Pet Sitter Confessional

Pet Sitter Confessional, LLC
  • 4.9 (103)
  • Personal Journals
  • Weekly

Pet Sitter Confessional is the go-to podcast for pet sitters who want to grow, learn, and feel seen. Having run a pet sitting and dog walking business since 2012, Meghan and Collin share the real, behind-the-scenes life of professional pet sitting—from funny mishaps and tough lessons to business insights and personal stories. Each week, they also interview fellow sitters and industry pros to explore what it really takes to thrive in pet care. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, you'll find support, inspiration, and a community that truly gets it. Your story belongs here, too!

  1. 2d ago

    Building for Sustainable Growth with Max Vickers and Nelson Kahr

    What does it take to build a pet care business where clients, sitters, and owners never have to guess what happens next? Max Vickers and Nelson Kahr share how they are building Paige's In-Home Pet Care in Illinois and Bentonville Pet Care in Arkansas while adapting their systems to two very different markets. They discuss why listening is at the heart of sales, how simply answering the phone can dramatically improve conversion, and why professional pet care has to communicate its value beyond price. Max and Nelson also explain their rigorous approach to hiring, sitter accountability, technology, and creating enough operational capacity before pursuing additional growth. Their experience is a reminder that sustainable expansion comes from continually refining the systems that create peace of mind for both clients and the people providing the care. Main topics: Building Capacity Before Growth Selling Through Better Listening Answering Every Client Call Hiring for Reliable Care Creating Systems Without Guesswork Main takeaway: "We want to be able to give them what they're buying for, which is peace of mind and love for their pets and animals." This is the heart of professional pet care. Clients aren't simply purchasing a 30-minute visit, an overnight stay, or a dog walk. They're purchasing the ability to leave home knowing someone dependable is going to show up, follow the instructions, communicate clearly, and genuinely care about their pets. Creating that peace of mind requires more than loving animals. It takes intentional hiring, strong systems, accountability, communication, and enough capacity to deliver what you've promised. In this episode of Pet Sitter Confessional, Nelson Kahr and Max Vickers share what they're learning while building pet care businesses in two different states—and why their goal is to create a service where the client, sitter, and business owner never have to guess what's happening. About our guests: Max Vickers is the co-founder of Paige's In-Home Pet Care in Illinois and Bentonville Pet Care in Arkansas. After years of using different pet care providers with his wife Paige and their own rescue pets, Max saw an opportunity to build a professional service around reliability, strong processes, and exceptional care. His professional background in sales and technology influences his systems-oriented approach to operations, communication, automation, and growth. He is focused on building businesses with the infrastructure and capacity to grow without sacrificing the client experience. Nelson Kahr is the co-founder of Bentonville Pet Care and has been caring for pets professionally since one of his first jobs after moving to the United States. Originally from Venezuela, Nelson later built a career in technology and sales, including work at Amazon, where he met Max. Now based in Bentonville, Arkansas, he combines his sales experience with a lifelong love of animals to help build a professional pet care company focused on communication, reliability, and peace of mind. Nelson remains active in the field so he can understand firsthand what great care should look like for both clients and sitters. Bentonville Pet Care's current website identifies Nelson and Max as founders and pet sitters and describes the company's focus on customized, professional in-home care.  Paige's In-Home Pet Care similarly describes its mission around reliability, professionalism, and providing the standard of care the owners expect for their own animals. Links: Bentonville Pet Care — Pet sitting, dog walking, and cat drop-ins in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. BentonvillePetCare.com⁠ Paige's In-Home Pet Care — In-home pet sitting, dog walking, and cat care in Illinois. PaigesPetCare.com⁠ Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months   Pet Sitters International- Visit https://www.petsit.com/psc

    Building for Sustainable Growth with Max Vickers and Nelson Kahr

  2. 5d ago

    The Enforcer and the Encourager: Your Team Needs Both

    Does your team experience you as an enforcer, an encourager, or both? We discuss why maintaining high standards and recognizing good work are two essential responsibilities of leading a pet care team. We explore how the vigilance that helped us build our businesses can keep our attention on mistakes while everyday contributions go unnoticed. We share practical ways to offer specific appreciation, recognize good judgment, and let encouragement stand on its own. Through honest reflection on our own leadership, we examine how to hold people accountable while helping them feel seen, supported, and equipped to succeed. Main topics: Balancing Accountability With Meaningful Encouragement Breaking the Negative Feedback Cycle Recognizing Good Judgment and Initiative Making Everyday Employee Contributions Visible Building Trust Through Specific Appreciation Main takeaway: "Our employees shouldn't have to make a mistake to get our attention." Our teams need us to uphold standards, address problems, and protect the quality of care we provide. They also need us to notice their thoughtful decisions, consistent effort, and everyday contributions. Both are part of our responsibility as leaders. It's easy to slip into being the enforcer when mistakes are what demand our attention. Becoming an encourager takes intentional attention, too. That might mean acknowledging someone's careful follow-through, recognizing a good judgment call, or explaining how their reliability supports the whole team. We can correct what needs to change and appreciate what's going well. In "The Enforcer and the Encourager: Your Team Needs Both," we talk about making space for both responsibilities as our pet care businesses grow. When your team hears from you, do they know there's room for encouragement, too? Links: Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!   Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days

    The Enforcer and the Encourager: Your Team Needs Both

  3. Oct 21

    The Minimum Viable Business Owner with Morgan Weber

    What does your team actually need from you as a business owner? Morgan Weber joins us to explore why one of the most important things we owe our employees is our own capacity; the time, energy, and resources necessary to lead well. We discuss how owner burnout quietly changes company culture, why delegation should never mean simply transferring your overwhelm to someone else, and how leaders can support employees without becoming their therapist. Morgan also explains the importance of protecting employees who struggle to hold their own boundaries and creating enough breathing room in the business to handle unexpected challenges. Ultimately, sustainable leadership means caring for your people while remembering that you are one of the people who needs care, too. Main topics: Protecting Your Leadership Capacity Preventing Employee Burnout Cycles Creating Healthy Workplace Boundaries Leading Through Overwhelming Seasons Building Sustainable Team Culture Main takeaway: "Our team deserves our capacity." Morgan Weber makes a powerful point in this episode: taking care of yourself as a business owner isn't separate from taking care of your team. When we're exhausted, overwhelmed, and operating without margin, that stress inevitably begins showing up in how we communicate, make decisions, and support our employees. But the solution isn't simply handing everything on our plate to someone else. If delegation only replaces our burnout with an employee's burnout, we haven't actually solved the problem. Sustainable leadership requires enough capacity to show up, provide resources, hold boundaries, and take care of the people who depend on us—including ourselves. About our guest: Morgan Weber is the founder of Luckypup Adventures, a pet sitting and dog walking company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which she started in 2013 while working as an architect. She is also the founder of Memory Flame Candle Company and co-owns a multi-location pet supply business with her husband. After more than a decade of building businesses in the pet care industry, Morgan also provides coaching to fellow pet business owners. Her work focuses heavily on sustainable business growth, leadership, team development, and building businesses that support the people inside them. Links: Luckypup Living: https://luckypupliving.com Instagram: @luckypup_pod Factor Meals: https://www.factor75.com https://pumble.com Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months   Tiny Paws Bookkeeping - visit TinyPawsBookkeeping.com to start putting profit first!

    The Minimum Viable Business Owner with Morgan Weber

  4. Oct 19

    Choose the Hard Work That Serves Your Business

    How do we know whether a hard season in our pet care business calls for patience, a change in direction, or a decision to stop? We share our experiences with hiring challenges, slow growth, and stepping back from a service we worked hard to build. We explore why effort does not guarantee success and why difficulty alone does not mean our business is failing. Along the way, we examine the struggles we create through unclear processes, low prices, and decisions we keep defending. We talk about staying connected to our mission, taking responsibility for difficult conversations, and practicing perseverance that leaves room to learn and adapt. Main topics: Distinguishing Difficulty From Business Failure Practicing Perseverance Without Becoming Stubborn Recognizing Hardships We Create Ourselves Facing Responsibilities Only Owners Carry Deciding When to Change Direction Main takeaway: The level of difficulty does not dictate success or failure in business and in life. Have you ever finished a long day of visits, answered the last message, and wondered whether all this effort is actually getting you somewhere? We've been there, too. A difficult season can leave us questioning our decisions, our abilities, and whether we're cut out for business ownership. Sometimes the work needs more time, repetition, and patience. Sometimes we need to fix a process, own a mistake, or admit that a service no longer supports the business we want to build. Our mission helps us evaluate those choices, even when the answer is uncomfortable. In this episode, we talk honestly about continuing, changing course, and allowing something to end. We can't promise that every effort will pay off, but we can keep asking what the experience is teaching us and what responsibility we need to take next. What is one hard thing in your business asking you to reconsider? Links: Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!   Critter to turn insights into action. Use 'PSC20' for 20% off your first three months

    Choose the Hard Work That Serves Your Business

  5. Oct 14

    Building for Family, Purpose, and the Future with Jillian and Bert Riegelsperger

    What does it look like to build a pet care business that means something beyond today's appointments and revenue? Jillian and Bert Riegelsperger, owners of Mama Jill's Pet Care in Smithfield, North Carolina, share how a desire for greater freedom grew into a family business rooted in trust, service, and a deeply personal mission. They discuss building sustainable pricing and boundaries, maintaining high standards inside clients' homes, and balancing their very different strengths as husband-and-wife business owners. Jillian also shares how the loss of her brother Stephen shaped the business's connection to suicide prevention and their desire to remind people that they matter. Together, they explore what it takes to turn dreams into goals and build a company their children could one day choose to carry forward. Main topics: Building a Generational Business Trust Through Consistent Service Balancing Care and Profitability Working Successfully With Family Turning Dreams Into Goals About our guest: "We can dream it, but is it a dream or is it a goal?" There's a big difference between having an idea for your pet care business and building a plan to make it happen. Jillian and Bert of Mama Jill's Pet Care have plenty of dreams for their company, but they're learning to slow down, look at the numbers, understand the costs, and identify the steps required to move forward. That matters whether your goal is hiring your first employee, adding a service, opening a facility, or simply creating a business that gives your family more freedom. Dreaming gives you direction. Planning gives you movement. On this episode of Pet Sitter Confessional, we talk about building a business for the long term, balancing heart with financial sustainability, protecting client trust, and creating something that might one day continue without you. About our guest: Jillian and Bert are the owners of Mama Jill's Pet Care, a personalized in-home pet care company serving Smithfield, North Carolina, and the surrounding area. After years in corporate accounting and the fire service, they launched the business with a vision of creating greater freedom for their family and something their children could one day choose to continue. Their approach centers on dependable care, integrity, strong client relationships, and treating both pets and homes with respect. Mama Jill's Pet Care also carries a personal connection to suicide prevention in memory of Jillian's brother, Stephen. Links: Mama Jill's Pet Care: https://www.mamajillspetscarellc.com Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months C-Squared Accounting

    Building for Family, Purpose, and the Future with Jillian and Bert Riegelsperger

  6. Oct 12

    The Other Side of AI: Reports, Routines, and Repetitive Clicks

    What would we do with the time we spend downloading reports, searching for information, and clicking the same buttons every week? In this episode, we break AI into five categories (creation, retrieval, analysis, automation, and computer use) to help us evaluate specific jobs in our pet care businesses. We share how we're using automated report downloads and explore where data analysis and schedule reviews might offer support. We also discuss protecting sensitive information, checking results, and matching human oversight to the consequences of a mistake. Before we automate anything, we ask whether the task deserves to exist and how handing it off could give us more time to care for clients, support our teams, and lead with intention. Main topics: Understanding Five AI Categories Automating Repetitive Administrative Tasks Using Data With Judgment Protecting Sensitive Client Information Matching Oversight to Consequences Main takeaway: "What we are looking to do is build a better business and build a business that serves our clients with excellence." What could you do for your clients and your team with a little more room in your day? Downloading the same reports and copying the same numbers can take time away from coaching an employee or checking in with a client. Using AI for some of that repetitive work may help us show up with more attention for the people counting on us. We still need to check the results, protect sensitive information, and own the decisions made in our businesses. Before handing off a task, ask whether it serves a purpose, what could happen if it goes wrong, and how much human judgment it needs. In this episode of Pet Sitter Confessional, we explore those questions and share where we're drawing the line in our own business. What's one repetitive task you'd love help with, and what would you do with the time you gained? Links: Buy Us A Coffee to help the show grow! Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Music: "Almost August" by Dan Lebowitz. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0). Source: Directory.Audio. Edited for length and mixed with spoken audio. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!   Using Meta ads is hard, www.petcaregrowth.com makes it easy. Use PSC15 for 15% off the course!

    The Other Side of AI: Reports, Routines, and Repetitive Clicks

  7. Oct 7

    When "Bad Behavior" Is Actually Communication with Lauren Sisak

    What if the behavior we label as a problem is actually a dog trying to tell us something important? Lauren Sisak, founder of Sit Stay Stella, joins Collin to explore how pet care professionals can better understand anxious, reactive, and overwhelmed dogs by paying attention to what their behavior is communicating. Lauren explains her green, yellow, and red zone framework, how to recognize when a dog cannot perform a familiar behavior, and why treats, distance, and environmental changes can be powerful tools. They also discuss safer meet-and-greets, building trust without forcing interaction, and communicating clearly with clients about what their dogs actually need. Along the way, Lauren connects those same lessons to entrepreneurship, boundaries, sustainable growth, and learning to give ourselves the same grace we give the dogs in our care. Main topics: Understanding canine stress signals Green yellow red zones Safer dog meet-and-greets Communicating expectations with clients Boundaries for sustainable businesses Main takeaway: "The moment that they see the scary thing and they check in with you first, you're golden." Trust with a dog does not always look like cuddles, perfect leash manners, or immediately accepting affection. Sometimes, the biggest breakthrough happens when something scary appears and the dog chooses to look at you. As Lauren Sisak explains, "The moment that they see the scary thing and they check in with you first, you're golden." That check-in tells us the dog is beginning to see us as part of their support system. Getting there requires patience, observation, consistency, and a willingness to listen when a dog says an environment or interaction is too much. As pet sitters and dog walkers, our job is not simply to get a dog to comply. It is to create enough safety and predictability that they learn they can work through difficult moments with us. About our guest: Lauren Sisak is the founder of Sit Stay Stella, a dog training and concierge pet care company serving clients in the New York City area. Her work was heavily influenced by her experiences with her own dogs, including Stella, whose anxiety and reactivity led Lauren deeper into positive-reinforcement and force-free training. Today, Lauren and her team provide personalized training and pet care with an emphasis on dogs who may need additional patience, support, and individualized routines. Her approach focuses on protecting a dog's agency while helping pet parents develop practical skills that strengthen their relationship with their dogs. Links: Sit Stay Stella Website: ⁠sitstaystella.com Stellar Sitter Course / Course Waitlist:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFjuUJ_U3vbR7aW7xb6Kz4HYJvBH4-Oi7LlXH293WWsNcChQ/viewform Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters  Time to Pet Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional Code: 50% off first 3 months Pet Sitters International- Visit https://www.petsit.com/psc

    When "Bad Behavior" Is Actually Communication with Lauren Sisak

  8. Oct 5

    You Don't Need Another Planner

    What happens when we are organized, scheduled, and still cannot keep up? In this episode, we look at why overwhelm is often a capacity problem rather than a productivity problem, and why another planner, app, or system cannot create more time, energy, or people. We walk through six moves available when demand exceeds capacity: do less, delay, delegate, simplify, stop, or intentionally increase capacity. We also talk about stabilizing the business around pet safety, existing commitments, payroll, scheduling, and truly urgent work before trying to redesign everything at once. Finally, we challenge ourselves to ask what can wait, what exists only because we have always done it, what we are the wrong person to keep doing, what can be 80% good, and what can stop entirely. Main topics: Capacity Versus Better Organization Stabilizing Core Business Functions Six Moves for Overload Delegating Work You Outgrew Choosing Eighty Percent Good Main takeaway: "You cannot organize your way out of having more responsibilities than you actually have the capacity to carry." That is the trap so many of us fall into as business owners. We think the answer to feeling overwhelmed is another planner, another app, another calendar system, or a better way to organize the work already sitting in front of us. But a beautifully organized schedule full of too much work is still too much work. When demand exceeds our capacity, something actually has to change. Some work may need to wait. Some needs to be delegated, simplified, done at 80% instead of 100%, or stopped entirely. The question isn't always, "How do I get everything done?" Sometimes the much more important question is, "What am I willing to let drop?" Links: Check out our Starter Packs See all of our discounts! 📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260 Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com Full show notes and transcript Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest. Sponsored by: ❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters   Your peace of mind is part of great pet care. Pet Sitters Associates provides the insurance you need to get the work done. Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com and use the code 'confessional' for $10 off today!   Pet Perennials Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days

    You Don't Need Another Planner
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4.9
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

Pet Sitter Confessional is the go-to podcast for pet sitters who want to grow, learn, and feel seen. Having run a pet sitting and dog walking business since 2012, Meghan and Collin share the real, behind-the-scenes life of professional pet sitting—from funny mishaps and tough lessons to business insights and personal stories. Each week, they also interview fellow sitters and industry pros to explore what it really takes to thrive in pet care. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, you'll find support, inspiration, and a community that truly gets it. Your story belongs here, too!

Information

  • Creator
    Pet Sitter Confessional, LLC
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    746
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019-2026 Pet Sitter Confessional LLC
  • Show Website
    Pet Sitter Confessional

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