Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast with Dominic Hodgson Barkleigh Productions

Do you want to know how top professionals are navigating the challenges and seizing opportunities in pet boarding and daycare?







Have you ever wondered if it’s worth leaving your facility, jumping on a plane to attend a pet care expo? 







Then get ready to be inspired by real-life examples, as you hear from pet care business owners just like you, who are this week attending the PB & D expo in Nevada!







Dom Hodgson is broadcasting live from the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West in Las Vegas, as he brings you a dynamic episode packed with insightful interviews, expert tips, and first-hand experiences from industry leaders.







You'll hear personal stories from various pet care professionals who have travelled from all corners of the USA, to join in the magic that only happens at a Barkleigh expo, each sharing their unique journeys and the values that have shaped their business.







Dom is also joined by his son, ‘Producer Toby’, who is attending in an official capacity for the first time, and they immerse themselves in the excitement of the Expo.







Tune in to hear the Pet Biz Wiz reconnect with familiar faces and meet new friends, and he also shares six game-changing marketing secrets from Sin City, that you can use to promote your local pet services…







In this episode, we explore:









Vegas Vibes: Experience the energy and excitement of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West as Dom and youngest son Toby hit the expo floor.











Groomer to Boarder: A third-generation dog groomer from Illinois, Caprice Harden shares her journey from grooming to starting a specialized boarding service for small dogs.











Pet Ranch Pioneer: David Weiss discusses how he transformed Four Paws Pet Ranch into an award-winning facility in Santa Rosa, California.











Pet Spa Success: Sherry Barnett from Santa Fe, New Mexico, talks about her 30-year journey in pet care and the importance of continuous learning and attending industry events.











From Horses to Hounds: Learn how Kelly and Sam transitioned from horse boarding to a successful dog boarding business.







Rover and Out: Discover how Kate is leveraging (and moving on from) her experience using Rover to expand into a commercial pet care facility.







Pet Resort Growth: Eyal Cohen talks about expanding his pet resort business, the importance of team development, and the benefits of attending industry expos







Marketing Magic: Dom shares six essential marketing lessons from his experiences in Las Vegas that can transform your business.









The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. Why not head down to the Horseshoe right now to attend the final two days of the Las Vegas Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo, and check out the amazing trade show floor, to register go to petboardingexpowest, or, register on the door for the event.







Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro.







PackPro provide Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com







To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his exclusive pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com







You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare...

Does the thought of raising your pet care prices send chills down your spine? 







Are you constantly wrestling with your pricing strategy, worried it might turn customers away?







\Do you wonder how high is too high when it comes to setting service rates in your pet care business?







If inflation and rising costs are eating into your margins, and you are unsure about how to tackle a price increase, then you are in the right place, because in this week’s power-packed episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast, Dom Hodgson dives deep into the world of premium pricing and its transformative impact on your business.







You’ll discover how everything is tied to pricing in your business. The more you charge, and the more creative you are with upsells, cross-sells and promotions, the easier it is to fund the growth of your business, invest in staff, ongoing training, and facility upgrades.







If you know you should be charging more, but don’t know how to increase prices without losing clients, then this masterclass is the answer to your pet business prayers.







Join us as we explore:









Pricing Psychology: Understand the fears and misconceptions that hold you back from charging what you’re truly worth.











Strategic Pricing Models: Learn about dynamic pricing, charm pricing, and why cost-plus pricing might be limiting your growth.











Client Perception and Pricing: How to position your business to attract clients who value quality over cost and are happy to pay premium prices for top-tier service.











Premium Pricing Secrets: Dom shares his expert strategies on how to elevate your pricing without losing clients but instead lock their loyalty!











Pricing Pitfalls to Avoid: Why you should ignore industry standards, price calculators and competitors prices…











Leveraging Luxury: How to market high-end services that justify higher prices and attract a more affluent clientele.









This episode is not just about numbers; it's about confidently claiming your value in a competitive market.







We’ll break down the real elements that dictate pricing, from market positioning to understanding the psychology of your affluent clientele.







Also, in this episode, my good buddy Fernando Camacho stops by to preview the awesome presentation we are doing together on Monday of the Expo week, and Rebecca Shipman from Barkleigh talks through some of the package options, and what you can expect if it’s your first time visiting the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo... 







The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo, go to petboardingexpowest







Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsors Pack Pro and Pet Resort Hospitality Group.







PackPro provide Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com







Pet Resort Hospitality Group are building a family of the highest quality Pet Boarding & Daycare brands in North America. If you want to know what the future of your business could look like if you ever want to sell, then reach out to PRHG by going to petresorts.love

Are you overwhelmed by the financial complexities of starting your pet care business?







Do you find the maze of banking options for start-ups confusing and intimidating?







Are you worried it’s too early, or you are leaving it too late to talk to someone about financing?







If these questions are keeping you up at night, then today's episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast is tailor-made for you.







Dom is joined by Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank, who will unveil critical banking strategies and insights crucial for every new pet care entrepreneur.







Dom and Claire talk about everything from project conception, contingency funds, construction through to closing, and Claire shares why the team at Live Oak do everything they can to not only put you into business, but also ensure you are able stay in a stable, sustainable, successful pet business.







In this episode, you'll learn about:









Easy Peasy Email: In Dog News Dom shares how to turn newspaper stories into simple ‘non-salesy’ emails that leverage customer loyalty











Heather Beck Preview: This year’s PBD Expo keynote speaker pops by to share her cool origin story 











Banking Basics for Start-ups: Claire demystifies the first steps that business owners need to know when stepping into the world of financing a facility.







Navigating Financial Pitfalls: Discover the common financial mistakes and how to avoid them, ensuring a smooth start for your venture.











Early Bird Banking Tip: At what stage in your pet business journey should you contact a bank representative?







Why Starting Small is Starting Smart: Learn why Claire and the team will help you create a business plan that enables you to scale as you grow.







Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Ask: Claire outlines the must-ask questions to ensure your banking decisions align perfectly with your business goals.









Dom is also joined by expert dog trainer, Heather Beck, and Rebecca Shipman from Barkleigh stops by to talk more about the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas—where knowledge meets opportunity!







Show guests Heather Beck, Claire Cronin and Rebecca Shipman will all be attending the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo which is happening in Vegas, May 20-23. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest







Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsor Pack Pro. PackPro provide 







Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com







Huge thanks to Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank for sharing her wisdom. Connect with Claire and the Live Oak Team at LiveOak.Bank







Thank you to Heather Beck for sharing her story. Learn more about Heather at HeathersHeroes







To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his exclusive pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com







You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com







Episode Time Stamps:









00:51 – Introduction and who is in today’s show

Are you tired of spinning your wheels on social media without seeing any real growth in your pet care business?







Wondering how to effectively convert your social media efforts into tangible business results?







Do you feel despondent when your like, loves, hearts and views fail to convert into paying clients?







Most pet business owners agree that social media marketing is fast, free and easy to use. But, it’s also noisy, overcrowded, and because all of your competitors are using social, it makes it really difficult to stand out…







So, if you’re want to turn likes and views into better customers and bigger profits, then you need to leverage social media into a broader marketing strategy…this episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast will show you how. 







Dom sits down with Scarlet Rockwood, a leading social media strategist, who will share her proven blueprint for social media success in the pet industry. Get ready to revamp your approach and see real results!







In this episode, you'll learn about:









Celebration as Strategy: Discover how marking milestones in your business can create buzz and strengthen client loyalty 











Beyond Basics: Why simply posting on social media isn't enough—discover strategies to create compelling content that converts.







Video Rocks!: Skarlet shares why you should prioritize video content on your social media platforms.







Why Social Isn’t Scary: How to easily connect with local pet parents by giving them a behind the scenes ‘peak’ into your business







List Building Lessons: Why you should funnel people off Facebook and Instagram and onto your email list. 











Marketing Ecosystems: Understand how to integrate your social media with other marketing channels for maximum impact.









Social media marketing will be one of the topics being covered at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest







Thank you to Skarlet Rockwood for sharing her expertise and insights. Learn more about Skarlet at SkarletRockwood







If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery







Huge thanks to this week’s show sponsor Forever Stainless Steel. Forever Stainless Steel is the world’s quality leader in animal bathtubs and related systems. Find out more about how their innovative systems can help your pet business by going to Foreverstainlesssteel.com







To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com







You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com







Episode Time Stamps









01.00 – Coming up in today’s show…







03.41 – How to use business birthdays to sell services







06.13 - Sponsor Message from Forever Stainless Steel







07.22  - PB & D Magazine May/June rundown







12.00 - How to register for Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo West







13.22 – Meet Skarlet Rockwood, social media expert 







19.20 – Why Skarlet niched to the pet industry

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the possibilities in the pet industry?







Need inspiration how you can innovate within your existing business model?







Wondering how you can diversify your pet care business to increase revenue and reduce burnout?







Then, tune in to this week's episode where we dive deep into the art of pet business diversification, with the dynamic Eve Molzhon from Dog Handler Academy.







Eve worked in corporate sales and marketing before getting into the dog industry with Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. She needed a place to raise foster puppies in bulk so she could work on training them outside of her house, so in 2013 her first pet business, Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare was born.







Since then, Eve’s passion for pets has multiplied into successful pet care business ventures including an enrichment based daycare, a dog training business and an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program; Dog Handler Academy. She also created 2nd Chance to Shine, a non-profit organization that provides basic manners training and social rehabilitation to several dogs who are currently in rescues throughout the Midwest.







Eve shares key lessons from her entire business journey including, how to hire for your culture, the challenges of marketing brick and mortar pet business vs selling online training programs, and how she gets so much done by leveraging a virtual team!







In this episode, you'll learn about:









Diversification Mastery: How Eve expanded from a traditional daycare to licensing a unique dog school model and why diversification is key to sustainability in business.







Automation for Efficiency: Insights into creating an automated online training platform that serves thousands internationally, reducing workload and enhancing training consistency.







Strategic Expansion: The thought process behind opening multiple business types, from dog schools to posh pet country clubs, and how each caters to different market needs.







Future-Proofing Your Business: Eve's approach to staying ahead by planning future ventures that address untapped market niches and current client demands.







Blueprint for Success: Dive into how Eve strategically transformed a simple dog daycare into a diverse portfolio of specialized services, setting a new standard in the pet industry.







Beyond the Business: Uncover Eve's philosophy on work-life balance and how she manages multiple ventures while still finding time for new projects, personal growth and her family.









Eve's story is not just inspiring; it's a blueprint for anyone in the pet industry looking to expand their horizons and innovate within their businesses.







This week’s podcast guest, Eve will be joining us at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest







Thank you to Eve Molzhon for sharing her expertise and insights. Learn more about Eve and Dog Handler Academy at DogHandlerAcademy







If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery







Thanks to this week’s show sponsor Pet Resort Hospitality Group. PRHG are building a family of the highest quality Pet Boarding & Daycare brands in North America.

Are you stuck in the daily grind of your pet business, wondering if there's a better way to operate?







Do you feel like your pet care business could use a burst of creativity to help you stand out in a crowded market?







Are you looking for an edge but keep getting dragged into the day-to-day tasks, and never have time to develop your business?







If so, this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast will help give your business the creative boost it needs, because we are diving into the world of innovation. 







Dom is joined by Alex McKinnon, a seasoned innovator with years of experience at companies like Braun. Alex brings a wealth of knowledge about breaking conventional patterns and injecting creative strategies into your pet care practices.







You will discover Alex’s ten innovation principles that will help you create an environment and culture, where business breakthroughs can thrive.







Dom also shares the story of his own pet care innovations, and some of the most successful business and marketing innovations he has engineered for his clients, including induction programs and recurring revenue memberships.  







In this episode, we explore:









Innovation Origins: Explore how Alex McKinnon invented a new feeding system to help boarding businesses with hygiene, staffing and profitability 







Cross-Industry Insights: Learn how to apply successful strategies from non-pet related industries to your pet care business for fresh, impactful results.







Creative Culture: Discover how fostering a creative work environment at your facility can lead to innovative ideas from your team members.







Risk and Reward: Gain insights into balancing risk with potential rewards, helping you make bold decisions that lead to business growth.







Sustainability in Innovation: Understand the importance of sustainable practices within innovative business models to ensure long-term success and minimal environmental impact.







Client-Centric Innovation: Find out how to centre your innovations around client needs and expectations to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.







Principles of Innovation: Alex unveils his top 10 essentials of innovation, providing you with a roadmap to reimagine every aspect of your pet business.







Newsjacking Content Hack: Learn how to repurpose dog stories from around the world to help you create content that sells your enrichment services.









If you’re ready to transform the way you think about your business and spark significant change, this episode is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and practical strategies that will help you unleash the full potential of your pet business through innovation.







This week’s podcast guest Alex McKinnon will be joining us at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas in May, which is prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest







Thank you to Alex McKinnon for sharing his expertise and insights. Learn more about Alex and his innovative Kleanbowl product for the pet industry at Kinninc.com







If you want to access Dom’s coaching and consulting services, and get more help with growing your pet care business, reach out to Dom at petbusinessmarketing.com/discovery







Huge thanks to this week’s show sponsor Forever Stainless Steel.