Pet Era Podcast

Natasha O'Banion at Automated CEO®
Pet Era Podcast

Nostalgia from a Pet Provider! Petpreneur Natasha and honored guests, open a time capsule of wisdom and insights for navigating the pet industry. From startup struggles to seven-figure teams, join dog walkers, pet sitters, trainers, breeders, groomers, scoopers, and everyone in between. We're talking big moves and major plays in the Pet Era. *Disclaimer: The Pet Era Podcast offers advanced strategies for scaling pet businesses. Content is aimed at experienced professionals seeking to elevate their team operations.

  1. Ep 13: Top 10 things I wish I knew before starting a pet business

    NOV 12

    Ep 13: Top 10 things I wish I knew before starting a pet business

    In this episode of the Pet Era podcast, Natasha O'Banion shares her top 10 insights for pet business owners, focusing on the importance of building a self-sustaining business, effective communication, understanding client needs, advocating for pets, and valuing personal well-being. She emphasizes the necessity of having clear systems in place, maintaining realistic business hours, and engaging with the community to foster growth and success in the pet care industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pet Business Insights 02:14 Building a Self-Sustaining Business 05:27 Effective Communication Strategies 09:09 Understanding Client Needs 12:46 Advocating for Pets 14:32 Setting Realistic Business Hours 16:25 Community Engagement and Advocacy 18:29 Resetting for New Interactions 19:52 Valuing Your Well-Being Takeaways The business must run without you to avoid burnout. Provide clear information across multiple channels. Clients want to be heard and understood. Your service agreement is crucial for clarity and protection. Advocate for the pets' well-being in all situations. Set realistic business hours that align with your lifestyle. Engage with the community to build relationships and trust. Each interaction with a client or pet is a new opportunity. Value your time and well-being as a business owner. Learn from past mistakes to improve future business practices. pet business, entrepreneurship, client communication, pet care, business systems, community engagement, self-care, service agreements, team management, pet advocacy

    22 min
  2. Episode 9: Prepping Your Customers for Team Collaboration

    SEP 24

    Episode 9: Prepping Your Customers for Team Collaboration

    How Prepping Your Customers for Team Collaboration Can Free You from Burnout Description: In this episode, Natasha opens up about one of the most important strategies to scale a business without burning out—prepping your customers for team collaboration. She explains how many business owners unknowingly trap themselves in their businesses, unable to step away because customers only trust them, not their team. Natasha shares her personal journey of realizing this when she became pregnant and found no room for anything else in her life because her business demanded all her time and energy. She breaks down how to transition your customers to trust and rely on your team, the importance of creating solid systems, and how freeing yourself from day-to-day operations can open up space for growth and joy. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you build a business that works for you, not against you. Show Notes: 0:00 – Introduction Natasha introduces the episode’s topic: the importance of prepping your customers for team collaboration to scale your business and avoid burnout. 2:30 – The Trap of Over-Involvement Natasha discusses how business owners often trap themselves by becoming the sole point of contact for customers, creating a cage that keeps them stuck in the day-to-day operations. 5:20 – Natasha's Wake-Up Call Natasha shares her personal story of becoming pregnant and realizing that her business had consumed so much space in her life that she couldn’t fully embrace other meaningful things, like motherhood. 9:45 – Why Prepping Your Customers Is Key Natasha explains why it’s crucial to get customers comfortable with your team from day one. She breaks down the steps to set clear expectations and build customer trust in your team. 13:30 – Systems That Allow Independence The importance of creating and maintaining strong systems that let your team run the business without your constant involvement. Natasha gives tips on building these systems and communicating their effectiveness to customers. 17:10 – Creating Space for Yourself How building a self-sustaining business allows space for personal growth, rest, and new opportunities. Natasha reflects on how her business transformed once she made these changes. 19:30 – Final Thoughts Natasha closes with a message for overwhelmed business owners: you can build a business that supports your life and runs without you. It takes effort, but the freedom it offers is worth it. 20:45 – Outro Natasha encourages listeners to subscribe, leave a review, and follow on social media for more tips on scaling a business without burning out. Key Takeaways: - Business owners often get stuck by being the sole point of contact for customers. - Prepping customers to trust your team is key to building a business that can run without you. - Creating strong, reliable systems allows your business to thrive independently, giving you space to focus on personal and professional growth. - Transitioning away from being the business’s “glue” can help you avoid burnout and open up more meaningful parts of your life.

    16 min
  3. Episode 6: Hobbyist vs Pro with Mark Carter

    AUG 18

    Episode 6: Hobbyist vs Pro with Mark Carter

    Episode Title: Hobbyist vs. Pro Pet Sitter: Insights with Mark Carter Guest: Mark Carter, Professional Pet Sitter and Automated CEO Alumni Episode Overview: In this episode of The Pet Era Podcast, Natasha O’Banion sits down with Mark Carter, a seasoned professional in the pet sitting industry. They dive deep into the differences between hobbyist pet sitters and professional pet sitters, exploring the mindset, practices, and strategies that distinguish a casual pet sitter from a thriving business owner. Key Takeaways: 1. Understanding the Difference: - Mark Carter breaks down what it means to be a hobbyist versus a professional in the pet sitting industry. - The importance of mindset in making the transition from a hobbyist to a pro. 2. Business vs. Side Hustle: - How treating pet sitting as a business, rather than a side hustle, impacts growth and sustainability. - The role of commitment, consistency, and professionalism in establishing a successful pet sitting business. 3. Client Relationships: - Building trust and long-term relationships with clients. - Why professionalism leads to client loyalty and referrals. 4. Systems and Processes: - The critical role of systems and processes in scaling a pet sitting business. - Mark shares tips on setting up SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to streamline operations. 5. Challenges and Growth: - Common challenges hobbyist pet sitters face when attempting to go pro. - Strategies for overcoming these challenges and growing your pet sitting business. 6. Mark's Pro Tips: - Practical advice from Mark Carter for aspiring professional pet sitters. - How to avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for success. Resources Mentioned: - Pet Pro Business Blueprint: A comprehensive guide to transitioning from a hobbyist to a professional pet sitter. - The Implementation Lab: Join Natasha's membership group to work on implementing the strategies discussed in this episode. peterapodcast.com Action Steps: 1. Evaluate Your Business: Reflect on whether you’re currently operating as a hobbyist or a pro. Identify areas for improvement. 2. Implement Systems: Start creating or refining your SOPs to ensure consistency and efficiency in your business operations. 3. Focus on Client Relationships: Consider ways to enhance your professionalism and strengthen relationships with your clients. Join the Conversation: - Follow us on Instagram: @ThePetEraPodcast (https://www.instagram.com/thepeterapodcast) - Join The Implementation Lab: Get hands-on with business strategies that will take your pet sitting business to the next level.

    39 min

About

Nostalgia from a Pet Provider! Petpreneur Natasha and honored guests, open a time capsule of wisdom and insights for navigating the pet industry. From startup struggles to seven-figure teams, join dog walkers, pet sitters, trainers, breeders, groomers, scoopers, and everyone in between. We're talking big moves and major plays in the Pet Era. *Disclaimer: The Pet Era Podcast offers advanced strategies for scaling pet businesses. Content is aimed at experienced professionals seeking to elevate their team operations.

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