DogCo Secrets

Michelle Kline
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Ready to scale your pet care business? Practical advice you can implement easily and quickly to 10x the growth of your business, musings on the current state of the pet care industry, and all the tips and tricks I've learned from coaching over 200 companies in the last two years.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Repost: Client Retention with Joey Coleman | Ep. 113

    What if the biggest growth opportunity in your business this year isn’t more leads, but keeping the people you already have, both your clients and your team? In this conversation with bestselling author Joey Coleman, we dive deep into client retention, employee retention, customer experience, AI, automation, relationship-building, and what actually creates loyalty in 2026. This episode originally aired earlier in the DogCo Secrets podcast, but honestly? It may be even MORE relevant now. As more businesses race toward automation, AI systems, and scale-at-all-costs growth models, Joey brings the conversation back to something timeless: humans want to feel seen, valued, remembered, and connected. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Why this conversation matters even more in 2026 01:20 – Meet Joey Coleman & his background 05:20 – Why humans are “beautiful and messy” 07:40 – Curiosity before criticism 11:30 – Transactional vs relational businesses 16:50 – AI, automation & the danger of losing connection 19:00 – Why businesses obsess over acquisition instead of retention 27:00 – Building loyalty through identity & belonging 35:20 – The easiest retention strategy almost everyone ignores 40:20 – Why the basics still outperform “fancy” strategies We also talk about: 🐾 Why pet care businesses are uniquely positioned for retention 📈 The dangerous obsession with customer acquisition 🤖 AI vs real relationship-building 🧠 Curiosity vs assumptions in leadership 💡 Why remarkable businesses obsess over small moments 📸 The retention power of simple client touchpoints 🔥 Why most “advanced” strategies fail without basics Joey is officially returning for the 2026 DogCo Summit. Want to get in on the action? Get your in-person or virtual tickets: https://dogcosummit.com If you’ve ever struggled with churn, team culture, scaling relationships, or building a business people genuinely want to stay with, this one is packed. This conversation with Joey Coleman is a powerful reminder that sustainable growth is built through relationships, not just acquisition. The businesses that win in 2026 will be the ones that make people feel valued long after the initial transaction or hiring date. If you want to build a business people genuinely want to stay connected to, this episode is packed with insight. -M

    46 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    The Only 3 Tools You Need In Your Pet Care Business | Ep. 112

    In this episode, I’m breaking down the three pieces of software I would use if I had to run a pet care business as simply and effectively as possible. There are a lot of tools out there, and it’s easy to overcomplicate your tech stack. But if your goal is to grow and scale, you don’t need everything, you need the right things working together.   I walk through the three core systems I believe are non-negotiable, a pet care software to run your operations, a dedicated team communication platform to replace text messaging, and a scheduling or CRM tool to streamline how clients book with you. We also get into why delaying these decisions can cost you growth, how the right systems improve both team experience and client experience, and where you can start simple versus where it might make sense to build something more advanced over time. If you’re trying to clean up your operations or feel like things are more complicated than they need to be, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters. 🧠 Key Takeaways • You don’t need a large tech stack to scale effectively • A pet care software is a non-negotiable for growth • The right system can directly increase revenue • Text messaging is not a sustainable team communication tool • Centralized communication improves clarity and culture • Scheduling tools reduce friction in the sales process • Letting clients book directly increases efficiency and conversions • CRMs can add power, but simplicity wins early on • Systems should support both your team and your clients • Start simple, then layer complexity as needed 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about building a more efficient, scalable pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th 📍Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com –M

    8 min

  3. 4 MAY

    4 Things I got Wrong in 2026 | Ep. 111

    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit and sharing four assumptions I made coming into 2026 that either weren’t correct or should have been on my radar earlier. This year has already forced a lot of growth for me, and I’m realizing that some of the biggest lessons aren’t about what’s working, they’re about what I missed.   I walk through everything from the identity shift required when your team scales quickly, to how changes in AI and search are impacting lead flow, to some personal decisions around travel and energy that didn’t play out the way I expected. We also get into a tactical miss around marketing cadence, specifically how stepping away from audience building too early created friction when it came time to promote something new. If you’re in a season of growth or things feel a little messy right now, this episode will help you think more clearly about what might be happening underneath the surface and how to adjust. And if you’re looking to grow alongside other operators who are thinking this way, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Why I’m reflecting this early into the year 1:30 – The “messy middle” of growth 2:00 – Mistake #1: Not making the identity shift to CEO 4:20 – Leading vs collaborating inside a growing team 6:00 – Mistake #2: Misreading changes in SEO and AI discovery 8:00 – Why lead flow has shifted in 2026 9:30 – Mistake #3: Overloading the first half of the year with travel 12:00 – The cost of poor energy and calendar planning 13:30 – Mistake #4: Neglecting audience building early in the year 15:30 – Give vs ask, and why marketing felt off 🧠 Key Takeaways • Rapid growth requires an identity shift as a leader • You can’t scale a team while operating like an individual contributor • How businesses get discovered online is changing quickly • SEO alone is no longer a reliable lead source • Asking better questions early leads to better decisions • Poor calendar planning creates unnecessary stress and risk • Energy management is just as important as strategy • Audience building must happen before you need it • Giving value consistently builds trust and conversion • Marketing without value feels forced and less effective 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about growing your pet care business and want to be around others navigating similar challenges, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com –M

    17 min

  4. 1 MAY

    How I Doubled My Team's Tips | Ep. 110

    In this episode, I’m sharing one of the more controversial strategies I’ve used in my business, and one that had a direct impact on increasing take-home pay for my team. As a business owner, there are real limits to how much you can increase wages without putting pressure on your margins. I ran into that ceiling myself, and instead of pushing further on hourly pay, I started asking a different question: how can I increase what my team takes home in a way the business can actually sustain?   That led me to rethink how tipping works inside a service business, and more specifically, how systems influence behavior. In this episode, I walk through the exact shift I made, moving from an “opt-in” tipping model to an “opt-out” system, and how that simple change significantly increased tips for my team. We also talk about the concept of friction, how small barriers inside your systems shape client decisions, and why where you place that friction matters. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and I want you to make the decision that feels aligned for your business. But if you’re looking for ways to better support your team financially without breaking your model, this is worth thinking about. 🧠 Key Takeaways • Wage increases are often limited by business margins • Systems can influence behavior more than intention alone • Opt-out models typically outperform opt-in models • Friction determines what actions clients take or avoid • Small system changes can create a significant financial impact • Tipping can be structured intentionally, not left to chance • Supporting your team may require creative problem-solving • Transparency is key when implementing changes like this 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about building a stronger, more sustainable pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com

    7 min

  5. 27 APR

    Knowing When to Invest & When to Play it Safe | Ep. 109

    In this episode, I’m breaking down when it actually makes sense to invest in your business, and when it doesn’t. I’m very pro-investment, but there is nuance, and knowing the difference is what allows you to grow strategically instead of reactively.   I walk through three scenarios where investing tends to make sense, including when you see a clear return, when you’re solving a specific skill gap, and when an investment frees up your time. We also get into the other side of this, the conditions where you should be more cautious, especially around financial stability, lack of savings, or being behind on taxes. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to put your time or money, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to make those decisions. If you’re ready to take your business seriously and surround yourself with other operators doing the same, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. We’re bringing together top speakers and real operators to help you grow and scale with clarity. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Why investing needs more nuance 1:30 – Time vs money as forms of investment 3:00 – Infinite opportunities, limited resources 4:00 – The DogCo Business Summit announcement 5:15 – Scenario 1: Clear return on investment (80/20) 7:00 – Why data matters before spending money 8:30 – Scenario 2: Closing a specific skill gap 10:15 – Scenario 3: Buying back your time 12:00 – When NOT to invest (financial stability, savings, taxes) 14:30 – Final framework for making better decisions 🧠 Key Takeaways • Not all investments are created equal • Time is often your most expensive resource • Invest more into what produces disproportionate returns • Data should guide your financial decisions • Solving a clear skill gap can justify investment • Buying back your time creates long-term leverage • Avoid “panic investing” without clear direction • Financial stability should come before major risk • Savings create flexibility in decision-making • Strategic thinking leads to better long-term growth 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about growing your pet care business and want to be around others doing the same, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. October 2nd–4th, 2026 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Learn more at: https://dogcosummit.com -M

    16 min

  6. 24 APR

    Top 3 Takeaways from My Conversation with Steve Beck | Ep. 108

    In this episode, I’m breaking down my top three takeaways from my recent conversation with Steve Beck, and why I think they matter so much for how you lead your business right now. The biggest one is this, avoiding hard conversations is often the real bottleneck in your business. Not operations, not marketing, not lead flow, but the things you know need to be addressed and haven’t.   I also talk about why inconsistent feedback creates bigger problems over time, and how normalizing feedback early and often changes the entire dynamic of your team. And finally, we get into something that I think is non-negotiable for leaders, you cannot create psychological safety for your team if you are not practicing it yourself. This episode is a quick reflection, but it’s one I’d encourage you to take seriously. If something here stands out to you, it’s probably worth addressing directly. 🧠 Key Takeaways • Avoiding hard conversations creates hidden bottlenecks in your business • People problems are often the root of stalled growth • Inconsistent feedback makes small issues harder to fix later • Frequent feedback makes teams stronger and more adaptable • Leaders set the tone for how feedback is received • Psychological safety starts with the leader, not the team • You can’t expect vulnerability if you’re not modeling it • Addressing problems early prevents bigger breakdowns 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If this episode resonated, this is exactly the kind of work we’re diving deeper into at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th, 2026 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com

    8 min

  7. 20 APR

    How Hard Conversations Can Save Your Business with Steve Beck | Ep. 107

    In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Beck: someone I’ve known for a long time and someone whose work has become incredibly relevant for the clients I serve today. We talk about one of the most overlooked challenges in growing a team, navigating people, conflict, and communication in a way that actually moves the business forward.   If you’ve ever felt like your business got harder as you added more people, or like you accidentally became a “people leader” without being trained for it, this conversation will resonate. Steve shares how most team issues don’t come from big moments; they come from a lack of clarity, avoided conversations, and delayed feedback. We also get into what actually creates psychological safety on a team, why insecurity shows up in leadership, and how to start addressing problems earlier, before they become much harder to fix. This is one of those conversations that will challenge how you think about leadership, not from a theory standpoint, but from what actually happens inside real teams. Learn more about Steve on his Website: 👉 https://www.cstevebeck.com ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Introducing Steve Beck + why this conversation matters 2:00 – From loving animals to managing people 4:30 – Why most people problems are actually preventable 7:30 – The real friction point: lack of clarity and expectations 10:00 – Why feedback breakdowns create team issues 12:45 – Can leaders create psychological safety? 14:30 – Signs ego is driving your leadership 16:00 – Avoiding hard conversations and the cost 17:45 – “Everything you want is on the other side of a hard conversation” 19:30 – Courage vs fear in leadership 22:00 – Why avoidance turns into resentment 25:00 – How to normalize feedback early 27:30 – Catching problems before they compound 30:00 – How great teams review and improve consistently 31:30 – What Steve hopes for businesses in 2026 🧠 Key Takeaways • Most team issues come from delayed or avoided conversations • Clarity of expectations prevents the majority of conflict • Leadership requires a completely different skill set than execution • Psychological safety starts with the leader • Insecurity shows up as reactivity or avoidance • Hard conversations are unavoidable if you want to grow • Feedback should be frequent, not reserved for big problems • Avoidance leads to resentment and bigger breakdowns • Strong teams normalize feedback in all directions • Growth requires courage, not the absence of fear 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If this conversation hit for you, this is exactly the type of work we’re going deeper into at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th, 2026 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina Steve will be speaking live, and we’ll be working through these exact challenges, leadership, communication, and building stronger teams. 👉 https://dogcosummit.com -M

    37 min

  8. 17 APR

    My Number 1 Rule on Feedback | Ep. 106

    In this episode, I’m sharing a simple rule we use at DogCo that has had a significant impact on how our team operates: if you have feedback to give, give it within 24 hours. Most issues inside a team aren’t big at the start, they become big because no one addressed them early. They are often a result of avoided conversations, delayed feedback, and an attempt to keep things comfortable in the moment, which creates much bigger problems later.   This episode is about normalizing feedback as part of your culture, not something that only happens when things go wrong. When feedback is consistent, timely, and expected, it becomes easier to give, easier to receive, and far less emotionally charged. If you want a stronger team, better communication, and fewer “hard conversations,” this is a rule worth implementing. 🧠 Key Takeaways • Delayed feedback creates bigger problems over time • Most “hard conversations” could be avoided with earlier input • Feedback should be normalized, not reserved for mistakes • Timely feedback reduces emotional weight and tension • Consistency builds trust across a team • Avoiding feedback limits growth and clarity • Feedback is one of the most valuable tools for development • Strong teams are built on clear, ongoing communication 🚀 Join Me at the DogCo Business Summit If you’re serious about building a stronger team and scaling your pet care business, I want you in the room at the DogCo Business Summit. 📍 October 2nd–4th 📍 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 👉 https://dogcosummit.com

    6 min
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About

Ready to scale your pet care business? Practical advice you can implement easily and quickly to 10x the growth of your business, musings on the current state of the pet care industry, and all the tips and tricks I've learned from coaching over 200 companies in the last two years.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Kline
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Michelle Kline
  • Show Website
    DogCo Secrets

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