Let's Talk Dog Business

In this episode, Jo & Vicky are joined by Sarah Whitehead, an internationally renowned canine behaviour and trainer, speaker, and author. She started working in the industry 35 years ago when only Barbara Woodhouse talked about dog training. At that time, hardly anyone had heard of positive reinforcement clicker training.  Sarah talks about what working in the industry was like. She, Jo & Vicky discuss how to manage the fact that working as a dog trainer is so stressful and how to reduce your stress levels. Sarah also reveals a really interesting new dog business model which anyone can start providing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Research shows that being a dog behaviourist is incredibly stressful. Sarah´s research has revealed that most dog trainers share remarkably similar personality traits.  Weirdly, dog trainers are more likely to be blood group A. Set boundaries and stick to them. Stop treating your business like a hobby. Get off the hamster wheel. Look at things from a client perspective. Ask – is this something my clients really want or need? If it is not, don´t waste your time and energy on it. People are paying a fortune for pre-trained dogs. Add an online booking system to your website and the ability to book a call with you. You learn a lot more from doing than you will from constantly taking courses. Focus on offering the service that you enjoy delivering. Imagine what you want your business to look like in a year. Then, take the necessary steps to get there. Look outside of the dog industry and learn from other successful business owners. BEST MOMENTS ‘From the outset, go, this is what I want to do, and this is what I don´t and be really comfortable with that. ´ ‘We need to make it much easier for people and be much more professional.’ ‘Invest in yourself, invest in your business…it will avoid burnout.’   GUEST AND EPISODE RESOURCES https://sarahwhitehead.com/ https://sarahwhitehead.thinkific.com/ SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky talk about dog training from a client's perspective. They are sitting down with Jess Bolton, who is an author, podcaster and content creator who mostly works on Instagram. Through these mediums, she has been telling the story of Jess her very anxious 10-year-old whippet and their new anxious dog Otto. Sharing her experiences and those of other owners of anxious pets. Jess explains how specialist trainers have helped her and her husband to understand their anxious dogs. Enabling them to help both dogs, while looking after their own mental health. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most dog owners are not well equipped to look after an anxious dog. Learn how to read your dog´s body language. Overcoming separation anxiety takes a while, so you have to be really committed. Jess first got help over Zoom, during the pandemic. Not all anxious dog training has to be done in person. Some of the behaviours are brought on by medical conditions, which need to be addressed first. Owning an anxious dog can limit where you can go and when which can negatively impact your mental health. Be aware of this and be strategic about tackling this issue. Sighthounds are predisposed to anxiety. BEST MOMENTS ‘She's worried about leaving the house, meeting new people and being anywhere near the edge of her comfort zone. ´ ‘With anxious dogs, you have to go straight to the professionals and get yourself some really robust support.’ ‘Manage those expectations up front.’   EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.worriedwhippet.co.uk/ Worried Whippet by Jess Bolton - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Worried-Whippet-Book-Bravery-Bolton/dp/1400242126 https://www.instagram.com/worriedwhippet/ Brave Little Podcast - https://shows.acast.com/brave-little-podcast https://www.tiktok.com/@worriedwhippet SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

For this episode, Jo & Vicky are joined by the very intriguing Caroline Griffith who is known as The Spiritual Dog Trainer. She is the founder and owner of Canine Flow, which is a way of understanding, training, and being with dogs that is unlike any other. It is a unique spiritual approach that strengthens your connection with your dog and others. Caroline explains how she learned to do this and how you can do the same. She shares the details of what people learn in her retreats. Including, using hypnotherapy, the Fibonacci sequence, nutrition, and the law of attraction to connect with, help, heal, and train dogs. Invaluable skills that are very much in demand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Come back to who you are, what you want to teach, and why.  Become a warrior, not a worrier who is concerned about where the next £10 is coming from. Dogs, like humans and all living things, have a life energy flowing through them.  If you are constantly asking dogs to stop doing something you are blocking their energy flow. You have to give dogs the chance to ground themselves regularly throughout the day. Dogs open us up emotionally, which is one reason we are so attracted to living with them. Energy and magnetic attraction are not woo-woo. It is all real and measurable. Supporting your body enables you to stay energetic and enthusiastic. BEST MOMENTS ‘All of my dogs have been not just teachers, but way showers towards a different way of being. ´ ‘When we are working with dogs, we are working really with our heart space.’ ‘Get into the mind space of your potential client.’   GUEST AND EPISODE RESOURCES https://canineflow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/canineflow/ https://www.facebook.com/LoveWoofandWonder/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnFk5tfT8Cx-43uqJanT1aA Oracle dog cards - https://canineflow.com/resources/heart-deck  https://canineflow.com/insights/how-the-fibonacci-sequence-relates-to-dog-training  SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky talk about improving your lead generation and getting in front of people who want your service, piquing their interest and persuading them to get in touch, so that you can turn them into customers. Jo & Vicky share how they have done that in their businesses. This episode will provide you with  5 simple tips that will immediately improve the effectiveness of your lead generation so that you can secure more business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lead generation is essentially how you get new customers. Show your face. If you can, include a family picture. People want to know who they are hiring. Use your name, not just your business name. Look at your website from a client's point of view. Can they easily navigate it and find what they need? Making your qualifications and awards the focus of your website will not help potential customers find what they need from you. Remove the fluff and learn how to write copy that sells. Ask how people found you and focus on improving that lead source e.g. Google Maps and Facebook. Put in place prompting processes. That makes sure that you touch base with customers regularly. Ask for reviews and reply to them. Don´t ignore negative reviews. Jo & Vicky explain how to tackle them in a way that will help your business. BEST MOMENTS ‘When it is full of dog pictures, it actually turns people off, because there is no way for them to know who they are going to be working with. ´ ‘You really do have to start thinking about that customer journey.’ ‘Identify your main traffic driver… ask where are people finding me?’   EPISODE RESOURCES How to Write Copy That Sells - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Write-Copy-Sells-Step-Step/dp/B07VFQBXB7 SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky are joined by Tarendeep Kaur, a highly experienced content creator and social media management consultant. She works with small female-led businesses that are struggling to be visible online. Providing them with a service that is tailored to their needs and is designed to take them from small beginnings to having a huge online presence.  Tarendeep shares her journey, including how she tackled imposter syndrome and overwhelm. As well as sharing some fantastic social media strategies you can start using immediately to promote your business, regardless of what stage you are at. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you don´t grow, your business won´t grow. Learn how to run your business sustainably. Burnout is not a badge of honour. Social media is used as a search engine to see if the business is real. If you are not on at least one platform and show your face people will not trust you. Social media is like a playful puppy that always wants attention. Post regularly to look like a real business but don´t let it take over. Don´t post just for the sake of posting. Figure out what your audience likes or needs and post that. Your social media manager is a member of your team. Train them and if you don´t like something speak up. Be available for them. You need to be the one that replies to comments etc. Social media is free, but to use it well you do have to invest time and maybe hire a consultant. What works changes, you need to keep up and evolve. Having an engaged audience is more important than having lots of followers. Repurpose your content. Tarendeep explains exactly how in the episode.  Pay attention to the conversations you have with your clients. They contain great ideas for more content. BEST MOMENTS ‘We can start working small and we can go big. ´ ‘The engagement bit is so crucial….People connect with people, not with the logos.’ ‘I don't have a big following, but I have a very engaged audience.’   EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/tk_virtuala/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarandeep-kaur-9472211a0/ SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

Tune into this episode to learn all about, mood hoovers and life laundry. Jo & Vicky are both using these techniques to boost their drive and energy, which is enabling them to build their businesses much faster. You can do the same. They share ways for you to surround yourself with people who build you up and support you. Positive people who understand and believe in what you want to achieve. When you feel positive, good things happen. KEY TAKEAWAYS If most of the conversations you have are negative, it is going to pull you down. Pay attention to who you spend time with. Surrounding yourself with positive people who encourage you, while still holding you to account makes a huge difference. Past experiences and the way you think about them have a massive impact on how much belief, drive, and energy you have. Fear holds you back. Don´t be scared to be your true self. Trying to fit in with others too much is counterproductive. Joining the right business group is an incredibly powerful way to get the support you need, transform who you are and boost your effectiveness. Learning how to keep your vibration high enables you to succeed even when things don´t go smoothly. It boosts your resilience. BEST MOMENTS ‘How can you possibly be the only bright shining star in a group of negative people? ´ ‘My business turned over 90 grand within 10 months because of me doing that.’ ‘It is very much about leaning into those support groups, finding your people, finding your tribe, finding your network.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky sit down to talk with Kelly Gorman Dunbar from the USA who after a long career is now mainly mentoring other trainers. They discuss qualifications, the importance of networking, training and coaching techniques, public perception and finding your niche.  Kelly clarifies what the difference between trainers and behaviourists is. She also talks about finding your niche, acquiring the business skills you need, setting boundaries and time management. KEY TAKEAWAYS The path into the dog business is still not clear, some of the options are discussed in the episode. It is OK to admit that you don´t know everything, then do some extra research or refer a client on. Lean on your network of other dog trainers that you know and trust. Know your strengths and what type of work suits you. Learning how to manage owners is crucial.  Manage expectations and be honest about what is possible. Keep things simple. Most dog business owners suffer from imposter syndrome, disorganisation or overwhelm at some point. The most common mistake is feeling guilty and doing extra things for free. Value yourself, charge enough to live well, and do the pro bono stuff when there is a genuine need. Keep learning and challenging yourself, but not to the point where you feel overwhelmed. If you have trouble with boundaries and saying no, pretend that you are your own assistant. BEST MOMENTS ‘There is value in knowing your limitations while you´re growing.’ ‘That people bit is such a crucial part of it.’ ‘Find your people find somebody to talk to and to train with.’   EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/kellydunbardogtraining https://www.facebook.com/kellygormandunbar https://the-dog-training-league.mn.co/landing?space_id=11391257 https://www.tiktok.com/discover/kelly-dunbar https://lnk.bio/KellyDunbarDogTraining SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky sit down to talk with Lauren from Dog Mum Mindset. They dig into her journey from using her animal behaviour degree to run puppy classes into working nationally, doing a bit of TV and event work then taking her business online. Lauren explains how she set up her business, then used networking to get known in the industry and built the foundation for being able to offer her services 100% online. A decision she made so she could reach and help more clients and so that she could regain and enjoy more time with her family. KEY TAKEAWAYS You can work the hours that you want. Lauren explains how. Invest in yourself. Seek external help to fill in your skill and knowledge gaps. Lauren recommends using a business coach. There are several ways to offer dog training services online. Lauren shares the formats that are working best for her. Going online and running a membership programme enables you to reach more people. What people want from online dog training is still evolving, so you need to be adaptable. Adding new content and courses will keep owners using you. Cut what people don´t want, for example, Lauren´s customers are not bothered about social media but do like her podcast. If something is stressing you out, stop doing it. Be strict about it and maintain your boundaries. Working with other animal service providers is a highly effective way to get known and hired via word of mouth. In the dog industry, networking is a powerful tool.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I went online and just stayed online. ´ ‘I stopped working evenings and weekends.’ ‘I know that online dog training businesses are turning over a good 50k+.’    EPISODE RESOURCES https://dogmummindset.com/ https://dogmummindset.com/podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-hewitt-watts-18a60759/   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.   PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts! Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagg

In this episode, Jo & Vicky talk about how fear stops us and our businesses from growing. They share some of the fears they had about their dog businesses and explain how they managed to overcome them and what happened when they did. They cover overcoming a fear of investing in your business and other common financial worries, especially those that affect those working in the dog industry. As well as explaining how to overcome that fear and begin to take risks that pay off in both your business and personal life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fear strangles growth. That applies to both your personal and business life. It is natural to be afraid of change, but you have to learn to control that fear. In business things change, you can´t stop progress, but you can navigate it without fear. If you are in a state of fear about your business, it hurts your personal life. Self-development gives you the skills to believe in yourself and overcome the issues that scare you the most. Fear of charging what you are really worth is very common. When you feel fear, ask yourself how valid it is, and how you can solve that issue. Fear of putting yourself out there on social media is common. If you are afraid of something play out the worst thing that can happen. Often, it is not that bad and is really easy to fix or get past. Who you surround yourself with has a massive impact on whether you can beat fear. Jo & Vicky explain what this means using their personal experiences. If you have the attitude, we can do this, we will do this - it will happen. BEST MOMENTS ‘If there´s a risk, you are like a rabbit in the headlights. ´ ‘If you take those fears to somebody else that has got a similar mindset, they´re gonna validate those fears.’ ‘If you want something more, you've got to go and find it and see what's on the other side of fear.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky are joined by Charlie Day who is a sales guru. She is an energy force to be reckoned with who built 3 highly successful businesses from the ground up when she was 21. Getting them off the ground taught her that she had a passion and talent for sales. Today, Charlie helps all kinds of businesses to explode their sales. People are reluctant to sell, they hate hearing that someone does not want what they offer, so avoid having sales conversations. Charlie explains how to stop doing this, be resilient and become far more effective at sales. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sales is not sleazy. Get specific about what type of client will benefit from your service, work out where they hang out and speak to them. Speaking to people on personal messaging apps is highly effective. Stop being afraid of people saying no. It will happen … a lot. But speaking to people is the only way to find the ones who will say yes. There is a difference between telling people what is available and selling. Asking questions and listening are a vital part of sales. Having one-on-one conversations to explain what you have to offer makes you stand out from the crowd. Once you generate sales this way, things snowball. People crave personalisation. AI makes this far easier to do. Network, surrounding yourself with people who are a bit ahead of you in business is gold. The bigger you grow the less work you do. Charlie explains why that is true, during the episode. BEST MOMENTS ‘I am prepared to do things that other people won't to get the results that other people don't.’ ‘Conversations equals sales. The more conversations you have the more sales you will make.’ ‘Don´t let sales be the reason it's not panning out. Sales is something you can sort out quite easily.’ EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.facebook.com/groups/theentrepreneursgrowthclub/ https://charliedaysales.co.uk/ 50 Ways to Get More Leads - https://charliedaysales.ac-page.com/50-marketing-ideas-you-can-use-today SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.   PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky share the results of the poll they recently did on Facebook to find out why people became dog professionals. This question generated some interesting results and revealed a common issue that stops many people from earning enough from their business. They explain what this issue is and how to avoid falling into the same trap. As well as sharing how to make sure that you don´t undervalue what you are offering and can attract clients that are a good fit for you and the services you provide. KEY TAKEAWAYS Love for dogs is why a lot of people decide to start a dog professional business. Because people love dogs so much, they naturally want to over-deliver. Overdelivering is not a bad thing. But it is all too easy to end up giving so much that you can´t make a decent living. Earning enough money opens up the opportunity to do more in other ways. To do so in a way where you remain in control, e.g. help charities. Think about what it is specifically that you love about dogs and offer services that fit in with that passion. Everyone wins when you do that. Packages help to keep clients coming back regularly. If you are burnt out re-evaluating things and bringing back some balance will enable you to fall in love with your dog business again. BEST MOMENTS ‘You can have a successful business and deliver an amazing service.’ ‘Pull together some packages that allow the client, the human to see the value in going regularly.’ ‘I'm doing it for the love of dogs, but I'm now doing it in a way that actually better suits me.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

Today, Jo & Vicky are joined by Jo-Rosie Haffenden, co-founder of SOCs, sometimes TV presenter, animal behaviourist, International speaker, mondioring competitor, author, dog owner and single mum. Their sometimes-controversial discussion sheds a huge amount of light on the state of the dog training industry. They talk about a wide range of subjects. Including the pros can cons of using the balanced and positive approaches and challenging the traditional ways of doing things. As well as talking through the common problems dog trainers face and some of the solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS The whole industry needs a shake-up. There is a tendency to follow the herd and not challenge the way things are done. Focus on being good at what your clients want. Nine out of ten of the cases you deal with are simple to solve, don´t overcomplicate things. It´s not good for you or the client. There is nothing wrong with niching down. It works out well for everyone involved. Make an effort to stay positive on social media. Stop thinking about what your competitor is doing and focus on what the client wants. Letting a dog be a dog, then suddenly expecting it to behave like an angel is ridiculous, yet that is what many people expect. You have to be clear and manage their expectations. Follow what you are passionate about. Surround yourself with people who are positive and have a can do attitude. People who will shake things off and ask how can we solve this or make things better. Always be honest with your clients. Spend your day on the things you like and seek out clients who need that type of service.     BEST MOMENTS ‘What you surround yourself with is what you´ll ultimately become. ´ ‘It´s only dog training we are not learning to be brain scientists.’ ‘Package it up properly so that person is buying the result.’ ‘It´s dated and boring and the clients don´t want it.’ SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.  

In this episode, Jo & Vicky delve into the scary world of burnout and overwhelm. Something they have both experienced. They explain the circumstances that led to this situation and how to avoid the same thing happening to you. As well as discussing strategies that anyone can use to regain control so that they can once again fall in love with their business. They cover building up your skills, working on your mindset, self-care, dealing with doubters and people who do not take what you do seriously and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Overwhelm is common among entrepreneurs. Being a solopreneur is very lonely. Especially, after working in corporate. Keep things in context, it is easy to focus too much on how challenging things are. To be successful you have to actively develop a positive and strong mindset. Bear in mind that you are not the only one who is struggling. Keep on educating yourself and improving your skill set. Getting a mentor, someone who has already been where you are now will save you a lot of time, money, and energy. Surround yourself with people that build you up. Make sure your hourly rate reflects your true costs and those occasions where you have to work extra hours. Earning enough eases the pressure. Using incremental and achievable goals keeps you on track, motivates you and helps you to feel in control. Manage your expectations and be realistic. BEST MOMENTS ‘The mindset shift needed to be able to be a business owner is incredibly powerful.' ‘That societal impression they have…. That the dog industry isn´t serious.’ ‘Find your people.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/  ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo and Vicky look at the sales versus booking processes debate and discuss how to attract the right type of client and sign them up. Jo and Vicky explain how to demonstrate that you are the solution to their problem or need. They also cover, not appearing desperate or opinionated, using the right language, active listening, and the best way to take payment. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you think you are charging too much that will come over in the way you respond. Understand your value and don´t be ashamed to charge what you are worth. Focus on demonstrating how you can benefit the person enquiring. Provide the information in a way that is fast and easy to digest. If they raise a specific problem, ensure that they understand you have the solution. Make a human connection. Listen carefully and have genuinely two-way conversations. Having a website is not enough. Make it easy for people to speak to you. Make paying easy and be ready to take payment over the phone. Use payment platforms people know and trust.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I wasn´t desperate for custom, but I appeared desperate. ´ ‘In 20 years of doing this… less than a handful have asked about accreditations.’ ‘Start looking at it from a client´s point of view.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS   Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.     PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts! Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

This is the first episode of the Let's Talk Dog Business Podcast. Jo & Vicky introduce themselves and explain how this podcast will help you grow your dog business to six figures.  Even this first episode contains important information that and dog entrepreneur can benefit from. Including developing the right money mindset and balancing the needs of your dogs, your clients and yourself. Regardless of what type of dog-related services you offer, or what stage your business is at, this podcast is for you. It is your chance to learn from other professionals who have been where you are now on your entrepreneurial journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS The state of the dog industry is not great, which makes it hard for dog professionals to be successful.  Jo & Vicky are working to improve the industry and help professionals to navigate their way to success. A lot of the issues dog professionals face are down to not consistently earning enough.  The right money mindset is essential. You have to make money as well as look after your dogs and clients. BEST MOMENTS ‘It's not about bashing the industry – it is about trying to figure out how we can improve it.' ‘We are more about how we can support each other to create a business that you love.’ ‘We will give you as many skills as we possibly can.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo and Vicky talk about nightmare clients. They explain how to identify which clients you can help and which you should not be working with, how to manage expectations and how to say no when you need to. As well as sharing practical tips you can use to read people better and manage awkward situations tactfully. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most of the time when you look at the situation in a neutral way you realise that it is not that the client is annoying, it is often your reaction that is the issue. Be clear about what issues your classes can actually address and don´t accept dogs and owners that are not a good fit for what you offer. Overstretching yourself leads to stress. That in turn will lead to becoming overly frustrated with clients. Don't let frustration build. Be aware of how you are feeling and take steps to stop things from escalating. Be careful about offering too many or too deep discounts. Why is explained in the episode. You need to be relatable and be your authentic self. If you are negative or lack confidence, your clients are going to notice no matter how hard you try to cover it up. BEST MOMENTS ‘Looking inwards, it was never actually the clients, it was everything that I was doing. ´ ‘You´re not going to please everybody.’ ‘As well as the dog body language you need to be aware of the human half of it.’ ‘You´re the professional, you should be telling them what they need, not them telling you.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky talk about how putting yourself in your client´s shoes and really understanding them benefits you and your business. In particular, when you are trying to attract new clients.  The also explain why becoming a generalist and offering too many different services is so bad for you, your business, and your clients. Then explain how to focus on the services you like to offer, the things you are good at and love. Services that enable you to enjoy your work and earn a good living without having to spend every waking hour working. As well as talking about website design, ads and alternative ways of sharing what you have to offer online. KEY TAKEAWAYS Put yourself in your client´s shoes. When you design your website, check that someone who knows nothing about training can find what they need. You do need to work consistently on attracting new clients, it is not realistic to expect existing clients to take every course you offer. Be clear about what it is you want to offer, then focus, and offer exactly that.  Trying to offer something for everyone stretches you too thin. Offering customers too many options, just confuses them, which makes it hard for them to decide and actually buy. Don´t worry about someone spending money elsewhere for training you don´t want to offer. How you view your business and how potential clients view it has to align. Stop spending a lot of time and money on things your customers don´t need or care about. BEST MOMENTS ‘I thought it was crystal clear but looking back it wasn´t crystal clear at all. ´ ‘The important thing in your business you need to look at is – What do I want to be known for?’ ‘A Jack of all trades is a master of none.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.

This episode is all about developing the right mindset to create a successful dog business. The way you think directly impacts the way you live and work. Jo & Vicky explain how to think about your business in a way that sets you up for success and higher profits. With the right mindset, you will become financially secure and have more time for your family. You will also be profitable enough to be able to invest in providing your dogs with even better facilities and levels of care. Something that will delight their owners. They cover developing the right mental approach to work-life balance, hiring the  staff, managing clients and much more KEY TAKEAWAYS Having the right mindset is not woo-woo nonsense. It really is the key to success. If you don't think you are a business owner, you're not going to act like one. A lot of people start part-time or as a hobby business and get stuck in that mindset. Become clear about what you want your life to look like and know that you can make that happen. Set boundaries. Do what is right for you. If you don´t want to take dogs in on a Sunday, say no to Sunday drop-off clients or hire someone to cover those hours. Ditch the scarcity mindset that leads to overwhelm. You do not have to take every bit of work that is offered. The story you tell yourself is what will play out in front of you. Be confident with clients. You have the expertise don´t be afraid to share it with them. Don´t be afraid to turn away clients that you don't feel comfortable with. This is particularly important for dog trainers and behaviourists. Be conscious of your client´s mindset. BEST MOMENTS ‘What the actual fudge is mindset – what does it mean? ´ ‘If you are not taking care of yourself, your head isn´t right you can easily be brought down .’ ‘I am still doing £90k a year and not working all the hours we think we need to be doing.’ ‘Start telling yourself what you want your life to look like.’   SOCIALS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/    ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. PODCAST DESCRIPTION The ultimate hub for dog business enthusiasts!  Join hosts Jo and Vicky as they unravel the entrepreneurial journey within the canine realm. This podcast delves deep into the business side of owning a dog business, spotlighting inspiring stories of individuals who've seamlessly woven their passion into a profitable lifestyle. Tune in for candid discussions on the human behaviour behind dogs, strategies to attract dream clients, and a behind-the-scenes look at Jo and Vicky's collaborative training ventures. Get ready for client interviews, tales behind the dogs, and insightful perspectives from actual dog owners on what they seek in a trainer. This is your go-to source for navigating the dynamic world where business meets the wagging tails.