Episodios

  • 691: Business Grief, Identity, and the Courage to Move On with Corinne Moore

    691: Business Grief, Identity, and the Courage to Move On with Corinne Moore
    Apr 15 2026
    What happens when you finally build the business you dreamed of—and it still doesn't make you happy? In this episode, Corinne Moore shares the emotional and practical reality of deciding to close a pet care company after years of building systems, leaders, and stability. We talk about the "grief" of letting go, the guilt many owners carry for clients and staff, and how maternity leave created space to see the truth clearly. Corinne explains how tracking patterns (not just bad days) helped her separate a rough patch from a real endpoint. The conversation closes with encouragement: you can finish well, take care of people, and still choose what's best for your life. Main topics: Maternity leave and clarityBusiness grief and identityStaff transitions and ethicsClient communication when closingRough patch vs endpoint Main takeaway: "You deserve to be happy in your company." Corinne's remark can feel almost too simple—until you realize how many owners are running on guilt, obligation, and sunk cost. Corinne shared how stepping away (and tracking patterns over time) helped her see what was true: not every hard season is just a temporary dip, and not every business has to last forever to be meaningful. Finishing well can still include caring for clients, supporting staff transitions, and communicating with integrity. The goal isn't to quit on a bad day—it's to tell the truth about a bad year and choose a healthier next chapter. Your business should support your life, not slowly erase it. About our guest: Corinne Moore is a pet care professional based in Madison, Wisconsin, and the former owner of a pet care company called Paws and Claws. Known as "the data girl" in the pet care space, she supports business owners through coaching and a metrics-first approach to decision-making. Corinne also works in bookkeeping and runs Pawsome Metrics, helping service businesses make sense of their numbers and operations. Her passion sits at the intersection of sustainable leadership, clear reporting, and building businesses that truly fit the owner's life. Links: Dog Co Launch: https://www.dogcolaunch.com/ Tiny Paws Bookkeeping: https://tinypawsbookkeeping.com Corinne's previous appearance, "565: How Metrics Transform with Corinne Moore": https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/565 Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
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    41 m
  • 690: How Do I Get My Clients to Trust My New Employee?

    690: How Do I Get My Clients to Trust My New Employee?
    Apr 13 2026

    Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate Pet First Aid Month!

    How do we help clients trust our employees when they have only ever trusted us? In this episode, we talk through the real challenges of moving from a solo business to a team-based model and why this transition can feel so personal for both pet sitters and clients. We break down several common employee structures, from fully team-based to primary-and-backup models, and explain how each one shapes client expectations. We also discuss what it takes to set employees up for success through hiring, onboarding, skills training, oversight, and clear communication. Most of all, we share how we can frame team growth not as a downgrade, but as an upgrade in reliability, consistency, and long-term care.

    Main topics:

    • Employee model structure choices
    • Why clients resist teams
    • Training employees to standards
    • Transferring trust to staff
    • Framing growth as upgrade

    Main takeaway: "We're growing so we can serve you better for the long term."

    That mindset changes everything. Hiring help is not about lowering your standards or stepping away from quality care. It is about building something stronger, more reliable, and more sustainable for both your clients and your team. When growth is done well, clients gain consistency, backup coverage, and the confidence that care will continue even when life happens. Building a trusted team is not a step backward. It is one of the clearest ways to serve more people with excellence.

    Links:

    Check out our Starter Packs

    See all of our discounts!

    Check out ProTrainings
    Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

    📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

    Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

    Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com

    Full show notes and transcript

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

    Sponsored by:

    ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

    Pet Sitters Associates
    Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
    Code: Confessional

    DogCo Launch Case Study
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    50 m
  • 689: Being Money Aware with Jamie Trull

    689: Being Money Aware with Jamie Trull
    Apr 8 2026
    What if the biggest thing your numbers could give you isn't stress—it's options? In this episode, Collin sits down with CPA and financial literacy coach Jamie Trull to unpack why so many pet care business owners feel overwhelmed by money. Jamie explains the difference between "compliance" (taxes/bookkeeping) and using financial data to run a smarter, more resilient business. They dig into common blind spots like ignoring labor costs (even when you're solo), running too lean, and missing opportunities hidden in your service-level margins. The conversation ends with practical mindset shifts around pricing, differentiation, proactive CEO habits, and building a business that can scale—and potentially sell. Main topics: Compliance vs. financial clarity Money awareness and curiosity Pricing for real margins Cash flow and payroll timing Differentiation vs. commoditization Main takeaway: "If I want to grow, there are two things I can invest in my business: I can invest my money, or I can invest my time." Most of us started by bootstrapping with time—wearing every hat, doing every visit, solving every problem. But eventually, time becomes the bottleneck, not effort. The shift is realizing that investing money in the right places isn't "wasteful"—it's what turns a job into an asset. When your time is finite and demand is real, letting your money do some of the heavy lifting is how you stop being busy-broke and start building something sustainable. About our guest: Jamie Trull is a Certified Public Accountant and financial literacy coach who helps small business owners step into the role of their own CFO. She specializes in making business finances practical and approachable—without requiring an MBA or a love of spreadsheets. Jamie is the author of Hidden Profit and shares free education on topics like profitability, taxes, and business money systems through her website and YouTube channel. She's especially passionate about serving the pet services industry and helping owners build sustainable, resilient businesses. Links: https://jamietrull.com https://jamietrull.com/book Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
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    58 m
  • 688: From "Ugh" to "That Was a Good Day"

    688: From "Ugh" to "That Was a Good Day"
    Apr 6 2026

    How do we keep one hard morning from ruining an entire workday? In this episode, we talk about what happens when the day starts with client messages, employee issues, schedule changes, and mental overload before we've even had a chance to catch our breath. We share five practical ways we reset our mindset, focus on the next task, notice small wins, trust our systems, and reconnect with why our work matters. We also discuss how these ideas apply not just to pet sitting visits, but to admin work, team leadership, client onboarding, and business ownership as a whole. This conversation is a reminder that even when we start the day with dread, we can still finish it feeling accomplished, grounded, and grateful.

    Main topics:

    • Turning bad days around
    • Focusing on next task
    • Noticing daily micro wins
    • Building better business systems
    • Remembering why work matters

    Main takeaway: "We don't have to let one part of the day affect the rest of the day."

    That idea is simple, but it is not always easy to live out in pet care. One difficult client message, a lock issue, a messy visit, or a packed schedule can make it feel like the whole day is already lost. But one hard moment does not have to decide the tone of everything that comes after it. When we pause, reset, and focus on the next right thing, we give ourselves a chance to recover and move forward with purpose. Sometimes the biggest win of the day is not that everything went perfectly, but that we refused to stay stuck in the overwhelm.

    Links:

    Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate Pet First Aid Month!

    Check out our Starter Packs

    See all of our discounts!

    Check out ProTrainings
    Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

    📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

    Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

    Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com

    Full show notes and transcript

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

    Sponsored by:

    ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

    Pet Sitters Associates
    Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
    Code: Confessional

    Pet Marketing Unleashed

    Visit: petmarketingunleashed.com

    Use code PSC15 to save 15% on your website template
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    38 m
  • 687: Tackling The Scaling Wall with Pixelum

    687: Tackling The Scaling Wall with Pixelum
    Apr 1 2026
    What happens when the hardest part of running a pet care business isn't the pets—it's the scheduling, routing, and operational chaos behind the scenes? In this episode, Collin talks with the Pixelum team (Austin, Ian, and Joe) about why pet service businesses hit a "scaling wall," and how automated scheduling can remove mental fatigue and reduce missed opportunities. They unpack where AI helps (pattern recognition and workflows) and where it can be too risky (high-variance decisions like visit fulfillment). The conversation also explores tool fatigue, the hidden cost of switching between apps, and why great software should "take away" instead of "add." Finally, they connect systemization and data visibility to business continuity—making your company transferable, sustainable, and less dependent on you. Main topics: Automated scheduling and routingAI use cases and limitsTool fatigue and switching costsData foundations and business intelligenceScaling, continuity, and transferability Main takeaway: "Good software solutions take away versus add." — Ian Leibovici That's the standard every pet care owner should measure new tools against. If the software adds more clicks, more dashboards, and more mental overhead, it's not solving the problem—it's relocating it. The goal isn't to become a better schedule-juggler; the goal is to spend more time doing the work only humans can do: caring well, building trust, and leading your team. The right tech should reduce tool switching, lower fatigue, and give you time back. If it doesn't remove burden, it's probably not the right fit. About our guests: Pixelum is a technology and operations-focused team working with service businesses to reduce operational overhead and improve systemization. In this episode, Austin Hanley (operator and point of contact), Ian Leibovici (Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder), and Joe (CEO and co-founder) share how they approach complex scheduling, routing, and process challenges in the pet care industry. They built Calio Pro to help pet service companies optimize schedules while keeping existing workflows intact. Their work emphasizes practical automation, stronger data foundations, and reducing tool fatigue for owners and teams. Joe Ganobsik, CEO and co-founder of Pixelum, has been building software and recruiting and leading technology teams for over a decade at some of the top startups in Silicon Valley. Joe has also founded several companies and consulting agencies, working across all facets of the business. He enjoys problem solving and driving growth via innovation. Joe loves to play golf in his free time. He lives in Chicago with his fiancée and two adorable Shih-poos, Guinness and Killarney. Ian Leibovici, Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder of Pixelum, is a strategic innovator with an entrepreneurial mindset. He has built and implemented solutions to many complex challenges across a variety of industries and is a seasoned experience designer and technical solutions architect. He has deep skills in research and testing with a focus on finding the best path to success. Ian loves to race cars and goes overlanding. He lives just north of Philly with his partner and lovable cats Minky, Mishka, Doppi, Squibbles and Susie. Austin Hanley, Business Development team lead at Pixelum, brings over a decade of sales and customer service experience in the financial publishing and hospitality industries. His background has shaped his interpersonal skills and strategic thinking, and he is passionate about helping small business owners solve problems through thoughtful, relationship-driven solutions. Austin loves playing ice hockey in an adult league in Maryland. He lives in Baltimore with his family and their sweet magnificent Great Dane Cobalt, and two dreamy cats Cleo & Seneca. Links: Pixelum: https://www.pixelum.io Buy Back Your Time: https://amzn.to/4pFvsCA austin@pixelum.io Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months Pet Sitters International- Visit https://www.petsit.com/psc
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    1 h y 3 m
  • 686: Your Systems Are Your Brand—Are They Delivering?

    686: Your Systems Are Your Brand—Are They Delivering?
    Mar 30 2026

    What can a burrito chain teach us about running a better pet care business? In this episode, we explore how Chipotle Mexican Grill discovered who their real customers were—and why that changed everything. We connect those lessons to pet care, showing how your systems, brand, and client data all work together. We also discuss why trying to serve everyone weakens your business and how clarity attracts the right clients. Ultimately, we challenge you to build for the clients already choosing you, not the ones you wish you had.

    Main Topics

    • Customer data reveals true audience
    • Systems communicate brand promise clearly
    • Scaling without losing core values
    • Simplicity drives operational consistency
    • Premium positioning vs price competition

    Main takeaway: "We can scream from the rooftops about how reliable we are, but at the end of the day, do the clients actually experience that?"

    That's the real question. Every message we send, every visit report, every interaction is either reinforcing or weakening our brand. Clients don't buy what we say—they buy what they feel when working with us. If your systems don't back up your promises, your brand starts to erode. Build an experience that proves what you say is true.

    Links:

    Chipotle's target customer: https://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-price-changes-core-customer-shaped-economy-2026-2

    Check out our Starter Packs

    See all of our discounts!

    Check out ProTrainings
    Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off

    📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

    Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

    Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com

    Full show notes and transcript

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

    Sponsored by:

    ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

    Pet Sitters Associates
    Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
    Code: Confessional

    Pet Perennials
    Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
    Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
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    34 m
  • 685: Would You Wear a Body Camera? Real Talk on Liability with Stacy Aguilar

    685: Would You Wear a Body Camera? Real Talk on Liability with Stacy Aguilar
    Mar 25 2026
    What does it really take to protect your team, your clients, and your business as you grow? In this episode, Collin talks with Stacy Aguilar, owner of Abby's Animal Sitters and Dog Walkers, about how safety and accountability shape every decision she makes. Stacy shares how her background in marketing helped her scale quickly, why her entire team is Fear Free certified, and how body cameras became a cornerstone of her operations. They discuss hiring for teachability, building trust in clients' homes, and setting non-negotiable standards. This conversation challenges pet sitters to rethink what professionalism and protection really look like. Main topics: Business liability and safetyBody cameras in pet careFear Free team standardsHiring for teachabilityScaling with accountability Main takeaway: "If safety and accountability are your standard, you can't lower that just because a client asks you to." That's easy to say—but much harder to live out in real business situations. Especially when you're trying to serve people well, keep clients happy, and grow your business. But the truth is, your standards are what define your business, not your exceptions. In pet care, we're entering homes, handling keys, and caring for living animals. Cutting corners—even once—doesn't just create risk, it erodes trust. And trust is everything in what we do. Strong businesses don't bend their values based on convenience. They build systems that protect their team, their clients, and the pets in their care. Sometimes the most professional thing you can say is: "We're not the right fit." About our guest: Stacy Aguilar is the owner and founder of Abby's Animal Sitters and Dog Walkers, a team-based pet care company serving southern New Jersey. With a background in marketing and public relations, Stacy scaled her business from a side project into a multi-employee operation. Her company is fully Fear Free certified and is one of the only pet care businesses in the region using body cameras for accountability and safety. Stacy is passionate about systems, risk management, and building a business that serves both clients and staff well. Relevant Links Abby's Animal Sitters and Dog Walkers – Website https://abbysanimalsitters.com/ Abby's Animal Sitters and Dog Walkers – Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/abbysanimalsitters Abby's Animal Sitters and Dog Walkers – Google Business Profile https://g.page/abbysanimalsitters Fear Free Certification (Pets & Professionals) https://fearfreepets.com/ Camp Pro Body Camera (as mentioned in episode) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K7H4ZQF Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! Check out ProTrainings Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months DogCo Launch Case Study
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    44 m
  • 684: What AI Can't Replace in Pet Care

    684: What AI Can't Replace in Pet Care
    Mar 23 2026

    How should we think about AI in a business built on trust, presence, and hands-on care? In this episode, we unpack a market study on theoretical AI capability versus actual AI usage and explore what it means for pet care professionals. We talk about why pet care remains a deeply human service, even as AI becomes more useful for admin work, marketing, communication, and strategy. We also discuss where AI can strengthen a pet care business and where it introduces risk if we rely on it too heavily. Above all, we argue that the future belongs to pet care businesses that use AI to sharpen operations while making their human value even clearer.

    Main topics:

    • AI adoption across industries
    • Why pet care resists
    • Admin work versus fieldwork
    • Human trust and judgment
    • Using AI strategically well

    Main takeaway: Artificial Intelligence may not walk the dog, but it will absolutely change how our businesses are run.

    AI is not replacing the human being who walks into a home, reads the room, notices what is off, and cares for a living animal with judgment and presence. But it is changing the business side of pet care fast, from communication to marketing to operations. The challenge for pet care professionals is not whether we will use these tools, but whether we will use them in a way that strengthens our professionalism without stripping away the humanity that makes our work valuable. The businesses that learn that balance well will be the ones that stand out.

    Links:

    Use Code PREPARE for 5% at petfirstaid4u.com to celebrate Pet First Aid Month!

    The research article: https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts

    Check out our Starter Packs

    See all of our discounts!

    📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260

    Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

    Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com

    Full show notes and transcript

    Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.

    Sponsored by:

    ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters

    Pet Sitters Associates
    Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
    Code: Confessional

    Pet Perennials
    Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
    Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days
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    34 m