DogCo Secrets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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