Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast

Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube ??   How Dog Walking Business Coaching Can Save You Years and Thousands of Dollars in Your Business (Actual Examples Included) Feeling stuck in your dog walking business? You’re not alone, and this episode is your permission slip to finally move forward. I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually happens inside my business coaching intensives, specifically tailored for pet industry pros like you. In just six sessions, we tackle everything from hiring systems and scaling strategy to rewriting your website and crafting SOPs. These aren’t cookie-cutter sessions. They’re custom, one-on-one, done-with-you experiences that help you cut through the noise, finally take action, and build a dog walking business that grows with you. If you’ve been spinning in circles trying to scale, hire, or rebrand, this episode will show you exactly what’s possible through powerful, high-impact coaching. In This Episode, You’ll Discover… How dog walking business coaching intensives deliver massive clarity fast Why mindset—not just mechanics—is your biggest growth block Real client examples: from building websites to fixing broken hiring systems How to turn SOPs and phone scripts into scalable systems What makes these coaching intensives different from DIY courses or masterminds Timestamps: 00:00 – Why everyone’s asking about coaching intensives lately 03:35 – Website paralysis? Here's how we write your copy together 06:15 – Starting your biz from scratch? Don’t go it alone 10:00 – The mindset (not mechanics) that holds you back 13:00 – Fixing hiring systems that are… well, poop 16:10 – Building SOPs, phone scripts, and training with AI support Notable Quotes: "Dog walking business coaching isn’t just about tactics—it’s about transformation." "You don’t need more how-to. You need mindset, clarity, and structure." "Energy is contagious. If you’re stuck, get in the room with someone who can shift it." Resources & Links: Want to see if we’re a good fit for a Coaching Intensive? Book a complimentary 20-minute call with me: jumpconsulting.net/20 Website Examples: peppyspets.com pawsaroundmotown.com animaladmiration.com JazzHR (hiring software): jazzhr.com Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we're going to be talking about something that happens a lot behind the scenes, and I've been asked this question a lot because my schedule's literally getting eaten up right now. I don't know if it's the fall is in the air, or what. But so many of you have been inquiring about these intensives. Intensives is just another name for coaching, and I really want you to hear what actually happens in them. Not even as a way of… I'm not promoting them. I'm letting your brain expand onto how you can actually move forward in your business in just 6 sessions. Seriously. I'm gonna tell you the story of a couple of my clients and what we're actually working on, because the things that we're doing, I talk about them on my Instagram stories sometimes, but I don't actually go into detail, and today I want to go into detail, because I guarantee that you will see yourself in one of these scenarios, okay? But first, before we get started, I humbly ask you if you could like and subscribe to the podcast. And even leave a review. That would mean the world to us, as, you know, I've been doing this for you guys since 2014! Non-stop. Maybe the pace is adjusted, the pace is recently adjusted. Last week, we featured 3 episodes that had all to do with finances, so saving money on taxes, how to figure out your profit, and a couple other things. It was absolutely awesome. And so we're going to keep doing that. If there's a topic you want to hear about, feel free to email me, bella@jumpconsulting.net, and I'd be happy to feature that as one of our round-offs that we have, okay? So, let’s get going.

What if the biggest thing holding you back from pet business freedom… is you? If you think your pet sitting or dog walking biz would crumble without you for a day, that’s not freedom. That’s a trap. If you’re still walking the dogs, answering every DM, handling every complaint—you’re not running a business. You’re running yourself into the ground. In this episode, I’m calling out the hustle-all-day, never-take-a-break myth that’s keeping you stuck. Because freedom doesn’t come from working more—it comes from building smarter. I’m handing you the mindset shifts and exact steps I give my coaching clients so they can finally stop surviving and start leading. In This Episode, You’ll Discover… How to audit your daily tasks and identify what can be automated or delegated Why SOPs are your secret weapon—and how AI makes them easier than ever The mindset shift from technician to CEO How to hire based on vibe, not just skills Ways to start delegating without giving up control Timestamps: 00:00 – Busting the 24/7 Hustle Myth: “If I’m not there, it falls apart.” 02:00 – Golden Cage Syndrome: When you own the business, but it owns you 04:50 – Systematize for Sanity: Automations, SOPs, and delegation 07:30 – How to Train Like You Want to Be Replaced 10:05 – What Freedom Really Means in a Scalable Pet Business Notable Quotes “You didn’t build your business to survive—you built it so you could live.” “Every time you answer the same question twice, that’s a system begging to be born.” “Delegation is not giving up—it’s leveling up.” Resources & Links Connect on IG: @bellavasta Free Consultation: jumpconsulting.net/20 Email: bella@jumpconsulting.net Marketing With Bella: Email Bella for details! Interested in cloning yourself for Reels & photos?Check out my new training: ? jumpconsulting.net/clone Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode:   Transcript Good morning, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I must apologize—I'm feeling a little under the weather, and you're probably going to be able to hear that in my voice today. But the show must go on, as they say. This episode, as you've probably already seen from the title, is going to be about your mindset. I've been having a lot of conversations with clients about mindset and perception, and just kind of switching things around and busting the 24/7 myth—which means you have to be on all the time. Let me remind you that one of the biggest reasons many of us got into entrepreneurship was so that we could control our time and money. You started this business for freedom, right? You wanted to make your own schedule. Maybe even sneak in an afternoon nap. I mean, you're the boss now. You should be able to do what you want, when you want. Right? But if we're really honest—is that what you've got now? This is going to either appeal to your younger entrepreneurial self, or it's going to hit you right where you are today. And if this is your younger self, I encourage you to spread some love, light, and joy by finding wherever this was posted and leaving a comment about how you got through it. Because this is a community. Together, we rise. Sometimes it kind of feels like we're in a golden cage. You're the one doing the overnight sits or you're the one answering calls after 9 PM. You're the one rescheduling your life around last-minute client requests. Sound familiar? There’s this toxic belief I hear from pet business owners all the time: “If I’m not there, it falls apart.” That’s not freedom—it’s survival. And you didn’t build your business to survive. You built it so you could live. So today we’re busting the myth. We’re breaking the lie that your business only works if you work yourself to the bone. We’re going to talk about systems, delegation, and building something that actually gives you your life back.

Wondering why your pet business blog isn't driving leads or sales even though you're posting regularly? You're not alone. Most pet sitters, dog walkers, and pet care pros are wasting time on blogs that look good but don’t work. This episode is for you if you're tired of creating content that disappears into the internet void. I’m going to break down the exact pet business blogging strategy that actually grows your local authority, drives traffic, and gets your ideal clients to take action. Whether you've written 40 blogs or haven't started yet, this episode will give you the mindset and method you actually need. In This Episode, You’ll Discover… Why your blog needs to be more than a “random tips” article How to use a pet business blogging strategy that builds authority The power of interlinking and visual formatting for higher engagement How to repurpose one blog into multiple content pieces Why a good blog strategy will outperform Google ads every time Timestamps: 1:04 – Why I’m switching podcast formats (and how that benefits you)4:55 – The truth: More blogs ? more traffic without strategy7:12 – How to turn blogs into hyperlocal, conversion-ready content8:44 – Smart interlinking: The most overlooked SEO power move11:00 – How to promote your blog so it actually gets seen Notable Quotes “More blogs do NOT equal more traffic—especially if you’re not being intentional.” “You’re writing from the heart, but your audience needs a map to follow you.” “If you’re paying for Google Ads but not blogging with strategy, you need to call me. You’re wasting money.” Resources & Links Connect on IG: @bellavasta Free Consultation: jumpconsulting.net/20 Email: bella@jumpconsulting.net Marketing With Bella: Email Bella for details! Marcus Sheridan’s Big 5 Content Strategy – Google it or ask AI, seriously. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and welcome to Episode 451. Okay, so I took last week off, as some of you may or may not know. And one of the things that I've decided, if you saw the email that goes out on Friday, is that I'm gonna start going to every other week. Now, that doesn't mean that there's not going to be a podcast or I'm not going to be still feeding you guys. What that means is in the off week, since we have 451 podcast episodes, what I'm going to start doing is serving you up like series. So let's say you're starting with employees. And I'm gonna say, "Hey, if you're starting with employees and you want to learn about employees, listen to these 3 episodes." Or "Hey, you want to learn some content marketing hacks? I have 3 episodes on it here." And so that's kind of how we're going to do this on the off weeks, and it'll also give you guys a little bit of a chance to catch up, because I know some of you are in the middle of a major... Something else I want to talk to you about before we actually get into the topic today, which is about blogging with a strategy — which I do not see a lot of people doing — I want to share with you a clip and let me set this up for you. I alluded to it on the last episode. This is a coaching session with Becky from Paws Around Motown. And she wanted to take her entire phone script, and she wanted to build it out — and build it out with like, why are we saying this? What is the impact psychologically? You know, like, all of it. So it's not just a bullet point script that her office staff follow and they don't know why. So we really went into it, and it ended up being more than 30 pages. And what I said to her was, I wonder if we can get AI to do this with us to role play? Because guys, you want to role play, or you say you're gonna practice, but do we ever really practice? No. What are we gonna do? Hand the script to someone, and then kind of feel awkward and be like, "Hi, um ring! Ring!

There is a major opportunity for every single Pet Business owner right now like it’s never been before. Never before has the playing field being so leveled and technology been so advanced to make your business so unique. In this episode I go back to when I started the podcast in 2014 and take you on a tour of what’s changed since then and how technology today can help you catapult your business and set you apart from the competition. In this milestone 450th episode, I take you on a decade-long journey through the evolution of pet care—from basic tech stacks and word-of-mouth marketing to billion-dollar growth, military-grade GPS for dogs, and AI assistants that can book clients while you sleep. I share real stories, like a dog walker who boosted her rates 60% simply by integrating health trackers into her services, proving that technology isn’t competition—it’s your competitive advantage. I’m breaking down exactly what this gold rush means for you as a pet business owner, and how to either step up and lead, or risk being left in the dust. I’ll walk you through mindset shifts, leadership pivots, and why doing things “the old way” just isn’t going to cut it anymore. If you feel the pressure of change but don’t know how to respond or if you’re fired up but don’t have a plan—this episode is your wake-up call and your playbook. Timestamps: 1:39 – What the “Pet Care Gold Rush” actually is and why it’s happening now 4:28 – Why copying other pet businesses will no longer keep you competitive 9:55 – What leaders are doing differently in today’s market 14:03 – The silent killer: hesitation 20:11 – The shift from service provider to industry influencer Notable Quotes "This is the Pet Care Gold Rush. The question is—are you mining or watching?" "If you're still doing what worked in 2019, you're already behind." "The winners in this industry will be the ones who show up, speak up, and scale up." Resources & Links Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Use BELLA25 for $25 off per month until August 17, 2025. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Here is last week's episode: Transcript Welcome back to not just another episode of Bella in your Business. It's the 450th episode. I'm sorry, what? If you asked me back in 2014 if I would be sitting here in 2025 on my 450th podcast episode, or if I looked at this and said, “Hey, I'm going to do a podcast episode for 10 years, with 450 episodes, mostly done by myself except for the 100 where I was always interviewing people”? I think you're absolutely lost your marbles. Welcome to the 450th episode of Bella in your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and welcome. And it's a hell of a milestone — not because of the number, but because it literally marks a whole decade of evolution in pet care. From basic text reminders to AI that predicts your pet's health. I literally started this podcast when pet sitting was still considered... well, it wasn't really that professional. I mean, it was professional, but society didn't really take it seriously yet. Now we're looking at smart collars that track heart rates and AI that handles customer service if you let it, or know how to. According to Grand View Research, the global industry is worth 2.94 billion with a B in 2025. But here's what really blows my mind: in 2014 we were mostly concerned with getting clients booked online instead of calling. In 2025, our clients now expect real-time GPS tracking. The game's completely changed. I wanted to take this episode to go back in time. I've done a lot of research, a lot of fact-checking. We're going to hear exactly how the entire industry went from not being well respected — like, “oh, that's a cute job” — to being a billion-dollar rocket fuel, and why you, my loyal listener,

If you hate creating content… this episode is for you. I am not selling anything, rather blowing the lid off how EASY it can actually be to create a pet sitter content creation system that WORKS and doesn’t overwhelm you. In this episode, I am going to show you EXACTLY what I do… and how you can finally break the cycle of scrambling, ghosting, and giving up. We’ll talk about the mindset blocks that hold most pet sitters back, why “posting consistently” is bad advice without a system, and how to create intentional, reusable content that builds trust and books clients on autopilot. This isn’t theory—it’s the real, raw behind-the-scenes of how I plan, organize, and repurpose content across platforms without losing my mind. If you're ready to make content finally feel doable, repeatable, and actually strategic... this episode is your permission slip. Timestamps 2:02 – Why most pet sitters are stuck in a feast-or-famine content cycle 5:40 – My no-fluff rule: If you wouldn't say it in real life, don't post it 9:03 – The 3 stages of my pet sitter content creation system 14:20 – How to batch months of posts in a few focused hours 18:55 – The secret to repurposing content without sounding repetitive Notable Quotes "You don’t need more time—you need a system that respects your energy." "Pet sitter content creation doesn’t have to drain you. It can free you." "Posting just to post is like barking into the void. Let’s stop that." Resources & Links Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Here is last week's episode: Transcript Hello, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we’re diving into how you're actually known in your local area. We’re going to cover a lot—my goal is to light your brain on fire and give you real examples from your fellow pet business owners who are doing this successfully. Thank you for all the likes, comments, and subscribes! I love hearing from those of you who book a call at jumpconsulting.net/20 and say you found me through the podcast. That makes my heart so happy, because honestly, I’m just sitting in my office talking to a ring light. Knowing you’re out there listening makes it all worth it. In my community, we’ve spent the past month focused on getting your name out there everywhere. Some of what I say might sting a little, but stick with me. This could be the difference between your business thriving or just surviving. Imagine having a bunch of unpaid salespeople out there working for you just because you’re known in your community. Are you actually known in your area? There’s a book called Known by my friend Mark Schaefer, a great read that ties into today’s topic. Being “known” isn’t about a logo or being online—it’s about walking into a room and people recognizing you and the energy you bring. If that’s not happening yet, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful, cost-effective tools in business. I get that networking can be uncomfortable. Maybe you don’t like being the center of attention, and your ego is blocking you right now. But this isn’t about you—it’s about your business. Local marketing for pet businesses starts with you being known in your community. It’s non-negotiable. I’m going to give you the blueprint that actually works. In my mastermind last month, we spent four weeks on tactical local marketing. One of our members, who you might’ve seen on my Instagram stories, had this moment: she walks into a coffee shop and hears someone say, “Oh my gosh! Are you the Wonder Pops person?” And that wasn’t even the first time that week. She was just wearing her business shirt—no flyers, no pitch—just existing. And her brand was recognized. That’s local marketing in action.

What if the biggest thing holding your pet business back... is that no one really knows you exist? If your name doesn’t ring a bell in your own community, you're not just missing clients—you're missing credibility, connection, and cash. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on Local Pet Business Marketing—what actually works, what most pet pros are getting wrong, and how you can stand out without feeling awkward or pushy. We’ll dive into how to turn your business anniversary into a publicity machine, create buzz through local partnerships, and build instant trust that Google ads can’t buy. Plus, I’m sharing real-world wins from petpreneurs in my Mastermind who are becoming local legends—and the exact strategies they used to do it. If you’re tired of being your area’s best-kept secret… it’s time to fix that. Let’s go. In This Episode, You'll Learn... How to build local visibility that actually converts Why your pet biz anniversary is a PR goldmine The ONE mindset shift that will change how you network forever Real examples of pet business owners dominating their communities What to include in your “grab-and-go” event kit Timestamps 1:25 – The difference between being visible and being known in your community 4:58 – Real-life story of a pet sitter becoming a “local celeb” (without even trying) 10:15 – How to use your business anniversary as a publicity magnet 16:45 – Why being present locally builds trust faster than any ad ever could 20:55 – What to include in your "event kit" so you’re always ready for exposure opportunities Notable Quotes "Local pet business marketing isn’t about logos—it’s about connection and consistency." "Pet parents aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for presence." "You don’t need the world to know you—you need your neighbors to know you." Resources & Links Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a 20-min strategy call: Let’s build a custom local marketing plan together Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Free Download: Guerrilla Marketing Kit for Pet Businesses Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Here is last week's episode: ? Transcript Hello, and welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we’re diving into how you're actually known in your local area. We’re going to cover a lot—my goal is to light your brain on fire and give you real examples from your fellow pet business owners who are doing this successfully. Thank you for all the likes, comments, and subscribes! I love hearing from those of you who book a call at jumpconsulting.net/20 and say you found me through the podcast. That makes my heart so happy, because honestly, I’m just sitting in my office talking to a ring light. Knowing you’re out there listening makes it all worth it. In my community, we’ve spent the past month focused on getting your name out there everywhere. Some of what I say might sting a little, but stick with me. This could be the difference between your business thriving or just surviving. Imagine having a bunch of unpaid salespeople out there working for you just because you’re known in your community. Are you actually known in your area? There’s a book called Known by my friend Mark Schaefer, a great read that ties into today’s topic. Being “known” isn’t about a logo or being online—it’s about walking into a room and people recognizing you and the energy you bring. If that’s not happening yet, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful, cost-effective tools in business. I get that networking can be uncomfortable. Maybe you don’t like being the center of attention, and your ego is blocking you right now. But this isn’t about you—it’s about your business. Local marketing for pet businesses starts with you being known in your community. It’s non-negotiable. I’m going to give you the blueprint that actually works. In my mastermind last month,

Are you scared AI will steal the soul of your pet business? If you’re a pet sitter or dog walker clinging to the belief that AI is cold, impersonal, or "not for you," this episode will rock your world—in the best way possible. I'm diving deep into how pet business owners can use AI not just to save time, but to get their life back, serve more clients better, and still sound exactly like YOU. I’m walking you through mindset shifts, real-life applications, and why AI is actually the most powerful way to keep your personal touch while finally getting off the hamster wheel. It’s part pep talk, part strategy session, and totally packed with love, truth, and a little kick in the pants (you know how I do). By the end, you'll either be running toward the future or realize you’re already getting left behind. Let’s fix that. In This Episode, You'll Learn... AI Doesn’t Erase Your Personal Touch—It Enhances It You Can’t Use AI Well Without a Solid Foundation Burnout Is Optional, Automation Is the Cure AI Isn’t a Threat to Your Business. It’s a Tool for Leadership You’re Either Using AI Or Competing Against Those Who Are Timestamps 2:35 – Why pet industry resistance to AI is rooted in burnout, not values 4:58 – What AI actually requires from your business before it can help 9:15 – The 2025 way to handle tough client convos without losing your mind 15:54 – How AI is a leadership move (not laziness or cheating) 22:55 – The truth: AI won’t take your job—but someone using it might take your clients Notable Quotes "AI is not here to replace your heart—it’s here to amplify your humanity." "Pet business owners can use AI to work smarter, not harder—and still be more you than ever." "AI is not the enemy of authenticity. Burnout is." Resources & Links Try Magai: My favorite AI dashboard. Use code BELLA25 for $25 off/month Jump Consulting on YouTube Connect on IG: @bellavasta Ready to talk it out and get unstuck? Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Surround yourself with other forward-thinking petpreneurs. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Here is last week's episode: ? Transcript Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. First, thank you so much for all the subscribes and likes — when you hit that like and share button, it really helps. It's the best thing you can do for any creator. I've seen it in the stats and I genuinely appreciate it. Something new: you can now watch the video version of this podcast on Spotify and YouTube. We’ve created an omnipresence where you can either listen or watch. This shift was by request, and let me tell you — it’s a labor of love. It’s 7:01 AM, my daughter’s in the other room playing, and we just wrapped up birthday weekend — hers and mine. I’m exhausted and recording this in hair and makeup, even though pajamas with no video would be easier. I hope you appreciate the video and if you do, please like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review. We're coming up on 450 episodes — wild. I started this when she was in the hospital over a decade ago. If you have suggestions for the 450th episode, send them in — this podcast is as much yours as it is mine. Today I want to talk about AI and the concern around losing personal touch. I hear this a lot. But I want to go at a pace that aligns with where most pet sitters and dog walkers are. I’m ready to sprint, but I know we need to get on the same page before opening Pandora’s box. AI requires everything to be written down — emails, SOPs, handbooks, job descriptions — because it needs something to be trained on. You also have to understand that AI is just a tool — practically free — but not always right. You need to know when and where to insert personal, human touch. And here's the blunt truth: from July 22, 2025 forward, if someone you hire doesn’t know how to use AI, they’re falling behind. That might sound harsh,

Ever feel like AI-generated content sounds stiff, robotic, or just... not like you? In this episode, I share exactly how to fix that. I'm walking you through the biggest mistake people make when using AI—and how to shift your approach so it sounds like you, not like a bot. This episode will help you tap into the magic of your voice, infuse your personality into prompts, and get AI to mirror the tone, energy, and intention you actually want. Whether you're writing blogs, captions, emails, or responses, you're going to learn how to make AI content feel real, raw, and resonant. In This Episode, You'll Learn... The Wake-Up Call - You’re Already Living in AI Land The Graveyard of “Old School” Thinking The Psychology of Struggle Worship What AI Really Gives You (The Value Proposition) The REAL Authenticity Problem - You’re Using AI Wrong The Action Plan - Training AI to Sound Like YOU Timestamps 00:00 – Why AI sounds fake—and what no one tells you about fixing it04:17 – The secret to injecting YOUR voice into your AI outputs07:45 – Real examples: what bad AI sounds like vs. authentic AI10:58 – How to “season” your AI with brand language and intent14:39 – A final mindset shift that will change the way you use AI forever Notable Quotes “AI doesn’t sound fake—you sound fake when you don’t tell it who you are.” “If you want authentic output, you need to give it authentic input. It’s that simple.” “Tone, rhythm, and context are everything. AI is just the amplifier—you are still the instrument.” Resources & Links Ready to make AI sound like you? Start by shifting how you talk to it. Then come tell me what changed—DM me, tag me, or email me. I want to hear your voice in it. Join the Mastermind Book a Free 20-min Call with Bella Bella’s Marketing Services Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Catch up on last week's episode:   ? Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. And things are good. My daughter just got back from a 2 and a half week trip to Macedonia. That's where her dad's from for those of you who have been part of this podcast for the past 11 years! Oh, my God! Also, if you are watching on Spotify right now, there, we have a video up. We also have video up on YouTube for this podcast. You're gonna see in my back corner I got a new plant and I need help naming her. So let me know if you have any fun names for that. I was sick and tired of seeing that plug, and it's a um... oh, gosh! I even forget what that's called. It's one of those ones that are supposed to be really good for the room and the air, aren't they? Anyways, today we're gonna talk about something that I see a lot. And honestly, it was started by Pet Sitters International. I am so excited that they posted something about AI, and it sparked a lot of conversation, and it was all over the board. And if you have been listening to the podcast, you know that I have been asking and asking and asking for other people in the industry to step up and start talking about this, because it's time that we all elevate the industry with what is actually going on out there. It's just like back in... was it 2006, 7, 8? I'm really bad at dates. When I was trying to teach everyone how to do—on why they should have a Facebook page for the business. And you know, AI is just like that. But before we get into the episode, I promised my team that I would ask you to like and subscribe and comment anywhere you are listening or watching to this podcast. We spend about a hundred dollars every single episode to produce this for you with the video, the editing, and the emails, and all the things. And if you find this valuable, if you could just do me that one little favor, that would be amazing. Or even share it with a friend. If there's someone that you know that needs to hear about this—because today's episode is going to be like a blend of ...

? Are you pouring hours into social media but still struggling to attract the right clients? What if the real game-changer isn’t another algorithm hack—but a return to something more personal? In this episode, I want to share what’s working way better. I’m diving into how word of mouth marketing for pet sitters can completely change the game for your business. I’ll show you why it outperforms paid ads, how to tap into it without feeling pushy, and the simple steps you can take to start seeing real results from genuine community relationships. If you’re ready to stop chasing the algorithm and start building something sustainable, this one’s for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn... Why word of mouth marketing generates 5x more sales than paid ads The psychology behind pet parent trust and buying decisions How to become the go-to pet care provider in your community Real examples of pet businesses growing through vet, school, and PTO partnerships How AI can boost your referral output without sounding “salesy” Timestamps 03:00 – The data behind why referred clients are more valuable05:30 – What pet parents really want when they ask for referrals online08:15 – The real service you're selling (hint: it's not dog walking)12:50 – Using AI and creativity to scale your referral strategy20:10 – Real-world examples: how others turned partnerships into $600k+ businesses Notable Quotes “We're not selling pet sitting and dog walking. We're selling peace of mind, trust, and security.” “Word of mouth generates five times more sales than paid advertisements—and it costs less to acquire the client.” “What you do right now in July shows up in your business three to six months from now.” Resources & Links Are you ready to stop relying on social media alone and start becoming the most referred pet sitter in your area? Join Bella inside the Mastermind for done-with-you strategies and tools to grow your business through trusted relationships. Join the Mastermind Book a Free 20-min Call with Bella Bella’s Marketing Services Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Catch up on last week's episode:   Transcript Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. We spend so much time trying to figure out the algorithms on social media just to have them change on us. Right away. At the time of this recording, it is 2 days before Instagram makes their big change that I've announced in my mastermind, I've announced on my Facebook page. It is simply that all their postings are now going to be public. So that means every single thing that you post—and if it was already a business public page, it should have been because they could do it already—you should have your keywords in there. But now it's even more important. Every single time you post on Facebook or Instagram, it's basically like a micro blog. But what if I told you that there was something that was even better? That outperforms any day of the week than social media to help attract people to your business. Would you be interested? Because that's what today's episode's all about. I'm going to be throwing a lot of statistics at you because I wanted to throw the numbers really heavily into this episode so that you could hopefully be motivated. The topic that I'm about to tell you about is something that a lot of people are either really scared, or apprehensive, or self-conscious about. Perhaps sometimes they're even—they say they don't have time for it, which really, when you say you don't have time, it means it's not a priority, right? That's in anything in life. Or it's just something that maybe they've done before, but they don't feel like they got an ROI—a return on investment—therefore they're just like no. And so what that is is word of mouth marketing. It's getting out there and pounding the pavement.

Have you ever asked ChatGPT to “write a caption” or “make a post” and ended up with something totally bland? Yeah, you’re not alone—and that’s exactly what I’m unpacking in this episode of Bella in Your Business. In this episode, I’m not just talking about AI. I’m showing you how to use it smarter. We’re going deep into what most pet sitters are getting wrong about AI prompts, why a recent MIT study scared people for the wrong reasons, and how you can build a GPT that actually knows your tone, your clients, and your strategy. I even introduce you to Suzi—my custom GPT who’s basically my brain in AI form. If you’ve ever wanted to clone your brain (without the burnout), you’re gonna want to hear this. If you’ve ever listened to Episode 443, you know that was us capturing your brain in repeatable systems. This episode goes deeper, turning that brain into an autonomous thinker. And yes, we invited George B. Thomas on Episode 435 for a masterclass in AI cloning. George built a voice?powered clone that talks, teaches, and problem?solves like him, and I legit forgot I was talking to AI when I called it Whether you’ve been playing around with AI or still don’t know where to start, I promise you’ll walk away with practical ways to level up how you use it and maybe even fall in love with what it can do. In This Episode, You'll Learn... The MIT Study Bombshell Why Basic AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Aren't Enough What Deep AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Look Like The Suzi Example: AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Done RIGHT Signs You're Using AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Too Shallow How to Create POWERFUL AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Real Pet Business Examples Using Advanced AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Your Next Steps with AI Prompts for Pet Sitters Timestamps 00:01:10 – Why the pet industry is behind on AI—but not for long 00:05:20 – What the MIT study really means for your business 00:08:54 – The difference between shallow and strategic prompts 00:14:15 – Creating AI systems that build SOPs, sequences, and success 00:22:00 – How to shift from “write me a…” to strategic frameworks Notable Quotes "AI won’t replace you. But people using AI will." "Most of y’all are spoon-feeding yourself AI content and wondering why you’re still hungry." "You don’t need more answers—you need better questions." "Suzi sounds like a real person because I trained her to be a reflection of ME." Resources & Links If this episode lit a fire under you, don’t let it burn out. Join me inside the Mastermind where we take these AI prompts and turn them into real-deal systems, strategy, and success stories. Want your own “Suzi”? Grab my GPT class at  jumpconsulting.net/bot. Don’t just play with AI. Master it. Magai Membership – Use code BELLA25 for $25 off/month Jump Consulting on YouTube Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Start building your business BFF. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. Today we're going to talk all about how to level up your prompts for AI. And we're going to go into it deep. I'm really looking forward—I have a lot prepared for you. But before I do that, I really want to give a shout out to all of you. I've been talking to a lot of you on the phone. A lot of you have been signing up for that 20-minute call and chatting. I just love how you are starting to understand that Jump Consulting is the go-to for AI in the pet industry. I talked to Angela a couple of weeks ago, and she was just listening along and blown away at the AI stuff. I talked to Katie, and she was learning how to use it for SOPs.

Have you ever thought, “I need to clone myself just to keep up”? I know that feeling all too well. In this episode of Bella In Your Business, I’m sharing how I, as a busy pet business owner, actually figured out how to clone myself with AI. I’ve trained tools to write like me, create branded visuals, and even replicate my voice and videos so I’m showing up even when I’m not “on.” This episode is all about real ways pet sitters can clone themselves with AI and still keep their business grounded in their unique voice. If you’re exhausted trying to be everywhere, this one will give you a new way to work smarter and scale without burning out. In This Episode, You'll Learn... Why You NEED to Clone Yourself The Writing Clone - Your Voice, Amplified The Visual Clone - Your Brand, Everywhere The Voice Clone - This One's a Game Changer  The Video Clone - Show Up Without Showing Up The System That Makes It All Work Timestamps 0:33 – “I need to clone myself”—the moment it all clicked 3:05 – Why not using AI means you’re stuck in a hobby, not a business 7:00 – How I trained AI to write like me 13:05 – Visual branding secrets that save hours 22:00 – Cloning my voice and video for onboarding and beyond Notable Quotes "If you’re not using AI right now, you’re running a hobby—not a business." "I taught AI to write like me, so it’s not guessing—it’s echoing my voice." "Cloning yourself doesn’t mean losing authenticity; it means multiplying your impact." Resources & Links Imagine having more time without sacrificing your brand's presence. If you're ready to stop doing it all and start scaling with intention, join Magai and let AI do the heavy lifting for you. You don’t have to hustle harder just smarter. Magai Membership – Use code BELLA25 for $25 off/month Jump Consulting on YouTube Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT. Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business? Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Hey there, pet business owners. Bella Vasta here, and welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Y’all, we need to talk. I keep hearing the same thing from pet business owners in my DMs: “Bella, I’m drowning. I’m writing every email, answering every text, creating every post. I need to clone myself.” Well, guess what? You can clone yourself. And no, I’m not talking about some creepy sci-fi nonsense. I’m talking about showing up everywhere without actually being everywhere. I’m talking about your voice, your energy, your brand working for you 24/7—while you're walking a dog, sitting with anxious puppies, or actually getting some sleep. Here’s the thing: if you’re still doing everything yourself, you’re not running a business. You’re running a very expensive hobby that’s about to burn you out. But today, we’re changing that. I’m going to show you exactly how I’ve cloned myself using AI—and how you can do the same thing without losing what makes you special. So grab your coffee, leash up that energy, and let’s jump in. Okay, that intro? That wasn’t even me. That was my AI clone. It has come a long way since I first experimented with it in February. Back then, I used it for the first seven minutes of an episode, and it blew my mind. I can’t even keep up with how fast everything is evolving. Today, I’m going to show and tell you something really cool. If you're listening on audio, I highly recommend checking out this episode on YouTube—just head over to the Jump Consulting YouTube Channel and find Episode 443. I demonstrated something there that’s worth seeing,

Are you watching competitors soar while you're stuck with outdated pet marketing tactics? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on how AI is not just some flashy tool. It’s a total game-changer for how we market pet businesses. I’m sharing the full story of why I shut down my long-standing program and rebuilt it from the ground up to deliver truly custom, AI-powered marketing. You’ll hear how I worked one-on-one with clients to create region-specific, personality-infused campaigns that felt like they were made by hand. Because, honestly, they kind of were (with AI as my right-hand!). If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by tech or unsure how to even start using AI in your business, I promise you this: it’s easier and more essential than you think. In this Episode, You’ll Discover... Why AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job but Someone Using AI Might Be The Big Shift: From Mass Marketing to Custom AI-Driven Strategies Real Examples: How AI Created Region-Specific, Avatar-Driven Campaigns Why SOPs, Checklists & Documentation Are the Foundation of AI Success The Tools You Need to Start Using AI Effectively in Your Pet Business Today Timestamps: 00:00 – Why I shut down my old program and started over with AI06:30 – The real problem with pet businesses avoiding AI10:45 – Custom pet marketing ideas you can steal today15:30 – How I use AI to deliver hyper-local, avatar-driven content24:00 – The mindset shift you need to lead your market with AI Notable Quotes: “AI is not coming for your job, but people using AI are.” “Custom marketing isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s what your pet biz needs to compete.” “If you’re still using stock photos, you’re doing it wrong.” “AI is the best hire you’ll ever make.” Links & Resources: Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT. Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Let me know what blew your mind or what’s still holding you back. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: Transcript Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I want to show you what’s possible. This episode isn’t a “5 tips” kind of teaching session. It’s meant to expand your mind and help you realize, “Oh my gosh, this is doable—and not just for Bella, but for me too.” Everything I’m going to talk about has been incorporated into my business and into many of my clients’ businesses. Today is about planting a seed. I won’t go into every “how-to,” but I’ll explain what’s possible and how it came to be. For some quick context, I ran my own pet sitting company from 2002 to 2016. When I sold it, I was heartbroken that I couldn’t do the marketing for it anymore. So, as I always do, I innovated. At that time, no one was doing marketing specifically for pet businesses. That’s how Better Marketing with Bella started. I wanted to help as many people as I could, but I was just one person. So we started small with 5 or 6 people, and over the years the program grew to over 40 clients. Back then, video content wasn’t a priority—reels didn’t even exist. Carousels weren’t a thing. But as trends evolved, so did we. We created marketing content using client photos, fonts, colors, and logos. It wasn’t fully custom, but we made it feel personal. The goal was always to meet clients halfway. I couldn’t be you. I couldn’t post your exact beachside summer photos if you lived in the mountains. But I always longed to create custom marketing—unique content based on someone’s real needs, real brand, and real goals. Eventually, I ended the old program. Our last delivery was May 15, 2025. The first delivery of the new program was just two days ago.

AI mindset shifts for pet sitters are no longer optional—they’re essential. If the idea of using AI in your pet business feels intimidating or overwhelming, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: it’s not the tech that’s holding you back, it’s your mindset. In this episode, I’m opening up about the invisible blocks I see so many pet sitters carrying when it comes to AI—beliefs that keep them stuck in busy work, burn out, and creative paralysis. I’ve been having more and more conversations with business owners who are watching others use AI to their advantage, but still feel hesitant to jump in. It’s not because they can’t. It’s because they think they can’t. This episode is your invitation to shift those thoughts. I want to help you stop waiting for perfection, stop fearing that AI will dull your creativity, and stop assuming it’s only for “techy people.” Because once you embrace the right mindset, AI becomes a powerful tool—not a threat. You don’t have to be perfect to start. You just have to be willing to think differently. If you’ve been second-guessing yourself or stuck in analysis paralysis, let’s change that together, starting now. In this Episode, You'll Learn... Why waiting for AI to be “perfect” is costing you time and opportunity The false belief that creativity dies with automation How to use AI without sounding robotic The difference between information and instruction—and why it matters What makes AI better with your unique voice and guidance Timestamps 00:01 – Why mindset matters more than tools05:18 – The perfection trap with AI08:42 – “AI will kill my creativity” myth14:36 – Why your input makes the output18:50 – Using AI to sound like you Resources & Links Ready to stop playing small? Upgrade your tools and start working smarter, not harder. If you’re still using the free version of ChatGPT, it’s time to level up. Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT. Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. What’s one AI mindset shift you’re ready to make in your pet sitting business? Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. You know, I'm gonna go in a lot of different directions today, because there's a mindset thing happening, and it's starting from some of the leaders in our industry. I'm gonna keep this pretty anonymous. But without saying names. I had 2 people share with me the same exact message that was in a group by someone who is positioning themselves as a leader in our industry. And it came to me because these people paused after reading this message, thinking, “Wait, Bella, is this true?” And so I read through it. And it was this message that was like alert: Google has made an update. You need to know what this update is. And it was talking about AI, and it was basically saying Google is now specifically directing their quality raters to identify pages where main content is created using AI tools and automated generators. Okay, if you just read that part, you're gonna be like, “Oh, my gosh! I can't use AI on my website.” And then it goes on, and it says, if your content is mostly AI generated with little original value added, it gets rated as lowest quality, which means it basically disappears. And then it went on to say, like what this means — AI content that shows little effort will not get ranked in the searches, and that Google’s doubling down on their reward content that demonstrates experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. Okay, this thing got like 31 comments when I saw it. 36 likes and stuff. But here's the — and then a lot of the people that s...

Are you running on fumes, questioning if your pet business is even worth it anymore? You’re not broken—you’re burned out. In this episode, I’m calling out the six lies that fuel pet sitting business burnout and block your growth. These myths sneak in through Facebook groups, outdated advice, and even your own inner critic. But today, we’re flipping the script. You’ll learn: Why taking time off isn’t a luxury—it’s how real CEOs stay creative and sane. How doing everything yourself drains your energy and stalls your success. What “professional” really looks like—and why boring branding doesn’t work. Why showing up on every platform isn’t helping (and what to do instead). How S.O.P.s and AI tools can save your sanity—even if you're a solo pet sitter. Why your business should never look the same all year long. Huge thank-you to Becky from Paws Around Motown for showing us what strong systems, great leadership, and actual balance can look like in real life. Your example is pure gold. This episode is not about surface-level tips. It’s a truth-packed reality check with practical steps you can take right now. If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, it’s time to shift. You don’t have to keep spinning your wheels. Let’s bust these myths and beat pet sitting business burnout together—so you can lead with vision, energy, and joy again. In this Episode, You’ll Discover... How to stop believing the lies that cause pet business burnout Practical ways to reclaim your time and energy Real examples from business owners making bold shifts How to use AI and seasonal trends to stay proactive, not reactive Learn how to delegate with clarity and confidence—even if past hires left you burned. Timestamps 00:42 – The myth of “I can’t take time off” and how Becky from Paws Around Motown proves otherwise 08:51 – The trap of being on every social platform and what to do instead 12:24 – Why “professional” doesn’t have to mean “boring” 14:32 – S.O.P.s aren’t just for big businesses 19:05 – The myth of “I’ll save money by doing it all myself” and the true cost of DIYing everything Notable Quotes “Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. It means it doesn’t work that way.” “You can still be fun and serious about safety. You can be warm and still have rock-solid SOPs.” “Professional doesn’t mean boring. It means intentional, trustworthy, and human.” Links & Resources: Join the Mastermind Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call.  Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And you know what I told you last episode that we might just continue on. And we totally are. I got a couple of emails and texts from you guys, that last week's message was totally on point. I even want to read one from Lily Johnston, she said. Bella, this episode was a smash hit with my brain. It's given me so much confidence. I've listened to a lot of your podcast episodes. But this one was perfect and just what I needed for the moment. I am in right now. Thank you. Girl, you are so welcome! Absolutely. And it wasn't just you. It was some other people that was like, yes, that totally hit it home. So I decided, I'm going to keep going. I'm gonna keep going. Because why not? And this is like literally what I call stinking thinking. If you've ever worked with me, and as we're on episode 440 and guys, I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I'm like the slow and steady. Okay. If you've been with me for a long time, you know that I started this podcast in my closet. 10 years ago, when my daughter was in NICU. It was the only place in my entire house that had a carpet and everything else had tiles, so it was very echoey,

?   If you’ve ever felt stuck, underpaid, or unsure how to scale your pet sitting business… you might be believing lies that aren’t serving you. In this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m calling out 5 of the most common and damaging pet sitting business myths I see over and over again. These myths are like industry propaganda—and they keep smart business owners small, broke, and stressed. Maybe you’ve heard that “everyone uses independent contractors,” or “clients only care about price.” Or maybe you've convinced yourself, “you can’t charge that much in your area.” I’m here to tell you: none of that is true. I’ve coached hundreds of pet business owners, and the ones who succeed stop believing these lies—and start building smarter, stronger businesses that work for their lives. I’ll walk you through each myth, why it’s harmful, and what to believe instead. This isn’t just a pep talk. It’s a mindset shift and strategic realignment. Let’s stop repeating what the Facebook groups say and start building a business that’s built on truth, value, and bold leadership. In this Episode, You’ll Discover... Why using independent contractors “just to get started” is a trap How underpricing based on fear is hurting your growth Why pet care is a real career—and how to own it What clients actually care about (hint: it’s not price) How to lead your market instead of blending in with it Timestamps: 00:05 – Why I had to do this episode: the propaganda ends here05:10 – My IC truth bomb: it’s not fine, it’s dangerous14:00 – Stop selling your soul for price shoppers20:00 – If you treat this like a hobby, don’t expect professional pay29:00 – Why copying the competition will never make you stand out Notable Quotes: “The ones who build profitable, sustainable businesses are the ones who stop falling for these lies.”“If you don’t differentiate, you disappear.”“Pet care is a billion-dollar industry. Stop treating it like a hobby.”“You don’t need permission to build the business you really want—just truth.” Links & Resources: Join the Mastermind Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call.  Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. We just got off a Memorial Day weekend. I hope you had a really good time, whether working hard or taking time for yourself and your family. Today, we're going to talk about myths. I'm taking a break from AI and focusing on myths. What prompted this was a trend on social media talking about propaganda people aren’t falling for. I was creating one myself when I thought—why not turn it into a podcast episode? Depending on your feedback, maybe I’ll even do a part two. I’ve got five for you today that are extremely relevant—whether you’re new, seasoned, or thinking about the future of your business. These myths are something I’ve seen repeatedly over the past 20 years. Shoutout to all the Mastermind members doing Joey Coleman’s 100 Days and mapping out their phases—you’re crushing it. Not just for clients, but for employees, too. With AI, it’s easier than ever to build systems based on avatars, and that growth has been exponential. Quick PSA on AI: there's a lot happening every single day. I even predict that ChatGPT may not always remain the dominant player. People will need to learn the nuances between different platforms. It’s powerful when used with subscriptions, folders, and GPTs—tools that can cut down hours of work by thinking for you. But today, we’re setting AI aside and diving into five pieces of propaganda—five myths about pet sitting businesses that circulate like gospel and keep people stuck. Sometimes we believe these lies because we don’t have the right community around us. Facebook groups often perpetuate them.

Ever feel like you're juggling flaming tennis balls running your pet sitting business? Between client texts, staff questions, scheduling madness, and marketing? Same. That’s why I created this episode—to show you exactly what it looks like to live a day in the life of a pet sitter using AI. This isn’t theory. I’m walking you through a real story—let’s call her Bailey—who’s not only a busy business owner, but also a mom and wife with 10 staff members and a million tabs open in her brain. From sunrise to bedtime, I break down how she uses AI to write care notes, handle hiring, manage her schedule, respond to clients, and even do homework with her kids—without losing her mind. You’ll hear how AI handles admin work, keeps her voice consistent, and gives her back hours of her time—all for less than the cost of a weekly Starbucks run. This episode proves it: you don’t have to be techy to let AI transform your business. You just have to start. In This Episode, You'll Learn... How a real pet sitter uses AI from morning to night What tasks AI can take over to free up your brain How AI can support parenting and pet sitting Why it’s not about replacing you—it’s about extending you The power of routines + automation for sanity and scaling Timestamps 01:20 – Meet Bailey: mom, pet biz owner, and AI user 04:40 – Morning chaos: how AI sets the tone 09:15 – Letting AI handle visit notes and streamline your daily schedule 14:05 – Using AI in family life (yep, even homework) 18:30 – Why this isn’t about tech—it’s about freedom Resources & Links Ready to stop playing small? Upgrade your tools and start working smarter, not harder. If you’re still using the free version of ChatGPT, it’s time to level up. Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT. Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Ready to step into the future of pet sitting without the burnout? Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. Today, we're going to do something completely different. I'm really excited to share this with you. I want to paint you a picture. And it's not some fake story like, "Oh, I used AI and now I make 7 figures in 6 minutes." That's not what we're doing here. I want to walk you through what a normal, grounded, real-life day could look like for a pet sitting business owner—someone like you. Maybe you're a mom, running a team, juggling a household, trying not to burn out. Every Sunday in the Mastermind, I post: “What did you do with AI this week?” Every single thing you're going to hear in this episode actually happened. It’s been done by one of your colleagues. So this isn’t just me making things up. I'm introducing a fictional character who might sound a lot like you. Her name is Bailey. You may or may not be a single mom—she is. She’s got two kids, a pet sitting and dog walking team of 8 to 10 people, and she definitely doesn’t have time to waste. She’s not trying to learn 52 platforms or hire an entire internal team or VA. She just wants to figure out how to leverage AI to take the mental load off—bit by bit, moment by moment. So let’s begin at 6 AM. Mornings are loud and scrambled. Bailey’s up at 6 AM. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Her 6-year-old is half-dressed and groggy, her 13-year-old is already melting down because her hair won’t cooperate. Bailey has five minutes to throw on makeup before heading out the door for drop-offs. Meanwhile, an email from a high-maintenance client is sitting in her inbox. Old Bailey would have stared at it and said, “I’ll deal with it later.” But now she has ChatGPT. Bailey opens voice mode and starts talking while brushing her tee...

Are you still staring at ChatGPT wondering what to even type in? Or maybe you’ve dabbled with AI and decided it’s just “not for you.” But here’s the thing—if you're not using AI in your pet sitting business yet, you're already falling behind. In this episode of Bella in Your Business, I’m breaking down exactly what that means—with zero tech talk. I’ll show you how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and custom GPTs can help you write care notes faster, automate client emails, and even build your own AI assistant that sounds like you. I’m sharing real stories, real results, and how other pet sitters are already using AI to save time and serve better. No more guessing. No more generic advice. This isn’t the future—it’s the right now. So if you're overwhelmed or skeptical, listen in. I’m here to help you move from confusion to confidence with AI in your pet sitting business. In This Episode, You'll Discover... What ChatGPT and AI actually are (in plain English) Why AI matters right now for pet sitters The difference between using AI and training your own digital clone How to create a pet-sitting-specific AI that talks exactly like you Why ignoring AI could cost you time, clients, and money Timestamps 00:00 – Why AI matters right now for pet sitters 02:00 – The difference between using AI and training AI 05:00 – What a GPT is and how to make one for your business 10:00 – Real-life AI wins: Mother's Day & meet-and-greet hacks 15:00 – Building your digital clone + how to get started now Notable Quotes “This is not about pulling up ChatGPT and asking it to rewrite your email. That’s daycare level. We're aiming for grad school.” “AI in your pet sitting business isn’t optional anymore. It’s the difference between falling behind and staying ahead.” Resources & Links Try Bella’s custom pet sitting GPT. Learn how to build your own AI assistant. Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call. Join Bella’s Mastermind. Did You Love This Episode? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Ready to clone yourself and save time? Build your AI assistant today. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Hi, I'm Bella Vasta, and in today’s episode, we’re going back to basics—especially with AI. A recent Mother’s Day moment reminded me that many of you may still be trying to figure this stuff out. I’ll also address common questions like, "What is GPT?" and "How do I use ChatGPT correctly?" Here’s what we’ll cover today: What is ChatGPT? Why AI for pet sitters matters right now How to create AI that sounds like you What’s next for AI in the pet sitting world Why AI Matters for Pet Sitters If you've heard of ChatGPT but still aren’t quite sure what it does or how it fits into your daily operations, you're not alone. This episode is designed to help you understand it—and maybe even get a little excited about it. The key takeaway? You don’t need to be a tech wizard, but you do need to start planning for AI integration now. The pet sitting industry is not immune to tech shifts, and the gap between those using AI and those who aren’t is only going to widen. What Is ChatGPT? Let’s demystify ChatGPT. Think of it like Kleenex is to tissues—ChatGPT is just one brand of AI. It stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer”—a fancy way of saying it’s a tool that generates human-like text. It learns from data, including pet care info, and uses a model called a transformer to generate responses. It's not the only option either—there’s Claude, Gemini, and even tools that aggregate all of them like Magai. At first, these tools just predicted text. But now, they're becoming what experts call agentic—they take actions on your behalf. Imagine an AI that writes client emails, social posts,

?   Are you building your business while quietly wondering if something’s wrong with you? Bella Vasta unpacks a truth many dog walking business owners need to hear: You’re not broken—just underclaimed. This conversation is about more than motivation. It’s about empowerment for dog walking business owners who are ready to lead with authenticity. Bella shares how she broke free from the toxic belief systems that kept her stuck in burnout, silence, and self-doubt—and how you can too. She unpacks the three most common lies pet industry entrepreneurs tell themselves, and replaces them with truth bombs that hit straight to the soul. If you’ve ever said, “I’ll do it when I’m more ready,” “I can’t show up until I have it all figured out,” or “If I shine too bright, I’ll lose people”, Bella calls B.S. on all of it. She doesn’t just cheer you on—she gives you the mindset tools and mirror you need to take your next bold step. In this Episode, You'll Discover... Why you might be operating at only 60% of your potential 3 massive lies keeping pet biz owners playing small What real empowerment for dog walking business owners looks like (spoiler: it’s not perfection) How to lead with your full self—messy, loud, intuitive, and powerful The exact mindset shift to stop outsourcing your worth How to start showing up now (yes, before you feel “ready”) Timestamps: 00:00 – Why Bella’s stepping away from strategy talk and straight into truth. 00:46 – Recognizing the whispers that say "there's more"—and what to do about them. 03:08 – The truth that sparked this entire episode on empowerment for dog walking business owners. 06:00 – The behind-the-scenes crack that changed everything. 8:00 – The 3 big lies entrepreneurs believe about power and success13:00 – What happens when you fully step into your power Notable Quotes: “You are not behind. You’re just underclaimed.” “Real power isn’t polished. It’s raw.” “Your power doesn’t push people away—it calls the right ones closer.” “You don’t get to live a powerful life by default. You have to choose it.” “If you’re waiting to be more ready—stop. Readiness is a decision, not a checklist.” Resources & Links Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net Connect on IG: @bellavasta Book a complimentary 20-min strategy call.  Join the Mastermind Did You Love This Episode? Did this episode hit home? Share it on Instagram and tag @BellaVasta with your biggest takeaway using #BellaInYourBusiness. Let's create a ripple effect of empowered leadership in the pet industry! Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript Bella Vasta:Welcome to another episode of Bella In Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today I'm going to take a little bit of a break from going full-fledged on AI. This is going to be more of a heart episode. You guys tend to love it when I do these, so we're going to kind of move into that today. We're going to go deeper than just pet sitting strategies, deeper than the hiring systems. This is all part of the empowerment for dog walking business owners. I've got something on my heart that needs to be said. I've been talking to a lot of you, and the real thing is, most of you are operating at about 60% of your power. And I think you even know it, but you're not sure what to do about it. You feel that whisper—that nagging voice—that says, There’s more. There has to be more to everything I’m building, to life, to what I’m doing. But you shush it. Maybe it's business or maybe it's kids. It might be expectations from other people. Maybe it's all the bills. Buckle up, Buttercup, because in the next 20 minutes, we’re going to stop pretending. We’re going to claim our power, and I’m going to show you exactly how. I’m not just going to talk about it. Because if I only motivate you or get you excited,

Ever wish you could clone yourself in your pet sitting business so you could finally get off the phone, still book new clients, and stop repeating the same info 1,000 times a week? In this episode, we’re talking about making that wish a real, scalable reality. I’m sitting down with George B. Thomas, the human behind an AI-powered clone that literally talks, teaches, and problem-solves as him—because it is him. This tech isn’t cold and creepy. It’s warm, human, and helpful. Trust me, I talked to his clone and forgot it wasn’t actually George. That’s how good it is. And YES, you could totally do this in your pet biz. Imagine giving your clients 24/7 access to "you"—your knowledge, your answers, your heart—even when you're knee-deep in litter boxes. In this episode, you’ll discover: How cloning yourself doesn’t replace you, it amplifies you Why AI-powered voice clones are a game-changer for solopreneurs and pet pros The exact tech George used to create his digital twin (yes, with a phone number!) How to train a clone using your beliefs, voice, and values Ways you can use this in your own pet biz: sales calls, client FAQs, team training, and more Timestamps 2:30 – Bella discovers George’s clone and has a real conversation with it 7:00 – What cloning could mean for pet sitters juggling leashes and sales calls 9:00 – George explains how he built his clone (and how YOU can too) 14:00 – The mindset shift you need before you build your AI twin 24:00 – How clones can support your team AND delight your clients Notable Quotes “I’m not using it to replace me. I’m using it to scale me and augment me.” – George B. Thomas “Imagine your clients calling an AI version of you to ask for dog walking info—anytime, in any language.” – Bella Vasta Resources & Links Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs Email Bella: bella@jumpconsulting.net Connect on IG: @bellavasta Try George’s clone at helper.georgebthomas.com George B. Thomas HubSpot Helper Growth AI Clone Access Jump Consulting Mastermind Did You Love This Episode? Want more content like this? Join our Mastermind or book a 1:1 coaching session. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript [00:00] Bella Vasta: Um. Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. I have something interesting for you today. Bella Vasta: The thing is is. I have not actually had a guest on my podcast for a very long time. You are going to be so excited for what I'm about to bring you today because I was George B. Thomas is here with us today, and he doesn't know it yet. But the day that this all came down I was having a pretty crappy day. Bella Vasta: And he came across my feed sharing a screenshot of something that was basically throwing out an 800 number and saying like, Call my my clone, and I was like what. And so I called. This number had a 3 min, total natural conversation with what I thought literally felt like George. That's how good it was. Bella Vasta: And I instantly jumped into my mastermind, called it back. Did a whole video on it, and then begged, actually asked his clone if he would come on my podcast and here we are without further ado. George B. Thomas, how are you, my friend? George B. Thomas: Bella, I'm doing great. I'm super honored to be here to be honest with you. This whole um. Journey that you just explained was both fun and enlightening... [00:05] George B. Thomas: ...It just shows the power of when you take the time to lean in and try to innovate in your business, and play. Just play around and see what can happen. George B. Thomas: What really fills my heart with joy is. You said you were having a bad day, and then all of a sudden, you interacted with the clone, and you were having a better day... Bella Vasta: It's so amazing. And I love that you just mentioned that, too... George B. Thomas: Yeah,

In this episode of Bella In Your Business, Bella Vasta uncovers a crucial topic: confirmation bias with AI for pet sitting business. As AI tools like ChatGPT become everyday business assistants, it’s easy to fall into the trap of asking for help—but only receiving validation. Bella explains how confirmation bias with AI happens when we subconsciously train our tools to agree with us, rather than challenge us. For pet business owners, this can lead to recycled ideas, weak strategies, and stagnant growth. The episode explores how to detect confirmation bias with AI, with five clear warning signs every entrepreneur should know. Bella shares how to reset your relationship with AI by prompting it to act like a coach or devil’s advocate—not a digital yes-man. Listeners will walk away with real-world prompts and tools to stop confirmation bias with AI from creeping into their content, pricing, or marketing plans. Bella also shares how to use mid-conversation checkpoints to keep your AI from slipping into echo chamber mode. Whether you're building a new service, planning growth, or brainstorming content, understanding confirmation bias with AI is essential to success. Bella empowers pet sitters to turn AI into a strategic ally that encourages true growth and deeper thinking—not just surface-level reassurance. If you want to get the most out of AI and avoid the pitfall of confirmation bias with AI, this is a must-listen. Get ready for tough love, bold reframes, and tangible tools that will make your next AI convo actually valuable. In this episode, you’ll discover: How confirmation bias creeps into AI use and decision-making Five telltale signs you're stuck in an AI echo chamber Real prompts to make your AI act more like a strategist than a cheerleader How to set AI "ground rules" and use mid-chat checks to recalibrate How to turn AI into a powerful, strategic ally for your pet sitting business Timestamps 00:00 – Bella opens with a fire-starting question about AI agreement01:00 – What confirmation bias has to do with ChatGPT03:00 – Why feeling validated isn’t always progress05:00 – 5 red flags you’re in an echo chamber07:00 – The prompts that reprogram your AI for challenge09:00 – Mid-chat checkpoints to shake things up11:00 – Real examples across business, content, and personal growth13:00 – How to set up your default AI to think like a coach or consultant15:00 – Bella’s final challenge: Revisit your past chats and rip them apart Notable Quotes "True growth in your business, in leadership, in life—it comes from friction, not reassurance." "You're not just asking AI to agree with you. You're asking it to challenge you. That's where the magic happens." "The only thing worse than bad advice is advice that tells you exactly what you already believe."  Resources & Links Bella’s AI Bot Class: How to Create Your Own GPTs Email Bella: bella @jumpconsulting.net Connect on IG: @bellavasta Did You Love This Episode? Screenshot this episode and tag @bellavasta with your biggest takeaway!Or better yet—take on Bella’s challenge:Open ChatGPT right now and type: “Tell me why this idea sucks.”Then come back and tell Bella what you discovered. She's dying to know. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: Transcript Bella Vasta:Welcome to another episode of Bella In Your Business. I have a question: When was the last time you told ChatGPT or AI not to agree with you? If you're like most business owners I work with, the answer is probably never. And I get it. We're all wired to seek validation—to hear those sweet, sweet words of agreement—and not really be challenged. If we were challenged, we might not use it all the time. But it could be costing you big time. Today I want to talk about that, because a lot of people are starting to use AI. I'm going to say AI and ChatGPT, but I'm going to use ChatGPT kind of like how you use Kleene...