people until they “prove themselves” sends the wrong message. It tells them you don’t believe in them or want to equip them for success. The common problems with video training are that people think it costs too much, it’s overwhelming, and it’s not actionable. But you can overcome those issues by keeping things short, interactive, and structured. Many people aren’t even doing video training yet because of production challenges. It takes time to script, film, and edit—but think about how much more effective it is than asking someone to read a 40-page SOP. Are you going to pay someone to read for hours when they might not retain it? That’s why you need video. What I love about our course is how visual it is—we’ve got crates, cat litter, leashes, and real demonstrations with actual products. It took us a long time to create this because we wanted to add assessments, questions, and ways to measure understanding. We wanted to make training interactive and brand-building, something that tells people who you are and what you stand for. It’s a valiant effort to do it all yourself, but unless you have a background in filming and editing, it’s tough. We even have a blooper reel that shows how many takes it took to get things right! You can check it out on the Pet Care Team Training Facebook page. We’ll even show you a one-minute compilation clip of what our training looks like—it’s packed with visuals and energy. That video makes me giddy because every single one of our videos is between two and seven minutes long. There are 13 in total, organized into three modules. We also created a free preview for you: five different clips that show both problems and solutions, like how to take pet pictures or what to do if a key doesn’t work. Go to petcareteamtraining.com/freevideos to access them right away and see what your new hires would experience. Let’s also talk about onboarding—the “courtship” phase. Some clients tell us their new hires quit right after training, and that’s why they’re hesitant to hire again. That usually happens because they’re not creating an experience. When onboarding fails, it’s disheartening. It can even feel like being broken up with. But your goal should be to make your new team member the hero in your client’s story. Train them to see themselves as ambassadors for your brand, people who enhance clients’ lives. When they feel that sense of purpose, they’re more invested. Proper onboarding also helps you become a better leader because your team knows exactly what’s expected of them. There’s nothing worse than trying to help someone without clear instructions—it leaves everyone frustrated. Handbooks are still essential, but video training enhances them. Most pet sitters can’t afford to hire a production crew or spend days filming, scripting, and editing. That’s why this program exists—to give small business owners professional-grade training tools. Video training appeals to multiple learning styles—visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic. Some people like reading while listening,

Pet Business Covid Crisis Survive and Thrive Mastermnd The Pet Business Covid Crisis isn't going away anytime soon. Things aren't going back to normal. They will never be the same again. Consumer spending online is through the roof. Pivots are being made. Businesses are closing while others are soaring. If you want a fighting chance, then this episode is for you. If you have decided you will "wait it out" or keep your business at the low numbers and hunker down, then this episode isn't My Jumpers are do'ers. When the world says they can't, Jumpers say I CAN. I have watched too many of you fight through this Pet Business Covid Crisis to come back stronger than ever and from that you have inspired this episode. Listen in to learn: How times are changing How society will never be the same How COVID will revolutionize the way you do business. Examples of companies who have failed during times of change. The effects of the revolution. How to revolutionize the way you do business. Examples of others doing a great job. 5  areas you need to focus on to survive. The future is actually very bright! If you are ready to Jump and work through things, consider joining me Monday through Friday in the Mastermind. It is where you can have access to me, the group, and all the resources that come along with it. It is the winner's circle of the pet industry and a lot of fun! Transcript: This is episode 216 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I'm going to shake things up. It's going to be a solo episode, but I really want to get inside your head and make you think today because I don't think there's a lot of thinking going on in our industry. And I say that with love and kindness. I'm sure it's none of my jumpers or amazing loyal listeners, but there is so much stinking thinking out there that I want to make sure that you, my listener, do not get influenced by the stuff that I’ve been reading online. My goodness. The earth is not falling. Your life is not ending. 2020 can actually be the biggest blessing for you, and I’m going to explain what I mean by the end of this show. However, before we get there, we have to go through it. So sit back, relax, and go through this with me. My question to you is—what side of the pet service industry revolution are you going to be on? And I’m asking you because it really is your decision. If you haven’t noticed, 2020 has shaken things up. It’s splitting our industry into two segments, and whether you realize it or not, you are on one of those sides. Some pet businesses experienced a temporary dip in business and are now back up. But others experienced the same dip and still haven’t come back up—or are coming back very slowly, kind of like maybe an 80-year-old woman trying to stand up from sitting on the floor. The segments are now more divided than ever, both in society and in our industry. Some are going to survive, and some will not. In fact, I’ve already heard from a lot of my jumper clients that they’re getting new customers saying their old pet sitters are no longer in business. So who’s going to survive and who will not? The startling part is—I fully believe that you are in charge of what side you’re on. If you’re aware of what’s happening both in and around you, you can adapt. I say “in you” because mindset and vision have a lot to do with this. I say “around you” because you really need to understand how society is shifting drastically right now. Negating these two things will most likely put you on the side that’s gone for good. Times are changing. People are forming pods and getting closer. They’re working from home, learning from home, afraid to travel—or they’re traveling but being shamed for it. We’re in an election year. The division in the United States is stronger than ever. Human rights and racism are forefront topics, and our social media feeds reinforce all our self-fulfilling views of the world with algorithms that know us better than our own mothers. Have you seen The Social Dilemma on Netflix? If not, take the hour and a half to watch it—it’ll either blow your mind, reaffirm what you already know, or make you want to run Facebook ads. But newsflash: it doesn’t matter how you feel about it. You can have your opinions—that’s fine—but today we’re talking about facts and statistics. There’s no room for feelings when it comes to saving your business. If you let your emotions lead your business decisions right now, your business will not be on the winning side of this revolution. It isn’t a time for feelings; it’s a time for survival. You can process later, but right now, if you want to survive, you have to do what you need to do to protect your livelihood. But some of you aren’t. Some are doubling down on the same things that haven’t been helping. I hope this is your wake-up call. Society is never going to be the same, you guys. At the beginning of the year, people were fighting online learning. I read things like, “I don’t want to learn first aid or CPR online,” or “Homeschool is for overprotective families.” The idea of virtual consultations or meet and greets used to be met with an eye roll. The first time someone didn’t reply to a video request in an interview, the CEO would say, “That doesn’t work.” But fun fact—it does. One of my mastermind members actually started doing 100% virtual consultations before COVID—and at the time of this recording, they’re up to 96% of their customer volume. We had a training with one of the world’s leading sales trainers who broke down exactly how to make it work. The businesses that implemented it are winning clients. Others only talk about why it won’t work without trying it. Society has changed. People are more comfortable connecting and meeting online than ever before. Some even prefer it. We’re not going back to “normal.” COVID has sped up online learning—not just in schools. Conferences have been canceled for up to a year. Almost everyone—from CEOs to preschoolers—now learns online. It’s not enough to have a website anymore; you need an entire online user and customer experience that delivers connection even after the transaction. Businesses that haven’t shifted are still solving pre-2020 problems. Many still think the only reason for a dog walk is that the owner’s away at work. They’re not acknowledging new problems like dogs barking at constant delivery drivers, or stressed owners juggling work-from-home and kids. Consumer behavior has shifted—online spending in the first quarter of 2020 surpassed ten years of total e-commerce growth. People buy everything online now, wait in parking lots for store pickups, sanitize groceries, and avoid letting strangers into their homes. They’re scared, and pet business owners need to address that fear in their marketing. Not doing so will deepen the dip in business—possibly to the point of no return. This revolution is happening whether you like it or not. History shows what happens to businesses that refuse to innovate—Blockbuster, Kodak, Toys R Us, Nokia, Borders, Sony. They didn’t adapt. Meanwhile, startups like WhatsApp, Venmo, Instagram, Uber, and Pinterest were born out of the 2008 recession. This is your time for innovation. When your competition is still solving old problems, solve the new ones. The year 2020 is forcing growth and change. Those who refuse will fail. COVID isn’t killing your business—your mindset is. COVID is just revealing who will rise and who will crumble. Some are already gone because they couldn’t handle the pressure. According to a study from the National Academy of Sciences, most small firms had enough cash to last only two months or less. I witnessed this firsthand—business owners crying on the phone, unsure how they’d make payroll. That’s why I spent the past six months creating 17 free resources to help you: from how to use the CARES Act, to surviving crisis, to virtual meet and greets, to guerrilla marketing. Those in Better Marketing with Bella and the Mastermind used these tools—they did it scared, but they did it. The pet industry revolution is here. Some are better off because of their foundation; others were already struggling. Many wasted the “gift of time” during lockdown, paralyzed by fear. But those who took action are emerging stronger. Pet ownership is up, adoptions are booming, and clients still have disposable income. Have you revolutionized how you talk to them? Working from home isn’t as easy as people thought. One of my clients made $12,000 from a single post asking, “Be honest, have you walked your dog as much as you intended while working from home?” People want connection, empathy, and leadership. Businesses that adapt will survive. If you want to be on the survival side, here are five things: mindset, location, messaging, customer experience, and leadership. Mindset: Replace “Why is this happening to me?” with “What is this trying to teach me?” Surround yourself with a supportive community. Feed your brain, seek help when needed, and fight the negative voices in your head. Location: Some markets are hit harder than others, but remember—shelters are empty, pets are being adopted. Find new problems to solve. Network locally, set measurable goals, and rebuild your client base strategically. Messaging: Your website and social media must reflect the times. Show PPE, promote virtual services, display your safety measures. Be emotional and empathetic.

Financial Literacy Getting In Control of the Financial Numbers In Your Business with Jamie Trull Jamie Trull is a Financial Literacy Coach and Profit Strategist. She's fired up about helping small business owners overcome the overwhelm and anxiety of business finances. After leaving the corporate world in favor of a more balanced life. Jamie founded her Virtual CFO company, Balance CFO LLC. and quickly realized that there was an educational void for smaller business owners and self-employed individuals when it came to financial literacy training. She pivoted her business to teaching Financial Literacy to help fill that void. Jamie helps entrepreneurs maximize their profit and feel more confident about the numbers side of their businesses. She lives just outside of Nashville in Franklin, TN, and has a 6-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter who keeps her quite busy in her spare time! Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: Financial literacy can be exciting and fun. It’s not just about taxes or bookkeeping, it’s about making strategic decisions to put your business in a trajectory to really succeed. This way, you can pay yourself more money which is the main goal of a business. How do you keep your business up and running so that you don’t have to go out of business because of Covid? The ones that pivoted blew their businesses upwards, there is still money to be made in this situation. You just need to be comfortable in the uncomfortable, you just need to figure out how to bring in revenue in maybe a different way than what you did before. You should have a smart business strategy. Having said this, we all need to be focusing on strategy and then finding those supplemental ways that we can help ourselves through these difficult times but knowing we got to get back on our feet. Financial Literacy Show Highlights: Use this FREE worksheet to estimate your current all-in pay rate and determine if you need to change your pricing! http://jamietrull.com/byhour 1:47 – Why we’re in business 2:15 – Who is Jamie Trull 4:48 – How we actually are in business to make money 7:23 – Covid’s effect on businesses especially to small businesses 38 – What should we do or focus on now in this time of the pandemic 40 – Example on how to pivot your dog walking business during this time of the pandemic 23 – Smart strategy 22 – Are you charging enough? Links: https://jamietrull.com/ http://jamietrull.com/byhour https://jamietrull.com/group Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 215 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I want to talk about one of my favorite topics—finances. You guys have probably heard me say, “What do the numbers say?” when you come to me with big decisions, right? But I know that’s not an easy thing to figure out. The numbers should make all the decisions in your business, and my guest today is going to help explode your mind on this. We’re also going to talk about what’s happening now in 2020. My guest, Jamie Trull, is with us today, and she is a financial literacy coach and profit strategist. You might already be in her group, because if you’ve been in my group and had questions about PPP or EIDL, I’ve sent you over to Jamie, and loads of pet sitters and dog walkers are already in there. She’s fired up about helping small business owners overcome the overwhelm and anxiety of business finances. She used to be in the corporate world but left in favor of living a more balanced life. She founded her virtual CFO company, Valet CFO, and quickly realized that there was an educational void for small business owners. Can I get an amen, you guys? I know this is a topic you’re going to love hearing about today. So without further ado, welcome to the show, Jamie. Jamie thanks Bella for having her and says she’s excited to be there, though she jokes that Bella might be the only person who says finances are one of their favorite topics, since most people are on the other end of the spectrum. Bella agrees and says that while most decisions are emotional or instinctive, at the end of the day, the numbers tell the truth. Jamie agrees and adds that business owners need to remember why they’re in business—not just to serve others but to make money and build financial stability for their families. She points out that most of us never learned financial literacy growing up—not even basic things like balancing a checkbook, understanding credit scores, or making informed financial decisions for our lives, let alone our businesses. That’s why she started creating educational content that makes finance more relatable and approachable. She explains that many accountants and financial advisors talk in a way that makes people glaze over or “smile and nod.” She wanted to be a different kind of voice—one that shows how finances can actually be interesting, empowering, and fun when you understand how they shape your success. Bella says she loves Jamie’s perspective, especially the reminder that the purpose of business is to make money. Too many people say, “I don’t do this for the money,” or “I just want to help people.” Jamie agrees, saying that while helping others is wonderful, you can’t sustain that mission without profitability. A business that doesn’t generate consistent profit will eventually burn out its owner. You can’t make an impact if you can’t afford to stay in business. She stresses that many service providers undervalue their time. When you calculate your hours and expenses, you might realize you’re making less than minimum wage—and that’s unacceptable for someone taking on the risks of entrepreneurship. She encourages business owners to charge appropriately for their value and to stop glorifying the idea of running a business that never shows a profit just to avoid paying taxes. “If your deductions aren’t helping you grow your business, they’re hurting you,” she explains. “You can’t pay your mortgage or buy groceries with write-offs.” Bella brings up the emotional side of money—the frustration of working all the time and having nothing to show for it. She recalls how COVID in March 2020 revealed just how many small businesses were running paycheck to paycheck. She asks Jamie what that period was like for her. Jamie says it was heartbreaking. Before the pandemic, she focused on teaching profit strategy—helping owners plan, save for taxes, and build emergency funds. But when COVID hit, she realized her community needed something different. Businesses were shutting down overnight, and people were desperate for clarity. She pivoted her content immediately to interpret the CARES Act and explain PPP, EIDL, and unemployment. Nobody understood the 800-page bill—not the banks, not even government officials. Jamie decided to become the “translator” and help people navigate it in plain language. She says the pandemic exposed what had been brewing beneath the surface—how many businesses were barely surviving month to month. Even those with a couple of months’ reserves were quickly in trouble. Industries reliant on travel or events were devastated. For many, it was a wake-up call: you must prepare for emergencies, even personal ones, because business income can disappear overnight. Bella deeply relates, sharing her own experience running two businesses while her daughter—a micro preemie—fought for her life in the NICU. That crisis taught her the importance of building systems that can function without you. She praises Jamie for delivering financial education in a “non-dry, non-boring” way—bite-sized, practical, and emotional all at once. Jamie says her Facebook group, Financial Literacy for Women Business Owners, became a lifeline for many. People were scared, confused, and searching for guidance. She personally showed up in the group to answer questions and provide support. She encourages listeners to join at jamietrull.com/group, noting that it’s a safe and active space where she regularly engages with members. Bella then asks, “What should business owners be doing right now?” Jamie replies that while the world feels chaotic—between the election, the economy, and ongoing uncertainty—the key is preparation without panic. We don’t need to expect the worst, but we must plan for it. Early in the pandemic, too many people froze, waiting for things to blow over. The ones who pivoted quickly and served new needs are the ones thriving now. Jamie explains that pivoting doesn’t always mean a complete overhaul. Sometimes it’s just about addressing a new version of your customer’s problem. Bella gives an example: before COVID,

Looking for a unique way to build self-confidence in your team? Today's podcast is all about confidence. Chris Trew is a touring comedian, sportswriter, and creative coach. He uses his background in improv comedy to help people find their funny whether they are using it for performance or self-improvement. His work has been featured at events like SXSW and San Diego Social Media Day and festivals of all kinds all over the country. His foundation of Improv Comedy provides the framework for everything he does. Whether he's teaching a workshop to 100 professionals in a conference setting, a group of 6 for a small business happy hour, or a Zoom for literally anyone, the material is the same. If you want to learn how to boost creativity in the work environment, he's your guy. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: One Improv class could change how you communicate, listen to people, and the way you share your own stories. Having said this, you can be a better communicator, leader, listener, or storyteller which you can incorporate to your business or personal life to make it more engaging and fun. Improv is extremely portable and very flexible. Chris can teach the same workshop to different groups of people regardless of number. He can even highlight a specific goal that you want for your employees or team. With Improv Comedy, you will develop the " Yes, And " mentality and it's a must learn! - listen to Chris and me in the podcast to know what I mean. Confidence Building Show Highlights: What is Improv comedy, 2.11 How can Improv help business owners, 4.42 Who takes Improv classes, 11.03 How Chris comes to work with your team, 13.27 Chris wrote a weird book about sitting close to basketball players at NBA games, 20.20 Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christrew/ https://www.instagram.com/christrew/ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 214 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I have my friend Chris True with me. I met him because during this whole COVID stuff, one of my speaking engagements at Social Media Day San Diego was canceled—or rather, moved virtually—and the amazing organizer, Tyler Anderson, who you've also heard on this podcast talk about user-generated content, decided to bring Chris in. He had actually taken his entire team out to see Chris and do some really awesome exercises with him, and it was phenomenal. It did not feel like a virtual conference because of my guest today. As we were doing these exercises and talking about improv and what he does, I was thinking, wow, this would really help my business owners be better leaders, better communicators, and have some fun during some employee meetings. So you guys listen up because in the 200-plus episodes that Bella in Your Business has been around, we ain’t seen nothing like this yet. Chris, welcome to the show. Chris thanks Bella, saying what an intro and how happy he is that the event still happened, mostly because he got to meet people like her. Bella tells him he’s magnetic, and she thinks it’s because he’s such a great communicator. She says many listeners will improve their communication skills just by hearing him. Chris is a touring comedian, sports writer, creative coach, and uses his background in improv to help people find their funny—whether for performance or self-development. Bella mentions that he’s been seen in things like South by Southwest, Social Media Day San Diego, and festivals everywhere, including Sturgis. She asks him to take it back to basics: what’s the big deal with improv comedy, and why should business owners care? Chris explains that improv comedy is a game changer for everyone. He believes every single human should take at least one improv class—it changes the way you communicate, listen, and share your story. Worst-case scenario, it’s a ton of fun, but everyone always learns something. While most use improv for comedy shows and festivals, others like him have branched out to teach classes for businesses that need team-building or just want to treat employees to something fun. He says the same things that make an improv scene funny—collaboration, communication, and flexibility—are the same things that make you a better communicator, listener, and leader. CNN even said every boss should take an improv class, and Forbes recently featured business professionals moonlighting as improv comedians. He adds that when work becomes fun and communication becomes magnetic, people connect better. People don’t leave jobs; they leave people. So if leaders can make their teams fall in love with the workplace through better communication, everyone wins. Bella loves that, then asks how improv specifically helps business owners. Chris says the number one thing you learn in any improv class is the concept of “Yes, and.” The “yes” means accepting your scene partner’s idea; the “and” means building on it. You’re never just “yes-ing” someone without adding anything, and you’re never saying “no, but.” You’re always accepting and adding. That’s what makes improv successful—and what makes any human interaction work. He says if you think that sounds obvious, you’re probably thinking of your best friends—the people with whom communication flows naturally. But imagine using “yes, and” with the people you butt heads with. That’s when it becomes transformative. Bella asks how he’s managing this during COVID when in-person workshops are limited. Chris says it was a huge surprise to discover that Zoom improv workshops actually work even better in some ways. People open up faster on Zoom because they’re not physically on stage; they just unmute their microphones and participate. Those who would normally be shy in person are more willing to engage. Bella relates as a woman, saying she can see how Zoom removes self-consciousness—no worrying about body language or appearance; you’re just visible from the chest up. She jokes about pajama pants and says she can totally see how that makes people more confident. Chris agrees and says he’s thrilled to see people surprising themselves in these virtual sessions. Participants often say they can’t believe how much fun they had or how confident they felt. He’s excited for the day when they can translate that confidence into in-person classes again. He admits he wishes he could teach improv every day. Bella says he can be her friend and jokes that the only thing holding him back is himself. She shares that after meeting him, she immediately started searching for local improv classes because she saw how it could help her podcasting, coaching, and public speaking. She says it also boosts confidence and asks what kind of people usually take improv classes, since her listeners often say, “Yeah, Bella, but I’m not you.” Chris says about 25% of improv students come because they’re interested in comedy. Another 25% just want a fun hobby—like pottery or yoga. But the rest are there to improve their communication, leadership, and listening skills. Maybe they read an article saying improv can make them better salespeople or speakers. He says what’s beautiful about improv is that it benefits everyone equally—the same exercises and feedback help both aspiring comedians and professionals who just want to communicate better. Improv is like a “superfood” for personal and professional growth. He insists everyone should take at least one improv class. Bella recalls how Tyler took his entire marketing team to work with Chris and had so much fun that he later flew Chris to Boston as a surprise for them. She asks how Chris structures team sessions for companies—whether it works for just a few people or large groups. Chris says it’s extremely flexible. He can teach workshops for three people or thirty. With thirty, everyone still gets to participate, just in shorter bursts. The structure usually includes a warm-up to get everyone out of their shell, then a group exercise, and finally, a focused activity based on the company’s goals—like improving listening or brainstorming. Even if he doesn’t know a client’s industry, he loves helping them apply improv concepts to their world in real time. He gives the example of pet-sitting business owners who could use “yes, and” skills to help employees confidently handle consultations or client meetings. Bella agrees and says when she first tried improv, she noticed how it built teamwork and connection among participants—it’s not all comedy. It’s about trust and collaboration. That’s why she wanted him on the show: it’s powerful team-building. She then asks about his new focus on creative coaching.

How User Generated Content or UGC Can Create a Buzz About Your Dog Walking Business and Bring You New Clients HAve you considered User Generated Content to create buzz for your dog walking business? Let me introduce you to Tyler. Tyler J. Anderson is an investor, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker. Day-to-day you’ll find him leading the team at Casual Fridays. Since 2009, Tyler and his team have played significant roles in digital and social media marketing campaigns for hundreds of hotels and resorts, including Marriott International. They have worked with notable brands such as Visit San Diego, SeaWorld, KAABOO, Jersey Mike's Subs, Penske Automotive, Deloitte, The Los Angeles Chargers, Feeding San Diego, Susan G., and Koman San Diego. They also worked with The United Way Atlanta, and many more. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: UGC is a very viable way to have your Dog Walking Business promoted and marketed and is generally more trustworthy and authentic. With UGC, you are promoting your business and it's not coming from you. In other words, it's actually the other person who's doing it and you both get the benefit of it. When you get your customers or potential customers a shared content of your business, you will get higher reach, and higher frequency in the news feeds. In conclusion, if you can get your customers from your dog walking business to become your content-creating army for you, it's a game-changer. Freebie Free 4-Step UGC Strategy Workbook.  This workbook walks you and your team through the steps to develop a UGC strategy for your brand or business. https://hello.casualfridays.com/ugc-strategy-workbook/ You can also TEXT CODE: UCGWORKBOOK to 44222 User Generated Content Show Highlights: What is UGC, 2.04 How to leverage awesome contents, 10.10 UGC stats analysis, 19.05 Tyler's 4-Step UGC Workbook, 23.26 Links: https://www.tylerjanderson.com/ https://hello.casualfridays.com/ Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 213 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today we're going to talk about something you've probably never heard of, but actually do know a lot about. It's called UGC, and I've got Tyler Anderson, one of the biggest experts on this. I've heard him talk about it many times, and he's going to give you a lot of ideas on how to market during these interesting times. Tyler is an investor, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, and day to day you'll find him leading his team at his company, Casual Fridays. He’s also the organizer of Social Media Day San Diego, and an all-around awesome guy. Tyler, welcome to the show. Tyler says he’s super excited to be there and talk to the audience about UGC. Bella says he’s worked with big names like Marriott, Visit San Diego, SeaWorld, Caboo, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Penske Automotive, the Los Angeles Chargers, Feeding San Diego, and Susan G. Komen. She says Tyler really knows what he’s talking about and always has great examples. Bella asks what the heck UGC is. Tyler explains that UGC stands for user-generated content—content created by people other than the business, usually customers. It could be social media posts, reviews, vlogs, blogs—basically anything created by the user, not the company. He says it’s especially important during times when marketing budgets are tight, like during COVID, because it’s free, trustworthy, and authentic. Bella asks if that means the business owner or the actual client of the business. Tyler explains it could be anyone outside the company—clients, employees, or advocates—and gives an example of a happy pet sitting client posting about how great the service was. That post, he says, will be far more trustworthy and believable than a business ad calling itself “the number one pet sitter.” Testimonials and authentic user posts always outperform brand-driven messages. He says this kind of content includes not only reviews but also social posts, Instagram stories, and even TikTok videos. Bella points out that many small businesses are asking for reviews to boost visibility. She asks how to leverage those reviews instead of letting them sit on Yelp or Google. Tyler says to first identify which platform is most important for your business—probably Google or Yelp—and follow each platform’s terms of service. Once you have reviews, ask reviewers for permission to use them as testimonials or short video clips. Even if you’re on a budget, you can turn those into engaging video montages using tools like Animoto. He says video testimonials perform great as organic or paid media because people trust people. He gives an example using Amazon—most buyers trust the product with thousands of four-star reviews over one with a handful of five-star reviews. People trust other people’s experiences more than brand claims. Bella agrees, and Tyler adds that even a few negative reviews aren’t bad—what matters is the balance and volume of positive ones. He tells a story about a moving company that bribed customers for five-star Yelp reviews, showing that fake reviews can damage credibility. Bella explains that in the pet sitting and dog walking world, clients often send thank-you messages or videos after receiving pet updates. She asks how to turn that into marketing content. Tyler says businesses need a UGC strategy rather than relying on luck. He recommends setting up a process to encourage clients to share their experiences. He shares an example from an artificial turf company that built a UGC strategy even though customers weren’t naturally posting about turf. Businesses of any kind can do it by being intentional with their calls to action. Instead of just saying “Like us on Facebook,” say something like, “We’ll be posting photos of your dog on Instagram—make sure to follow us.” That kind of approach gets clients invested and encourages sharing. Bella loves that idea and says businesses could build an SOP around it. Tyler agrees and adds that companies should make sharing easy: text photos to clients and include a line like, “If you post this on Instagram, be sure to tag us @YourBusinessName.” Don’t rely on hashtags—ask for tags so you can see and reshare posts easily. He gives an example of Fresh Clean Tees, a t-shirt subscription company that includes a postcard in every package encouraging customers to share photos using a specific tag for a chance to win free t-shirts. Bella says that’s brilliant, and Tyler adds that pet businesses could do the same—encourage clients to post pet photos for a chance to win a gift card or free service. He emphasizes the importance of asking directly. People won’t automatically think to post unless you ask. Bella brings up one of her favorite examples from Tyler—Soapy Joe’s car wash. Tyler explains Soapy Joe’s “Car Wash Karaoke” campaign. Customers record themselves singing in their cars while going through the wash and share it on social media for a chance to win $1,000 and a free annual membership. It’s a simple but creative way to encourage UGC, and it works because of the strong incentive. Bella says that’s amazing, but some listeners may feel hesitant to ask for content because it feels like bragging. Tyler says it’s not bragging because the praise isn’t coming from you—it’s coming from your customers. That’s the beauty of UGC. He says marketers are under pressure: 63% of them feel they must constantly create more content, but UGC reduces that pressure. He explains that only about 15–20% of people trust what brands say, while 92% trust recommendations from friends and family, and 88% trust strangers’ recommendations. UGC gives your brand access to that authenticity. He adds that 90% of consumers say authenticity influences their buying decisions, but only 51% think brand-created content is authentic. Meanwhile, 79% of consumers say UGC influences their purchase decisions—a number that’s up 19% since 2017. That’s why UGC matters. Bella says it makes sense because people are skeptical of ads but believe real experiences. She likes to post screenshots of client feedback and notes that people stop scrolling to read them because they look like private messages. Tyler agrees and says that voyeuristic effect is part of why it works so well. Bella then mentions Tyler’s free UGC Strategy Workbook. Tyler explains that it’s a hands-on guide that helps businesses develop a custom UGC plan. It walks you through brainstorming exercises and shows how to form a UGC “team” to share ideas. He says small business owners can even team up with others in different locations to mastermind together.

How To Start A Podcast If you have ever wanted to know how to start a podcast, today is your lucky day. Chris Laning is a Voice Over Artist, Podcast and Dailicast Producer and Host, Audio Editor, Audiobook Narrator, and a Creative Writer. He is a former Web Developer (primarily ColdFusion, Javascript, MSSQL) who is as comfortable behind a mic as a voice-over artist (everything from commercials to character voices and explainer videos) and as a podcast host. He has also been editing spoken word audio for over 20 years and has helped several professionals launch their podcasts. In fact, he's editing and producing several podcasts on a daily basis. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: Keep the episodes short, effective, and memorable. You can batch your interviews or solo episodes and be ready for the next 4 months or so. Who should do the podcast - you or add some people within your particular organization and find out what you’re interested in. Then, figure out what your audience is going to want. Sound quality is very important to get your target audience engaged so hiring a producer and editor really helps. And because of this,  your podcast will be more professional. How to Start A Podcast Show Highlights: Who is Chris Laning? 0.17 What does Chris Laning do? 1.54 How to have a series of podcasts? 3.56 Bella's secret about her Solo episodes 6.20 Key points people should keep in mind when having a podcast 7.40 Does everybody need a podcast producer? 10.10 Ripping audio from Facebook live 14.36 Links: http://neighborhoodstage.com/ Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 212 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I've got a very special guest. This is someone who helps make sure this entire podcast actually happens on time, sounds amazing, and that I don't sound silly. I want you guys to welcome Chris Lanning. Chris Lanning’s been producing podcasts since he first fell in love with the medium on Christmas Day, 2005. He's produced his own since 2006 and for clients since 2012. His company, Neighborhood Stage Productions, produces podcasts and other audio projects for clients. They always strive to make their clients' productions sound as professional as they know that we are, right? Chris also does voiceovers too. He has his own podcast, which I'm sure we'll talk about. I really wanted to have him come on because I know that some of you have been tinkering around with this idea. I want to break it down for you because the barrier to entry is not as complicated as you might think, and we just kind of want to blow the lid off that for you today. Chris thanks Bella for having him on and says he likes being out from behind the curtain. He congratulates Bella again on reaching 200 episodes, calling it a huge achievement for a weekly podcast. Bella thanks him and says it’s thanks to him too since he’s one of the longest contractors she’s ever worked with. She appreciates how easy and seamless it’s been knowing she can send him the files and trust he’ll handle it—even when life was crazy, and she got the files to him only 48 hours in advance. She asks him to tell her more about what he does and the clients he works with. Chris explains that most of his clients are professionals—coaches, financial advisors, or trainers—who typically host interview podcasts similar to hers. Some mix in solo episodes, which he recommends doing at least once every ten episodes, if not more often. Some clients alternate between solo and interview formats. He helps clients find their sound, get the right tech and microphones, and set up their Zoom calls properly for quality audio. Clients then record their interviews, send him the files, and he cleans them up—removing “ums,” “ahs,” stutters, and background noises—so they sound as professional as they really are. Bella then speaks directly to pet sitters and dog walkers who might be looking for a creative way to market their businesses. She asks how they could create short bursts or series instead of committing to a long-term podcast. Chris says there are a couple of ways to approach it. You could do a weekly podcast, but that doesn’t mean you need to record weekly. You could batch-record interviews and solo episodes in one day and schedule them out over several weeks. In one productive day, you could create nearly two months’ worth of content. He emphasizes keeping episodes short—ideally under 20 minutes, which used to align with average commute times. Even though fewer people commute now, 20 minutes still fits perfectly for walks or workouts. He even suggests going shorter—around 10 minutes—but publishing more often. For example, the Alexa flash briefing format is just two to three minutes a day, which can be recorded in an hour for two weeks’ worth of content. The key is consistency and becoming part of your listeners’ daily lives. Bella agrees, noting that podcast consumption continues to increase and rarely drops. She compares podcasts to binge-worthy series—listeners love catching up on back episodes. She also mentions that having guests helps take pressure off the host since they drive much of the conversation. For her solo episodes, she shares a secret: she rarely speaks completely off the cuff. Instead, she repurposes existing content like blogs or Facebook Lives. Chris agrees but warns against simply reading a blog word-for-word. He explains that listeners can tell when someone’s reading. He used to script his episodes like voiceovers but found that speaking naturally flows much better. Bella agrees, saying you can outline key points or bullets to guide your delivery instead. Chris outlines the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of podcasting. The “who” can be you or people in your company—maybe co-hosting with team members so your audience gets to know them too. You could even collaborate with another business owner in your field. The “what” should be a topic your audience finds valuable but also one that you are passionate about. If you’re not genuinely interested, it will show. Bella agrees, saying that her own curiosity and desire to learn about social media helped drive her interviews and connect her with big-name guests like Mari Smith. She points out that having a podcast can be a great networking tool—it gives you a reason to connect with industry leaders. She encourages listeners to think about inviting people like Victoria Stilwell or Cesar Millan to share their expertise. Next, Bella asks about the role of a podcast producer. Chris explains that he strongly recommends hiring an editor—even if it’s not him—because polished sound quality matters. While some people say they want to keep things “raw and authentic,” he compares that to showing up at work without brushing your teeth or changing clothes. You don’t need to sound robotic, but you should still sound clean and professional. Editors remove background noise, balance volume levels, and make sure you sound your best. Bella laughs and says having a producer takes the pressure off. Mistakes happen—even for seasoned hosts—and it’s reassuring to know someone can fix them. Chris agrees, saying that audio quality is more important than visuals for emotional connection. Bella admits she rarely listens back to her own podcasts because most people don’t like the sound of their voice. Chris jokes that he doesn’t mind since he’s a voiceover artist. Bella then asks Chris to share about his own podcasts and projects. He says he’s done a few over the years, including a Disney-themed one, but lately he’s been helping a “client” who lives at the North Pole—producing daily updates around Christmas. Bella laughs, asking if he can bring that guest on the show, but Chris jokes that he’s too busy celebrating Christmas in July. Bella asks about repurposing Facebook Live videos into podcasts. Chris says it’s definitely doable but needs editing. During lives, hosts often talk to the chat or reference visuals, which don’t translate well in audio. An editor trims those parts while keeping essential context. He says the main rule is to respect your listeners’ time—deliver value efficiently. Bella agrees and says that when she knows she’ll repurpose a Live for audio, she consciously avoids interacting too much with comments. Finally, Chris teases an upcoming project he’s developing with a friend and business coach: a tool for creating short, effective marketing videos using structured outlines. He says early tests look great and he’ll share more once it’s released. Bella says she’ll include the details in the show notes when it’s ready.

Marketing Tips From A Pro Through Tough Times Byron Ingraham is a Facebook Advertising Expert, Best Selling Author, Business Strategist, and a Speaker. He is an Air Force Veteran turned entrepreneur. The reason he decided to become an entrepreneur is to give himself the freedom to help individuals achieve their dreams in business. He also helps local businesses systematically leverage Facebook ads to generate leads online. In addition, he assists entrepreneurs and business owners in achieving their peak potential in their business while attracting their ideal clients and customers through marketing strategy. Byron wants you to always remember that the difference between dreams and goals are deadlines! How can your business pivot? Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: For some businesses, it's not just a 1 or 2-degree shift, sometimes it has to be a 90-degree shift in what you're doing. Or maybe, you just need to be creative. Think outside of the little box of how do you do that one thing which is solving the core problem. But first, you need to figure out what's the problem. Business owners tend to stay on a surface without asking enough questions. It's all about where you put your energy and focus. Also, marketing to your audience in a unique and more engaging way - listen to Byron! Freebie Free 15 min strategy session for your business: https://www.byroningraham.com/strat Links: www.byroningraham.com/strat/ www.facebook.com/thebyroningraham/ Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 211 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got a longtime friend with me, Byron Ingram. He is a great marketer who's been doing this for 20 years out of Dallas. I saw Byron post something that really piqued my interest and I knew that I had to have him on here to help pique your interest as well. Byron is a marketing strategist that helps small businesses get through tough times, especially during COVID. So Byron, thank you for being here today to help talk to all the dog walkers and pet sitters. We are in wild, crazy times right now where a lot of listeners are just like, “Is this over yet?” We went through a period where COVID struck—we were shocked, then grieving, then angry, then helpless, then determined. And we’re all doing this in different stages, right? Every business is affected differently. Just when we think we’re coming back, boom, some of us are shut down again. It’s a crazy roller coaster. As a marketer, Byron is that light on the horizon saying, “There’s hope. Walk this way.” So what are some things business owners can do to grow through this ever-changing environment? Byron says the most important thing is to remind yourself what problem you actually solve. For dog walkers, that means giving peace of mind to owners—knowing their furry family members are taken care of. Sometimes that means adjusting how you deliver that peace of mind. Bella agrees, saying the old paradigm was walking dogs because owners were at the office. Now that people are home, you have to find new ways to provide peace of mind. Byron explains that even though owners are home, their dogs still want attention and playtime while the owners are busy working. You have to help owners feel less guilty and keep their pets happy. Bella adds that she’s been telling her mastermind group that if you’re still solving the same problems you were before COVID, you’re probably struggling. Dog walkers used to say, “I’ll take care of your dog while you’re gone all day,” but now midday walks have shifted to mornings because people need their dogs tired before they start work. Byron agrees—it’s not about changing the problem, it’s about changing how you solve it. Businesses often struggle because they don’t dig deep enough to identify the core problem they solve. If you can do that, you’ll always have business. Bella mentions that many listeners run pet-sitting companies, which usually means caring for pets while owners travel. Since travel was limited, pet sitters needed to get creative—promoting staycations, short trips, or local getaways where people might still need pet care. Byron suggests positioning pet sitting as a way to give people freedom for important Zoom meetings or date nights. You can even partner with local businesses like wineries or cabins to offer bundled “getaway” packages. People are craving experiences again, even small ones. Byron says businesses need to pivot, sometimes drastically. He gives the example of high-end restaurants that depended on dine-in experiences—they’ve had to rethink their offerings because no one wants to spend $60 on takeout. For pet businesses, pivoting might mean expanding into new services—like contactless dog walks, food delivery, or pet taxi options. He says to think bigger: “If you’re only operating in a small box, get a bigger box—or kick the box to the curb.” Bella shares examples of two Mastermind members who have pivoted successfully. Mallory Cooper of Charleston Dog Walkers has been doing contactless walks and showing the process on video. Nikki from Dog Jogs in Canada started offering virtual consultations, even for older clients, and it’s working. Byron adds that creative partnerships—like with orthopedic surgeons whose clients can’t walk their dogs post-surgery—can be amazing referral sources. Bella tells listeners who feel unmotivated or uninspired to ask their clients directly what new problems they’re dealing with. Social media is a great place to start conversations. She points out that back-to-school season brings new challenges—parents teaching kids at home, managing work, and dealing with barking dogs in the background. Byron suggests pet businesses could create back-to-school specials—like limited-time daycare slots for when parents are teaching. Bella says daycare and boarding businesses could offer pickup and drop-off services that align with e-learning schedules. Byron agrees and reminds business owners to focus on the opportunities, not the negativity. “There are still people making money,” he says. “Focus your energy there.” Wealthier clients still have disposable income and want convenience—those are your target customers. Bella and Byron brainstorm ideas: offering extended boarding for frontline workers, promoting to clients whose expenses have decreased during lockdown, and finding people who’ve actually benefited financially from COVID changes. Bella challenges listeners to identify those people in their own service areas and start brainstorming solutions tailored to them. Then Bella shifts to marketing: once you’ve pivoted or refined your services, how do you get the word out? Byron advises starting with local Facebook groups—mom groups, school groups, garage sale groups—where people are already talking about their problems. Listen to what they’re saying. When someone complains about being overwhelmed by their kids and dog, that’s your cue to offer value, not just a sales pitch. Bella loves that idea and breaks it down: people complain online, and you can respond with education and empathy—not “hire me,” but helpful tips. Byron says exactly—share value and include a soft call-to-action like, “Here’s how a professional pet sitter can help.” You’re teaching, not selling. When people see that you understand their struggles, they’ll want to hire you. Bella reminds everyone to start empathizing with people’s problems instead of just pushing their services. She says, “If you hate Facebook because it’s full of complaints, use that! Join the conversation and show people a light at the end of the tunnel.” She suggests posting questions like, “Does your dog bark every time the Amazon man comes?” It’s relatable and engaging. Byron adds that using Instagram and Facebook Stories is another great way to build curiosity—share funny or heartwarming moments from your walks so people feel connected. People buy based on emotion, so make them feel good. He emphasizes making it easy for people to say yes—simplify the buying process. Set up Messenger automation so prospects can book quickly. Bella agrees and says pet sitters often overcomplicate things. Their sales process has too many steps—forms, calls, and consultations that slow down bookings. Byron says simplicity sells. He also suggests using curiosity-driven videos as Facebook ads—short clips showing happy pets and client testimonials. Bella adds that one of her favorite ideas is showing “before and after” shots—a dog jumping excitedly when you arrive, and then happily tired after the walk. Add a caption like, “Need your dog calm for your next Zoom call? We can help.” Byron agrees,

Why Your Pet Care Business Needs Video Training for New Staff in 2020 Liz Illg is a Business, Content, and Systems Consultant. Liz and her team take an all-inclusive approach to finally bring your vision to life. They specialize in building the systems and operating foundation that will help you truly take off and scale your business, or writing the one-of-a-kind marketing materials that will get you NOTICED. All you have to do is tell her the idea, approve the final product, and put it to work for you! Since 2013, Liz has… Opened five brick-and-mortar grooming shops. Launched her dream business, Liz Illg Consulting. Developed organic business relationships across countries and industries. Is VIDEO the way of the present and the future? Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want To Miss: Videos keep the viewers engaged and excited by throwing the right graphics and instructions during the training to keep you and your employees entertained while learning. Customize your training through our paw print to keep your "Secret Sauce" and have a way to show to your people this is how you do it. It's specific, streamlined, and simple. Build the foundation of your training from the video aspect and documentation, and YOU as the business owner get to decide the added things that you want to incorporate in your business. Bonuses if you purchase during the launch period: Support inspired email templates that you can send to your employees every month. Branded Graphics Blueprint of the exact outline for you to use during face to face or video meetings with your staff. Two Certifications Video Training for New Staff Show Highlights: How Pet Care Training was born 1.03 What should I do in employee training and what should I talk about? 9:41 Why video training enhance messaging and support, and what kind of effects does it have on their staff? 14.25 How should I onboard my new staff? 19.52 Professional Pet Care Team Training Portal 22.25 Links: www.petcareteamtraining.com Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 209 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and continuing on our video series, I have something that's going to be really amazing for your pet care business. If you're a dog walker or a dog trainer, you're going to want to listen up because video is the way of the future. It is the way of our present right now. We cannot connect with anybody these days without video, and that includes training your staff. Today, I have my incredible business partner with me, Liz Illig. We have just launched recently Pet Care Team Training. Today we're here to talk to you all about it, show you a little bit of it, but also talk about how online learning is really blasting through the roof, how different people learn differently, and why this can help other people take your business seriously and really help expedite your onboarding and continuing training process because we have a lot of bonuses built in there for you. So without further ado, Liz, welcome to the show. I'm so excited to be talking about Pet Care Team Training today with you. Yes, I am so excited and pumped. It's a great product. So you guys, let's tell you the backstory of this. Liz and I started having monthly meetings way back in October of 2019, where we created all of our most incredible topics that people ask her to help with SOPs and people ask me in our groups. We also both have had pet sitting businesses, so we know exactly what we needed. We started doing all the outlines and meeting weekly and flushing them out. It was really a match made in heaven because what Liz is good at, I'm not. And what I'm good at, well, Liz is actually good at that too. But together, it was a really great match. Liz, why don't you tell them a little bit more about what you bring to the table and how you're able to make this product with your team just really sparkle. The amazing part about this product and the relationship that you and I built around it is that you've always been this video person. You have groups, communities, and so forth. My expertise is documentation, content, and deliverables. I build online courses for my clients, so in this case, we went on this journey together where we took a lot of things that you're really good at with video—you’re the expert in this field and you know what people need—and my strength was behind the scenes working on the content and all the other things that you get with this training that's not video. That was my expertise: looking at this and saying, yes, we have an amazing video that's super engaging, but what else can we build in the back office to support your team training when you onboard somebody? Also, I have to say this is ongoing training. It doesn’t just stop with, “Hey, get in front of the computer, learn these things for an hour.” You and I have mastered and looked at this and identified what pet sitters and dog walkers need in the industry. We literally filled in every single gap, and I don’t even know what we could add onto this because it's just an amazing product with so many features. When we were filming this, the beauty is everybody has different policies and procedures based on their business, and that was really important to us. We asked, how do we make this for everybody—something that provides the framework of how to train but also supports them with actual tools they can use in their standard operating procedures? When you send me your clients and I build SOPs, the actual add-on is training, and so this is now that add-on that someone doesn’t need to purchase separately because it’s literally this zone of genius we’ve mapped out. I’m so pumped about it because it’s all there for everyone when they click and purchase a license. Let's break that down a little more because you said a lot of good things there. We started with the videos—Liz and I looked at what was out there on the market, and there was really only one other thing out there. The problem we saw was that it was overwhelming, with 90-plus videos not necessarily all pertaining to dog walking or pet sitting. It was great because it was a library with endless information, but who wants an avalanche of information when you’re onboarding an employee—let alone paying for all those hours for them to sit through it? We wanted something specific, streamlined, and simple. It was also important to us that we invested in quality. We invested over $12,000 in creating this because we brought in a professional film crew. We also brought in a veterinarian, a trainer, and a cat behaviorist because we didn’t want it to be the Liz and Bella show. We wanted to surround ourselves with amazing experts. On top of that, we hired an editor in Austria, Julia, who actually does all the videos for Social Media Examiner’s YouTube channel. I loved what she did because her instructions from us were: every five seconds, something needs to happen on the screen. It’s not just us talking—we wanted the viewer engaged, and that was really important. As we were filming, we found ourselves saying a lot, “Check with your management.” It was Liz’s fantastic idea—something that never would’ve crossed my mind—to create “paw prints.” Every single video has a fill-in-the-blank section that lets you customize your training. Your secret sauce stays your secret sauce. There’s a little paw icon that pops up, and you get to fill it in Mad Lib style to show your people how you do things. Every module comes with 135 pieces of content across 13 modules. It’s not just a passive video—it engages your employees and gets them excited to work for you. Those worksheets build the foundation of your training. As the business owner, you get to decide what additional things to incorporate in your business, but this provides the foundational training structure. You can test your team members too, because there’s an assessment component built in. We filled in every gap to make sure the process is simple and fully supportive of your business. Another thing I’m excited about—one of the bonuses to this program during our launch—is that every month, we’ll send you an email you can copy and paste to your staff. It’s a supportive message with tips and reminders, not reactionary. You’ll also get branded graphics that show you take training seriously and that your staff is certified. Another bonus is a quarterly blueprint that gives you a ready-made outline for meetings so you’re never left wondering what to cover. We also provide transcripts because we know everyone learns differently. There’s video, text, checklists,

Bella knows that you probably feel like making video content for your business is a tough task. to get creative, especially during 2020 is a tough thing to do. We are in survival mode and growth mode just trying to get back to the new normal. That is why Bella is suggesting you repurpose content into videos. Today, Bella is going to teach you why you don't actually need to be creative to make videos and how you can take what you've already got and reuse that. It is important to realize that not everyone sees all your content. Only a small portion of them do and many won't remember it months down the road. We can leverage this to create amazing things in our business without having to get creative. Easy Ways To Repurpose Content into Videos Show Highlights Facebook & Google analytics settings show what is getting the most traction -- use it! [3:40] How to utilize your previous topic headers to create videos [6:35] What are the steps to success? [8:13] Be seen in the same shirt more than once [10:49] Video in your marketing [14:09] Mentioned in the show: Invideo 50% off with the Bella hookup! Easily market for new hires with JazzHR Get all of your marketing done for you with BMWB. Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link –Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 208 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and I am excited to be here with you again. We are kind of rounding out this video series. This is the fourth podcast in a row talking all about how you basically can use video to leverage your business on your website, online, and even in email if you don't realize it. Today, we're actually going to round out this part of the series by talking about repurposed content and how that can become your best friend forever or your BFF. And then, I'm totally going to tease this, but in the next episode, we're going to come back with my partner, Liz Illig, to talk all about how you can use video in your training. You guys, in case you haven't realized it, we are—2020 is definitely the video year. It's been a long time coming. It's been at least five, six, seven years. You know, we started squawking about it. I've been doing it since before it was cool and talking to you guys about it for at least 10 years. But, you know, video really is something that you need to incorporate in your business in every single facet, and we're going to get more into that next episode. But so far, we've talked about how you can easily leverage it using our friends over at InVideo. We've got you a 50% offer from them, making it only $5 a month. They’ve got over a million royalty-free videos that you can use—stock videos in addition to uploading some of your own if you want. They've even created templates that you can borrow. They've created templates for me that I've approved for top of the funnel, middle of the funnel, and bottom of the funnel. That's something that we talked about a couple episodes ago. And then, in the last episode, we talked about creating snackable content and what that means. A lot of you guys have actually been emailing me and showing me the videos that you've been making, and I've been giving you some tips and ideas on how to make them a little more snappy or jazzy because it does take a little bit of creativity. So, you start off with a template or your own idea and then make it into more of a snackable video, which we talked about last episode. So if you haven’t heard that, you might want to go back and do that. And before that, we talked about top, middle, and bottom of the funnel and how those videos actually change. A common theme we’ve also been talking about is that it’s not about creating new stuff; it’s really about recreating what you’ve already got. And so today, I’m going to talk about that. It might be a shorter episode, but that’s all right. I really want to deliver you as much value as possible. And when I’m done, I’m going to drop the mic. So let’s get into it. The modern-day dilemma right now is basically that once you start creating all this awesome stuff, your followers want to keep seeing it, and it’s really important that you keep producing it. But again, it’s not about creating new stuff—it’s really about repurposing. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. I’ve written a lot of blogs and done some podcasts before about this, but it’s really important to keep giving you ideas and expanding it. I also realize that you guys can’t possibly consume every cotton-pickin’ thing that I produce out there, because let’s face it, it’s a lot. It takes a whole team to produce all of this stuff for you, but it’s free—it’s my gift from me to you. So repurposing is definitely going to be the answer. I want to show you a really easy way to do this. I want you to go to your Facebook Analytics and find out what really popped—what people really paid attention to. Find out what got the most traction; that’s a good indicator of what you can repurpose and make videos of. Another way to do this is if you have Google Analytics set up—please have your Google Analytics set up—then go check what pages get the top traction. Believe it or not, when I had my pet sitting company, Bella’s House and Pet Sitting, that I sold in 2016, the most popular blog I had on that website out of 500 blogs was “Is Tuna Safe for My Dog?” Sounds silly, right? How does that help your business? Honestly, it didn’t help my business, but I got that question a lot. I was in a stage in my business where it was “they ask, you answer.” Anything anyone asked, I would write about. And the reason why it was the number one performing blog is because I got global traction for it. Globally, it was ranking high because who else is going to write a blog that says, “Is Tuna Safe for My Dog?” That’s a whole other story about how to do blogs that perform well. In retrospect, it really doesn’t matter because it didn’t help my business. There are a lot better things to rank for. But what I’m saying is—go to your Google Analytics, find out what’s ranking, and make a video off of it. Now, most of the time, it’s going to have something to do with cost or price, and that’s something you can easily repurpose. So let’s pretend that you did Marcus Sheridan’s “They Ask, You Answer.” You have to search the podcast and listen to that episode—Marcus Sheridan is amazing, one of my mentors. Let’s say you wrote one of those blogs—if you’re in the Mastermind or Better Marketing with Bella, I know you have because I’ve beaten you over the head about it until you’ve done it. You’ve written something like “How Much Does Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Cost in Scottsdale, Arizona?” You’ve probably cited your competition in it. Follow that same formula here. It’s not about creating new content; it’s about reusing what you’ve already got. Go ahead and use InVideo or whatever software you like and create a video on exactly that topic. A great way to storyboard the slides is to take every single header from your blog. Maybe your outline looks like this: “It Depends Why,” “High Price Pros and Cons,” “Low Price Pros and Cons,” “Five Pet Sitters and Their Range.” That’s your whole bullet-point outline, and that’s exactly what your video can be. Again, it doesn’t have to be more than 15 or 20 seconds. We’re making snackable videos that are interesting. Think about how far and wide you can spread these videos—Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Stories, email—you can even insert the video into the blog you already made. If you don’t want to use a service like InVideo, you can absolutely do a Facebook Live and then download that video to add to your blog. Step one is to figure out what have been your highest traction pieces of content. Step two—you can make a video out of it. It doesn’t even have to be a blog. It could be a Facebook post that went viral, like when you asked, “Where do you like to walk your dog?” or “How did you choose your pet’s name?” You can make a quick video summarizing the responses. Each slide could show answers like “From the shelter,” “From my grandmother,” “Found on the street,” “From a breeder.” It’s simple and interesting because it flashes fast. Repurposing is something you have to become BFFs with. For example, you all know that Liz and I just launched Pet Care Team Training—a 13-video series to train your staff. It’s very professionally produced, we have our own Facebook page for it, and we’re running some awesome specials. I’m in charge of the marketing side, so I sat down last week for an hour and a half and created a month’s worth of posts. When I scheduled those in Agorapulse, my scheduling tool,

Learn what snackable videos are and how easy it is to create and reuse in your pet sitting or dog walking business.

If you are a dog walker and need more clients, then you want to watch this Creating promotional dog walking videos podcast. Today you will discover the simple easy to use step by step process to quickly and easily creating promo videos for your dog walking or pet sitting business. Creating Promotional Dog Walking Videos Show Highlights Popular misconceptions about creating promotional videos What is the ideal length, aspect ratio, basics The Four Pillars that make a promo video great How to alleviate the biggest bottleneck in creating promotional videos. Structure for thinking of visuals. More important than editing is the design and how the frame looks like Music- select one that amplifies the overall mood of your promotional video Links Learn More About InVideo. Get 50% off by using my code BELLA50 Don't forget to check out Bella's templates you can steal now! Related Blog Post: How To Utilize Video For Your Dog Walking Business. Let’s Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 206 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and we are going to continue this series about video. I wanted to take four episodes to explain all the different things that you could consider about video so that you can be the most successful when doing it. By now, you've probably already seen my masterclass where I showed you top of the funnel, middle of the funnel, bottom of the funnel, and also gave you templates that you could use, as well as a 50% off code, BELLA50, to InVideo. It's awesome video software that's super cheap—only $5 a month, basically affordable for anybody. No contracts or anything like that either. I wanted to take today to talk about a step-by-step process for creating promotional dog walking videos. I wanted to break it down so that it's pretty easy. But first, I wanted to talk about common misconceptions. A lot of times we think we only need one brand video promo. Or maybe you've gone on to Animoto and made one of those long scrolling videos of all the dogs you walk—and no one really cares unless their own dog is in it, right? I would consider trying to make a video for almost every single service you offer. I don't mean just “dog walk,” “pet sit,” or “overnight.” I mean a lunchtime let-out, a potty break, a morning walk, a midday let-out, or an “I’m on Zoom and need my dog walked” type of service. All of these different reasons why you walk dogs—that’s what I would do. Let’s call those promo videos. For every single promo or service that you have, I would definitely create one. Most people think they only need one, and you could get away with that, but maybe make it a goal to do one a month. That could really build your arsenal over time, and then you can use them for anything—from ads to Facebook, Instagram, or even your website. It can show potential clients what to expect, or even answer questions like, “What exactly happens on those walks?” I’ll keep referring to an arsenal because as we build content, that’s basically what we’re doing—building weapons we can use. In reality, these promo videos need to create highly contextual messages for every use case if you want the messaging to stick. For example, I was conducting a live masterclass and had a promo highlighting the benefits of the masterclass and what it’s about. If you had an end-of-season offer or sale, you’d need a promo for that too. For example, for holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Think about all the reasons you could create what we’ll loosely call a promo video. Now, I know some of you are thinking, “Oh my gosh, I need a lot of time for this, it’s going to take effort and money, I’ll have to outsource it.” But that’s not true. Going back to this tool I’ve been touting so much—inVideo—it’s only $10 a month, and with my 50% off coupon, it’s $5 a month. The software company even made a bunch of templates for me to give to you, so you can just go in there and change the words, colors, or calls to action. It’s really easy. Today’s show is all about that, so I’ll actually show you at the end how to use this awesome tool called InVideo. Let’s start with the basics. The ideal length of a promo video is between 14 to 45 seconds, depending on how complex your message is. You shouldn’t cross the one-minute mark since attention spans drop drastically after that. The aspect ratio—the size and resolution—depends on the platform. Many of you hang out on Instagram and Facebook, so for simplicity, I recommend a square format (1:1 ratio). If your audience is younger and on Instagram Stories or Snapchat, you’ll want a vertical format (9:16 ratio). If you’re reaching a mixed audience, duplicate the project so you can post natively on each platform. For example, posting a vertical Instagram Story video on Facebook will look terrible. Luckily, with this software, you can instantly resize it with one click. Keep text minimal because people don’t have much time to read, and if you’re running ads, Facebook only allows around 20% text coverage. The first five seconds are crucial—they must be engaging to grab attention. Make viewers curious: “Where is this going?” “What’s happening?” Then, always end with a call to action. Many people forget this and just post a video with no next step. Say something like, “We’d love to walk your dog,” or “Do you know anyone traveling this weekend?” There are four main elements of a promo: script, visuals, design, and audio. The script translates your idea into a story. Do some groundwork before writing. The visuals bring your story to life. The design ties the visuals and text together. And the audio amplifies your message. If you open a blank project and feel stuck, it’s because you skipped these four steps. So, let’s go through them. Start with audience research. This helps you choose one of three scripting approaches. Where does your audience spend time online? For most pet care business owners, it’s Facebook and Instagram, but there’s also a big boom happening on TikTok. What kind of content do they engage with? What pages do they follow? What kind of language do they respond to? You can even post polls like, “What’s your favorite pet page?” Next, scripting. Don’t go for the obvious. Instead of simply showing a problem and solution, show the “old world” and “new world.” For example, show the problem—“Do you feel bad that your dog is home alone?”—then tease the solution—“Imagine coming home to a happy, tired pup.” You can structure scripts in three ways: social proof, problem-solution, or aspirational. Social proof works when you have positive reviews. You could say, “We’re rated 4.8 on Google with over 100 reviews.” Problem-solution could be, “Does your dog bark at every Amazon driver? We can help by walking them before your work calls.” Aspirational scripts are trickier but powerful. They connect emotionally—for example, instead of saying, “We walk dogs,” say, “We give pet parents peace of mind.” Then come visuals. Avoid using copyrighted footage. Getty Images, for example, can fine you heavily. InVideo solves this with over a million royalty-free clips from premium sources like Shutterstock. There are three visual types: one that reinforces your message (like showing money falling for “save money”), one that isolates your key call to action against a solid background, and one that’s unexpected or humorous (like showing a cat’s grumpy face instead of a bored person). Design is how everything looks—layout, colors, and motion graphics. It doesn’t need to be complex. InVideo makes it easy with thousands of templates and a Canva-like editor, including pet-sitting templates I’ve already helped design. You can create a full video in under 15 minutes. Finally, music. Choose something that matches the mood but remember, most people scroll without sound, so don’t make your video dependent on it. If this sounds cool, go check out InVideo at jumpconsulting.net/invideo and use BELLA50 for 50% off. It’s only $60 for the whole year. Many of you have already signed up, and I just wanted to continue the training and expand your ideas so you can get excited about video. You don’t need to be overwhelmed or scared by it. This has been another episode of Bella in Your Business. I hope this helped expand your thinking and sparked new ideas. Message me and tell me your biggest takeaway. If you’re in the Mastermind, post it in your thread and tag me. If you loved this episode, please rate it five stars and leave a comment—I might read it on the next one. And remember, when life gets you down,

Would you like to learn how to use your pet business marketing funnels to create your video content? Structured properly you should have several campaigns going for all three stages of your funnel. Awareness campaigns are typically a top of funnel or TOFU activity. Lead generation campaigns are geared more for the Middle of Funnel or MOFU , and your conversion campaigns are the Bottom of Funnel of Bofu. In all three instances, you can use the offers for all of these campaigns to create videos that will allow you to generate real-world leads for your business. Pet Business Marketing Funnel Show Highlights Learn how you, a solo-preneur or business owner, can leverage videos to generate real-world leads. Discover what the biggest fallacy is and why most people don't see results. Explore what the approach should be for TOFU, MOFU, and BOFU and learn how to create ideal content for them. Uncover the biggest bottle-necks that you may face. Links Learn More About InVideo. Get 50% off by using my code BELLA50 Learn more about video creation and sales funnels in Episode 78 Let’s Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 205 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, your host. And for the next four episodes, we are going to talk all about video. So it's going to be you and me in a nice intimate setting. I'm not going to try to make them 30 minutes long or whatever—however long it goes for will be however long it goes for. But I promise that I'm going to expand and excite your brain with everything video. Now you guys know that 2020 has not been the best year ever, or at least that's the general consensus. I kind of like to say that we've had the COVID cover to figure out what we're actually doing, what we actually want to do. And it's really given us the gift of time, the gift that we'll never ever have again in our life. And part of that is taking a step back and realizing what we can't and what we should do. And while we've all been sequestered and everyone's at different stages around the world and in the country, I get that—but we have been online a lot more. And while we're online a lot more, it's the best way to get our businesses in front of people's faces. You guys have heard me squawking about video forever. I was doing video before it was cool. I was trying to get you guys to do video. We've been creating video for the past three semesters in Better Marketing with Bella because it's not just enough to put up graphics or, God forbid, just a status update without even a picture. Even videos, I mean—or even like advertisements—doing them with videos. But video can be done fifty ways to Sunday. So it's also really overwhelming to figure out what to do. It's also overwhelming to figure out how to get it to convert, what to say, how to shoot it, what to shoot it with. And then you've got your own problems that I’ve heard from you guys—“I don't like the way I sound on video,” “I don't like the way I look,” “I don't have any place to shoot it,” “I don't know what to create.” All these tools are awesome, but then you say, “I'm not creative.” So there are all these barriers of entry that just pile up, and you end up not doing anything with it, right? Well, hopefully by the end of this short series—or if you watched my masterclass I had a couple of weeks ago on Facebook—you’re going to see how you can jumpstart your video marketing here at the end of 2020 and really stand out. In this episode, we're going to talk all about what it takes to generate leads via videos. So we already discussed some of the problems and hindrances at the very beginning, but specifically on this episode, I want you to think of a funnel. Think of a funnel that you might use to pour liquid from one jar into another. That funnel is really big at the top and really small at the bottom—it directs that liquid to where it needs to go. That's what funnels do. Maybe you're a mechanic or grew up around cars and you’ve seen funnels in that context. But there is a funnel in your business, whether or not you realize it. And the more you pay attention to it, the more lucrative it can be—the more oil you can get, or the more liquid you can pour into that other jar. That's essentially what we're trying to do. You can actually use video as a funnel. I'm going to blow your mind here. There’s top of the funnel, middle of the funnel, and bottom of the funnel. I think the biggest fallacy—the reason people don't see results and say, “Well, I tried video and didn’t get any clients”—is because they don't realize how many factors go into it: messaging, structure, visuals, audio, length—so many things. But let’s talk about the top of the funnel. The top of the funnel is all about awareness. You're just creating awareness for something and making people stop and realize, “That’s interesting.” For example, a video like “How long will it take this dog to go number two on his potty visit?” with a stopwatch running. That’s just awareness. It’s not selling anyone anything—it’s just interesting. If you set this up properly, you can actually target people who watched more than three seconds or ten seconds of that video and then hit them with another video ad. They’ve already shown interest, so you can continue nurturing that. For example, Mallory Cooper from Charleston Dog Walkers has been doing an awesome video series showing different types of trails and areas where people can walk their dogs. That’s a top-of-funnel video. Then the next stage is when you retarget them. Maybe they got that trail video first, or the “how long to go potty” video. Then, the next ad could say, “Hey guys, I know that I showed you the trails, but now I want to show you where we actually take the dogs we walk,” or “We do ten of these potty visits every Monday through Friday—let us help you.” What you’re doing is taking a broad, general idea and relating it specifically to your business—putting yourself as the hero of the story. Then there’s the bottom of the funnel content, which is where you ask for the sale. For example: “If your dog takes forever to do their business, we can help,” or “Want your dog to explore these trails? Call us now to set up three or four walks a week.” That’s the direct call-to-action stage. But if you just post a sales video right away—“Book now!”—people won’t care because they don’t know you yet. It’s like getting married after the first date. You have to wine and dine them a bit. You need to nurture trust before asking for commitment. So, think about the kinds of videos you can make and where you’ll use them. Who’s seeing them? Can you create a cohesive funnel where you track who’s engaging at each stage? It might sound complex, but it’s really not that hard. One of the places I like to do this is on InVideo.io—it’s actually fun to use. You may have seen me demonstrate it in my masterclass. What they did for our industry is really cool. Their product is $10 a month, but they gave us half off—it’s only $5 a month! That’s less than your Starbucks. They even made me a creator page with pre-made templates for pet sitters and dog walkers. You just go in, change the colors and fonts, and you’ve got your video ready. No need to come up with something from scratch—it’s all there for you. So, I want you to sit down and brainstorm what your top, middle, and bottom-of-funnel videos could be. This is something we talk about in the Mastermind group too—different campaigns and ad strategies. I want you to stop saying that video doesn’t work or that you don’t like how you look or sound. Stop saying you don’t have a place to film or lack creativity. I’ve taken the guesswork out for you—you just have to do the work. If you want to get in on this deal or see those templates I’m talking about, go to jumpconsulting.net/invideo. Our next podcast episode will be about creating videos your audience can’t resist. I’m going to explode more ideas for you there because, as you know, I love brainstorming—even if it’s just me in my office recording into my mic. This has been another episode of Bella in Your Business. It’s short and sweet—I’m not going to chew your ear off. Check out other episodes at jumpconsulting.net, and use the search bar like the Google of pet sitting and dog walking. There are over 500 blogs, a YouTube channel, and 200 podcast episodes. If you want to excite and delight your brain with everything pet sitting and dog walking, I’m your one-stop shop. If you liked this episode, please give us a review and rating. I’d love to see it and maybe read it on the next episode. And remember, when life gets you down,

How have you separated your pet business brand from the rest of the pack (yes pun intended. )? Joanna Price is the Owner of Woofin’ It Pet Concierge. It is her vision, tireless work ethic, and passionate commitment to pets that has grown her business from the seeds of an idea to the best Dog Walking and Pet Sitting service brand in Frederick, with 5 team members. Additionally, her commitment to exceeding expectations and delighting clients is evident in their references (affectionately referred to as WOOFERENCES). She and her team truly have fun with your pets and the "work" they all do. Joanna and her team thrive on giving pet parents peace of mind, and are truly grateful for the trust their clients have in them to care for their fur-babies! Pet Business Vision Show Highlights Learn about how Joanna uses her own lingo in her pet concierge brand to make it special. Hear how she has stayed positive through COVID. Learn about how commitment to hiring helped her grow her business fast. Understand how her vision and why helped shape her pet business brand Links Joanna's website https://woofinitdogwalking.com/ Let’s Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 204 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome everybody to Bella in Your Business. Today I've got one of my long-term clients with me, Joanna. And she is absolutely amazing. You guys, not only is she a kick-ass mama, she's also an incredible business owner. She is the owner of Woofin' It! Pet Concierge. And it is her vision of tireless work ethic and passionate commitment to pets that has grown her business from the seeds of an idea to the best dog walking and pet sitting service in Frederick with five team members. Additionally, her commitment to exceeding expectations and delighting clients is evident in their references, if actually known as woof-rances. We're going to totally talk about her vernacular today. She and her team truly have fun with their pets that they help and all of the “work” that they do. Joanna and her team thrive on giving pet parents peace of mind and are amazing at everything that they do. I've been watching her virtually and working with her personally for I don't even know how long, Joanna, but I've just been impressed with your tenacity, with your mindset, which we're also going to talk about today, and also your impeccable, happy branding. That's all I can really announce it as, I'm not even sure. But welcome to the show and thanks for saying yes for being on. Absolutely. So why don't you go ahead and fill in those gaps for me really quick and tell our audience how long you've been in business. When did it start? Why did it start? And what burns inside your belly to keep going, especially during this recording when we're in 2020, July 2020, and the whole world's falling apart. Yeah, it definitely is. Sure. So I actually launched this business in February of 2017 and it was just me and my idea of doing it. I had been in the corporate world for a really long time. There had been some things that happened, a position that I had been working in had been eliminated. And so I really allowed myself to take the time and figure out what did I actually want that next chapter to look like in my life. So after taking a couple months, doing a lot of research, kind of trying to figure stuff out, I launched this business with kind of a wing and a prayer and myself. So that was February of 2017 and then by May I brought on my first team member and we have really just expanded and grown from that point. And that was May of 2017? That was when I brought on my first team member in May of 2017, yes. Okay, so let's dive into that really quick because that was three months into your business you brought on a team member, which I think says a lot because I know a lot of our listeners out there, they've either just started or they've been in the business for a while and they either have tried to hire or they're just terrified to hire. So what made you want to hire that quickly into your business? Was it a perfect time? How did you know you needed to? And were you extremely successful your very first time? I mean, I wish I could say that was the reason. Basically, the truth of the matter is it just didn't make sense to me not to leverage my time. At that point, I probably had seven to ten clients a day that I was doing by myself, but my kids are 20 and 18 now. And so they were in high school when I started this and I was kind of like, you know, I want to start my own business so I have more time with my family, not less. And so that kind of just started the whole, what if I get sick? What if I fall and I break my ankle? What if I want to take a vacation with my family? I don't want to have to shut my business down because I myself am not available. I have to let people know this is a legitimate business. I'm not a lone person. We will have backup for you. We do have coverage when emergencies happen. And I think that just adds to the whole level of our clients having peace of mind that someone will always be there when we say we're going to be there. It was just kind of all part of the plan. So May I brought on my first person and then honestly in July I brought on my second one and those two pet concierges are still with us today. I love that so much. What I'm hearing from you, Joanna, what I want our listeners to pull from this is that you were connected to your why—you wanted to free up your time, not be bonded to the time. And I think so many of us get lost in that trap because we want to be everything. We want to do everything. We want to have control over everything. We want everything to be perfect. And we're terrified to let those reins go. And it's one of the reasons why in just three short years you have grown and established yourself so well because you went off running. You didn't start baby crawling or jogging. You started sprinting and figured it out as you went because you wanted to be there for your family. And I think that's really important, you guys. If anyone's listening right now thinking when's the perfect time to hire or how can I do it or when should I do it, I really encourage you to think about what Joanna just said. Go back to your why. Why did you start this business? Was it so you could be a slave to it or was it so that you actually could grow it into something that could be an asset that gives back to your life? Now, Joanna, you just mentioned pet concierge. I want you to tell me more about the vernacular. You're very strong with that in your branding from the very name of Woofin’ It Pet Concierge to woof-rances and all these other cute little things that you use. Did you come up with that? Did someone else help you with that? Why did you incorporate that kind of thing into it? And what kind of response do you get from the community or from your clients? Tell me more about that because I think it's very unique to you. I think the reason that I describe ourselves as Pet Concierge is we came into this market and I was very confident telling potential clients and our current clients we are an upscale boutique company. We're very consistent on our messaging that our relationships with our clients are what drives us. We are not in this to just do like a one-and-done kind of thing. We really work hard on long-term relationships with our clients and therefore I feel like we become each other's families. So the fact that I've never used “dog walkers,” we are pet concierges because we go above and beyond every single time for every single client, every visit that we have with them. When I launched my business, I had two teenage children, like we just talked about. And the fact of the matter is that was not who I wanted to bring onto my team. There's nothing against hardworking teenagers, but I was looking for moms, pet parents, seniors who were active, people who understood responsibility, integrity, customer service, and compassion—understanding that pets are people's family members. They're not just like, “It's just the dog,” or “It's just the cat.” We don't do that. And so that's why I dove into this market being like, we are an upscale, different company than what is already existing in our marketplace. And so I've just gone with that. You get me so excited because everything that you're saying, I bet a lot of our listeners right now are like, “Yeah, me too. Me too. I feel the same exact way.” But guys, this is the difference between saying it to yourself and actually living it in what she just mentioned—messaging. Her messaging says it all. Everything from everyone calls them dog walkers. It’s different.

The Difference Between Customer Service VS Customer Experience Could Increase Your Profits What is your customer experience in your pet care business? For more than 20 years, Jeannie Walters, CCXP has had one mission: To Create Fewer Ruined Days for Customers™. Jeannie is the CEO and Founder of Experience Investigators, a global Customer Experience consulting firm helping companies improve loyalty and retention, employee engagement, and overall experience. Hundreds of companies across three continents have trusted Jeannie to consult, train, and speak, from SMBs to Fortune 500s. In addition to being a Certified Customer Experience. Pet Business Customer Care Show Highlights What is the customer experience? How can I understand my customer's journey better? How can investing in customer care benefit my organization? What moments really matter along the journey? How can a leader get their employees to buy into these ideas? Links Jeannie's website https://experienceinvestigators.com/ Freebie Text "Experience" to 66866 to join the 21-Day CX Challenge or visit Let’s Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’’ Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 203 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. Today I have Jeannie Walters with me. She actually blew us away in the mastermind, so I had to bring her to the airwaves to all of you who have not yet had the pleasure of being in the mastermind. Jeannie, for more than 20 years, has had one mission—to create fewer ruined days for customers. She’s the CEO and founder of Experience Investigators, a global customer experience consulting firm, and she is an absolute dynamite. She really got us thinking about some cool things. So today we’re going to spend time talking all about customer experience, because it isn’t just leaving a treat on the table or sending a thank-you card. It’s much more than that. So without further ado, welcome to the show, Jeannie. Thank you so much. I’m thrilled to be here. I know a lot of people have probably heard about customer service, but we’re going to talk about customer experience today. So can you break down what exactly customer experience is? Sure. A lot of times when I say I do customer experience work, people jump to the idea of reactive customer service. That’s when things go wrong and we have to call somebody or use the chat. But really, customer experience is about the end-to-end experience that we have as customers with a brand. That includes things that happen before the sale—just when we’re first aware of the brand—all the way through every interaction, every touchpoint, every time we engage, until we either stay with them forever or leave them. Sometimes there’s that saying, “When we’re so deep in the woods, it’s hard to see the forest.” That’s a good metaphor for this because a lot of times people get defensive and say, “I understand my customers. What are you talking about?” And last I checked, we all have too much to do and not enough time to do it. We’re asked as businesspeople to focus on certain things, and that means while we’re doing that, we’re not always paying attention to the experience our customers are having. We justify this by saying we understand the process and how it’s supposed to work—like every customer should get a welcome package, an email on the tenth day, and so on. But if we’re not checking in on that experience, we don’t really know what’s happening. It’s important to step back and look from the customer’s perspective. Even just having the mindset that we don’t know the whole story our customers have can go a long way. It forces you to think differently about every interaction. You might send an email, but do they read it? Do they care about it? Is it actually helping them? That’s exactly right. I love that. It reminds me how some pet sitters have nurture email campaigns—you write it, set it up, and automate it, then never check back on it. One thing I learned going through your 21-day challenge, which anyone can do by texting EXPERIENCE to 66866 or visiting experienceinvestigators.com, was that one of the challenges is finding out how your clients are really feeling and what their journey is like. Because many of us pour our heart and soul into building systems, but we rarely sit on the other side and experience how it actually feels. Exactly! And hey, I’m a business owner too, so I get it. I have those 3 a.m. thoughts like, “Did I pay that invoice? Did I send that email?” Running a business is a lot. So when you add on customer experience, it can feel like, “We’ve got this covered—our automations work, we’re getting customers.” But if we don’t think about this continually, our competitors will. Customers are loyal until they’re not, or until something else comes along that’s more convenient or effortless. That’s why we have to ask: how much effort are we requiring from our customers to do business with us? If we can reduce that effort, listen to what customers want, and respond, that’s what creates loyalty—not just wow moments, but the consistent small moments that show we care. Think about the last time someone really listened to you. It’s rare, and we almost expect businesses not to. So when one actually listens, it stands out. I always thought it was funny when companies ask you to take a survey, and you respond “bad” and check “contact me,” but no one ever does. Then next time, you don’t bother giving feedback. Complaints are actually a gift because they show the customer still cares. If they didn’t, they’d just leave. When we get feedback, we need to see it as an opportunity to make the relationship work again. A lot of listeners might wonder how to respond when they get a bad Google or Facebook review. It feels like a stab to the heart. What do you recommend? First, if someone leaves a public review, it’s important to respond publicly because others are watching. Acknowledge them and let them know you heard them. If you know who they are, call them. Say, “I’m sorry this happened. I want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Would you be willing to help me understand what happened?” People often advise not to say “sorry,” but I disagree. Sometimes people just need to feel heard. Especially in the pet industry, we’re dealing with family members, so emotions are strong. Recognizing that goes a long way. Respond publicly, but also personally follow up to rebuild trust. That’s such good advice. It’s not about throwing money at the problem—it’s about understanding what they need. So how can investing in customer experience benefit the organization as a whole? Think about who you’re loyal to—it’s probably businesses that make you feel good, that are memorable and meaningful. Investing in customer experience means identifying the high points in your customer journey—when they first choose you, when they leave their pet for the first time—and finding ways to reassure them and build trust. If you can create memorable moments that people talk about, that’s word-of-mouth marketing. You’re turning customers into your salesforce. Especially in service-based businesses, people trust recommendations. One example I loved from the mastermind was someone teaching clients how to marinate catnip toys—that’s the kind of moment that gets talked about. You mentioned highs and lows—how do we identify what moments really matter in a customer’s journey? Start by asking your customers. “How did you feel when you left your dog with us?” “How did you feel when you came home?” Listen for emotional moments. You can also map out the customer journey—there are tools and courses for that. Identify which interactions matter most and which can drive loyalty or push customers away. Look beyond simply “we did what we said we’d do.” If you can provide extra meaning and positive moments, customers will feel more connected to your brand. For example, the first time I left my dog, I was so nervous. But after landing from a four-hour flight, I already had pictures on my phone of my dog looking happy. It was such a small gesture but meant the world. Look for opportunities like that. I love how you phrased that—asking how they feel also helps you gather better testimonials. That’s gold. One last question: how can business owners get their teams to buy into this? They can’t do it alone. The number one driver of customer experience is employees. In many industries, when customers describe a great experience, they name a specific employee. So, first, define what kind of experience you want to deliver. It’s not enough to say, “We want to provide good service.” Who do you want to be? Maybe you’re known for memorable surprises or for caring for senior dogs.

How to Communicate, Persuade, & Close like an Experienced Trial Lawyer In addition to Mitch Jackson being a “2009 Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year” and “2013 California Litigation Lawyer of the Year,” he’s also one of the most well-known active trial lawyers on social media. He’s been profiled in best-selling marketing books and dozens of publications and platforms including INC., Mashable, and The Wall Street Journal. During the past several years, Mitch has presented cutting-edge business/legal/marketing techniques at the Tony Robbins Business Mastery with his good friend, David Meerman Scott. Mitch is the founder of the global LegalMinds Mastermind and has written a new book, “The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals and Entrepreneurs” which was a #1 best seller on Amazon and top #1 new release in two separate categories. Mitch’s friends know of him as “The Streaming Lawyer” (live video) and you can stay connected at Streaming.Lawyer. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want to Miss Learning how to communicate and tell stories is all about the fundamentals. The more you tell stories, the more you communicate with your audience, the better you're going to get at it. Stories connect us as human beings. One important technique you can try out is taking your client by the hand and take them back in time. Tune in to learn the three key steps to telling emotional stories plus the 5 steps to persuasion. At the end of the day, it's all about know, like, and trust. Show Highlights [8:00] - The "Tap & Transport" Approach [9:00] - What are the three key factors towards knowing how to communicate an emotional story? [14:00] - Can you describe the 5 specific steps to persuasion? [23:30] - How long can the 5 steps actually take? Free Download Grab Mitch's best-selling book, "The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs" https://streaming.lawyer/the-book/ Links Mitch's Website: https://streaming.lawyer/ Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 202 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. Today I have Mitch Jackson with you. Who is Mitch, you might wonder? Well, Mitch and I met about a year ago, and don’t let the name “trial lawyer” fool you. What could he possibly help with a pet sitting and dog walking business? We are not here to talk about contracts or legal matters. We’re actually here to enlighten you about how to communicate, persuade, and close your next deal—whether that’s on the phone or at your next networking event. Mitch has five tips for us today, and he’s also known as the Streaming Lawyer. This guy puts me to shame when it comes to social media. He’s so fun, so personable, and unlike any other lawyer I’ve ever met. Mitch was the 2009 Orange County Trial Lawyer of the Year and 2013 California Litigation Lawyer of the Year. He’s also written a bestselling book called The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs. He truly understands what we go through as business owners and is committed to bringing immense value today. Thanks for being here, Mitch. Thanks for having me on, Bella. I’m a huge fan of what you’re doing. You’re right—this is more than law or dog walking. It’s about getting our message out to our audience, our clients, and our customers. What breaks my heart is seeing someone on social media who has a great message or product, but after 30 seconds, you just want to click away. We have other things to do, right? What I’ve noticed over the years is that the same persuasion and storytelling techniques I use in court work even better on social media. I love sharing communication and storytelling tips to help people expand their brand, sell more, and ultimately add more value to their clients. The first and most important concept is storytelling—the ability to share your message through a persuasive story. But what’s more important than telling a story is empowering your audience to take the next desired step. If all you do is tell a story, you’ve entertained—but you haven’t persuaded. In court, if I don’t empower the jury to make the right decision after they leave the room, I’ve failed. Let me take you back to when I was in high school in Tucson, Arizona. It’s 10 p.m., 110 degrees outside, and I’m 250 feet beneath old Tombstone, Arizona, in a narrow mine shaft with only my carbide lantern. We were exploring abandoned mines, pulling out antiques and ore carts no one had touched in over 120 years. Then, my light goes out. Total darkness. I can’t see my hand in front of my face. Panic sets in. I drop to one knee, reload the lantern by feel, and stay close to the right wall, touching it as I work my way back to the entrance. Eventually, I find my friends and climb out. That moment taught me something powerful: practice and fundamentals save lives. We used to practice filling our lanterns in the dark, and that’s what got me out safely. Communication and storytelling are the same—you get better through practice. The more you tell stories, the better you’ll connect with people. Every story should include three things: emotion, uniqueness, and memorability. Emotion connects us as humans. Give yourself permission to show it. Uniqueness makes you stand out—your story, your voice, your experiences. And memorability makes your message stick. When I tell people I was trapped beneath Tombstone, Arizona, they remember it. These three elements, as outlined by Carmine Gallo in Talk Like TED, are what make a message powerful. Use these three principles when you talk to potential clients. Whether you’re walking dogs or pitching a new service, make it emotional, unique, and memorable. That’s what people remember after the conversation ends. Now, there are five steps to persuasion. These are the same five steps I use in court to win multimillion-dollar verdicts—and they’ll work for you too. Step one: state the problem. Identify what your client needs. Step two: agitate the problem. Show what happens if they don’t fix it. Step three: offer a clear, concise solution. Step four: show how your solution helps them. Step five: end with a call to action. Most people skip from step one to step five. Don’t do that. For example, if someone’s debating whether to hire you for overnight pet sitting, don’t just say, “Hire me; here’s the price.” Instead, state the problem: “You deserve a peaceful vacation without worrying about your dog.” Agitate it: “If you don’t choose the right sitter, you might come home to a stressed-out pet or worse.” Then, share the solution: “At Bella’s House & Pet Sitting, we treat your dog like family.” Show how it helps: “You can finally relax knowing they’re cared for as if they were our own.” Finally, call to action: “Let’s book your consultation today.” That’s how you move people emotionally and logically through a conversation. Social media is no different. My call to action might just be, “If you liked this video, visit streaming.lawyer to keep the conversation going.” It’s soft, low-pressure, and effective. Bella: That’s brilliant. I love how actionable that is. Mitch: Thanks! And remember, persuasion is a process. Sometimes it takes five minutes, sometimes five months. Adapt these steps to each interaction. Listen closely, pay attention to what the other person needs, and fine-tune your approach. Winning matters—not because it’s about ego, but because it means you’ve communicated effectively and helped someone make a decision. These strategies don’t just work in court; they work when you’re talking to a potential client at the park or on a call. Bella: I hope you’ve loved this episode as much as I loved recording it. Mitch, thank you so much for joining us. For those who want to learn more, go to streaming.lawyer. Mitch shares tips, videos, and blogs on communication, persuasion, and storytelling—and you can grab his book, The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs, at streaming.lawyer/the-book. Remember, in tough times, it matters what you fill your mind with. The people I invite on this podcast, like Mitch, are the ones I personally follow and admire. So go check him out—you never know what inspiration might help you through your day. And when life gets you down, always keep jumping. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode.

Stop Preparing, Start Doing with Olenka Cullinan Olenka Cullinan is a CEO and Founder of iStartFirst. She empowers women to up-Level their business and mindset via on-line Bootcamp, iStartFirst Women's Summit, and delivering keynotes and workshops for companies nationwide & globally. Olenka has developed a“Backbone of Success”™ method that helps female leaders to take action, get paid their worth and show up like a BOSS-Babe. Olenka’s work globally, combined with humor and personal experiences led to her recent appearances at TEDx and made her into one of the premier consultants. She has worked with startups, corporate leaders and some of the top organizations in the country: e.g. GAMA International, Lincoln Financial, Chambers of Commerce, etc. Biggest Takeaway You Don't Want to Miss You cannot out-read, out-listen, or outwatch your way to success. You stop preparing, take action, and actually apply what you learn. But what if you're afraid? Then start small. Set your alarm for 90 seconds and DO whatever you're scared of doing. After that 90 seconds, you'll never be at the same level of fear. The best way to deal with a perfectionist mindset is with massive action. It's messy, but you have to embrace it and do it anyways. Just remember that no matter what you are doing, it's not going to be great the very first time you do it - so just get it over with! Perfection is NOT a human quality and it's always going to hold you back. Show Highlights [1:45] - Where is Olenka's story? [3:00] - What holds business owners back from taking action? [6:15] - Why do business owners get stuck in the preparation phase? [9:30] - What are 3 things business owners can do to boost their cash flow right now? [15:30] - What are some action steps that stressed business owners can take right now? [18:00] - Where can you follow Olenka online? Links Olenka's eBook: https://www.olenkacullinan.com/ Jump Mastermind: /mastermind/ Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 201 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got Olenka Cullinan with us. You guys are going to love this one. Olenka is actually the CEO and founder of I Start First. She empowers women to level up their businesses via online boot camps, the I Start Women's First Summit, and by delivering keynotes and workshops for companies nationwide and globally. She also developed this Backbone of Success Method that I'm sure we're going to talk about today. She's worked globally, combining humor and personal experience. She is such a kick-in-the-butt kind of girl. She's actually who I call when I need a kick in the butt. And she's been a TEDx speaker not once, but twice. So get ready—we’re in for a treat today. Olenka, thanks for joining us. If you see the video of this, you’ll see that Olenka has this hot pink in her branding and even her microphone muff is this hot pink color. But don’t let the pink fool you—because she’s fierce. Don’t let the pink, the blonde, or the accent fool you. Tell us about that accent. Why don’t you give us a little bit of an origin? Because as our listeners get to know you over the next 25 minutes or so, I’m sure they’re going to try to pinpoint where that accent’s from. So where are you from? It’s not from Texas. I actually was born and raised in Russia and moved to the U.S. right before I turned 21. My mom was a diehard entrepreneur, and I took it for granted for the longest time. But in reality, she gave me all the skills. I sort of picked them up involuntarily because she built her company from scratch and ran it for 37 years. When I was 14 or 15 years old, I would travel with her all over Europe, negotiating million-dollar contracts, walking into rooms full of men—and I was never intimidated. It definitely gave me a huge head start in my own business. When I moved here, I literally borrowed $450 from my uncle and decided to take a chance on the American dream—and it all worked out. I love that. I mean, right there we could end the podcast because if you could build what you’ve built, which we’re going to talk about today, all from starting with $450—girl, that’s amazing. One of the things I love about you is that you’re a woman who takes action. And I always tell my audience that birds of a feather flock together. You have to keep people around you that you want to be like, and that’s one of the reasons why you and I get along so well. But I want you to tell our listeners more about action and what holds business owners back from taking it. You coach so many people—what do you see most often? It’s everything. It’s kind of like what you just attributed to me—starting with $450. A lot of times we hold back from starting our businesses because the circumstances aren’t perfect. We think we need the perfect setup, the perfect plan, or the perfect layout. But that’s actually how the Backbone of Success Method was born. I always say you just have to start. The people who are out there and uber successful—you and I know plenty of them—they didn’t have it all figured out when they started. When Apple started, nobody knew Apple would become Apple—it started in a garage like everyone else. If you just start putting one foot in front of the other, if you take that action, that’s where success happens. Because starting is just as important as succeeding. If you don’t act, if you just keep consuming information, you’ll never get there. You can’t out-watch or out-read yourself into success. I don’t care how many YouTube videos you watch or how many Bella in Your Business podcast episodes you listen to—if you don’t apply anything, it’s pointless. Coaches like us can give clients the best strategies and plans, but if they don’t execute—even messily and imperfectly—they’ll never see results. That’s beautiful. And I imagine that’s how you came up with the name of your company, “I Start First.” Absolutely. It actually started out just as a hashtag. I didn’t plan to build a business out of it. I was inspired because I would go into rooms full of businessmen or investment meetings where it was always 80% men and 20% women. I thought, if I’m not going to teach women how to play bigger and show up in their full power, who will? One of my friends said, “Well, don’t you start first?” And I was like—huh, I start first. It began as a hashtag, women caught onto it, and it turned into a movement. They kept saying, “What else do you have?” So I just kept going. The boot camps, the events—they all started from that one action. I love that so much. We talk a lot on this podcast about how you should only be in competition with yourself—you can only outdo yourself. And you can’t out-learn or out-plan forever. There comes a point where you plateau, and if you’re at that plateau right now, think about this concept. It may seem simple, but it’s pivotal. It’s the thing that separates the successful from the stagnant. So, okay, we know we have to start—but a lot of people say, “I need to prepare, I’m a perfectionist, I need everything to work out exactly right.” Why do people get stuck in that preparation phase? It’s usually a combination of limited beliefs and fear. You can’t jump higher than your own beliefs. Fear and insecurity lead to comparison—you think, “Someone else is already doing it; they’ll probably do it better.” That’s when you start feeding the fear. But stepping into action is like a muscle. I use what I call the “90 Seconds of Courage” technique. Whatever you’re scared of doing, do it for 90 seconds. You’ll never be at the same level of fear again. Set a timer if you have to. If you’re a business owner listening right now, think about what’s holding you back—that’s the very thing you need to start doing. The best way to deal with perfection and fear is massive, messy action. Do it anyway. Cry, cuss, get frustrated, break things—but do it anyway. Nothing you do will be perfect the first time. Perfection isn’t a human quality—it’ll only hold you back. I really love when you said, “Someone else is already doing it.” The truth is, there aren’t that many new ideas in the world—it’s all about putting your unique spin on it. That requires knowing yourself and your business deeply. I saw a TikTok recently about how to trick your brain out of negative beliefs. You say, “I can’t blink,” and then blink. “I can’t jump,” and then jump. When your body does it, your brain starts to override those limiting thoughts. Now, people might say, “That’s great for you, Olenka, but I don’t understand how to turn $450 into six figures.

Lessons Learned In Life: If I've Taught You Anything... Wow - 200 episodes- of lessons learned. 200 episodes of me (hopefully) providing you value, nuggets of wisdom, and lessons that you can take and apply into your business. It's been an honor to record, produce, and publish this podcast for you all every single week for the past few years. On this episode, you'll find that it's a bit different than the usual format. From my heart to yours, I want to share with you some lessons learned over the past several years in business and in life. I hope you enjoy it. Lessons Learned In Life Show Highlights [6:45] - Ever feel like life happens to you? [8:00] - Whether you like it or not, you're a leader! [10:00] - How can you be the most impactful towards family & friends? [12:30] - Don't compare yourself to anyone else! [15:30] - Leadership vs. Avoidance All of which are life lessons learned, and shared with you. Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 200 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Wow, you guys, wow. Have you ever started something in life and had no idea how you were going to actually complete it? You had no idea how it was going to work out—you just knew that you had to start stepping. You knew you had to take that first step, fake it till you made it, do it scared, do it wrong, do it not perfect. Guys, this is my 200th episode. And the very first thing I need to say is—how in the world did we get here? I have some plans for you for this episode. In fact, last week, if you’re an avid follower of this podcast, you know that I actually skipped a week because I didn’t want to rush this. I took a minute, took a breath, and tried to really figure out what I wanted to say to you. Because the fact that you are listening to this right now and giving me your time and allowing me into your head—I hold that as a huge honor. I don’t want to just talk into this microphone in my office by myself just to hear myself talk. At the end of this, I want to provide you so much value and things for you to think about. But wow, I’ve come a long way from doing this on my laptop in my bedroom closet because it was the only place that actually had carpet. I want to thank you for taking this journey with me. I want to thank you for all of the reviews that you’ve left on iTunes. I started this way back in 2014, and it is now 2020. It took me a little bit to get consistent and publish every Thursday, but wow, I’m really humbled and shocked. For today, I’m just going to rap with you, and I hope that’s okay. I’ve got about seven or eight major points that I want to make, and this is going to come from more of a motivational standpoint. What you may not know about me is that I have a desire burning in my belly to be a motivational speaker—around sales and leadership. And I will do that. I’m going to put it out there and say, I am a motivational speaker around sales and leadership. A lot of things I take the stage for right now are Facebook groups and building online communities because that’s been the backbone of my career—from the pet world and also here on this podcast. Building communities is what I do. And it’s been a really interesting time around COVID, because as those communities online have flourished, face-to-face communities have diminished—and I’m sure you’re all feeling it. I remind myself that I’m not alone. I remind myself that there are other people out there fighting depression, anxiety, loneliness. Sometimes the loneliness is so deafening. You might not realize that about me until you listen to the podcast, but it’s true—from my heart to yours. I want you all to know that you’re not alone. The way that I overcome things and rise above them and fight back is by doing things. There’s a really great client of mine—I won’t out her—but we were on a coaching call last week, and I said, “You’re doing so much right now.” And she said, “Yeah, Bella, because if I stop, I’ll sink. It’ll be like quicksand.” And I told her, “Girl, I get you. I totally understand.” To combat that loneliness, I’ve recently made a transition in the last year to single momhood. So I find myself literally alone in my house sometimes. And oddly enough, I’ve gotten on TikTok. I always said I never would, but it’s honestly become a platform where I am laughing out loud. I’ve made a best friend locally—she lives 20 minutes away—and I’ve also built another relationship with someone in another state who speaks life into my life. Though we’ve never met, it helps so much. TikTok, once you get to a thousand followers, lets you go live. I’m approaching 5,000 now, but what’s interesting is that their live streams are different from Facebook or Instagram. When you’re done, the live disappears. A lot of my followers there aren’t pet business owners or even business owners. There are a lot of moms and dads, 30- and 40-somethings—I’ll be 38 this month—so it’s been really interesting. It posed an interesting question: what do I say on these lives? I’m not afraid of going live, so I took out my notebook and wrote about 13 different paragraphs—different topics I could talk about. Then I’d ask my audience, “Pick a number between one and 13,” and I’d talk about that topic. I’ve done it three or four times now. The beauty is that every live is seen by different people, so I’ve gotten to practice, and I thought I’d share some of those with you for my 200th episode. They’re motivational—words of wisdom that I hope resonate with you and stay with you after you listen. Consider them a gift from my heart to yours. There are about eight of them, in no particular order. The first one: ever feel like life happens to you? Like you just can’t catch a break? Maybe you feel like you’ve always had bad luck, or that’s just the way life is. Maybe you’re not in the relationship you want, or you don’t like your job. Maybe you don’t have the money you want in your bank account. Well, I have news for you—it always starts with how you want to see it. Just like social media filters, we can choose what to filter in or out. So what in your life are you going to filter in or out? Start with what makes you happy—not anyone else. You get to choose the filter you put on. Think about the lens you see your life through, and remember—you can change that lens anytime. Number two: we’re all business owners, and whether you like it or not, that means we’re all leaders. Ever feel like “No one does it as well as me”? Spoiler alert—they won’t. But if you do it right, they’ll eventually do it better than you. Now is the time to sharpen that sword and never stop learning how to be the badass leader your business needs. Books that have shaped me include The Untethered Soul, How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Power of Now, Atomic Habits, The E-Myth Revisited, Rising Strong by Brené Brown, Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility by Patty McCord, and Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Always be learning. Use downtime—folding laundry, doing dishes, driving—to listen and grow. Leadership starts with leading yourself first. Next: to be impactful to those around you—family, friends, team—don’t just say things like “You rock” or “I love you.” Take it a step further. Tell them why. “I love you because you’re always there for me.” “I miss you because I love our long conversations.” Adding why makes your words meaningful. Try it. Be intentional and impactful—especially now when the world is hurting. Another: no one can tell you what you can or can’t do—unless you let them. You have the responsibility to accept or reject those words. I’ve heard from many clients, “My spouse didn’t think I could do it,” or “My parents said I couldn’t.” Mine told me I couldn’t start a pet sitting business—and look where that got me. Ask yourself: are they qualified to speak into your life? Do they matter? If not, cut that noise out. You are meant for amazing things. Next: don’t compare your first chapter to someone else’s twentieth. I see this constantly. People just starting out feel small compared to veterans—but you can’t compare. They’ve had years of effort and failure beneath the surface. The only person you should compare yourself to is you. My daughter taught me this when she was born at 12 ounces and spent 183 days in the NICU. Doctors said she wouldn’t survive, but she did. If I had compared her milestones to “normal” kids, I would’ve crushed myself. Nobody’s walked in your shoes. Nobody’s had your struggles. So only ask: am I better than I was yesterday, last week, last month, last year? Leadership and avoidance—avoiding issues never helps. Whether it’s health, relationships, or business,

How to do Virtual Meet and Greets In Your Pet Business One of the "blessings" of our new normal under COVID-19 is that it has opened the realm of finding virtual alternatives to our everyday processes. One of these alternatives is virtual consultaations for pet sitters. That's where you hop on a video call with your potential client and host your meet and greet - virtually! Nikki & Steph, co-owners of Dog Jogs, have actually transitioned to now conducting ONLY virtual meet and greets, and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Their company truly believes that 'a tired dog is a happy dog' and specializes in jogging dogs. They also believe in providing effective, efficient resolutions to customer service issues and ensure complete client satisfaction. Which is what helps them continue to think outside the box, and grow their business by evolving as challenges arise. This year will be Dog Jogs' 4th year in operation, with many plans for many more to come! Nikki & Steph - Dog Jogs Virtual Meet-N-Greet In Action! Show Highlights [2:45] - Who are Nikki & Steph and how and why did you start Dog Jogs? [4:15] - What sparked your idea to conduct virtual meet and greets, and what trepidations did you have? [7:45] - Walk us through your thought process for implementing virtual meet and greets and how you successfully accomplished that [9:45] - How do you handle potential behavioral/aggression issues with the pet during virtual meet and greets? [11:00] - How did you instruct your clients to send over the videos you requested? [12:45] - What's been your staff reactions? [15:00] - What percentage of clients have shown pushback ? [16:30] - How and why are you going to be marketing this new process? [18:00]- What advice would you give to pet business owners that are afraid to start doing virtual consultations? Links Dog Jog's Website: https://dog-jogs.ca/ Jump Mastermind: /mastermind/ Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 199 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I've got a pair of mastermind members with me. The reason they're here is because they are killing it. I know that we’re in the middle of all this COVID stuff and hearing things like “We’re not going to come out of this the same way we went in,” and “This is the new normal,” but truly, the gals I’m about to introduce you to—Nikki and Stephanie—have been doing it differently. They’ve really changed the focus of their business, and that actually started before all of this, but the situation catapulted them forward. They are the co-owners of Dog Jogs, a pet care company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Their company believes that a tired dog is a happy dog and specializes in jogging dogs—not walking, but jogging. They also focus on providing effective and efficient solutions to customer service issues and ensuring complete client satisfaction. That’s what helps them continue to think outside the box and grow their business as they evolve and as changes arise. This year marks Dog Jogs’ fourth year in operation, with plans for many more to come. I wanted them on this podcast because there are a couple of things you need to realize about their story. First, they’ve only been around four years. Think about where you were in your fourth year or where you want to be in four years. Also, many of us focus on pet sitting when people travel or dog walking when people are at work, but these ladies go into people’s homes and run with dogs. Think about all the extra liability and questions that come with that. What they’ve done is remarkable, and that’s why I wanted to bring them here. They started Dog Jogs back when Nikki was working shift work, and her dog Koda had separation anxiety. Running with him helped. Doing a five-to-eight-kilometer run every day kept him better behaved, and when she realized there wasn’t a dog jogging service in the area, only walking, she thought—why not start one? It was different from daycare because it offered convenience; no drop-offs or pickups, and the team could feed and care for dogs right at home. I love that the model is unique because many people think about adding jogging as an afterthought, but Nikki and Stephanie went all in. During COVID, they started thinking about how to handle meet and greets safely. Within the first couple of weeks, nurses and elderly clients began asking if consultations could be done virtually. They thought, why not? Everyone was on Zoom and FaceTime already, so it was becoming normal. They tried it, and it worked beautifully. Their first virtual consult was with an elderly client who injured her hip and couldn’t walk her puppy. She was already familiar with Zoom, and when the meeting started, she simply turned her camera to introduce her dog. It was adorable. From there, the concept clicked. The pandemic created a new problem—people needed pet care but didn’t want others in their homes—and Dog Jogs provided the solution. They came from a place of yes, adapting quickly and sewing the parachute on the way down. It helped that the older generation had also become accustomed to video calls as a way to connect with family. From that success, they developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for virtual consultations. They began asking clients to film short videos showing leash behavior, home access, or harness setup. It ensured safety and helped staff prepare. They learned some of this on the fly, but also from experience turning down in-person clients when dogs were too strong or unmanageable. Safety was always a priority. Clients now take them on virtual house tours to show supplies, treat locations, and leash setups. For tricky harnesses, they demonstrate how to put them on. The tech side was messy at first. Video files were too large to email, so they began using Dropbox and Google Drive, and if that failed, clients could text videos. They also created a templated series of emails: one explaining virtual consults and another with step-by-step Zoom instructions and videos. It’s easy for clients to follow, and staff found it helpful to reference. Their staff’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Previously, Nikki and Stephanie handled all consultations themselves, but now they upload the recorded Zoom calls to client files so joggers can watch beforehand. It better prepares the team for new clients. If it’s the first in-person walk after a virtual consult, staff record notes or videos about the dog’s behavior to share with the team. It’s more collaborative and empowering, giving staff ownership and trust. They’ve now conducted 100% of consultations virtually, and while it’s been a slower season, no one has turned them down. They plan to market this new process more heavily because no one else in their city is doing it. Most competitors still do backyard visits. For Dog Jogs, this is leadership. They’re setting a standard in their area and positioning themselves as innovators. Clients appreciate the clarity. Dog Jogs communicates confidently: “This is how we do it.” If someone doesn’t want a virtual consult, that’s okay—they’re probably not the right fit. Nikki and Stephanie understand that structure builds trust and protects efficiency. For sitters who are hesitant to start virtual consultations, their advice is simple: just do it. Their first session wasn’t perfect—they had no SOPs—but they refined the process afterward. They watched recordings to see what could be improved, made checklists, and continued evolving. Every consultation is slightly better than the last. People are often more willing to adapt than we think. Most clients understand the reasoning when it’s explained clearly—they want safety too. It’s similar to pricing: you set your rate and stand by it. Virtual consults are no different. If it doesn’t work for someone, that’s okay. They can refer them elsewhere. Bella wrapped up by reminding them how powerful their leadership mindset is. Dog Jogs doesn’t wait—they do it scared, test, correct, and continue. That’s why they’ve achieved so much in just four years. They also found inspiration in Marcus Sheridan’s video training on virtual consultations inside the mastermind group. His insights on virtual sales confirmed that they were on the right track and motivated them to refine their system. Bella praised their innovation, saying this approach puts them ahead of the curve. Virtual consultations are something jumpers do differently—they lead, and the world catches up later. Nikki and Stephanie’s process is the first 100% virtual model Bella knows of,

Baby Boomers Vs. Millennials...Or Is It? The generational gap between baby boomers and millennials is something that every business owner is bound to encounter.... perhaps you already have? But one generation doesn't have to be at war with the other. Each generation has unique and specific experiences that they can share with one another to improve themselves. That's why in this week's episode of Bella In Your Business, I bring you Steve Dotto who has a unique perspective on the generational gap. Steve Dotto is a tech geek, entrepreneur, and business owner. He is the founder of Dotto Tech, which he has grown into a successful, self-sustaining business. He has built a community of our thirty-six thousand people, spoke at Social Media Marketing World, and worked with companies like Xerox and Blackberry.   Bella Vasta & Steve Dotto Show Highlights [2:00] - How do we define baby boomers? [2:30] - What are the stereotypes about baby boomers? [8:00} - Can you tell us your best advice for boomers looking to expand their online presence? [21:00] - What is the best advice you have for baby boomer business owners, millennial business owners, and where can my audience find you online? Links Steve's Website: https://dottotech.com/ Steve's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9BqPtCcSyHvQsbl2rumM4w Steve's Webinar Wednesday's: https://members.dottotech.com/webinar-wednesday-registration-page/ Jump Mastermind: /mastermind/ Pet Sitting Employee Handbook & Training Manual: /product/handbook-manual-typesetting-resource/ Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 198 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today, all you boomers, I want you to listen up. This podcast episode is for you. I have Steve Dotto and his dog Farley joining us right now. Steve and I first met face to face—he doesn’t know this—but I already knew him well through his amazing YouTube channel. We actually sat across from each other and shared dinner with about forty other people at the Thinkific Dinner at Social Media Marketing World, one of the last conferences to happen in 2020. We had a great conversation, and I instantly loved his energy. I wanted to bring Steve to you because we often talk so much about millennials, Gen X, and Gen Z that we forget about baby boomers. There’s no one better to represent them than Steve. He’s made a name for himself on YouTube and elsewhere by helping people overcome their tech fears. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by software or new apps, Steve breaks it all down in an approachable way. So without further ado, welcome, Steve. He began by defining boomers as those born before 1960 or 1961. He was born in 1958, making him a true baby boomer. He refers to his generation as the “gray zone,” especially now during COVID when many have stopped coloring their hair. He laughed about how the gray zone is expanding. Discussing stereotypes about boomers, Steve explained that many view boomers as selfish, resistant to leave the workplace, and even as poor parents. But he wanted to challenge those assumptions. Back in 1965, the life expectancy for a man who retired at 65 was only four years—most men died around age 69. Today, it’s nearly 30 years longer, meaning people who retire at 65 could live another three decades. That changes everything. “We don’t want to retire and sit around,” Steve said. “We want to remain relevant, active, and contributing members of society.” Younger generations may feel frustrated that boomers won’t “move over,” but Steve says it’s not about denying opportunity—it’s about wanting to stay engaged. He pointed out that many baby boomers are now transitioning from responsibility—raising children, working full-time—to passion projects and finding ways to give back. He even has a podcast called Gray Matters for his community, where he encourages baby boomers to pivot and reinvent themselves. He says the internet doesn’t belong to any one generation, and his mission is to show boomers that they belong in digital spaces too. “We have as much right to be here as anyone else,” he said, adding that he calls his movement “the gray wave” because boomers are now starting to leave their mark online. Advertisers, too, recognize the buying power of boomers, and ad rates targeting older audiences are much higher. Bella wanted to steer the conversation toward boomers who are running businesses and struggling with technology and social media, as well as why boomers make great employees. Steve agreed and said generational friction often occurs between baby boomers and their younger employees because of different values. “Our identity is tied to what we do,” Steve explained. “We’re proud of our experience.” But millennials, he said, often see experience as something you can Google. That difference in perspective can create frustration, as boomers want respect for what they’ve built over decades. He emphasized that the tension isn’t about work ethic—it’s about values and respect. “Baby boomers want to be respected for their experience,” he said. “That’s a big part of who we are.” When it comes to adopting technology, Steve admits boomers are their own worst enemies. They often resist change, digging in their heels and insisting that the old way was better. For example, boomers prefer phone calls, while younger people prefer texting or messaging apps. But times have changed, and he urges boomers to stay flexible and adapt to the preferred communication methods of others. Bella pointed out that businesses should offer multiple communication options—not just to accommodate preferences but to reach different generations. A millennial might want to text, while a baby boomer might prefer a phone call. Steve agreed, saying flexibility is key, especially as more baby boomers enter the gig economy. Many of Bella’s listeners are business owners who hire both older and younger employees, and understanding this dynamic is crucial. Steve explained that boomers often expect structure because they grew up in an era where everything—from software to job descriptions—was “finished” before being released. They prefer detailed manuals and clear directions. “We used to ship completed software,” Steve said. “We wrote manuals, tested everything, and didn’t release until it was perfect.” Today’s approach, like Google’s eight-year Gmail beta, is entirely different—products are released first and fixed later. “That’s not how we did things,” he laughed. Bella noted that this mindset also applies to business training. Her company sells manuals and video training to help business owners create structure for employees. She observed that Steve’s YouTube channel functions similarly—it’s like a digital manual for those trying to learn new tools. Steve said his channel, DottoTech, focuses on two main topics: productivity tools (like Evernote and Google Calendar) and content creation. His videos introduce people to new features or ideas without overwhelming them. Some of his tutorials have surpassed one million views, though most average around 8,000 to 12,000 in the first month. Steve explained that while he could focus more on analytics to grow faster, he prefers to prioritize community. He reads every comment and uses them to decide what to create next. “The magic of YouTube is that you’re directly serving your audience,” he said. “When I worked in television, my customers were advertisers. Now, my viewers are my customers.” Before YouTube, Steve hosted a TV show called DottoTech in Canada for nearly 20 years. It was similar to his YouTube channel, teaching audiences how to use new technology. His sponsors included major companies like Microsoft and Apple. The difference now is that he doesn’t answer to advertisers—just to his viewers. “There are no sacred cows,” he said. “If you have an honest dialogue with your community, they’ll lead you to the promised land.” He cited Marcus Sheridan’s book They Ask, You Answer as a big influence, saying that listening to your audience’s questions is the best way to create valuable content. Bella agreed, saying she built over 500 blog posts for her pet sitting company the same way—by answering client questions. Steve shared that he also runs Webinar Wednesday, a free weekly online training series with over 130 sessions so far, teaching everything from productivity to photo archiving. The webinars are free to attend live or available for 48 hours afterward, and long-term access is available to patrons on Patreon. To wrap up, Steve encouraged all business owners—regardless of age—to stay open-minded and give each other grace.

How to Generate FREE Publicity & Marketing for your Pet Business When you generate Free Publicity and marketing in your pet business, you will be able to connect with your community & learn how to truly bring value to your audience. But it is not an easy task Many business owners aren't sure where to start or what direction they should take. In this episode, I bring you, Regina Robinson of Outward Bound Hounds who shares some of the ways she was able to connect with her community during the COVID-19 Crisis. Regina Robinson In 2012, Regina left her career in culinary arts, nutrition, dietetics, and yoga to help a friend build her own pet sitting business. She quickly learned that pets need adventure, exercise, and love just as much as people do! After five years of loving pets and serving their pet parents, she decided to take a leap of faith and open her own company – Outward Bound Hounds. Show Highlights [1:30] - Who is Regina Robinson? [4:30] - What were you worried about before signing up for Better Marketing With Bella & what made you decide to take the JUMP? [7:30] - Can you describe some of the challenges you've had to overcome while marketing your pet business? [10:30] - What did you think was going to happen with the sidewalk chalk guerrilla marketing idea and what ACTUALLY happened? [13:00] - Tell us what happened once you started getting entries in your sidewalk chalk challenge? [21:00] - What has this experience taught you about marketing for your pet business? Links 0 Page Guerrilla Marketing Blueprint: /product/10-page-guerrilla-marketing-blueprint/ Better Marketing With Bella: /waitlist Regina's Website: https://outwardboundhounds.com/ Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 197 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I've got a really cool story for you. Have you ever wondered how you can get free publicity or free marketing in your area? I am joined today by Regina, and it has been so exciting to watch her. She is a stellar pet sitting business owner, dog walker extraordinaire, growing her business. We first met on Instagram about a year ago, and that's how we started our relationship. She has also been listening to this podcast, which is really cool, and she’s become a Better Marketing with Bella member as well. That’s where this story leads today because she truly messaged me earlier today with such good news, and it’s such a great story. You guys are in for a treat because this is something that every single one of you can do right now to get free publicity, marketing, and connections for your company. Without further ado, welcome to the show. Regina introduced herself as the owner of a pet sitting and dog walking business in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her company focuses on the mind, body, and spirit of pets because, just like children, they need a well-rounded approach to care. She’s been in business since 2017 and recently entered her second semester with Better Marketing with Bella, calling it a game changer. Bella asked how Regina got into her ecosystem. Regina shared that it started with this podcast back in 2018. She had begun listening while out walking dogs because she wanted to learn and be inspired by business content relevant to her industry. She instantly loved the podcast and Bella’s personality, feeling like she’d finally found someone who truly understood the balance of being a “people person” and a “pet person.” She found Bella on Instagram and shared a story encouraging others to listen to her podcast. Bella reshared it, and Regina was thrilled—she felt seen. Bella said she always loves reposting when people tag her and encouraged listeners to do the same. Bella asked Regina about her initial hesitation to join Better Marketing with Bella. Regina said she had thought she was already “doing social media,” posting occasionally on Instagram and Facebook, but after hearing Bella’s podcast about outsourcing and realizing she didn’t have time to do it all, she decided she needed help. The program opened her eyes to how much she didn’t know and helped her organize her efforts so she could focus on growing the business. The conversation moved to the current time—May 2020, the middle of COVID-19. Bella explained that many pet sitting and dog walking businesses were operating at 10–25% capacity, and Better Marketing with Bella had chosen not to retreat but to support members more deeply. They provided pop-up challenge groups, a “grand reopening” blueprint with templates and scripts, and layers of resources. That’s where Regina’s story began. She had participated in one of the challenge groups where someone mentioned a sidewalk chalk game, sparking her curiosity. The idea was to create a community game where people followed chalk-drawn paw prints to a selfie spot. At first, she hesitated—overthinking how to make it perfect—but when she got the Better Marketing with Bella blueprint, which outlined every step, she finally took action. She created a laminated sign that read: “You found it! Take a selfie with your pup, tag #OutwardBoundHounds, and you’ll be entered to win a prize.” She set up the paw prints around her community, thinking it would bring a bit of joy to people’s repetitive quarantine walks. The day after setting it up, however, she received an anonymous call from someone claiming to represent the city, saying she couldn’t draw on sidewalks and would be cited for vandalism. He even asked for her email address to send the citation. It scared her, but she decided not to give up, reminding herself her intentions were good and that people needed something positive right now. She never received a citation, and Bella pointed out it was likely a troll or even a jealous competitor. Regina kept going. At first, participation seemed low, and she was discouraged. Then a fellow pet sitter texted her excitedly that someone she knew had found the paw prints, taken a photo, and posted it. The woman was thrilled and had been searching all week. Regina chose her as the first prize winner—a pop-up DJ party donated by her friend who owned E-Squad Entertainment. When Regina called the winner to arrange it, the woman, who lived in an apartment complex, asked her property manager if they could host the event there. To Regina’s surprise, the complex had already been planning something similar and jumped on board, securing food sponsors and promoting it to residents. Regina couldn’t believe how far-reaching her simple idea had become. Bella emphasized that this was the perfect example of how engagement matters more than numbers. Regina had built relationships, leveraged community partnerships, and brought joy during a tough time. She asked Regina what other prizes she’d secured—Regina listed a custom haircare consultation, a mini photo session with a local photographer, and a few other small-business collaborations. Bella highlighted how Regina had become a facilitator of happy experiences while marketing her business organically. She suggested Regina deepen the apartment complex relationship—perhaps setting up more chalk paw prints nearby or offering giveaways at their future events. Apartment communities often have online portals or groups where residents communicate, meaning free exposure for Regina’s business. Bella encouraged listeners to take the same kind of action—do something scared. Trolls and obstacles may appear, but doing nothing is worse. She reminded everyone that leadership means showing up for your community. Regina said the experience taught her how to think creatively and connect with other small businesses. A simple idea had turned into something much bigger, and it showed her how eager people were to collaborate. Her advice was simple: “If you’re sitting on an idea, just try it. The worst that can happen is someone says no—or some troll calls you. It’s all a learning process.” Bella wrapped up by saying that while the blueprint was originally exclusive to Better Marketing with Bella, she would make it available as a purchasable class on the website for others who wanted to follow Regina’s steps. She thanked Regina for sharing her story and reminded listeners to tag them both and share their takeaways. “Life is tough right now,” Bella said, “but it’s all about your mindset. And when life gets you down, always keep jumping.” So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review.

Resiliency, Black Swans, & Perseverance Through The Darkest Times We all have black swan events happen in our life. The Covid-19 Pandemic has definitely been an elephant-sized black swan event to the pet business. It has tested the resilience and patience of a larger number of Jumpers. Today I want to share a lesson on antifragility. Asha Olivia is the owner/operator of Hoby Dogy serving Hoboken, NJ ever since 2012 Asha is also a warrior. For example, she is a stage, four cancer survivor.  Asha also counsels others with deep wisdom. This is wisdom won from a lifetime of going to battle. She works hard to improve every single day. Therefore, Asha has become a guiding light in this world as a result of her daily improvements. Meanwhile, when Asha is not serving others, you will find her taking long walks with her dear husband Jan and their dreamy puppies Lovey and Savey who they met and rescued on the streets of Colombia. Asha Olivia Black Swan Show Highlights [1:40] - Who is Asha Olivia? [5:00] - What is a Black Swan moment? [8:00] - Can you describe what the differences are between "fragile," "resilient," and "antifragile?" [9:30] - Would you be able to tell us how you felt at that moment when you received your diagnosis. More importantly, how did that play into the different mindset conditions? [14:30] - What is the story of Vice Admiral James Stockdale and what is the Stockdale Paradox? [18:00] - How do you become antifragile? [22:00] - Finally, what do you suggest that the audience's first steps be so that they maintain their antifragility? Links The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RI99IM/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Antifragile by Nassim Taleb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009K6DKTS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 In Love and War by Vice Admiral James Stockdale: https://www.amazon.com/Love-War-Familys-Sacrifice-Vietnam/dp/0060153180/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588105632&sr=1-1 Good to Great by James Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/B00E5NTYP0/ref=sr_1_13dchild=1&keywords=good+to+great+james+collins&qid=1588105401&s=books&sr=1-13 Podcast with Nick Trevillian: /episode-190-how-to-move-the-mountain-in-your-life/ Liz Illg: https://www.lizillg.com/ Asha’s Website: https://www.hobydogy.com Women & Lung Cancer Article: https://time.com/5720763/lung-cancer-rates-women-men Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 196 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. Today, I’ve got a very exciting guest for you. After she presented in our COVID support group about a month ago, she gave me goosebumps and everyone else that was there. I had to share her with all of my podcast listeners. Please welcome Asha Olivia. She’s here today from Hoboken, New Jersey, which I’ve actually visited. It’s a very small borough that overlooks Manhattan. For me, I can’t get more inspired than looking at New York City—it’s breathtaking. We’ve been in each other’s lives for quite some time, and I’ve seen her go through it, and she’s seen me go through it. The way she’s come through and reminded us all in the COVID support group—and will again today—is powerful. We’ve all had our COVID-19 already, and Asha likes to talk about this “black swan” moment in her life. Before we get into that, I asked her to explain who she is, tell us about her business, and a little about her backstory, which sprouted the realization she’s about to share. Asha thanked me for the invitation and said it was an honor to be on the podcast. She shared that she owns and operates Hobie Doggie, a dog walking and puppy care company in Hoboken, New Jersey. She started the company in 2012, around the time she got to know me. Since then, she joined my mastermind group about three years ago and has found it an indispensable resource through the ups and downs of business. She explained that, at the time of recording, an average of 700 Americans were dying daily from COVID-19. For comparison, 2,400 Americans died at Pearl Harbor in one day—meaning America was essentially having a Pearl Harbor moment every three to four days. “In essence, we’re at war,” she said. “Every American is a soldier. So how will we be soldiers every day to get through this war—and any war in our lives?” She began sharing her story: in November 2018, she was a “happy, healthy, yoga-doing, veggie-loving tree hugger” and business owner. She developed a cough she brushed off as nothing, even during team interviews. But when her parents pushed her to see a doctor, she was diagnosed with stage four non-smoker’s lung cancer. It was a huge shock—her “mini war” and her “black swan.” Over 16 months, she fought that war, and as of the day of recording, she could happily report that she was in remission—cancer free. She explained the concept of a “black swan,” drawn from statistician Nassim Taleb’s books The Black Swan and Antifragile. A black swan is an unexpected, sudden event with potentially massive effects on life. It can have negative effects (fragile), leave one the same (resilient), or make one better (antifragile). The term comes from the rarity of black swans in nature. On a macro level, COVID-19 is a black swan—the biggest since the 1918 Spanish flu. On a semi-macro level, black swans include natural disasters. On a micro level, individuals face personal black swans: sudden illness, divorce, loss, financial ruin. Everyone experiences their own. “The most important thing,” Asha said, “is how we allow the black swan to affect us.” Fragile people get knocked down and break, like crystal or a candle in the wind. Resilient people take the hit but stay standing, like an earthquake-proof building. Antifragile people take the hit and grow stronger, like fire made stronger by wind. I asked if these reactions are innate or a choice. Asha said she believes—barring mental illness—it’s a choice. When she got her diagnosis, she was with her dad at the doctor’s office, staring at an x-ray of a tumor in her lung. She dropped to her knees, realizing life would never be the same. But she decided then that it would be the defining event that made her stronger. “These moments,” she said, “take everything you’ve got—heart, soul, body, spirit—and an unwavering faith. Not religious faith necessarily, but a deep knowing of who you are and what you’ve overcome.” I agreed and noted that we’ve all had moments like that. Black swans aren’t new—we’ve all been slapped by one before. They wake us up, remind us who we are, and test how we’ll respond. Some days we’re fragile, some resilient, some antifragile—but we must keep moving forward. Asha shared a story about Admiral James Stockdale, a U.S. Navy officer and Vietnam War POW. Captured and tortured for nearly eight years, he emerged stronger. He wrote In Love and War with his wife. Despite the suffering, he considered himself “the lucky one” because he knew how he would respond to hardship—something others might never know. Jim Collins later wrote about Stockdale in Good to Great, coining “The Stockdale Paradox”: maintaining faith that you will prevail while simultaneously confronting the brutal facts of your situation. It’s about acceptance—not denial—so you can begin to fight. That reminded me of a quote I had hung in the NICU when my daughter Olivia was there: “Everything is going to be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” I asked Asha how people can build their capacity to be antifragile. She said, “Antifragile systems work because they build capacity when under stress.” Like muscles tearing and rebuilding stronger after a workout, humans grow through challenge. She explained key ways to build capacity: Physical health: exercise, good nutrition, rest. Family and friends: strengthen relationships, reconnect with loved ones. Emotional and spiritual: therapy, meditation, prayer, or hobbies that nurture the soul. Intellectual and mental: take classes, read, join groups like masterminds, learn from others. Economic: diversify income streams. She cited pet sitter Nicole Wilson, who began grocery shopping for clients during COVID-19 and created a new revenue stream. Business systems: build SOPs and organize operations for stability. Character and self-awareness: reflect on past challenges and recognize your own strength. “Remember,” she said, “you’ve fought micro wars before. This is just another one. You’re not fragile. You’re not merely resilient. You’ll come out of this swinging like Muhammad Ali—better than before.”

The Scientific Way To Choose A Pet Sitting Software Choosing a pet sitting software is not an easy task. Maybe you're overwhelmed with all of the different options out there, or even tried them all but just can't decide. It's difficult to determine which features are important to YOU and then to match those needs up with software. In this episode of Bella In Your Business, I sit down with Kristin Young, where she shares her scientific process for successfully choosing a pet sitting software to use in your pet business. After 20 years in corporate real estate and business, Kristin "woke up" one day realizing she wanted more ownership over her own time and to escape the common cubicle. With two young kids and a supportive husband, she began the search for an income model that she could manage, grow, and LOVE. In January of 2019, she decided to buy NOT ONE, but TWO cat sitting companies, with the intent to merge them into a single business. With a passion for business, love of animals and affinity for cat puns, Kristin uses her inner "geek" to make data-driven decisions in her cat sitting business and create processes that allow her to start stepping out of day-to-day operations and spend more time working ON her business, instead of IN her business. Kristin Young Show Highlights [1:30] - Who is Kristin Young? [5:00] - What was the driving force behind switching pet sitting software companies? [7:00] - Can you describe what an "RFP" is? [9:15] - How did you come up with the methodology for RFP and choosing a pet sitting software company? [19:15] - How long did you try each pet sitting software for? Are you happy with your choice in software? What advice would you have for someone that is stuck trying to choose a pet sitting software? [23:00] - Where can you find Kristin online? Links Kristin's Website: www.preciousfur.com Let's Connect! Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 195 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book, The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome to Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta and today I've got Kristen Young with me. You guys, I saw her post in one of my groups, one of the free groups I have, Jumpstart Your Pet Business. If you're not in there already, go ahead and jump on in there. But I saw her post about something really interesting, something that we don't often talk about on this podcast. So I wanted to bring her on to share her knowledge. Have you ever wanted to either get software or switch software but just seem to get completely paralyzed in all of the decision-making process that comes with it? Maybe you've trialed ten, fifteen, or twenty of them and you're still stalling out and it's been months and months. Well, today we're going to blow the lid off of it, and Kristen’s going to give you some awesome tips on how to actually choose a pet sitting software and bring you through her, what I call, scientific process. Before we get started, I want you to know who Kristen is. After twenty years in corporate real estate, Kristen woke up one day realizing she wanted more ownership over her time and to escape what I call “cubicle jail.” With two young kids and a supportive husband, she began searching for an income model she could manage, grow, and love. In January 2019, she decided to buy not one but two cat sitting companies in the Bay Area with the intent to merge them together. With a passion for business, a love for animals, and an affinity for cat puns, Kristen used her inner geek to make data-driven decisions and create processes that allowed her to start stepping out of day-to-day operations and spend more time working on her business than in it. After that kind of intro, you know this is a woman after my own heart—someone working on her business and making data-driven decisions. Without further ado, welcome to the show, Kristen. Kristen shared that the past year had been a crazy but exciting ride. She hadn’t specifically set out to buy a cat sitting business but knew she wanted something to do with animals. When she found not one but two cat sitting businesses for sale at the same time, she crunched numbers, made offers, and somehow managed to close on both simultaneously. Coming from a corporate environment gave her advantages, but she had to learn the pet industry fast. She leaned on her staff and others in the community to help her understand the market. The first six months were insane, but once she got everything merged, the major task was selecting the right system to operate efficiently. That decision became central to her business success. Kristen explained that many people get stuck in “analysis paralysis” when facing big business decisions like software selection. The key, she said, is to have a clear process, define steps, and set timelines. She emphasized the importance of goals with deadlines—otherwise, the decision-making process can drag endlessly. When asked what drove her to switch or select software, Kristen explained that the two companies she acquired were run very differently. One had a great client-facing interface but was micromanaged, with the owner handling every little detail. The other had a more powerful back-end system and trusted employees to handle communications and responsibilities. Both used large, established software systems, giving Kristen hands-on experience with two of the biggest names in the market. Seeing both perspectives helped her realize how critical software choice was to efficiency and scaling. She approached it with a corporate mindset, treating the process like a formal “RFP” or Request for Proposal. She explained that business owners should “run their business like a multi-billion-dollar corporation,” regardless of size. Kristen broke down her process into two essential tools: a Gantt chart (a timeline-based action plan) and an evaluation criteria matrix. Both can be made in Excel. She explained how she started with a plan, listing each week and setting milestones. She worked backward from her target goal—merging both companies before the summer rush—and broke down steps needed to get there. Her six-step framework started with an environmental scan of available options. She found about twenty pet sitting software companies but quickly narrowed them down based on scalability and reliability. Smaller, newer companies were riskier, and she wanted one with proven longevity. Next, she defined ranking and weighting criteria—factors like size, price, and key management. For her cat sitting business, key management was crucial due to constant key handoffs between staff. She weighted that criterion heavily (80%) and gave lower weight (10%) to price since most systems cost roughly the same. She then reached out to four or five companies with a list of detailed questions to evaluate responsiveness and customer service. Two were immediately eliminated for not addressing her questions. The others participated in hour-long demos, and Kristen compared each system side by side in her Excel sheet. Once she selected her software, she created an implementation plan in her Gantt chart, working toward “D-Day,” the official switchover. She even ran both systems concurrently for a short period to minimize transition issues. Bella summarized the method as starting with the end in mind, reverse-engineering the process, and prioritizing what matters most. Kristen added that she didn’t make decisions alone—she involved her team and even asked clients what features mattered most to them. This not only improved decision quality but also helped with client buy-in during the transition. Bella highlighted how Kristen’s process—complete with weighted criteria—turned a potentially overwhelming decision into a structured, scientific approach. For those intimidated by spreadsheets, Bella noted that the principle, not the format, matters: knowing what you need, assigning value to each criterion, and sticking to a plan. When asked how long the process took, Kristen said about six months—from the initial evaluation to the final switch. She emphasized that big decisions like this shouldn’t be rushed. Unrealistic timelines only lead to frustration. She ultimately narrowed her choice down to two major systems—Precise Pet Care and Time to Pet—and chose Precise Pet Care. She was happy with her decision, especially because of their customer service and willingness to listen to feedback. Communication features were lacking but were already being improved based on user feedback. Kristen encouraged software users to communicate—not complain—with their providers. Constructive, solution-oriented feedback helps companies evolve. She advised business owners to communicate openly,