DogCo Secrets

Michelle Kline
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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. 1D AGO

    Scaling Series: From $500,000 - $750,000 In Your Pet Care Business | Ep. 46

    In this episode of Scaling Series, we are tackling one of the most pivotal phases in pet care business growth, the $500k to $750k window. This is where owners face critical inflection points around management teams, systems, retention, and data tracking. I will walk you through the biggest risks that can keep you stuck and the solutions that can unlock long-term growth. If you are ready to push past bottlenecks and set your company up for success, this episode is for you. 📢 And do not forget, the DogCo Business Summit is almost here! Join us September 26--28, 2025. Get your digital ticket now 👉 http://dogcosummit.com (in person ticket sales now closed) ✨ Key Takeaways• The half-million to three-quarter million stage requires true decision-making managers• New systems and policies can cause healthy breaking before stronger foundations emerge• Client retention can suffer if not intentionally protected as owners step back• Data clarity becomes non-negotiable for decision-making at this stage• Owners must avoid becoming bottlenecks by stepping away strategically• Slowing down to build systems correctly here accelerates growth later• Culture leadership is essential as more managers take on responsibility ⏰ Timestamps0:00 Welcome to DogCo Secrets with Michelle Kline0:17 Scaling from $500k to $750k in pet care businesses1:10 Why management teams become the biggest bottleneck2:00 The need for true decision-makers3:01 Domino effect of new policies and systems4:40 Healthy breaking vs bad breaking in your business5:45 Protecting client experience and retention as you step back6:47 Why data and metrics are critical in this phase7:45 Biggest risks that keep businesses stuck9:40 Owner bottlenecks and system slowdowns10:30 Retention decline during restructuring11:45 Getting stuck in data debt13:00 Solutions including retention systems, slowing down, and culture leadership15:12 Closing thoughts and preview of the $750k to 1M episode 🎧 Also Listen On:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube -Michelle

    16 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Are You Accidentally Turning Away Dog Walking Clients? | Ep. 45

    In this episode, I’m digging into one of the most common priorities I hear from pet care business owners: attracting more dog walking clients. But here’s the kicker, you might be accidentally turning them away with the way your brand is positioned. I share insights from scaling my own dog walking company to 25 staff and 600 clients before selling it in 2023, plus what I see inside businesses I coach every day. From how your business name communicates what you do, to how your website prioritizes services, to how your client onboarding either welcomes or repels dog walking clients,  these details matter more than you think. ✨ Key Points • Your business name shapes client perception immediately • Website service order can influence which clients you attract • Onboarding forms should support long-term dog walking clients, not just pet sitting • Convenience and clarity drive new client sign-ups • Subtle brand tweaks can transform your lead flow 📢 DogCo Business Summit 2025 If you’re a pet care business that wants to level up, then this is for you. The DogCo Business Summit is happening in Winston-Salem, NC, September 26–28, and we still have digital tickets available. Grab your spot today at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com 🐾 Whether you’re trying to balance pet sitting and dog walking, or you’re ready to scale up with a stronger client flow, this Hot Tip will give you tactical strategies you can implement right away. - Michelle

    8 min

  3. SEP 8

    Scaling Series: Scaling from $300,000 to $500,000 a Year | Ep. 44

    In today’s episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I am diving into what I call the $300K to $500K window of growth for your pet care business, which I call "The Scaling Runway". This is one of the most critical and often chaotic seasons for pet care companies. If you are in this phase, you’re likely facing bottlenecks with admin support, burnout, client retention challenges, and the delicate balance of investing in structure without overextending. I’ll share what I see over and over again from working with hundreds of pet care businesses, and I’ll give you the practical steps to move through this season without getting stuck. And don’t forget, the DogCo Business Summit is coming up soon! Digital tickets are still available at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com ✨ Key Takeaways• The $300K to $500K window requires more admin clarity and structure• Avoid “all-hands helper” roles that create chaos and turnover• Client onboarding should not bottleneck with the owner• Burnout risk is high during this transition - plan for recovery• Retention is the golden goose of pet care growth• Focus on recurring client relationships for compounding revenue• Invest carefully in admin support without over-leveraging ⏰ Timestamps0:00 – Welcome and overview of the scaling series1:00 – Why $300K to $500K is one big growth window3:00 – Recap of the $200K to $300K stage5:00 – Early hires that create chaos vs structure8:00 – Risks of admin turnover and “key man” dependency11:00 – Burnout in the $300K to $500K phase13:00 – Why client onboarding must scale beyond the owner16:00 – Retention as the golden goose of pet care businesses20:00 – Practical solutions for structure, systems, and role clarity27:00 – How to accelerate through this tier toward $500K+ 🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨The industry’s most powerful event is happening September 26-28 in Winston-Salem, NC. In-person ticket sales are closed but you can still get a digital ticket. You’ll walk away with proven strategies to grow your pet care business. Don’t miss it - tickets at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com 🎧 Also listen onApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube -Michelle

    32 min

  4. SEP 5

    The Top 3 Books That Influenced Me as an Entrepreneur | Ep. 43

    📚 In this Hot Tip Friday episode, I am sharing three books that completely reshaped how I think about business, leadership, and growth. These books created turning points for me, helping me redefine my role as a business owner, figure out how to allocate my resources more effectively, and craft offers that truly resonate with clients.  If you are looking for inspiration and practical takeaways from proven business minds, this episode is for you. ✨ Key Highlights • Why The E-Myth Revisited redefined my relationship to my business • How The 80/20 Principle gave me a framework for allocating time, money, and energy • What $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi taught me about value and client psychology • Why reading one book a week was the best investment I made early in my entrepreneur journey • The importance of continuing to learn and grow as a leader If you want to snag your own copies of these books, my affiliate links are below! E-Myth Revisited: https://amzn.to/3JECyb180/20 Principle: https://amzn.to/3JGee8K$100M Offers: https://amzn.to/4mOrUgQ 🚨 Final Call: The DogCo Business Summit is Almost Here! 🚨 Join me online September 26–28 for the DogCo Business Summit and walk away with strategies to grow and scale your pet care business. Grab your ticket today at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com

    8 min

  5. SEP 1

    Scaling Series: $200k - $300k for Pet Care Companies | Ep. 42

    Hey there! I'm Michelle Kline, host of the DogCo Secrets Podcast and founder of DogCo Launch. This episode is part of our Scaling Series, where I break down the phases of growth for pet care companies. Today we’re diving into the $200K–$300K revenue stage. This is such an exciting time in your business, but it comes with new challenges around structure, team management, admin systems, and focus. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the whirlwind of scheduling, admin, or hiring, this one is for you. I’ll share the biggest risks I see in this stage and practical steps you can take to keep scaling sustainably while avoiding burnout. 👉 And don’t forget, the DogCo Business Summit is happening September 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC, and online. This is the premier event for pet care business owners ready to grow with confidence. We only have digital tickets left - but it's going to be amazing! Grab yours at: http://dogcosummit.com ✨ Key Takeaways• The temptation to stay in the field is your first bottleneck• Building admin support is no longer optional; it is necessary• SOPs and standardized training protect your business and your team• Losing focus at this stage is one of the biggest risks• Safety incidents increase with volume, so systems must come first• Data-driven marketing creates a predictable lead flow ⏰ Timestamps0:00 – Welcome and Scaling Series recap1:00 – The tough $100K–$200K season and what comes next2:35 – The $200K–$300K stage explained3:48 – Why stepping out of the field is the first real bottleneck5:02 – Transitioning into admin leadership6:22 – The need for structure and SOPs as teams grow8:10 – Hustling for leads and managing team size10:45 – The risks of losing focus too early12:20 – Safety considerations as volume increases15:00 – Hiring admin and training a trainer for your team20:00 – Building data-driven lead flow and predictability24:30 – Closing reflections and invitation to connect 🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨September 26–28: only digital tickets left. Walk away with strategies to grow your pet care business with confidence. http://dogcosummit.com 🎧 Also listen on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube

    26 min

  6. AUG 29

    Everything I Learned Talking To Alex Hormozi | Ep. 41

    Hi friends, Michelle Kline here, host of the DogCo Secrets Podcast and founder of DogCo Launch. In this week’s Hot Tip Friday episode, I am pulling back the curtain on a powerful moment from this summer when I had the opportunity to workshop my own business directly with Alex Hormozi at his Acquisition Workshop. I share three big insights that left a lasting impact on me and that I believe will help you rethink how you are running and scaling your pet care business: ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why “if it’s working, don’t stop” is one of the smartest growth strategies you can adopt • How to lead with vision instead of fear, and why your conviction matters more than your struggles • The importance of knowing your numbers and how clarity with data creates better decision-making As always, these Hot Tip episodes are short, tactical, and straight to the point. My hope is that you walk away with one clear action you can implement right away in your own business. 🚨 The DogCo Business Summit is Almost Here 🚨 If you are serious about growing and scaling your pet care company, you cannot miss this. Join me September 26–28 in Winston-Salem, NC or grab your digital ticket to attend online. This is the event where the industry comes together to connect, learn, and build stronger businesses. Tickets are still available at 👉 http://dogcosummit.com.  In-person ticket sales end 8/31 - so get yours now. Cheering you on, - M

    10 min

  7. AUG 25

    Scaling Phases of Pet Care Businesses: $100k - $200k | Ep. 40

    In this episode of the DogCo Secrets Podcast, I break down one of the toughest and most defining phases for pet care business owners: the $100,000 to $200,000 revenue stage. This is the season where owners are often stuck with one foot in the field and one foot in administration, trying to juggle everything while building a team of three to seven people. I share the risks, bottlenecks, and strategies to help you break through this phase and set your business up for long-term growth. If you are feeling stuck in the whirlwind of daily tasks or struggling to retain staff while keeping clients happy, this episode is for you. 👉 And do not forget, the DogCo Business Summit is almost here! Join us in Winston-Salem, NC or online from September 26 to 28. Tickets are almost gone, so secure yours today at: http://dogcosummit.com ✨ Key Takeaways• The $100K to $200K phase is one of the hardest growth seasons in pet care businesses• Owners often get stuck juggling fieldwork and administrative work, limiting growth• Lack of systems and SOPs can hurt client experience and stall retention• Protecting windows of time for business-building is essential• Two hiring pathways: keeping full-time clients vs creating stability for staff• Retention improves when you prioritize stability for your team• Running lean financially may be necessary to push past this bottleneck• Focus on building scalable systems to avoid chaos as you grow ⏰ Timestamps0:00 Welcome to the Scaling Series0:37 Why the $100K to $200K phase is unique1:15 Building teams of 3 to 7 employees2:04 The hardest season of Michelle’s business journey3:02 Why owners get stuck between fieldwork and admin4:05 The “whirlwind” that pulls you under5:15 Decline in client experience without systems6:32 Risks of staying too tied to fieldwork7:48 Pathway one: keeping clients and giving staff leftovers9:03 Pathway two: stability for staff, overflow for the owner10:21 Why dog walking focus can stabilize growth11:25 The power of SOPs and documented systems12:40 Running lean to break through the $200K ceiling13:55 Encouragement and strategy to push forward 🚨 Final Call: DogCo Summit is Almost Here! 🚨The industry’s most powerful event is happening September 26 to 28 in Winston-Salem, NC. Whether you join in-person or online, you will walk away with strategies to grow your pet care business with confidence. Seats are almost gone, so grab your ticket today at: http://dogcosummit.com Do you have software for scaling your pet care business? Check out my friends at Time to Pet - use my affiliate code and receive a free trial: www.timetopet.com/dogco 🎧 Also, listen to this podcast episode on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube -M

    25 min

  8. AUG 22

    Hot-Tip: Conquering Your Ego | Ep. 39

    🔥 Your ego can be your biggest battle or your biggest breakthrough. In this week’s Hot Tip Friday, I'll share one of the hardest lessons I've had to learn as a business owner: how to battle ego and embrace true open-mindedness. From realizing I wasn’t as openminded as I thought, to working through defensiveness, emotional decision-making, and my fear of data, I'll get personal about what it takes to grow. In this episode, I unpack 3 actionable strategies to quiet the ego and develop a healthier mindset: ✅ Stay genuinely curious and listen to feedback✅ Step into your “future self” when making decisions✅ Use data as your ally, not your enemy If you’ve ever felt your ego holding you back from growth, this episode is for you. 📍 The DogCo Business Summit is almost here! Join us in Winston-Salem, NC, September 26–28 or grab your digital ticket at: http://dogcosummit.com Resources Mentioned (disclosure - these are affiliate links): 📖 Principles by Ray Dalio: https://amzn.to/4fGdUTe📖 Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday: https://amzn.to/45T97KW  Cheering you on. -M

    9 min
See All (46)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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
    2K
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Michelle Kline
  • Show Website
    DogCo Secrets

You Might Also Like