
Bella In Your Business: Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Podcast
403 episodes — Page 2 of 9
Episode 418: AI for Pet Businesses: Revolutionizing Pet Care with Smart Technology
Feeling overwhelmed by running your pet sitting or dog walking business? AI for pet businesses is here to help. In this episode, we reveal how Artificial Intelligence can streamline your operations and help you thrive—no tech expertise needed. In this episode, discover Google’s quantum chip, a breakthrough making AI tools faster and smarter. Additionally, learn about ChatGPT’s “Sora,” a tool for creating professional videos in seconds. Imagine AI that adapts schedules in real-time or predicts client needs before they ask. These innovations are game-changers for your business. Furthermore, if you’re ready to scale, we’ll explore ChatGPT’s premium $200 plan. It’s designed for automating communication, managing large projects, and taking your business to the next level. Even beginners can benefit from affordable AI tools to save time, improve marketing, and make smarter decisions. Moreover, here’s a twist: part of this episode wasn’t recorded by me—it was powered by AI voice technology. Find out how this innovative tool works and how it could enhance your client communication. This experiment showcases the potential of AI for pet businesses in real-world applications. AI for pet businesses isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful tool to reclaim your time, improve your services, and stay competitive. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, this episode will show you how to integrate AI effectively. You’ll learn how to maintain the personal touch your clients love while leveraging technology to boost your business. Additionally, we discuss practical strategies for implementing AI, ensuring you can start small and grow your use of technology as needed. From saving time on administrative tasks to optimizing your marketing efforts, AI for pet businesses offers numerous benefits. Let’s jump in and unlock your business’s potential! Embrace AI to work smarter, enhance your services, and achieve greater success in the pet industry. Timestamps: [01:00] Discussion of Google's quantum chip, Willow, and its implications for AI [03:00] Overview of ChatGPT's new tool, Sora, and its benefits for creating videos [03:33] Explanation of ChatGPT's $200/month enterprise plan and its features [04:32] How AI can save time and boost marketing efforts for pet businesses [05:28] Advice on getting started with AI and staying informed on developments [05:47] Importance of privacy, trust, and maintaining the human touch when using AI [06:49] Recap of AI's potential to enhance business operations and a call to action [10:30] Discussion of the future potential of AI in handling sales calls and other tasks Notable Quotes: "AI isn't just for tech giants or scientists in labs. It's for small business owners like you who want to work smarter, not harder." "Quantum chips are going to make AI tools way smarter and faster. That means scheduling software that adjusts in real time based on weather or traffic or AI that can predict when a pet parent might need you before they even reach out." "Imagine making quick videos to introduce your services, highlight a special promo, or even share cute dog walking tips, and you don't need a fancy camera or editing software, just Sora." "AI can handle a lot of that for you. Imagine setting up a chat bot on your website that automatically answers FAQs like, what are your rates? Or do you offer overnight stays? It's like having an assistant working 24/7, for free." Resources: Jump Consulting website Bella Vasta's Instagram Email Bella: bella @ jumpconsulting.net Sora ChatGPT Enterprise plan Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Watch all our Podcasts on YouTube Previous podcast episode: ? Transcript: Hey, jumpers. Welcome to Bella in your business, I'm Bella Vasta, your trusted guide in all things pet sitting, dog walking, and now technology. Today we're talking about something that's going to blow your mind and probably change the way you run your business. Artificial intelligence or AI. Now I know what some of you are thinking. Bella, AI sounds like something for Silicon Valley, not for me walking pups in my neighborhood. But trust me when I say this, it's for you. AI isn't just for tech giants or scientists in labs. It's for small business owners like you who want to work smarter, not harder. Whether you're a one person show or managing a team, this is your chance to get ahead of the curve. We're going to cover some mind blowing updates in AI, including Google's Quantum chip, ChatGPT's new features like Sora, and a new high level ChatGPT plan that's stirring up a lot of buzz. I'll explain what these mean for you and more importantly, how you can use them to make your pet business shine. Let's jump right in. Google's quantum chip, the s
Episode 417: Navigating AI: Future-Proofing Your Business and Building Strong Team Culture
Navigating AI for Your Pet Services Business Are you finding it difficult to manage your pet services business? From setting the right pricing to handling daily tasks, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode of BIYB, we dive into how navigating AI can streamline processes and improve your business operations. Becky from Paws Around Motown shares her growth journey. She discusses overcoming challenges such as pricing, hiring, and scaling her business. Through her insights, you’ll discover how navigating AI can simplify tough decisions and allow you to focus on what matters most. From pricing to customer service, Becky explains how technology can ease your workload, so you can offer the best care to your clients. How AI Can Optimize Your Operations Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks in your pet services business? You're not alone. Becky shares how she used AI tools to make data-driven decisions. These tools simplified her pricing, increased productivity, and even improved customer satisfaction. We’ll also discuss how navigating AI can help you pinpoint areas for improvement without getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for a while, this episode provides practical advice on using AI. Learn how to enhance your pricing, improve your services, and confidently grow your business. We’ll also talk about continuous improvement and the power of a 90-day plan to stay on track. Join us for this insightful discussion on navigating AI for your pet services business. Start making smarter, more informed decisions today! Timestamps: [2:00] Becky's business background and mastermind journey [6:00] Client love strategy and employee love strategy [12:00] Details on Becky's creative onboarding and team building processes [16:00 ] Integration of AI into Becky's business processes [22:00] Handling negative feedback and maintaining company culture [27:00] Becky and Bella's experiences with various AI tools and techniques [33:00] Encouragement for continuous improvement and setting manageable goals [38:00] Final thoughts, encouragement, and wrap-up Notable Quotes: "When everyone zigs, I zag." "If you fear diversity, if you fear an all inclusive team, if you don't want to get slobbered on and kissed by animals every day and have emotional support animals, then this place probably isn't for you." "Compare yourself to you yourself. Not to someone else." "You don't have to people please. You're like, no, that's not what I want. No, that's not what I want." "If you're trying to chase other people, you're always going to lose." Resources: FREE 20-min consult with Bella Joey Coleman's books: "Never Lose a Customer Again" and "Never Lose an Employee Again" Jenna Kucher's Instagram ChatGPT Magai Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Hello, Becky. Becky. Hi. Hi. I'm not here twice. I'm trying to figure out. Because you have two things signed in. Do you want me to kick the other one off? Yeah. Okay. Does that sound better? Oops. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Yeah, we had two Becky's. It was funny. One Becky is enough. Yeah. So funny. How are you? Oh, cold. How are you? I'm good. I'm cozy. Cozy, cozy. Okay. So today we're doing the podcast. Yes. Yeah. Okay. Do you have a topic in mind? No, I didn't get anything. It was just about the 20 minute coaching, so I didn't know how to do. Oh, okay. So usually, like, we just, like, pick a topic that you want to talk about. Okay, well, what do you want to talk about? Because it's your podcast. Oh, no. Yeah. Talk about a million things. Yeah, no, pick something that would be good for you because I mean, like, and we're just going to talk it through and work it through, like in your business, you know, or we could just be casual about it. Do you want to do something we already did. Like, do you want to do hiring or do you want to do, like, like what's hot right now? Want to do AI something? AI is hot. But, like, it probably would be a little more difficult to talk about because it's more like show and tell, I would say. But we could talk about how. Do you want to talk client love strategy, since we just went through that. Do you want to talk? Yeah, let's pick up on your client love strategy. Okay. Okay, Ready? You're just going to ask me questions, right? I don't know. We'll just talk about. Yeah, I was thinking you were going to come with, like, a question, like something like a topic you wanted to talk about so we could just pick up from, like, where we left off on the client love. Yeah. And we'll just talk about it. It was just supposed to be for, like, an example of your 20 minute call, but I don't. I'
Episode 416: 20 Ways to Get More Applicants for Your Dog Walking Jobs
Are your dog walking applicants just not coming through like you hoped? Do you feel like you’ve done everything—posted ads, marketed your business, but still can’t get the right people to apply? If that’s you, then this episode is a must-listen! I get it—hiring can feel like a never-ending struggle. Maybe you're overwhelmed, trying to juggle everything while desperately searching for the right team to support your pet care business. You're not alone in this! In this week's episode, I'm sharing 20 practical tips and strategies that you can implement right now to turn things around. You’re not a sitting duck, and I’m not going to let you be one. I’m going to walk you through proven ways to increase your chances of attracting the right dog walking applicants. Whether you need to tweak your job ads, rethink where you’re posting them, or even tell a better story to draw people in, there’s something in here for you. I’m all about action and growth. And guess what? You didn’t start your business to be buried under the weight of unfilled positions or constantly stressing about staff shortages. Today, I’m giving you the tools to overcome these challenges and build a team that can take your business to the next level. So, grab a pen, take notes, and get ready to discover actionable strategies to revamp your hiring process. Let's stop letting those dog walking applicants slip through the cracks! Timestamps: [2:00] Addressing the stress and business overload that can come with understaffing [2:38] Strategies for creating attention-grabbing, story-driven hiring ads [7:37] Emphasizing the emotional connection and being specific about the job role [11:00] Importance of SEO, regular posting, and testing different ad versions [16:26] Targeting the right audience, leveraging social media, and other tips The episode covers a total of 20 different strategies and tips for improving hiring ads and the hiring process. Notable Quotes: "If you are the same place you have been this month from last month or last year, then I really want to encourage you to move." "I don't want you to be a sitting duck. You've worked too hard to be in that position." "When you are hiring, when you have a job post out there, it is no different than marketing for a client. You are now marketing for an employee, and you need to apply all of the same things that you do when you market for clients to marketing for employees." "If you're using the same hiring ad that you use six months ago, it's time to change it. If you're not getting applicants, it's time to change it." "People are seeing it. They're just choosing not to choose you. So do we know why? Not always? So let's go back to the other points I just told you, and let's test and tweak." Resources: Jump Consulting Website Jump Mastermind Jazz HR Erika - Barketing Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Have you ever felt like hiring just does not work? Have you felt like, why aren't I getting more applications? I posted an ad and everyone should stop what they're doing and apply. Just kidding. Sort of. Maybe. Well, today I'm going to give you, I think I'm going to give you about 20 different reasons or ways that you can do right now if your hiring ads are not performing. Because guess what, last I checked, you are not a sitting duck. At least if you're a jumper, you're not. There's always gotta be things that we could be doing to tweak it, to learn. Maybe they don't work and maybe it's quote unquote failure. But what we learn is that it doesn't work and that it's not that it doesn't work, it just doesn't work this way. You guys have heard me say this so many times, and I am so happy that you are here back joining me for another episode of Bella in your business. Yes, of course, you know this by now. I'm Bella, and I am here to motivate you into action, inspire you into change. Because if you are the same place you have been this month from last month or last year, then I really want to encourage you to move. A lot of times we get stuck in a rut and my job is here to inspire you into action. And so today, you know, I hear all the time hiring doesn't work. We are now the middle end actually of November and, you know, a lot of people are stressing out. Oh, my gosh, I don't know if I'm going to be able to spend the holidays with my family. I'm going to basically put the turkey on the table, leave it there for my kids and be like, bye, I got to go take care of these pets because I'm understaffed. Or Christmas or whatever it might be like, or Hanukkah or whatever you're celebrating. And you did not, I want to just remind you and connect with you. And you did not start this busi
Episode 415: Hiring, Taxes, Website – What You Need to Be Focusing On By Year-end
Are you feeling the year-end crunch with hiring, taxes, and your website? These year-end pet business essentials can be overwhelming, but they’re crucial for setting up next year’s success. In this episode, I’m diving into these core challenges that could make or break your pet business as the year wraps up. With real-life examples, I’ll help you tackle these essential tasks confidently. Whether it’s hiring the right team, managing taxes, or refining your website, you’ll find clear steps you can take now. Plus, I’ll show you how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to costly mistakes. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure of where to begin, you’re not alone. I’ll guide you through building a team that fits your culture, staying compliant with taxes, and turning your website into a client-attracting tool. This episode is packed with practical advice to help you turn challenges into growth opportunities. Let’s stop guessing and start building a business that thrives—without the chaos. Ready to get organized with these year-end pet business essentials? Don’t miss this episode! Timestamps: [02:00] Challenges with hiring and the impact on businesses [06:00] Details on the mastermind program for improving the hiring process [08:21] Importance of tax planning and reaching out to CPAs in November [12:02] Recent website projects and client success stories [19:07] Olivia's message on the importance of courage and using affirmations Notable Quotes: "Remember, I keep telling you, it either doesn't work or it doesn't work this way." "The more organized you are, the more productive your meeting will be. This comes down to discipline." "Your website should be a true representation of your business, personality and values, and no, I do not just mean your logo and your colors. There's so much more to it." "If affirmations, they just like, help you, bring confidence to you how well, well by like saying that I am rape, I'm strong, I'm beautiful, or unique, all of those words help you get your confidence very like stronger, so then you could overcome your fears, and then you could be even more positive than you are." "If you're scared, then just find the courage. What kind of things have you been scared about that you've needed courage?" Resources: Jump Consulting Mastermind Erica with Barketing & Amy with Pet Sitter SEO Website Design and SEO Experts Instagram Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella. In your business, my name is Bella Vasta. And you know that today this is an episode for all of you ADHD people, whether you are officially diagnosed or not. We're going to have a little ADHD moment here today. Why? I say that because we're diving into three crucial topics in just one episode. Um, we're going to talk about hiring, taxes, and your website. Uh, these are total pillars that can make and break your business as we wrap up the end of the year and prepare for what's ahead. My goal as your coach is to literally get you thinking about things, get you out of the forest and into like the 30,000 foot view. I want to get this thing planted in your head just like I did months ago about fourth quarter and getting out there and marketing and all the ways that you can do it, and then showing you people that have done it and the fruits of their labor just by showing you how to write proper emails and make at least two grand off of the emails. All of these things. I do it like a mom to a child who loves their kids. I love you guys and I want you to be thinking about this stuff. So we are literally going to just dive straight on into it. I want you to imagine this, okay? Not gonna be hard to imagine. You're a business owner, right? And you've probably been through the wringer trying to build the right team or you've been petrified to build the right team. You probably spent hours. No, wait, scratch that. Like countless hours worrying about it, combing through applications, scheduling, interviews, hopping, hoping that next person who you know comes up on your zoom screen is going to be the one. But instead you end up with hires that just don't fit. Maybe they lack necessary skills, or they don't align with your company culture, or you can't get them to stay working with you long enough. Your hiring process feels messy. You're hoping that no one discovers that you feel like you're a fraud. You're disorganized. Maybe instead of attracting people who match your vision, it's been a revolving door of candidates who aren't quite right. Which makes you not really want to invest much time or effort into the hiring process, let alone the training process, because you feel like it's such a short lived thing that you'
Episode 414: 10 Common AI Misuses You’re Making Without Realizing It
Wondering if you're truly making the most out of AI tools like ChatGPT, or if you've unknowingly fallen into some of the common AI misuses that lead to frustration instead of progress? It’s easy to get overwhelmed or feel like you’re using AI the “wrong way,” especially with the technology advancing so quickly. In this episode, I'm diving into the hidden traps and common missteps that so many make when first adopting AI for their business and content creation. When it comes to common AI misuses, many of us unintentionally set ourselves up for failure by either over-relying on AI or underutilizing its capabilities. From failing to communicate clear instructions to expecting AI to read our minds, these pitfalls can turn a helpful tool into a time-wasting frustration. But what if you could unlock better results with a few small tweaks? What if you could turn AI from a source of confusion into a powerful partner in your daily workflow? In this episode, I share practical tips to avoid these common AI misuses and guide you in developing a better understanding of how to work with tools like ChatGPT. Whether you're just starting with AI or looking to refine your approach, this episode will give you the insights you need to transform AI into an invaluable asset. Tune in to learn how to avoid the most frequent missteps and start using AI effectively, efficiently, and confidently! Tune in and let’s uncover the secrets to AI success that can help you streamline your business and boost productivity like never before. Timestamps: [00:0] Introduction to AI misuses and my experience with ChatGPT [03:26] Exploring AI models and their benefits, including Magai [10:53] Addressing common misconceptions and fears about using AI [19:24] Advanced AI usage and ethical guidelines Notable Quotes: "If you can even just be 1% better at something every single day, that could change your life." "You're not going to piss off the robot. And so what I mean by that is you can say no, that's not what I wanted, and then give them more direction." "If you're getting horrible output, you're probably putting horrible input." "Understand the capabilities, the limitations of the tool you're using. ChatGPT is designed for generating human like text based on the input it receives." "While everyone's zigging, you are zagging." Resources: Jump Consulting Website Magai Software by Dustin Stout Julia McCoy's YouTube channel Jump Mastermind FREE 20-min Consult with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. This Today we're going to be talking all about the misuses of AI. And I know there's, there's going to be a couple of different camps of people, people that cringe that I'm talking about this and they're like fearful and they're like, oh my gosh, robots are going to take over the world. This is terrible. Everything's going to be so unpersonal. And I get it especially based off of our limited knowledge of it, which is a lot of chat bots. That's what people think of AI. They don't realize that we've actually, it's been very much integrated in a lot of the things that we've been doing. But it's one of my favorite subjects and it's something that I've been holding off, really diving deep in or talking to. So this is like me dipping the toe in the water to see how you guys react. I was one of the first million people in five days to get chat GP3 and that was the end of December 2023. Was it, was it? Or was it 22? I don't remember. Why am I not remembering? And it was, it was amazing. It's like the, in five days a million people signed up for this, which is like the fastest anyone's ever signed up for anything ever. And it has only literally grown exponentially. I've never seen, and you will never see, if you pay attention, anything in our lifetime thus far that has developed and grown faster than before. Basically in the Mastermind we had Dustin Stout of magi, which is this amazing software that brings a bunch of different language models, LLMs together and the illustration models as well. And in one place, for it's give or take, there's different things, but it's about 20ish a month actually. It's. That starts, last I knew, at about $10 a month. You can check it out by going to jumpconsulting.net it's a really fun way to kind of get your whistle wet with, with AI and, and you can really test all the different models and just like ask all of them the same question and you can really compare and contrast. The cool thing about that, and I'm not doing this as a ad or anything, but the cool thing about that is each one of these models, they all have their own subscr
Episode 413: The Productivity Hack Every Pet Sitter Needs (Raw & Unfiltered)
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the same pet business challenges? Do you find yourself unsure which systems or strategies can truly make a difference? Many programs and coaches promise breakthrough results, but often they leave pet business owners frustrated and spinning their wheels. If you've experienced this, you're not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the common pitfalls that can hold your business back. I’ll share essential insights on how to spot these challenges early to prevent wasting your time and money. You’ll learn to identify the warning signs that indicate your current approach might not be working. Navigating pet business challenges doesn’t have to feel like an endless struggle. I’ll break down what makes systems effective and how to recognize which investments truly deliver results. I’ll also discuss the importance of forming partnerships that genuinely support your growth goals. By examining areas where business owners frequently stumble, I can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re tired of playing small and are ready to see real progress, this episode will empower you to take decisive action. I’ll challenge you to rethink your strategies and encourage you to adopt a fresh perspective. With the right insights, you can confidently move forward and tackle your pet business challenges head-on. Get ready to transform your approach and unlock the potential for success in your business. Tune in, and let’s embark on this journey together, turning those pet business challenges into opportunities for growth and success. Don't miss out on the practical advice that could change the trajectory of your pet business! Timestamps: [5:00] Reflecting on changes in the pet care industry [10:30] Misleading programs and companies and the importance of research [15:52] Stop learning passively, start taking action [24:04] Community invite Notable Quotes: "There's a lot of glitter out there, but it's not necessarily gold. And people see the glitter, and they jump all over to the glitter." "If you are just binging on Bella, which obviously helps our downloads, but you're not doing anything with it, then you're wasting your time." "I want you to start doing things, and I want you to fail fast. I want you to do things, and then I want you to tweak them." "You gotta meet me halfway. You gotta be disciplined." "Just because it's popular doesn't mean that it's going to help you." Resources: Pre-order Mel Robbins' new book "The Let Them Theory" FREE 20-Minute Consult with Bella Jump Mastermind Bella's Instagram and Facebook Email: [email protected] Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in youn Business. As you know, my name is Bella Vasta. And today, while I'm not necessarily driving down the road, I'm going to be talking to you like I'm driving down the road. It is currently Saturday morning, October 26th, as I record this. It'll come out on Halloween, October 31st. So I hope that your ghouls and goblins are happy and you're having fun or entertained or just kicking back and keeping your light off and keeping your peace at your home, which is something that we're definitely talking about today. Gearing up to do this every Saturday morning. My daughter has occupational therapy at my house. Something I haven't really talked about before because we were in NICU for 182 days, which is six months. She was. If you're just joining me now, I birthed one of the smallest surviving female babies on the planet. Yes, smallest surviving female babies on the planet at 12 ounces back in 2014. Everyone said she would not live like nobody said she would live. She was an inch shorter than a Barbie doll. Her skin was translucent, her eyes were still fused shut. She literally was a fetus outside. It was 28 weeks, five days, so three months early. And she was measuring a 22 weeker. For those of you who may or may not know, at 24 weeks, the lungs are the first vital organ to or the last vital organ to actually develop. And then after that, everything's kind of starting to grow. But because of that and because of being in NICU for so long. And then when we came home, she was on quarter liter of oxygen. So we had a 50 foot cord of oxygen oxygen concentrator in the middle of my house. I had a cord baby on cord. And then I also had one of those long, tall, kind of looks like a coat hanger, like something you would hang, like clothes on walking around that had a bag on it that we would feed her because she also had an NG tube. So she had a tube going down her throat, a tube going down her nose, and I had to put those in. And 40 hours of nursing during the day, 40 hours of nursing at night. I do not say this to be oh,
Episode 412: Solo to Pet Sitting Staff and a Personal Life in Less Than One Year!
Are you feeling stuck trying to scale your pet business? Whether it's hiring the right team or getting your brand out there, scaling your pet business isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the KEY to unlocking real freedom and long-term stability. So, let me ask you: Can your business thrive WITHOUT you? Are your systems strong enough to keep things running while you step back, or does everything fall apart the moment you leave? In this episode, I’m joined by Leia from Wonder Pups Pet Care—one of my clients who successfully scaled her pet business. We’re diving into the real strategies that allowed her to go from a solo operator to leading a thriving, growing business. It’s not just about surface-level tweaks; we’re talking about building systems and processes that lead to sustainable growth. Leia opens up about the challenges she faced, including hiring the right team and learning to let go of tasks that once felt essential. We discuss how focusing on high-impact tasks helped her empower her team to take ownership and create a business that thrives without her micromanagement. This episode gives you the roadmap to streamline your operations, empower your staff, and truly scale your pet business. If you’re ready to break free from the day-to-day grind, tune in and take the first step toward scaling your pet business to new heights! Timestamps: [02:00] Leah's journey from a solopreneur to building a team of employees [05:00] Importance of a strategic and thorough hiring process [09:04] 4th quarter marketing strategies [13:25] Example of Leah's employee creating engaging social media content [20:49] Challenges and personal growth that Leah has faced as a business owner Notable Quotes: "This doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't happen without struggle, okay, but last year, she was a solopreneur. It was her running, running crazy." "I want you guys to make sure that you're following the right people, that you're have the right sometimes it might not even be a pet business coach, because I got news for you. Money is money a P and L is a P and L." "You are missing out on two things, because most people who want to market for you only market for new clients. Your marketing should also be attracting employees, and it should also be attracting partners in your area." "You don't win when you're like, Oh, that's a cute idea. Okay, I'll go let I'll just do pup treats, or I'll go have some scooping for litter at my booth. But you have no idea why you're doing it. There's no point or rhyme or reason to it." "Stop learning, stop signing up for courses and and finish what you started four months ago. First focus and discipline are going to be the biggest things that's going to make you a successful entrepreneur." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella FREE 20-Minute Consult with Bella Wonder Pups Pet Care BIYB Episode 408 BIYB Episode 381 BIYB Episode 360 Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome. Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. Today's story time. And we're gonna. I can't wait to tell you guys this, because this has been a long time in the making, and you've actually been a part of it and haven't even known it. And I'm gonna tell you all about it today. Today is a success story. It is unlike any other success story that I literally get every single week, because jumpers jump, and you guys are really killing it and doing it. Amazing. But I always love to shout from the rooftops like a proud mama bear when I see you guys actually taking the advice and then blasting off with it. So let me. Let me back up a little bit. This is a story, a true story about Leah from wonder pups in Florida. And, you know, about a year ago, this woman was building her business. She was building her foundations. She's been in the mastermind and better marketing with Bella for a long time. And as you know, our doors are open for better marketing. And Bella, they closed this week, but we were only able to work with a certain amount of people, and we can only onboard a certain amount of people because the immense assets that we give you, along with the strategy and the one on one, like, training, is a lot. Anyways, that's another story for another time. Better. Sorry. Jump consulting.net, forward slash marketing. If you want to jump on board and be like leah and a lot of other people, but this is actually a story that encompasses everything. You know, like, we've. Her and I have been doing intensives. We've been doing better marketing with Bella, and we've been doing the mastermind. And this time last year, you know, we were building all the foundation for her business. Guys, this doesn't happen overnight. Um, and it doesn't
Episode 411: Pet Business Hiring Strategies: Attracting Good Employees Through Marketing
Are you tired of feeling stuck in your pet business, struggling to find the RIGHT employees? Does the hiring process feel like a never-ending cycle of frustration? You’re not alone... Today, we’re tackling pet business hiring strategies that WILL change the game for you. Finding passionate, dedicated individuals to join your team can seem impossible. After all, every hire impacts your business's success. You NEED people who genuinely care about the pets and clients you serve. If you’ve been overwhelmed by countless applications that don’t align with your company’s values, it’s time for a new approach! In this episode, I’m sharing practical, actionable insights that combine hiring strategies with effective marketing techniques to help you streamline your hiring process. It doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact, it can actually be an enjoyable part of building your dream team. Furthermore, you'll learn how to create a compelling employer brand that showcases what makes your pet sitting company UNIQUE and attractive to top talent, effectively using marketing to draw in the right candidates. We'll also discuss crafting engaging job descriptions that resonate with your ideal employees and how to create a positive interview experience that reflects your company culture. This is YOUR opportunity to elevate your hiring game and leverage marketing to attract the right talent! Ultimately, if you’re ready to take your pet business to the NEXT LEVEL with the right team in place, tune in NOW to discover the best pet business hiring strategies that will set you apart from the competition. It’s time to build the team that drives your success! Timestamps: [02:50] Case Study: Anne's Business Development [06:59] Connection Between Marketing and Hiring [08:14] Crafting Effective Hiring Ads [10:59] The Hiring Process as a Marketing Tool [14:14] Post-Hiring Marketing and Employee Retention [16:14] Challenges in the Industry and Auditing the Hiring Process Notable Quotes: "It's not that it doesn't work. It just doesn't work this way." "You have to be open to hearing a different way to do things. You have to be open to trusting me and walking down a path that you might not think would work, but I'm not going to tell you to do something that doesn't work." "I truly want to see you achieve all of your wildest dreams. I want to see you at home on Christmas morning with your family. I want to see you Thanksgiving getting all that Turkey in you on Thanksgiving Day, not on another day, because you were so busy working on Thanksgiving." "I don't care where you live. I don't care what your area is like. I don't care what your minimum wage is. You have to get out of your own way. And I'm telling you I could help you, but you have to trust me." "I'm not doing this for my ego. I'm not doing this to be right guys, I don't even. Necessarily need to do this podcast anymore, but every single week, not only do I sit in front of my microphone and I come up with a topic, and I create the script, and I send it over to my podcast producer, and I pay money for him to create this podcast, and then I pay money for my virtual assistants to get it on my website, and then I pay my social media girl money to promote this podcast. Why? Because I truly love you and I care about you, and I want you to succeed." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella FREE 20-Minute Consult with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. Oh, my gosh, you guys. There's been so much happening lately. First of all, I didn't know if I was going to actually be able to record this week's podcast and if I'd actually have to skip it because I've been so sick. But luckily, my voice is back. I might not be able to hear through one of my ears right now, but nonetheless, I'm really excited to bring this episode to you because I want to talk about two things at the same time. And we've talked about these two things separately many times. But if you are a pet sitting company that wants to start hiring, that's heard horror stories, or is having a hard time hiring, or think that everything else is wrong and that you're just perfect and right, and I say that lovingly, then this episode might trigger you. So, yeah, I'm gonna put a trigger warning on it. It's not them. It's you. There is a saying that someone once told me a long time ago. It's always stuck with me. It is. It's not that it doesn't work. It just doesn't work this way. And so there's definitely a lot of different ways to get to the goal, right? There's many different paths. But my job as a coach, someone who's been in the industry for 20 year
Episode 410: Value Over Market: Pricing Your Pet Services
Are you uncertain about whether you’re charging the right price for your pet services? Do you ever feel like you might be undervaluing your hard work and leaving money on the table? If the thought of pricing your pet services makes you anxious or if you find yourself second-guessing your current rates, you’re in good company! In this episode, I’m addressing two questions from fellow pet business owners who reached out to me for guidance. One asked, “How do I know if I’m charging enough?” and the other shared their concern about “how to position my services without scaring off clients.” I dive deep into how to price your pet services with confidence, ensuring you're not only covering your costs but also maximizing your profitability. It’s common for pet care professionals to feel hesitant about raising their rates, worried about scaring off clients or not being competitive. But here’s the truth: if you don’t price your pet services correctly, you risk burnout, financial stress, and ultimately, your business’s growth. Have you ever thought about the REAL value of your expertise, time, and care? Whether you're just starting out or have been in the industry for years, this episode will help you shift your mindset from “what will my clients pay?” to “what is my service truly worth?" I’ll share key strategies and insights into how you can confidently set your prices based on the value you deliver—not just what the market dictates. Tune in to discover the simple yet powerful pricing strategies that will not only boost your bottom line but also help you attract the right clients who respect the value of what you offer. Let’s turn your pricing fears into a profit-making formula! Timestamps: [01:08] Benefits of the Better Marketing With Bella program [05:00] Client Question about raising prices for pet sitting services [09:41] How to focus on your profit margin and consider a one-price full service model rather than tracking time [14:03] Client Conversation around building a website and hiring employees, while struggling to find the time [20:00] Importance of building a website as the foundation before adding other systems and hiring Notable Quotes: "Not only is the marketing strategy that we employ with you on the 1:1 calls and the group calls helping you get new clients, but it's also helping you attract the right kind of employees." "What takes a long time with social media is when you don't know what you're doing. What takes a long time with social media is when you do not have a strategy." "And if you're scared about it, first of all, it's okay to be scared. What matters is what you do with fear, okay? And fear comes from not knowing. It comes from thinking there's a boogeyman in the closet. Until you put the lights on, you realize it's a coat hanger, okay? So you need to get the education wherever you want to get it." "If you have a crappy website, then you're the first part. If you have a great website, you're the second part. And guess what? People believe what they see online. Or if you don't have a website, what they don't see. Your website is a big part of your branding. It is the beginning stages of people cyber stalking you." "But we have to realize that we can now charge more than what we're really comfortable charging because there's only one of us." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella FREE 20-Minute Consult with Bella Erika @ Barketing Blog Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome, everybody, to an all new episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today we're gonna go off script again. So buckle up. We're gonna have a lot of fun. I have two different clients that are, they have some questions and I always tell you guys to submit questions and thus you have. And we're gonna have some fun today. But before we do, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you so much. It is so exciting to know how on fire you guys are for marketing. We announced last week that beta marketing with Bella, doors are open and a bunch of you guys flooded to sign up. And that was just, that literally made my heart so happy because the people that were signing up are people who are go getters. They're the ones that I know I can literally say my success is going to be your success. I know what we have planned for first semester next year, January to June. I know all of the emails that we have scheduled for you guys to go out. I know the types of engaging graphics and talking points that we have simultaneously. I'm also getting, if you guys follow me on my Instagram Stories, you've seen this already, but you've seen the engagement shoot up up to 1000%. That much. Okay. And that not only are the, is the marketing strategy that we employ w
Episode 409: Maximizing Social Media: The Secret Pet Businesses Are Missing
Are you struggling to stand out in the competitive pet industry? Have you considered how maximizing social media can help you attract more clients, quality employees, and even valuable partnerships? If you've ever thought of social media as merely a client-attraction tool, it’s time to shift gears. In this episode, I’m revealing why social media isn’t just about posting cute dog pics—it’s your GOLDMINE for attracting TOP-NOTCH employees and forging partnerships with local businesses! With statistics showing that 54% of small businesses don’t use social media effectively, you could be missing out on BIG opportunities for maximizing social media impact. Many pet business owners operate under the misconception that social media is solely for marketing. This narrow view can hinder your potential growth. Imagine a platform where you not only showcase your services, BUT also highlight your unique company culture and values. This is what creates an authentic connection with your audience, setting you apart from the competition. Are you ready to kill THREE birds with ONE stone! I’ll walk you through the THREE essential social media goals every pet business should embrace. Plus, I'll share real-life success stories, including how Maggie from Salty Dogs Pet Care is leveraging community connections to DRIVE GROWTH. It’s time to break free from one-dimensional thinking! Let’s make every post count. Tune in to discover how to elevate your social media strategy and watch your business THRIVE. Timestamps: [01:16] The common, short-sighted approach to using social media in pet sitting/dog walking businesses [05:22] Using social media to attract top-notch employees [09:19] Benefits of showcasing employees on social media [12:31] Leveraging social media partnerships with local businesses [1 7:29] The importance of having a strategic plan for social media content [20:36] How the 'Better Marketing With Bella' program can help you [22:37] The value of building long-lasting relationships through social media Notable Quotes: "Relationships will last longer than a social media post." "Social media isn't just for getting clients. It's also a powerful tool for attracting employees and forming partnerships with local businesses." "Businesses that actively post about their company culture are 33% more likely to attract top tier client employees." "If you just try to do it a one off, or you just try to be like, 'Oh, I'm gonna just start posting stuff or whatever, see what happens,' it's not gonna be as successful." "If you decide to do this stuff, which you should, I just want you to sit down, sit down and think about it. Think about what kind of message you want to be putting out there for employees, for partners and, of course, for clients as well. And how are you going to tell those stories? Be really strategic about it." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella FREE 20-Minute Consult with Bella Erika @ Barketing Blog Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: If you guys have been with me for a minute, you know that I am all about the easy button. I am all about working smarter, not harder. I am all about strategy so that we're not just throwing spaghetti up against the wall and seeing what sticks. So my most pet businesses that I see, they see social media as a one dimensional tool. And if you're doing that, you're making, like, the biggest mistake. It's. It's not just a tool to get clients. And so why not, like, you know that saying, hit a bird, two birds 1 st. This is three birds, 1 st. If you think about it correctly, and nobody's teaching this, they're just teaching you how to get clients. And it boggles my mind. And sure enough, just like everything else I do, I'm sure in a year from now, it'll be more mainstream. But I really, really, really want to, like, pound this home today that it is not. Social media is not one dimensional. And in this episode, I'm going to be walking you through exactly why and how social media isn't just for attracting clients, but it's also for bringing top notch employees and creating partnerships with local businesses in your community. Ready? We're gonna do this. So let's start with a problem. The way that most pet sitting and dog walking businesses approach social media is, frankly, short sighted. The mindset tends to be, I'm gonna post the cute dog pictures, or I'm gonna just try to, you know, post something that happened today and maybe a client testimony, and maybe that's gonna bring in clients. And sure, it does bring in clients. Secondary. Not. Not like initially, but is that all social media is good for? So think about this. Like, according to a survey by Hootsuite, 90% of marketers say that social m
Episode 408: 4th Quarter Planning for Pet Business Owners
Does it feel like 4th quarter planning always sneaks up on you, leaving you scrambling to hit those end-of-year goals? Or perhaps you’re wondering how to balance business growth while still finding time to rest and recharge before the holidays? The last few months of the year can be overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can turn this season into your most productive one yet. In this week's episode, I’m diving headfirst into how to finish the year strong—without losing your sanity. We’re talking about 4th-quarter planning, the importance of understanding the seasons of hustle versus rest, and how to create a roadmap for success that works for YOU and your business. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why breaking the last quarter into manageable chunks is the key to hitting your goals. The power of recognizing the season you’re in—whether it’s time to sprint or slow down. The importance of delegation and automation to keep your business running smoothly, even when you’re resting. Imagine wrapping up 2024 not in a state of burnout, but feeling balanced and ready for what’s next. Whether you’re looking to onboard new clients, boost revenue, or reclaim your personal time, this episode is here to help you navigate the final stretch of the year with clarity and intention. So, grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s map out a game plan for your best 4th quarter yet! Timestamps: [01:30] Discussing different seasons in life [03:30] Importance of not comparing yourself to others [05:00] Practical tips for planning the fourth quarter [07:00] Importance of delegation and automation [10:00] Work-life balance [14:00] Importance of energy management Notable Quotes: "Not every business will look the same, and that's okay, because everyone's journey and experiences are unique, and relating yours to someone else's is always a bad idea, always the only person, and you've heard me say this before, you should ever be comparing yourself to is yourself of yesterday, last week, last month, last year." "Rest does not mean failure. It's about understanding that there's times to sprint and times to slow down, and both are very necessary for growth." "Dream. I want to give you that power to dream, and I can't stress this enough, but a big portion of this is going to be delegation." "Balance is possible, but it looks different for everyone. And so I think a lot of people actually fail or feel like they're failing this, because they don't actually sit and stop and think about, what does that look like for me?" Resources: Better Marketing With Bella Jump Mastermind Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. I am excited for today's episode because I I feel like, okay, we are on the verge of the end of third quarter, right? And some of you may or may not talk or think about your business or your life in quarters, but I'm telling you, once you start doing that while things change. The reason why we do 90 day goals in the mastermind is because our brains can actually understand or think about what we're going to be doing in 90 days in three months, approximately. Think about it. You probably know where you're going to be during Christmas this year. You know where you're going to be living, what you're going to be driving, approximately how your business is going to be doing. But if I were to ask you what it would be doing in five years from now, you're like, I have no idea. I would have no idea that I would be in the living, the life I'm living. If you asked me this in 2019, okay, it is. It is just uncanny to me how things change and how, hopefully we change and grow all of the time. So today, I want to kind of dive into that, and I want to make you finish strong, rest easy, a balanced fourth quarter for all of you. Because right now, at the time of this this airing, it is Thursday, September 26 Okay, which means in four days, five days, third quarter is gonna be coming to an end, and fourth quarter is gonna be starting October 1. October 1 to December 31 this is your sprint. This is where we can do anything we want. Now that could be a sprint for clients and revenue. That could be a sprint for rest and to just kick it down into a gear. As a business owner, you all get to decide that, and so I really want this whole entire episode is going to be dedicated to empowering you to thinking about, how do you want to do your planning of the fourth quarter while still carving out time for family and personal life. Okay, so I want you to really think about there's different seasons in life. There's a season for hustle, there's a season for rest, and there's a season for growing. There's so many different seasons that we ca
Episode 407: Top 5 Marketing Mistakes Pet Sitting Businesses Make
Ever find yourself scratching your head, wondering why your marketing isn’t hitting the mark? Wish you had a blueprint to dodge the common marketing mistakes that are holding your pet business back? In this week's episode, I'm unlocking the secrets to effective marketing as I dive into the top five marketing mistakes that I see pet businesses make. This episode is especially for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their current marketing efforts. In this episode, you’ll discover: The ONE major misconception: Thinking everyone is your client—learn why this could be draining your resources and focus. Online Presence pitfalls: Why lacking a robust online presence can make or break your business. Branding Blunders: The do’s and dont’s of consistent, effective branding. Imagine finally understanding why your marketing efforts haven't been converting. Picture turning those weak spots into areas of strength that drive your business forward. Think about it...What if you could spend less time guessing and more time executing tactics that actually work? How would it feel to have a crystal-clear understanding of your target audience? What difference would a consistent and compelling brand make to your bottom line? Time Sensitive Invite: There’s also an exciting revival happening in our Jump Start Your Pet Business community on Facebook, and I want YOU to be a part of it. I've been going live once or twice a week to teach and give valuable tips. We are still entering people into our FREE 20-minute 1:1 coaching session giveaway. Simply join the group and tag me (Bella) in your post – I'd love to hear which episode inspired you the most! Timestamps: [02:09] Marketing Mistake #1 [07:12] Marketing Mistake #2 [14:25] Marketing Mistake #3 [16:25] Marketing Mistake #4 [21:35] Marketing Mistake #5 Notable Quotes: "If everyone was your client, then that means that you're competing with rover, or you're competing with, like, these big national corporations that are just a logo and, like a website, right? You are a unique individual, servicing a very small area. If you really zoom out, look at the entire world, you know, you are the expert in your area." "If your website is stale, if it's sterile, if your marketing on your website or your social media is literally something that I could copy and paste and put on someone else's therefore it's not personal, then you miss the mark." "Are you measuring engagement? Are you measuring ultimate conversion rates? Are you measuring just page views on Google? Are you measuring click throughs in emails? What are you measuring?" Resources: Email Bella: bella @ jumpconsulting . net Jump Start Your Pet Business Facebook group FREE 20-min Consult with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today we're gonna talk. We're gonna talk about top five marketing mistakes that pet businesses make. And, guys, I know you've been loving these, like, really personal episodes, and trust me, I'm gonna stay personal. We're gonna keep it going because this is literally me talking to you and keep all of the questions coming. I love getting them. I love the DM's. I live for them. Honestly, I always love finding out, like, you know, what your biggest takeaway was. So feel free to ask me anywhere. Instagram, Facebook, where else? I don't know. Everywhere, really. Or bellaumpconsulting.net. olivia was so excited and loved all of your comments. So thank you so much for her little, um, her little debut last week. If you haven't listened to it, she dropped some positivity bombs that were pretty cute. I was very proud of her. Um, all right, so without ado, let's get started. Actually, no, there's one more thing I want to tell you about. Um, keep coming into the jumpstart, your pet business Facebook group. We're going to be doing a lot of stuff in there. It's starting to really ramp up. I went live in there once or twice this weekend. Um, just kind of teaching or giving some tips. I'm going to do even more. And we are still entering people into our free coaching session. So all you got to do is just post on the wall. Tag. Mella. Hey, Belle. I heard you on the podcast, entering to win one of the free coaching sessions. Um, and, uh, and let me know, and we'll get you in there. Okay? So just go to Facebook and just type in, jump start your pet business. You might already be a member and just forgot because of the greatest, a logarithm. Um, and, uh, it's just. It's fun in there. So come on and get in. It's one way you can be part of a community. It's free. It's free. Costs nothing. And the difference about this community is it's actually led by me. Right? So
Episode 406: Staying Positive & Time Sensitive Invite!
Ever find yourself wondering how to keep that spark alive in your business while staying positive when life keeps throwing curveballs? Wish you had a blueprint for staying focused even when the odds are against you? After battling a nasty illness and managing through a packed schedule, I've got some real talk to share. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by life or business, you'll find solace and actionable advice here. I'm diving deep into a question that hit home during one of our mastermind roundups: How do you stay positive amidst all the chaos? Imagine having a toolkit at your fingertips that helps you bounce back every single time you face adversity. In this episode, you'll discover: Practical and immediate strategies to transform your outlook. How simple, consistent habits can turn your entire day (and week) around. Real-life stories and anecdotes: Because nothing hits home like genuine experiences that you can relate to. I’m bringing the positivity straight to your headphones, along with a heartwarming segment featuring my daughter, Olivia. Her innocent yet profound take on affirmations and staying positive will uplift your spirit and provide an extra dose of inspiration. Time Sensitive Invite: There’s also an exciting revival happening in our Jumpstart Your Pet Business community on Facebook, and I want YOU to be a part of it. Join us to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, share your experiences, and get exclusive insights that can elevate your pet business. To sweeten the deal, I'm offering a FREE 20-minute 1:1 coaching session to a lucky member. Simply join the group and tag me (Bella) in your post – I'd love to hear which episode inspired you the most! Timestamps: [0:50] Staying Positive: Laura's Question [3:30] Daily Intentions and Gratitude with my daughter; Olivia [9:00] Practical Tips for Staying Positive [10:00] Olivia's Insights on the benefits of Affirmations [11:00] Revival of the Jumpstart Facebook Community [14:30] Importance of Community Participation and Engagement [15:30] My Personal Story of Overcoming Challenges Notable Quotes: "Motivation, inspiration means nothing without action." "You cannot be sad and grateful at the same time." "Positivity is a choice. It literally is a choice that you have to make every single second." "Everything we do is a habit in life. Everything we do, even the decision to say, 'oh, it just never ends,' that's a habit that is something that you're actually unconsciously choosing to do." "I don't stay positive all the time. And for anyone that says they do, please tell me what their podcast is, because that just sounds like very Buddh, that sounds very enlightened, like there's not a lot of people in this world that are just constantly pure joy, happy, peaceful." Resources: Jumpstart Your Pet Business Facebook group FREE 20-min Consult with Bella FREE Training: '5 Must-Haves to Make Your Pet Business Training Streamlined and Sexy' Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business.Oh, my gosh. I did not know if I was actually going to be able to record this podcast. Today is actually Monday, September 9. I'm back in my studio. You guys absolutely loved the road trip episodes. Shortly after that, I got really sick. I never get sick. I got really sick and had the chills, like the whole nine yards. My daughter was such a good nurse. She was so cute. But I'm kind of recovering from it, and I did a lot of talking. I had meetings all day today. I try to stack my meetings mostly on Monday, Tuesday, and so I had a lot of meetings today. My throat is sore. It was getting better, and now it just feels a little bit. I guess I don't sound that bad. But it really strains me a lot to talk. So probably going to be a shorter episode because such is life. Okay. But I do have two things that I really want to come to you about today, and I decided to keep your advice and, you know, be a little bit more real. So the two things I want to tell you about is something that's happening online, which I'm going to talk about second, but first, I actually received a question from a jumper. And in the mastermind, we have what we call roundups. And once a month we all get together. It's kind of like a group coaching. Call a group think tank. It's kind of where we can all bounce ideas off of each other and just really come together and solve. And it's great because people submit their questions ahead of time, but then people also, they just show up because a lot of the times, other people's questions are your questions or other people's fears. And this is one of them. And it actually inspired me so much that I wanted to address this on the podcast.
Episode 405: 3 Things That Can Drastically Impact Your Pet Sitting Business
Ever wonder how you can just get a little better during the workday? Have you ever thought about how the people, spaces, AND food you consume might help or hinder you? In this episode, I take you along on Part Two of my road trip. This time, I dive deep into how mindful choices in food, spaces, and relationships can impact your pet sitting business! You'll hear all about how intentional living can transform your energy levels and productivity. Imagine starting your day with a nutritious breakfast that fuels your brain and body—compare that to grabbing a sugary snack that leads to a mid-morning crash. These small choices add up to make a significant impact on your productivity. I'm spilling some of my favorite tips for making the right food choices that keep you energized and focused throughout the day. I also discuss the importance of setting up an environment that fosters creativity and focus. I'll walk you through some simple adjustments that can help turn your workspace into a productivity powerhouse. Furthermore, I talk about the importance of supportive relationships. Having just one person who lifts you up and propels you toward your goals is ESSENTIAL for sustaining motivation and achieving success. Drawing from my REAL experiences and life lessons, this episode is packed with actionable steps that make a difference. Whether it's a small tweak in your diet, a shift in your workspace setup, or nurturing a supportive friendship, these changes can lead to transformative results. Tune in NOW and learn how food, spaces, and people can drastically impact your pet sitting business. Timestamps: [02:20] Importance of having a shared album with her social media manager to easily access content. [05:00] Bella describes the feeling of energy and peacefulness she experienced at Liz's home. [07:07] Being aware of the spaces you spend time in and how those spaces make you feel. [09:42] The impact of food choices on energy and productivity. [16:36] Experience of using ChatGPT to create a healthy recipe using ingredients on hand. [20:00] The importance of being selective about the people in your life and how they impact you. Notable Quotes: "You get to decide, but a lack of decision is also a decision." "What things are we using in our life to take us away from our greatness? What things are robbing us or stripping us from our excellence?" "I just want to encourage you to just become AWARE. I'm not saying to kick everyone out of your life, get a great space, only go to good spaces, only eat good food, and if you don't, you're failure. That is the furthest thing from the truth." "Sometimes I've had someone that's like, 'Hey, can I join you?' And I'm like, 'No,' as weird as that sounds. "I remember 20 years ago, when I first started therapy, my therapist told me my homework was to go out to dinner by myself, and I about like suffocated. I thought that was the worst thing ever. Fast Forward, 20 years later, I go out to dinner by myself at least once a week now, and I take great pride and joy in it." Resources: Yuka App Radical Acceptance (book) Atomic Habits (book) The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins 20-min FREE consult with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Well, welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. We are road tripping for part two of our road trip. I just finished my time with Liz, and we created a couple hundred pieces of content, whether it be videos for our upcoming classes that we're doing with pet care team training, or just a bunch of b roll of playing with dogs, feeding dogs, running with dogs, walking with dogs, petting dogs, all the things with dogs. It's really helpful. Like, you know, like I said, the last podcast, when you have people in your life you can rely on, it's also, you know, very intentional. We actually had a joke the whole time because she made an itinerary for us, and I know that she was gonna make an itinerary for us, so therefore, I knew I just needed to show up. And if she's like, hey, record a video on CPR, I was like, absolutely. Give me 1 second. Collect my thoughts live. You know, like, go. And we're both very good about taking video footage. Like b roll. B roll is like behind the scenes. It's not like a talking head or someone's actually like talking to you or delivering information. It's more like scanning and the dogs are running, or you're following someone walking and maybe they're walking away from the camera doing things like that. That is a lot of, um. That's b roll. And that is amazingly useful because you can use that on social media and in like reels. You can put words over it. You can do a voiceover, you can do so many different things with b roll. So the mor
Episode 404: Navigating Personal Growth and Healing (Unscripted)
How do you navigate personal growth? Do you feel isolated or unsupported on your journey? Are you constantly searching for real, unfiltered insights on life and business? Join Bella Vasta on a deeply personal road trip from Phoenix to Tucson, Arizona, in this unique podcast episode. As Bella navigates the open road, she reflects on her partnership with Liz Illg, co-founder of Pet Care Team Training, sharing the importance of having supportive and complementary relationships in both business and life. Recorded live and unedited, this episode offers an authentic glimpse into Bella's thoughts and feelings, making you feel like you're right there in the car with her. Bella discusses the transformative power of community and friendships, drawing from her own journey through trauma and healing after her daughter's premature birth. She opens up about the significance of inner courage, personal growth, and the necessity of having a support system. Whether she's passing cows or crossing border checkpoints, Bella's raw and unfiltered storytelling invites you to reflect on your own life, encouraging you to find and cherish the people who help you thrive. Don't miss this engaging and inspirational episode that blends business insights with heartfelt personal experiences. Timestamps: [02:16] Bella and Liz's business partnership and friendship [06:44] Bella's experience of isolation and survival mode after her daughter's health challenges [09:40] Bella's journey of inner child healing and personal growth [13:29] Advice on reflecting on why certain things trigger strong reactions, and the importance of self-awareness [23:44] Importance of building a supportive community and not trying to do everything alone [26:33] The value of having close friends who can support and challenge you Notable Quotes: "It takes courage to constantly grow. It takes courage to put your ego aside and think about, well, why does it hurt me? Where does it come from?" "Sometimes you just need a witness to be like, 'Damn girl, you've come so far, because six months ago, you would have handled this a completely different way.'" "Asking for help is really difficult for a lot of people, because we were told not to ask for help. We were told to be seen and not heard." "You have to have a reciprocal energy flow. I'm going to put it that way, right? Like you pour into someone, they pour into you, and it has to be circular." "I feel like all these Facebook groups, they're really great. However, there's a bunch of keyboard warriors on there. How great are the Facebook groups really? How much of an intimate connection are you actually able to make?" Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Hello. This is going to be a little bit of a different episode if I actually post it. Hi, this is Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. I'm currently going about 80 miles an hour on the I ten, heading from Phoenix down south of Tucson to a small little town where there's wine country. It is where my co founder of pet care team Training, Liz Ilig, resides and on her farm. And going down there because we are planning for the fourth quarter of the year and then just doing some projects and filming some stuff. It's actually been a year since I've been down there and you know, I'm not really sure exactly where this podcast is going, but we're going to download it and get you show notes from AI when I am done. But I thought I would just talk to you. Is that all right? And this is also kind of like russian roulette because you have no idea what could come out of my mouth. There is no editing. There is no let's stop and re record this. So if I publish this, I'm going to publish it in its entirety. It's just like it's me talking to you as I'm driving. It's currently 09:00 in the morning. It is about 100 degrees, which is actually very cool for Arizona. As I drive south, it's actually close to the border to the point that I get these messages on my phone that says, now entering Mexico and not really, and there is a couple of border checkpoints that I go through. If you guys have never been through that stuff, I go through it quite frequently. When I do actually drive to the beach in Mexico, it just gets down to like one lane and you go slowly through, you roll down your windows, you say hi to the guy and just kind of roll on through. But anyways, hi. I was reflecting on some stuff, something that you may or may not know. First of all, Liz is not just my business partner for pet care team training, where we certify pet sitters and dog walkers to be pet sitters and dog walkers and give them CPR first aid certifications. So two certifications. But we also are very good friends. We have
Episode 403: Why You Need To Diversify Your Pet Business Revenue Streams
How many ways do you actively have clients coming into your business? Referrals? Your website? Is it google ads? Are they equal or does one lead more than the other? Today, we are diving deep in this episode, on why you should have multiple pet business revenue streams and what they are so you can keep a great business financial health. In the fast-paced world of pet services, relying on a single revenue source is a recipe for STRESS and INSTABILITY. Discover actionable strategies for diversifying your income sources—from leveraging social media and email marketing to forming strategic community partnerships. You’ll learn practical steps to break free from the cycle of financial anxiety. Let’s face it—you can’t afford to depend on just one source of income. Knowing how to create multiple pet business revenue streams will set you free from the constant worry and give you more control over your financial future. Learn how to master your profit margins, enhance your online presence, and make strategic decisions aligning with your goals. Whether you’re struggling with stagnant growth or feeling vulnerable relying on just one revenue stream, this episode is PACKED with insights to help you succeed. Tune in now! Timestamps: [02:31] Diversifying Revenue Streams [03:21] Google Ads and what you need in order for it to be effective [06:15] Effectiveness of email marketing and strategies for converting potential leads and increasing client engagement [8:30] Significance of using social media effectively [11:14] Using review sites like Yelp and Nextdoor and leveraging positive reviews for social media content [11:57] Importance of building relationships with local pet stores, grooming shops, veterinarians, and other community partners for referrals [16:10] Importance of blogging and using SEO to attract local clients. [18:18] Retargeting and Facebook Ads Notable Quotes: "If you only are relying on one thing, or let alone nothing, to generate your leads, then you're not really setting yourself up for success." "That's what happens, is that people go from your website, which is just a static thing, published, God knows when, and then they click over to your social media so that they can know like and trust you." "And email is actually better performing, believe it or not, than social media. The reason is, is because most of the people that you have on your email list are people that you've already talked to." "If you're diversified, you're never going to have that problem. One might go down for a little bit, but it's okay because you're spread out evenly." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella Jump Start Your Pet Business Facebook Group Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Hello and welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. Ooh, was that. Hello. Annoying. It was definitely very different than I usually do it. But what is going on? Jumpers today, we're gonna have kind of an interesting topic. I was having a recent conversation and it kind of inspired this episode. Someone had a difficulty with their Google, my business, GMBN, and they were a part of the organization. That's the way they do it. They spend a lot of money on Google Ads and that's how they get their, their leads, their customers. And it got me thinking because I know that, you know, that is very. Hmm. It's very different than most professional pet sitters do it. And it kind of got me thinking larger and bigger about the whole thing and how if you only are relying on one thing, or let alone nothing, to generate your leads, then you're not really setting yourself up for success. So I wanted to have a conversation with you about that today. Basically why you need to have multiple, I'm going to call them revenue streams, multiple ways, and I'm going to talk to you about a bunch of them today to kind of get you to think about all the different areas that maybe are untapped or that you need to go back and nurture a little bit more. But in any case, this episode, hopefully, is going to be here to inspire you to greatness. Remember, there's no sense in being motivated unless you are driven to action. So as I go through the different list and talk about the different things, I want you to think about one that you can spend 15 minutes on in the next coming week. That's my, that's my, um, my ask of you in this episode. Okay? So let's get into it. So most of us, um, we just, you know, we hope that the phone rings, right? Um, you're out there taking care of the dogs, taking care of the cats, um, taking care of your employees, running payroll, um, doing accounts receivable and payable, uh, trying to keep up with your wife, website. Like, you know, all this stuff, right? And most of us are really just not focused
Episode 402: When To Raise Your Pet Business Rates
Have you ever felt like you’re constantly hustling but never earning enough? Do you find yourself wondering when to raise your pet business rates so you can finally see the financial relief you deserve? In the demanding world of pet services, understanding when to raise your pet business rates is crucial. I talk about it ALL on this episode. The reality of what happens when you don't charge enough, the rising costs of everything in this world, and how this affects your bottom line if your prices are too low. I will share personal stories to illustrate what happens if you don't get this part of your business under control. People legit are going out of business because this subject isn't given enough care and attention. It isn't based off of emotions AT ALL. We’ll explore actionable strategies, from analyzing your profit margins to mastering the art of setting rates that reflect your true value. You’ll learn how to break free from the cycle of financial anxiety and create a thriving business. By aligning your rates with your goals, you’ll attract better clients. Tune in NOW! Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to the topic of when to raise prices [01:03] Signs it's time to raise prices [06:30] Strategy and Discounts [08:00] 30/30/40 Method [09:30] Mathematical pricing vs. emotion-based Notable Quotes: "If your business is constantly running out of money, or you are constantly wondering if your card is going to get declined, then you're doing something wrong here, because most likely, you're probably working yourself like a dog, pun intended." "If you're giving discounts off your initial price rather than an already inflated price, you're potentially undercutting your business's value." "It should be a mathematical equation with a strategy that you employ." Resources: Pricing Structure & Strategy Class Jump Mastermind Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we're going to talk about when it’s time to raise prices. This is probably one of the most popular topics I see discussed in Facebook groups, and it’s an important one. Raising prices isn’t just about making a quick decision to increase your rate by a few dollars. It's a more complex process that should involve careful consideration. Today, I want to guide you through a thought process that might be a bit uncomfortable because it involves money, which is often tied to our sense of worth and value. Some people choose to raise their prices every year, which is fine, but are these increases aligned with inflation or simply based on feelings? If you're making pricing decisions based on emotions rather than strategy, you might not be setting yourself up for success. I’ve even created a class on this topic, the Pricing Structure and Strategy class, because there is both a structure and a strategy to consider when setting your prices. One of the biggest mistakes I see is setting a price and then discounting it, which essentially takes profits out of your own pocket. So, when is it time to raise prices? It’s definitely a daunting decision, but there are clear signs to look for. For instance, are you or your business living paycheck to paycheck? Your business and personal bank accounts should be separate, and you should be doing draws or paying yourself a paycheck depending on how your business is set up. If your business is constantly running out of money, or if you're constantly worried about your card being declined, it's time to rethink your pricing structure. If you're working tirelessly but still living paycheck to paycheck, it indicates that your current rates aren't sufficient to cover your living expenses and business costs. Another important factor is profit margins. If your business isn't making at least a 20% profit on revenue over $400k or 30% on revenue under $400k, it's time to reconsider your pricing strategy. Healthy profit margins are essential for covering operating expenses, reinvesting in your business, and ensuring long-term viability. Insufficient profit margins can hinder growth and sustainability, putting your business at risk and potentially leading you to work even more, which can affect your personal life. It’s also crucial to assess whether your business can afford its needs and wants. If you’re struggling to purchase necessary equipment or invest in marketing, it’s a clear sign that you need to raise your prices. Your business should have the financial flexibility to support its ongoing needs and future growth. Another red flag is neglecting your personal savings. Your business should enable you to save for personal goals, emergencies, and future financial security. If your current pricing strategy forces yo
Episode 401: Why Connection Is The Key To Your Success in The Pet Sitting Industry
Are you feeling the isolation that often comes with running a business? Consistency and discipline got us to 400 episodes, and today’s episode is a must-listen for all pet business owners feeling the weight of isolation and stress. In this episode of the Bella In Your Business podcast, I dive deep into the POWER OF CONNECTION. Running a pet care business can be incredibly rewarding but also lonely. Pets can’t respond emotionally, and it’s tough to share certain struggles with your team. This isolation can lead to mental health challenges, something many entrepreneurs experience, even if we don’t talk about it enough. I open up about the impact of high cortisol levels caused by chronic stress and how it affects everything from your weight to your sleep and even your concentration. My journey with a naturopath has been eye-opening, revealing how critical it is to manage these stressors for overall well-being. But here’s the game-changer—COMMUNITY. I can't stress enough the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive network. From emotional upliftment to practical business advice, a solid community can transform isolation into inspiration. Tune in as I share personal insights, scientific data, and actionable steps to help you combat the loneliness and stress of running your pet business. Learn how being part of a community can elevate you both personally and professionally. Don't miss out on this episode—it could be the leadership shift and support you've been searching for! Timestamps: [00:46] Importance of Community [02:31] Mental Health and Cortisol Levels [08:11] Symptoms [12:01] Overcoming Isolation in Business [17:46] Business Community Benefits [21:31] Shared Experiences and Support [24:01] Personal Benefits and Accountability [27:51] Finding the Right Community Notable Quotes: "Consistency and discipline will get you everywhere in life." "Isolation doesn't just impact your business, it impacts you and your mental health." "High cortisol levels associated with chronic stress can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms." Resources & Links: Jump Mastermind Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Jump Consulting. Oh, my gosh. I can't believe this is episode 401. Literally, guys, you just never know. Like, consistency and discipline, like, will get you everywhere in life. I haven't always been perfect. We have missed a couple of Thursdays, especially at the beginning when we are starting to get really, really going with this podcast. But I literally feel out of body. I can't believe this is episode 401. However, I do want to talk to you about something that I don't… I haven't really gone that far into before. I've talked about, you know, how important it is to have community, and this is not a pitch for the mastermind. Like, I literally want you to start thinking about who's in your life, who's surrounding you, who's lifting you up, because that has been so pivotal in my own life the past six months that I cannot even tell you. If I did not have different communities in my life, I do not know what… where I would be in certain areas of my life. And I really wanted to bring that to you this week. So, um, you know, there's an isolation that happens when we run a business, and loneliness and stress is a real thing. I mean, literally, let's get real. Like, owning and operating a pet care business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be incredibly lonely. The pets don't talk back to us, and we can't necessarily talk to our office managers or our pet sitters like we could a comrade or a friend or a confidant, right? And so every day, we're pouring our heart and souls into caring for those, for babies, for our staff. But when the hustle winds die down and you find yourself alone with the thoughts, the isolation kicks in. The weight of running our business, maintaining client relationships, ensuring the well-being of the pets, it can feel like an insurmountable mountain. And isolation doesn't just impact your business, it impacts you and your mental health. And I want to really talk about something that I haven't really talked about before. When I've said about mental health before, when you're operating in a silo, it's easy to spiral into feelings of overwhelm and depression. And what I really want to kind of talk about is cortisol levels. And I want you to understand what it is and how to understand it and how to, like, you know, ask your doctor about it. What changed my life was when I brought a naturopath into things. And you can disagree with me, and that's okay. Like, regular doctors just kind of throw, like, meds at something to, like, you know, like, cover the problem, right? And i
Episode 400: Celebrating 400 Episodes With The Most Inspiring Guests On the Podcast
Join me as I celebrate 400 episodes of the Bella In Your Business podcast! I couldn't be more thrilled to reach this milestone with YOU. From humble beginnings recording in my closet with a ten-pound MacBook to now, with a professional setup and a decade of experience, this journey has been nothing short of incredible. In this special episode, I take you through the highs and lows of the past ten years, sharing the raw, unfiltered reality of building a business. Hear about my early struggles, Olivia's time in the NICU, and the challenges of balancing single motherhood with coaching and running a business. I reflect on past episodes, from tackling imposter syndrome to overcoming burnout and isolation. You'll hear inspiring stories from guests who transformed their businesses and lives, like Jennifer Jasmin growing her team from one to seven, and Randa Clark's amazing growth mindset. Whether you're new here or an OG listener, thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support means the world to me, and I hope this episode empowers you to take risks, embrace imperfection, and keep pushing forward. Here's to 400 episodes and many more to come! Timestamps: [00:00] Celebrating 400 episodes [02:14] Impostor syndrome and perfectionism [06:00] Highlighting past guests and clients [12:06] Hiring, leadership, and business processes [20:00] Motivation, action, and mindset Notable Quotes: "The only person that you're in competition with is yourself. Are you better today than you were yesterday, last week, last month, and last year? That's the only thing that matters." "You don't have to stay in the rut if you're in the rut." "I just want to encourage you that done is better than perfect." "Your brain does not know the difference between reality and what you're thinking. If you don't believe me, go look it up. And that's why they say fake it till you make it. Start telling yourself what you see yourself in." Resources & Links: Jennifer Jasmin - Furriendly Critter Sitters Angela Watts - Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, LLC Randa Clark - Tail Chasers Inc Beau Bibeau - Top Dog Walk Kathy Perez - Golden Tails Dog Walking Tracy Murray - Saving Fido Dog Walking Tiffany Lewis - Pet and Home Care Becky Lea - Paws Around Motown LeighAnn Johnson - Wonder Pups Pet Care Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta, and, oh, my gosh, you guys, this is the 400th episode. 400. Okay. Um. I never thought that I would ever get to 400. I don't know where I thought I would get, but I'll never forget in my first house recording on my MacBook, which back then was, like, ten pounds, and I didn't have a microphone. My whole house was tile except my closet.And so I would go and I would record in my closet because it was the only place that it didn't echo too much. And I first started it off talking about how to get employees. It was, like, literally episode number one, how to get through the hiring slumps. And it's actually our third most popular episode. And I just want to tell you, if you haven't heard that one, I would highly recommend that you go back and look at that. Now. That was ten years ago. Ten years ago. How crazy is that now? My first year or two, I had started it when Olivia was in the NICU, and I didn't become regular, like, every Thursday until probably about the third year. And then we showed up with the consistency of every Thursday. But I know a lot of you out there have imposter syndrome. I was actually just talking to someone yesterday about that, and, you know, you're always looking at what other people are doing, or you always want things done perfect. And I just want to encourage you that done is better than perfect. And when you can do that and you can realize that, you know, nothing's going to be perfect, and you can just correct and continue, as my friend Christina says, then you're going to get that momentum going and go back and listen to that episode one. You know what the episodes sound like now. I have this nice, cool, sure. Microphone. It's makes my voice sound like butter. And I also have a producer. We have different intro music. I think our podcast cover has changed about three times over the years. Truth be told, I'm going to change the jingle soon, coming in and out. However, I've just been so busy this summer. So, again, in a perfect world, we'd have a whole new, you know, jingle for the 400th episode. But you know what? Hi. I'm. I'm human. I just turned 42. I've got a now ten year old daughter as of two weeks ago, and. And I'm a single mom, and I'm a business coach. I've been in this industry for 22 years
Episode 399: Franchises In The Pet Industry… Good or Bad?
Are you feeling uncertain about franchising your pet business? Wondering if the promised rewards are truly worth the risks and responsibilities? Imagine – seriously think about this – you’re at the brink of expanding your business, but looming questions about franchising are holding you back. In this week’s episode of the Bella In Your Business podcast, we’re going where most wouldn’t dare – straight into the heart of the franchise debate. We’re diving headfirst into the world of franchising with a special guest – Liz Ilig. With nine grooming shops and years of hard-earned entrepreneurial wisdom, Liz has been through the trenches. The big brands have courted her, trying to lure her into franchising her business. Yet… she remains unfazed, standing by her decision NOT to go that route. Why? Because success in franchising isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. Learn why brand recognition doesn’t always translate across state lines and how the responsibility of someone else's success can be more overwhelming than anticipated. Think...could giving away your ‘secret sauce’ actually dilute your brand’s integrity and success? If you’re contemplating diving into the dog franchise world or considering other avenues for scaling, this episode is your manual. Tune in to hear why going bigger doesn’t always mean better and how keeping control could be your secret to sustained success. Ready to make the right move? Timestamps: [04:35] Franchise opportunities for successful business expansion. [09:20] Factors impacting success beyond sharing business model. [11:46] Franchising involves responsibility, mentoring, and financial commitment. [14:57] Entrepreneur values independence and controls brand recognition. [18:17] Understand and standardize to grow your business. [23:26] Consider building business with future sale in mind. [24:39] Consider margins, investment, and legacy in business. Notable Quotes: "A lot of my success in the business has been because of the people that I’ve hired, plus me being able to activate decisions right away, changing. And here’s the thing—I have to be accountable for myself." "You can build a successful business without signing on to somebody else’s success." "In the simplicity of it, a franchise model is, 'Hey, do A plus B and you will get C,' but there is so much interpretation and ways to mess up or severely hurt that investment." "Our margins as business owners are already tight on a monthly basis. Think about how much you could use that money for advertising or a coach to build your empire instead of giving it back as franchise fees." "No matter how you build your business, do it as if you’re selling it one day to an investor, someone that can walk in and pick up exactly where you left off." Resources: Instagram: Legendary Ideas Group Email: [email protected] Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today, in our 399th episode, I've actually got a brand new topic for you. Yes, that's right, a brand new topic. I've been heavily involved with the franchises of our industry lately, the past couple of months, and, you know, it's really sparked a question for me. And that is about a couple of years ago. I know a lot of you were approached by two major companies, national companies, trying to convince you to franchise your business. They promised you could make so much money, and it would be easy. They knew nothing about your business, your profits, but they wanted to charge you to do it. Now, some of you did it and had horrible experiences. Some of you did it and didn't really sell many of them but still paid them. Today, I wanted to bring on my good friend who's been on the podcast before, Liz Ilig. She has been instrumental in so many things in the pet industry. She has nine grooming shops in the Phoenix area, where people have told her multiple times, "You should franchise." And so I wanted to bring her on to broach the topic about how franchising isn't as easy as everyone makes it sound. Whether you're thinking about buying a franchise or franchising your own business, I want you to hear from someone who already has nine locations and concepts on why she would or wouldn't do it. So, Liz, welcome to the show. Thanks for having me. It was a fun conversation with you, and we're like, "Let's do this." Yeah. And, you know, I love how organic this is, too, because we have these wonderful conversations, and we're like, "Oh, we should have this on the podcast." And this is how this happens. So, Liz, why don't you fill in the blanks a little bit? If this is someone's first time hearing you or seeing you on the podcast, give a little bit of a quick bio of w
Episode #398: How to Get Unstuck In Your Pet Business
Is Your Business Stuck in a Rut? Do you feel like your business is running YOU instead of the other way around? Like you’re giving your all to your business, but the results just aren’t matching the effort? Like you're pushing hard, but somehow… you're just not getting to that next level? Am I close?! You’re not alone, and today’s episode of the Bella in Your Business podcast could be exactly what you need. Today’s episode drops on my birthday, and I've got something special for you. We’re diving deep into the incredible success stories from my coaching intensives and mastermind program. Imagine laser-focused one-on-one sessions addressing YOUR unique challenges, or being part of a mastermind that turns doubts into success stories—like Stephanie Surjan, who reignited her passion and carved out a fresh path, or Becky Lea, whose social media game made her the small business of the month. Think turning doubts into triumphs, stuck routines into streamlined operations, and feeling isolated into being energized by a supportive community. Are you ready to get unstuck in your pet business? Push play, get inspired, and take action. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [06:01] Success Story: Stephanie Surjan [09:01] Success Story: Becky Lea [12:01] Importance of Community and Support [15:01] Member Testimonials and Real-Life Examples [18:01] Role of Coaching in Business Transformation Notable Quotes: "Overcoming pet business stagnation isn’t just a dream—it's possible! It’s about turning doubts into triumphs and stagnant routines into streamlined operations." "What’s the point of motivation if it doesn’t inspire action? Real transformation happens when you dig deep, address your unique challenges, and take bold steps forward." "You are who you surround yourself with. Being part of a supportive community can energize you, providing the momentum to break free from what’s holding you back." "If you have been trying to achieve something for more than the past three months and you've stalled out or hit a wall, it is time to give yourself the gift to get over that and onto the next problem." Resources: 63% Off One-on-One Coaching Sessions 50% Mastermind Community (use code 'bday2024' at checkout) Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. Today's episode is dropping on July 18, which is my birthday. And if you've been following me online, you know that on Sunday, we dropped a heck of a deal. Every year around my birthday, I always drop a birthday sale. And I think it's something that you guys have started asking me for because, you know, to anticipate it. So, as you have anticipated, that's what this episode is going to be about. I'll get right to it and just cut to the chase. We are offering you guys 63% off of one-on-one coaching instead of six sessions that you can use within six months. So it's whenever you need them. You can do them once every month, once a week, once every two weeks, or sporadically, whatever you want. That's what we can do. And that is on sale. It's normally $3,991 on sale, down to $1,499, which is 63% off. The other offer is the mastermind, and that is, you join the mastermind for your first month for 50% off. These two are created to kind of appeal to everyone. The mastermind is a month-to-month subscription, but honestly, people are usually in there for at least two years because once you get going, you kind of don't want to stop. And I'm going to go more into that. The one-on-one, of course, is a little bit more of an investment. But that's you and me, one-on-one. That is not only just the how-to specifically for your business and your secret sauce, but it's also, I think, one of the most important things, working through all of the challenges that you have in your head, all of the, “Yeah, but what if…” Orlando. “Oh, my gosh, I'm scared about this,” or “How do I do that?” or “Where do I go to get that?” A lot of that comes down there. So, I want to give you a couple of stories, a couple of testimonials here that we've experienced, and that I just want to let you know. Because anyone that you gave your hard-earned money to really should have proof in the pudding. For those of you who don't know me, I started my own pet sitting company from 2002 to 2016 here in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was mostly pet sitting, although we did do dog walking as well. When I was 25, I was awarded nationally and locally. It was Naps, the pet sitter business of the year in 2007, as well as the Arizona Phoenix, sorry, Arizona Republic, 35 under 35 entrepreneurs. And 2007 is also when I started coaching. I went full-time with coaching in 2018, and that was, you know, once I started coaching, I realized that's what I l
Episode #397: 12 Ways To Deal With Burnout Inside Your Pet Business
Are you feeling the midsummer madness and the pressures of running a pet care business? Is burnout inside your pet business dragging you down just when you should be enjoying the sunny season? Welcome back to another episode of Bella In Your Business! This week, Bella dives into the chaos of summer schedules with 12 powerhouse tips for combating burnout inside your pet business and reclaiming your peace. Whether you’re struggling with chaotic client demands, feeling the pinch of inflation, or lying awake at night worrying about your business, this episode is your strategic rescue. Tune in as Bella shares practical, quick, and dirty tactics to: Reevaluate Your Goals Outsource Smartly Automate Processes Boost Workflow Efficiency Invest in Your Team with Pet Care Team Training Plus, Bella shares personal insights and success stories from business owners like you who have transformed their approach and seen remarkable results in dealing with burnout inside their pet sitting businesses. Listen now! Timestamps: [00:00] Coping with financial stress and burnout. [05:21] Outsource non-core tasks to reduce burnout. [07:37] Are you using scheduling software effectively? [12:07] Monthly pet care team training and support. [16:09] Invest in employees, flexible work, feedback, assess. [18:35] Team building, technology leverage, and preventing burnout. Notable Quotes: "You should not be in the weeds doing things that are below your pay grade. You are the business owner, the entrepreneur, the visionary, and stop doing the little things that are not revenue generating." "Identify tasks like data entry or invoice processing or customer inquiries and use your systems... Use methods and processes and figure out where your bottleneck is and how to remove that dam from the water so the water can flow." "Sometimes it's just a matter of verbally processing it and getting it out of your head and getting that energy through your mouth and just talking about it. I know that's one of the things that helps me tremendously." "There's no sense in listening to podcasts or getting motivated if it does not inspire action. And so that is my action call to you today." Resources: Follow us on social media (a special birthday announcement and unbeatable deals coming soon!) Mastermind Pet Care Team Training Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Woo. Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. Um, it is the summer, and, uh, we have some really cool things planned for you guys. But, um, I know that if you guys are anything like me, and I know that, you know, there's lots of moms and dads out there, and there's lots of single moms and dads out there and non single moms and dads out there. Everyone's just, like, running around amok for the summer, right? And we, you know, a lot of our schedules change. A lot of our clients schedules change. If you're doing pet sitting, it's like, really busy. Because everyone's traveling for the summer. There's a lot of stuff going on, right? And there's a lot of demands on our personal life, things we want to do, like this past weekend, July 4, and we're all in different places of our business. Some are still working holidays and not getting in on just relaxing, or maybe even having a drink at a barbecue because they know that they have to go out and check on some pets, or they're just running around because they're short staffed. Or maybe you're not busy. Maybe you're laying awake at night thinking, shoot, everyone else is busy. Why aren't I? I'm a failure. This isn't working. Whatever it is. There are times in our business where we feel like everything is working really well. And there's times where we feel like the whole world is crumbling down, the walls are closing in on us. You're laying awake at night wondering if one person quits. What am I gonna do? You're looking at your bank account and you're like, wow, I. I really wished that I was automatically paying myself x amount of dollars and not having to do draws based off of how much is in my bank account. I wish that I had money to pay for all this extra stuff, or these extra trips, or do whatever it might be. You might be looking at inflation or going to the grocery store thinking, wow, like, things are getting so expensive and, and, and people aren't wanting to pay my prices, or whatever it might be. Burnout is real. And we've talked a lot about burnout, what you can do personally and psychologically within yourself. But today I want to talk about twelve different things that you can do inside your actual business to help with burnout. And so we're gonna just get straight to it, and it's gonna be quick and dirty. For those like Becky and her team of paws
Episode #396: Is Your Business Prepared For A Personal Disaster?
What would you do if life suddenly pulled you away from your business? Ever thought about what might happen if an urgent personal crisis hit you out of nowhere? Could your business survive—let alone thrive—without you? In this week's episode of Bella In Your Business, Bella Vasta shares her personal, heart-wrenching story of being abruptly pulled from her thriving pet sitting business due to a medical emergency. She dives deep into the essential strategies every business owner needs to ensure their enterprise can run seamlessly in their absence. Learn actionable steps to automate payroll, conduct effective scheduling, manage marketing, and ensure smooth hiring processes. Whether you're going through a personal crisis or simply planning for the unplanned, this episode equips you with the knowledge to secure your business's future. Tune in now to discover how demonstrating that your business can operate independently not only ensures its survival but also significantly increases its value. Your future self will thank you for listening. Timestamps: [00:00] Intro and Personal Story [00:40] The Unexpected Hospitalization [01:59] Running a Business During Crisis [03:51] Preparing for the Unexpected [06:57] Key Business Operations to Consider [14:46] The Importance of Business Continuity [19:39] Final Thoughts and Reflections Notable Quotes: "Imagine you just received an urgent call and your immediate presence is required somewhere else. Is your business going to thrive, just survive, or end up dead?" "I’m a firm believer that something in your life, if you're in business long enough, is going to require your full attention—your business needs to be ready for that moment." "If you can prove that this business can work without you in it, you have just increased the value of your business." Resources: FREE 20-min consult with Bella Mastermind Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today, we're going to talk about something that literally happened in my life about 10 years ago now. And it's something that I've spoken from stage about multiple times, but I'm not sure it's something that we've talked about on this podcast that I can remember in the past, almost 400 episodes. But it is something that I need to plant seeds in your head to make sure that if and when this happens to you, you are prepared. So let's go. Alright, so about a little over 10 years ago, I was sitting in a parking lot and I was pregnant, and I thought that I was going to be a yoga yogi when I was pregnant. So I was just getting out of prenatal yoga and I got a call from my doctor and she was like, you need to get to the hospital. And I'm like, what? Nah, I'd never been hospitalized. Thankfully, I've never broken a bone. You know, I've never been in the hospital. That was a big, scary place. I was like, I don't have to go to the hospital. She's like, yeah, your blood pressure levels are not healthy and you'd be hurting your baby. And so I went to the hospital and very long story short, it was right over Memorial Day weekend. And I was there for five days. And when I was done with that, I was ordered to be on bed rest at home. And you guys know me. Bed rest? What? I was in bed for so long that when I would get up to take a shower, just putting my arms over my head to wash my hair was like lifting weights. Because my muscles were deteriorated. It was gross. I mean, not gross, but it was very disheartening. I tell you this to say that I was running a six-figure pet sitting company. We were mostly pet sitting with a little bit of dog walking. I had about 10 employees and I did have an office manager. It was very fluid. It wasn't as maybe solid as what some of you guys do today. I was very lax because I'm organized chaos by nature. I would pay her like $20 a day to have the phone and then commissions on whatever she sold. And that's kind of how we worked it. And when I said we have the phone, it was the phone and email and scheduling. But I did have everything streamlined. I had my software really working for me, but I had to give my business to her because I couldn't do anything more. My doctor did not want me working, did not want any extra stress in my life. So I unexpectedly had to be yanked out of my business and I couldn't work it. If it was just me in that business, first of all, I probably wouldn't have a business to come back to. Because once I did have my daughter in July, after being on bed rest, we were in the hospital with her for 182 days, for 6 months. She was born at 12 ounces. And every day I was at NICU for eight to 10 hours. So I definitely couldn't do any work. I do remember pumping milk and
Episode #395: Prepare Your Pet Business for Hurricanes with Jennifer Jasmin
Is your pet care business truly prepared for emergencies? Ever wondered how to ensure Pet Hurricane Preparedness and keep clients' pets safe during natural disasters? In this episode of Bella In Your Business, Bella sits down with Jennifer Jasmin from Friendly Critter Sitters. Jennifer shares her journey from Air Force weather forecaster to thriving pet care entrepreneur, illustrating how she combined her meteorological expertise and passion for pets to comprehensive pet hurricane preparedness course. Her innovative approach equips pet owners with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle various disasters, not just hurricanes. Beyond her course, she has an inspiring story that will resonate with all pet care business owners. In just two years, Jennifer has grown her business to 300 clients with seven pet sitters, and she's STILL hiring for more. Jennifer opens up about her personal growth, discussing the challenges she faced, the fears she overcame, and the power of pushing past boundaries to achieve both personal and professional success. Don't miss out on this empowering episode filled with practical advice, strategic marketing insights, and inspiring stories. Whether you're a seasoned pet care professional or a newcomer, this episode offers vital tools and strategies to enhance your preparedness and authority in your area. Tune in now to revolutionize your approach to pet care and disaster readiness – and take the leap towards becoming the ultimate pet care expert in your community! Timestamps: [00:00] Intro of Guest; Jennifer Jasmin [02:00] Jennifer's Course on Emergency Preparedness [03:30] Jennifer's Background [05:10] Hurricane Course Details [07:00] Special Discount for Listeners [10:00] Positioning as an expert in emergency preparedness for pets [11:30] Personal Growth and Business Expansion [13:45] Challenges and Mistakes [16:00] Overcoming Fear Notable Quotes: "I created the course to help people with emergency preparedness for their pets. It's not just for pet sitters; it’s for anyone with a pet. Whether you're evacuating or dealing with disaster aftermath, this course prepares you for everything." "In order to be the go-to in your community, you need to leverage what makes you unique. For me, it was combining my meteorology background with pet care to provide a valuable resource for fellow pet owners." "Don't let fear stop you. Push past your fear because that means it's something that really needs to be done. Whether it's in business or personal growth, jumping past your fears opens up new opportunities." "It's about jumping now. Has everything I've done been perfect? No, but those mistakes have led to incredible growth and opportunities." Resources: Better Marketing With Bella Follow Jennifer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/furriendlycrittersitters Follow Jennifer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furriendly_critter_sitters/ Hurricane Course: www.furriendlycrittersitters.com/hurricane-course Use Code: 'Bella' Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome, everybody, to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we're going to kind of flip the script. So many times, I tell you how to really be relevant in your area, as every area is different. In order to be an expert and have that perceived luxury service, to be the go-to in your community for pets, I always talk about doing things in your community, going to events, and creating blogs that are specific, like hiking areas. Well, today I've got Jennifer Jasmine, and she is from Friendly Critter Sitters. She's done something pretty cool. Jennifer's been a jumper for a while, and I wanted to bring her on to inspire you to maybe do the same thing or something similar in your area. It’s noted that Jennifer is in a hurricane area, and this is what prompted her, but I'm going to let her tell you that story. So without further ado, Jennifer, welcome to the show. Hey, thank you for having me. I really created a course that will help all pet parents. Whether you're a pet sitter or a pet owner, and you're not even in a pet care business, it walks you through everything about how to create an emergency kit, what to do if you need to evacuate, what happens when you come home and have a lot of disaster, and how to take care of your pet around that. So, I created the course to help people. I noticed a problem when I was with my pet-sitting business. A lot of people were asking me, "How do I prepare? What happens if a hurricane hits? Do I use your services in the middle of a hurricane?" I've actually walked dogs in the middle of a hurricane. I'm sure many of our listeners have, too. It was just crazy to me as an Arizonian who d
Episode 394: Setting Boundaries in Pet Sitting Businesses
Feeling overwhelmed by clients who disregard your pet care policies? Struggling to assert boundaries in you pet sitting business without risking client relationships? Tune in for a crucial episode tackling boundaries in pet sitting businesses. In this episode of Bella In Your Business, Bella unveils powerful strategies to regain control and respect in your business interactions. Learn how to confidently enforce policies on cancellations and last-minute changes, ensuring your time is valued and your business thrives. Discover practical tips to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether you're a pet care veteran or just starting, this episode equips you with the tools to establish boundaries that command respect and elevate client satisfaction. Don't let issues with boundaries undermine your success—tune in now and transform the way you manage client expectations! Timestamps: [0:00] Introduction about boundaries and the context of a pet sitting business [5:40] Signs that boundaries are being blurred and the impact on business/personal life [7:37] Reframing mindset to see boundary issues as business matters, not personal [11:24] Sample response scripts for clients pushing boundaries [13:19] Tips for maintaining boundaries like training clients and consistency [19:09] Advice to a client who posted about schedule changes Notable Quotes: "Boundaries are like the framework of a house, they hold everything together and they keep it standing." "These small boundary breaches can add up leading to burnout and resentment, which ultimately affects the quality of the service you provide." "Boundary issues often are not personal attacks. They usually stem from unclear communication." "We teach people how to treat us. If you're answering the phone late at night or sending emails outside of office hours or bending the rules frequently, you're setting a precedent with clients." "Being motivated does nothing. It's like toilet paper that you throw down the toilet." Resources: Mastermind 20-minute consult Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business. Oh my gosh, you guys, we are so close to 400 episodes. Oh my goodness, more to come on that in a little bit. But I hope you guys are having a fabulous summer. Olivia and I just got back from Disneyland, we went out there for a couple days had so much fun. I'm sure you have seen my Instagram stories. I hope you guys are taking some time, or at least planning a little bit of time out during the vacation or during summer break, or just, you know, time to recharge, whether you have kids or whether you're single, or whatever it is that you're doing. I just hope that you're taking some time for yourself and scheduling, because I want to remind you that the majority of us have started our own company because we wanted time and financial freedom, and so in honor of that, I just wanted to remind you to take a little time for yourself. Okay, so along with that, in a very good segue is today I wanted to talk about boundaries. Oh yes, boundaries. And it was actually sprouted from a question that I saw happen online, and I was just really intrigued by it, because I read a lot of the stuff that you guys post, and then I think to myself, like, Well, why is that a problem? What is what is that? And so I'm just going to kind of read this to you. I'm going to keep it anonymous here, but this person says that she's been having several issues, some issues with several, several clients not respecting her policy. So the first thing that it tells me as if it's happening several times with different people, then the common denominator is you and I say that respectfully, okay, but I'm using this as an example, because I know that so many can relate to it. She says I need to take control of my business, and I want to do it without losing clientele, and because she can't afford to do it right. So she's a little bit fearful to assert her boundaries, because she doesn't want that risk of potentially losing people. So she asks everybody, can you share a link to your policies for your business, which, you know, it's a little like tricky, because most people copy from someone else, or they put in their own stuff. They don't have a lawyer look through it someone. If policies are done correctly, then they should be done according to you, right? And here's an example. When I was a solo sitter, my cancelation policy was two weeks for day visits, four weeks for overnights. If you cancel within that time frame, you are responsible for half the invoice. It was that simple. I was able to say it that succinctly, that like 15 years later, 20 years later, I'm able to still remember th
Episode 393: Impactful Booth Strategies for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers
Running around last minute trying to put together a booth for a local event? Struggling to make it interesting and get people chatting about your business? Tune into this episode of Bella In Your Business for game-changing booth strategies for pet sitters and dog walkers! Bella will guide you on transforming your event booth into an engaging and interactive experience that fosters meaningful relationships and boosts your brand recognition. Learn how to create an inviting booth, compile a list of must-attend events, and make use of clever promotional items that truly resonate with your audience. Discover the importance of strategic scripting and effective local marketing—all without breaking the bank. Plus, grab Bella’s special free download packed with guerrilla marketing techniques to create a buzz around your business. Walk away from your next event with a treasure trove of hot leads, invaluable business contacts, and eager new hires. Don’t miss out on turning simple booth setups into powerful, relationship-building opportunities. Your next major breakthrough starts here! Timestamps: [0:00] Effective event marketing strategies for businesses [9:04] Creating engaging booths for pet businesses at events [13:30] Networking and booth design for pet sitting businesses [17:00] Systematizing pet business operations for growth Notable Quotes: "These events are ways for you to really excite and delight people. It's a it's a chance for you to start building a relationship, if you're thinking about it as just however many people come up and talk to me and I tell them what we do, and if they want to use our services cool, or how many people I can give our business cards out to, and you're just keen on getting as many business cards out there, then you might as well stay at home, because what you're doing is you're advertising, and when you advertise, you are no better than every other person." "I want you to think about your business as a corporation that you work for, and as such, we want to make sure that anyone else who steps into this position also knows what they're doing. So therefore, I want you to start learning or writing down or documenting your scripts." Resources: Mastermind JazzHR Blog: Get Dog Walking Customers Cheap: 11 Effective Strategies Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, and today we're gonna talk all about having booths at events—but in a good way! I see so many business owners just going through the motions without giving much thought to the process. It's summer now, and fall is just around the corner. I really want you to knock it out of the park. These events are incredible opportunities to excite and delight people, and to start building relationships. If you're thinking about event booths as simply talking to as many people as possible, handing out business cards, and hoping a few will use your services, you might as well stay home. What you're doing in that case is advertising without making a significant impact. People usually take whatever freebies you offer, toss them in their bags like it's Halloween, and most of it ends up in a junk drawer or the trash. This approach is not only ineffective but also a waste of resources—it lacks follow-up and relationship-building. Today, I want to encourage you to think differently. What can you actively do to make a real impact? I'll share some effective strategies that some business owners are using. Additionally, I have a free download for you—my guerrilla marketing guide—which outlines a chalk marketing effort you can implement around your town to create buzz. Head over to the show notes to grab it. The first thing you should do is compile a list of events in your community in a spreadsheet. This includes every possible event, whether or not you plan to attend. Start with elementary, middle, and high schools—find out when they have PTAs or PTOs events like spring flings or fall festivals. These organizations often look for business sponsorships and silent auction items. Reach out to the treasurers to learn about opportunities to partner with them. Next, consider town events. When are the parades, festivals, and other gatherings? Don't overlook planned communities and their community managers, as well as real estate agents who often know what's happening locally. Local humane societies and big rescue groups also host and attend events. Compile all these opportunities into a spreadsheet with dates and contact information, and update it annually. By preparing this way, you'll avoid last-minute scrambles. You won't find yourself in a panic two weeks before an event, unsure of what to order or how to proceed. Let's be organized because, as a list
Episode 392: Pet Care Hiring – High Level Concepts No One Told You About
Tired of endless interviews and flaky applicants? Struggling to crack the code for successful pet care hiring? What if the solution involves a fresh perspective – one that can set your hiring process on the path to success and ensure you build a dream team? In this week's episode of the Bella in Your Business podcast, we're rethinking the hiring process and uncovering the secrets to successful recruitment and onboarding. We'll dive into actionable pet care hiring strategies that will help you attract and retain top talent. From crafting compelling job ads to developing a seamless onboarding experience, we cover it all. Get insider tips on identifying crucial candidate qualities, creating attention-grabbing ads, and implementing a multi-phase interview process to ensure you find the right fit. Plus, learn how to systemize your scoring and rating for consistency and efficiency. Are you ready to revolutionize your hiring and build a stellar team? Listen now to empower yourself with the knowledge to transform your recruitment approach and ensure long-term success. This is your chance to rethink and refine your hiring strategy. Topics & Key Points: The importance of creating attention-grabbing hiring ads that stand out from the competition Identifying key qualities and non-negotiables for candidates Creating a multi-stage interview process to evaluate candidates Implementing a systematic onboarding, training, and employee development program Understanding applicants' lifestyles and availability to reduce turnover Using metrics to track ad effectiveness and improve the hiring process Timestamps: [0:00] The importance of creating attention-grabbing hiring ads that stand out from the competition [8:57] Identifying key qualities and non-negotiables for candidates [9:08] Creating a multi-stage interview process to evaluate candidates [18:30] Implementing a systematic onboarding, training, and employee development program [27:30] Understanding applicants' lifestyles and availability to reduce turnover [29:30] Using metrics to track ad effectiveness and improve the hiring process Notable Quotes: "Don't just have a generic job posting - create attention grabbing hiring ads that make potential applicants feel like they absolutely must apply to your company specifically." "Take the time to thoughtfully identify the key qualities and traits you are looking for in candidates, as well as any non-negotiable requirements, to help you evaluate fits and ensure a good cultural match." "Don't just do one interview - develop a systematic multi-stage interview process using clear criteria to thoroughly evaluate candidates and get a well-rounded sense of their skills, experience and personality." "Make your new employees feel valued from day one through a welcoming onboarding process so they are excited to join your team and stay for the long run." "Break down your employee training into digestible themes so new hires don't feel overwhelmed but instead learn in an organized, engaging way." "Take the time to understand applicants' current life situations and goals so you can reduce unexpected turnover by ensuring roles fit with their availability and needs over at least the next 6-12 months." Resources: Mastermind JazzHR Pet Care Team Training Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome, welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Oh my gosh, you guys, there's so much exciting stuff happening. We are now officially in June, and I cannot wait to unleash all this goodness for you. We are finally flowing; we are back in content creation. There's so much exciting stuff happening. First of all, we've got Julia McCoy coming into the Mastermind this month to talk all about artificial intelligence. And you guys, this is way beyond just Chat GPT. The way it's going to affect your life is huge. It's not just about your business; it’s going to be really massive and awesome to learn from her and be able to follow along with her. So I can't wait for that. We also have something coming up with Pet Care Team Training. Stay close and follow the Pet Care Team Training socials. Liz and I are going to be doing a free class all about how to get publicity for your company and talk a lot about marketing. That's going to be happening at the end of next week. You have to register for that, but anybody can join; you do not have to be a Pet Care Team Training client. Today, we are going to talk all about hiring. The reason why this topic inspired me today was I had a coaching call. The client was like, “I've been hiring, I have five people, I’m really not sure how to do it because people aren't staying long enough with me. Or I get ghosted during the intervie
Episode 391: 11 Low Cost Ways To Get Dog Walking Customers
Are your marketing strategies stuck in limbo, not quite bringing the returns you hoped for? What if the answer just needs a different approach – one that could propel your business to the top of the dog walking pack? Welcome to this week's episode of the Bella in Your Business podcast, where we're flipping the script on conventional marketing tactics and diving deep into the art of affordable and successful business promotion. Strap in as we unveil eleven resourceful and cost-effective marketing strategies designed to magnify your reach without evaporating your funds. Get inside scoop on the secrets behind leveraging your personal connections, crafting standout business cards with QR codes, and why sidewalk chalk might just be your unexpected hero in grassroots marketing. Are you ready to revamp your strategy and see tangible results? Listen now and and equip yourself with the knowledge to transform your business's visibility and attractiveness. This is your golden opportunity to rewrite your marketing playbook and catapult your business into the limelight. Topics & Key Points: Julia McCoy from the "queen of AI" will join us in Jump Mastermind in June. Marketing strategies for dog walking businesses: Leverage personal network Create eye-catching business cards and QR codes Offer introductory discounts Partner with local pet businesses Get endorsements from veterinarians Partner at local events Use sidewalk chalk marketing Create personalized bark cards Example of marketing at apartment complexes through a "kissing booth" event. Strategies are about building relationships Utilize social media marketing Attend local networking meetings Target high density living areas Building relationships is key to success Timestamps: [6:24] Marketing Strategies [16:19] Marketing at Apartment Complexes [16:24] Relationship Building Notable Quotes: "AI is here… Like every month is literally like a year with how fast it's moving." "So your friends, your family, your acquaintances are some of the best potential clients, or they know someone who could be. Don't be shy about letting your personal network know about your dog walking business." "Leveraging your personal network, offering introductory discounts, partnering with local pet businesses… these can be gold mines because a relationship will always last a lot longer than a business card." "Guerrilla marketing basically means cheap, effective marketing. And all of the things I'm about to tell you are things that you can do very easily right now." Resources: Mastermind JazzHR Blog: Get Dog Walking Customers Cheap: 11 Effective Strategies Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella vasta. And wow, that was really great series all about customer service and how we can really turn it around by changing the way that we react to it, how we respond to it, and then how we systematize it to actually turn it around into a positive experience. So I really hope that you enjoyed all of that. There's so much going on at jump headquarters so to speak. First of all, my world has been rocked and upside down now because Olivia is now out of school. So any of you other mamas or Papas out there who are working your business, and the kids are getting out of school or soon to be Oh boy, here we go. So all of my meetings are monday, tuesday allow the mama guilt to set in. We just got her Barbie Dreamhouse off off, offer that off of offer up. And she's really enjoying playing with that. And we are also working on learning Spanish this summer, I kind of told her that if she wanted to earn her screen time, she had to teach me Spanish. So that'll be pretty fun. That's kind of what we're doing. So I would love to hear how you guys are keeping it together. Those of you who may have kids at home and also trying to run your businesses. Summer is here. At least in Arizona, we get out a little bit earlier than the west coast because of the temperatures. And so yeah, we are having a lot of fun. Here. I am I mentioned this the past couple episodes, I'm starting to blog again, and I'm starting to do some really cool stuff. With the help of AI but not in the way that you would know I'm going to tell you all my secrets. And I've one of the queen of AI is come in to the mastermind in the month of June, I am really excited to have Julia McCoy. Come on in, she used to actually be very much against artificial intelligence. And she ran a very profitable writing company, she had tons of writers. And she was convinced that it is, you know, it's, it's gonna sound so cliche if I tell you, so I'm just going to tell you, you need to join the mastermind, because the stuff that's going to
Episode 390: Turning Feedback Into Customer Loyalty and Business Growth in your Pet Business
Are you tired of cringing every time a customer complaint rolls in? What if I told you that these frustrations could be the key to your next big breakthrough? Welcome to this week's episode of Bella in Your Business, where we'll transform what seems like the worst part of business—customer complaints—into your greatest asset. Dive in as we unlock the secrets to not only handling but embracing customer complaints to fuel innovation and growth. Building on our previous chats in Episodes #388 and #389, today’s focus shifts to using these uncomfortable moments to refine your approach and enhance customer satisfaction. Discover strategic methods to analyze and systematize feedback, identifying patterns that might just be the lightbulb moments you’ve been missing. We’re talking less anxiety, more action, and a streamlined process that turns upset customers into valued partners in your business’s journey. Ready to turn the tide on customer feedback? Listen now and learn how every complaint is a step toward refinement and operational excellence. This is your moment to flip the script and make those challenges the driving force behind your success—let's get started! Topics & Key Points: Managing emotional reactions to complaints and leveraging them positively Strategies for strengthening relationships after complaints Identifying pain points and recurring issues from complaints Addressing complaints with empathy to build loyalty Creating a centralized complaint log, assigning roles, developing response procedures, and implementing feedback loops Timestamps: [9:50] Why complaints matter and identifying trends from them [11:00] Strategies for strengthening relationships after complaints [16:52] Tips for setting up an effective complaint handling system including a centralized log, roles and responsibilities, response procedures, and feedback loops Notable Quotes: "Every complaint is a door that opens to two distinct paths, one leading to a crisis and the other to an opportunity." "Addressing complaints isn't just about resolving an issue. It's about demonstrating to your clients that their satisfaction is your top priority." Resources: Mastermind JazzHR Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome, welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. I'm really excited to be doing this series. It's been actually really exciting, I love that I get to be creative. I feel like I'm coming back into this creative season of my life where I haven't been for like two years. And so just things like this, like the podcast how I first started off three weeks, two weeks ago thinking I was going to talk about customer service, because that's what we're talking about in the mastermind, and how this has turned into a three-part series. If you have not already, go back to Episode 389. It was no, I'm sorry, 388, Managing emotional reactions to customer complaints, and 389, which are words that when language skills to defuse customer complaints, we're kind of taking you through the whole story. The whole stages, like the first stage was what actually, like happens inside of you when someone's upset with you, right. And we actually really talked about all of that, those triggers and the traumas that we all have, we all have, and we all carry them around. And it's how we deal with conflict, right? Then we started talking about language that you can use and ways that you can acknowledge. And now today we're going to talk about how you can take what could be perceived as a negative situation, and use it for the positive. So I'm really excited to get into that with you today. Like I said, I have tons of stuff to talk to you about. We're going to talk about, like why the complaints matter and identifying the trends, how to leverage them for interviews, implement changes, how to build stronger relationships, and how to have a good complaint handling situation or system. And this is going to help you so that you're not looking at every negative situation or complaint situation like oh my gosh, what do I do? What do I do, right? Because if you already have a system to rely on for it, it's going to help reduce your anxiety a lot. But before we get into that, I want to let you guys know that I did something totally crazy. Last Friday, I took all of my coaching, and I dropped it 63%. All right. So right now for a very limited time. And at the recording of this podcast, I only have one left, I opened up nine spots. And it was nine because what I did is I offer these things called intensives, where you could work with me six sessions, 645-minute sessions, recorded on zoom with whatever you want. And you can schedule them whenever you want in six months. So it's kind of like having me in your back pocket on
Episode 389: Words that Win- Language Skills to Defuse Customer Complaints
Ever wondered if a customer complaint could actually be the key to unlocking untapped potential in your pet business? The truth is that behind every complaint lies a valuable opportunity waiting to be discovered. This week, as we explore strategies to not only manage complaints but to leverage them as stepping stones toward service excellence. We'll explore real-life examples and practical strategies to handle complaints effectively, but also leverage them as catalysts for growth. From turning dissatisfied clients into loyal advocates to refining your service offerings based on customer feedback, you'll gain insights that can revolutionize the way you approach customer relations. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newcomer to the pet industry, understanding how to navigate and capitalize on customer complaints is essential for building a resilient and successful business. If you've ever felt at a loss for words when dealing with an upset customer, or if timely responses have been your Achilles' heel, this is the episode for you. Topics & Key Points: Effective communication strategies for handling customer complaints Effective communication in complaint management. Customer complaint resolution strategies Handling customer complaints effectively Timestamps: [3:48] Effective communication in complaint management [9:20]Customer complaint resolution strategies [13:33] Handling customer complaints effectively Notable Quotes: "So the moment that complaint is voiced the clock starts ticking your response time and more importantly, the quality of that response sets the stage for the entire interaction." "It's not just about responding, but doing so in a way that shows that you care, you understand, and you're ready to make things right." "I want you to think about like when the policies are clear, it's easy for your team to manage the complaints consistently and effectively ensure that the policies are easily accessible for your clients to ideally post on your website to include your service agreement." Resources: The Joy of Failure Mastermind JazzHR Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And we're gonna continue on the bad customer complaint train today. First, I love how many of you guys went out and did get the joy of failure, talks about it in the last episode by Julia McCoy, and Chris Evans, it is a really good quick read, and it will impact your soul. I can't stress it enough. If you can't be in the room, technically, with amazing people, that is the next best thing. In the last episode, we talked about, you know how customer complaints can shake us to the core, it can unearth a lot of trauma, it could unearth a lot of reactions that we're not quite sure of. It could paralyze us, it could freeze us it could do all of these things, and kind of how to overcome them. And I think that it's you know, you have to think about the psychology of it first before we just get into the robotic how tos, which we're going to kind of move into a little bit today. Today, we're going to talk about the effective communication strategies how to respond, how to actively listen, and how your language matters a lot. And we're going to talk about how to, you know, kind of move through that. And I'm going to give you different steps and definitely, like practical steps to resolve the complaint where you definitely can make a good SOP and then you know, adapt it to however you want today. But first first, before we get into that I do want to do a big shout out to JazzHr, who helps support our industry in ways that I've never seen a company do so consistently and for so long. So take these words from our sponsor. Already I'm we're back. And today I wanted to also give you another book recommendation. This is a book that I have read that a lot of my clients have read that we've had the author, teach, not once but twice in the mastermind, there's actually the teaching the recordings are in there right now, if you're in the mastermind, if you're not, you want to check it out, go ahead and sign up, it's only month to month. And it's jumped consulting dotnet forward slash mastermind, but it's called Never lose a customer again, turn any sales into a lifelong loyalty in 100 days. It's by the most amazing, charismatic, exciting, interesting person, Joey Coleman. And it's a really awesome book, how you can kind of build out your own procedures. And in towards the end of the series that we're doing on customer complaints turned into a series that was going to be just an episode. But I think we're going to actually be doing a third episode after this one. You m
Episode 388: Managing Emotional Reactions to Customer Complaints in Pet Businesses
Have you ever faced a day that spiraled out of control despite your best efforts? Maybe it was due to a misunderstanding with a client about their pet's needs or an unexpected hiccup in your scheduling. We know it happens to the best of us, and that's exactly why this episode is crucial. We're going to show you exactly how to turn the tide, enabling these road bumps to set you apart in this competitive market. But first, we are going to address the feeling we all have when our unhealed trauma comes up from "being in trouble." Handling customer complaints in the pet-sitting business isn't just about damage control—It's a skill that has the potential to reshape your professional trajectory and solidify your standing as a respected leader in your field. It is acknowledging the personal growth journey that it gives us the opportunity to go down. Today, we’re breaking down those barriers and turning customer complaints into stepping stones toward unparalleled success. Topics & Key Points: How to handle failure and find success with inspiring entrepreneur Julia McCoy Managing client complaints with grace and effectiveness Managing emotions when dealing with business complaints Handling customer complaints with emotional intelligence Timestamps: [3:41] Handling failure and finding success [10:14] Managing client complaints [13:03] Managing emotions when dealing with business complaints [15:43] Handling customer complaints with emotional intelligence Notable Quotes: "These are normal responses, but understanding where they come from can help you handle them even better" "Now recognizing these feelings, and the Origins is the first step to managing them. And so here's how you can regulate these emotions. And approach each complaint from a position of calm and professionalism" " Handling your emotional response allows you to approach each complaint as not a challenge. But an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to your client and enhance your services" Resources: The Joy of Failure Magai JazzHR Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Oh boy. Before we get into today's topic, which is what to do when you have an angry customer, I want to pass on something that I discovered last week about a fabulous woman named Julie and McCoy who moved here to Arizona, from Texas. And she's quite a remarkable woman. After escaping a cult at 21. And starting her own writing company, and then selling it for millions of dollars. She has now taken that writing company and merged it with content at scale. And she's going to be our guest speaker in the Mastermind next month. And excited. I've just started a friendship with this amazing woman, she has a nine-year-old daughter as well as I do, and they just hit it right off. She's also got a beautiful two-year-old as well. And she's just a really solid person. So when she handed me her memoir, I read it in five days, five days, and I was I had chills, and I was crying. All within the first chapter, and it did not stop. It was amazing. It could not put it down. And I started, you know, traditionally reading it and then went to Audible. And she also had a book launch last week. And first of all, sorry, the memoir, for those of you wondering, is called A Woman Rising. And it's Julia McCoy. Last week, she also had a book launch for her ninth book called The Joy of Failure, how to Handle Failure, and experienced massive breakthroughs with her co-author, Chris Evans, and Chris flew into town for this book launch. And you could feel the palpable energy in this room, I was so grateful to be there. And I'm kind of basically on the track of anything Julie is doing. And she invites me to, I'm gonna say yes. As an entrepreneur, I believe that it is really important to surround yourself with inspiring, inspiring, and incredible people. And I just wanted to pass that on to you. But I also wanted to encourage you, as I have done so already in my groups like the mastermind, I wanted to encourage you to get the joy of failure. Now, I don't want you to see this as an Akash, I already have so much that I want to do already have so many audible books that I want to listen to, or books that I want to read and I never get around to them. But I just really want to encourage you, you know, if you don't have the people or you don't have the time in your life, to get in the rooms with awesomely inspiring people, if you feel like you're just, you know, overwhelmed, have so much to do this book is great. And there are a couple of reasons. Honestly, on Audible at normal speed, it only takes like three and a half hours to listen to. Now I say normal speed because I don't know if you a
Episode 387: 5 High Level Tactics To Increase your Hiring Speed
? Ever thought you could have a team that actually outperforms you? YES, it’s possible, and I’m going to show you how! Dive into this explosive episode of "Bella in Your Business," where I reveal FIVE cutting-edge strategies to boost your hiring process like never before. Ready to make some monumental shifts in your business? Let’s get started! As pet business owners who are hiring, we're not just filling roles; we're crafting a powerhouse team that mirrors your core values of precision, empathy, and proactive communication. In this episode, discover the transformative impact of automation tools that minimize errors and streamline operations. Embrace a data-orientated approach that optimizes ad performances and pinpoints top-tier talent with astounding accuracy. Plus, I’ll highlight the strategic advantage of keeping a robust talent pool, ready to spring into action when you need it most. As I mentioned in the episode, my collaboration with Jazz HR is more than just support—it's a strategic advantage designed to elevate your recruitment process. With incredibly exclusive offers and powerful tools only accessible through Jazz HR, your hiring process is about to become your biggest asset. Topics & Key Points: Streamlining the hiring process for businesses Automating the hiring process to speed it up and improve quality. Improving the hiring process with JazzHR software Timestamps: Speedy Process [3:34] Aligning your team on interview priorities [6:08] Using the data [7:09] Maintaining a talent pool of previous candidates [10:14] Utilizing social media [11:46] Notable Quotes: "The hiring process also shapes the candidates initial perception of your company. And a negative one could make them kind of come in with a disdain on your company" "But you need to use the data, you need to figure out where things are being bottlenecked, where you're not getting the right responses. And then" "And this is really important and think something that a lot of people forget about. But if you you need a system in which you can" Resources: Sign up for a 20 min call Better Marketing with Bella JazzHR Go to the free workshops and training JazzHR has Episode 348: 10 Steps To Hiring The Right Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Employee that Most Forget About JazzHR Onboarding Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today, I'm excited to kind of bring this to a very high level for you. We have five high-level tactics to increase your hiring speed, because let's face it, I want you to picture a world in which you always had the most amazing staff. I'm not talking just that you could always take on as many clients as you possibly could. But you also had a team that represented you, you were so excited for them to wear your T-shirt with your logo, your blood, sweat, and tears, that company that you have built from the ground up, people that you just know, you could hand off clients to and they would do a better job than you Yes, a better job than you. Because you as a business owner have to wear so many hats, and they get to go out there and care for the pets. And just only focus on that one job. Maybe your company culture is something about attention to detail, empathy, great communication, and positivity, and you know that they possess all of these qualities all of the time, a lot of us are running around with chickens with our heads cut off, quiet honestly, going off of our gut, gut response, trying to think that, okay, this person showed up for the interview. And they seem okay, I hope they work out. If you are running interviews and running your company like that, you are living on a prayer, and there is a way better way to do it. And it is exactly how my jumpers who have been able to scale and grow their companies and have that time and financial freedom have been able, to achieve this. And today, I want to break down five high-level concepts for you. In the past, we've done so many other episodes about the how-to the nitty gritty, and technical stuff, but I want to inspire you with these ideas today that you can achieve. People are achieving them out there. So why not you? Let's get into it. I want to also just mention before we start that this is sponsored by Jazz HR, they have been a huge supporter of the pet industry. And by that let me break that down. When I had my jump into paradise retreats here in Arizona before COVID. They were one of the first to say, hey, Bella, how can we help sponsor you? How can we help support you and the pet sitters? They've done that during COVID. And when we had those COVID groups, I want you to think about the people you're hanging out with and how we got you to work. And for two solid weeks, we had all kinds
Episode 386: What You Should Know About the Bookkeeper, CPA, and CFO of your Pet Business
Are you building castles in the sand when it comes to your business finances? ? In this episode of "Bella In Your Business," we're diving deep into the world of financial management for pet business owners. Join me as I unravel the mysteries behind bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs, shedding light on their vital roles in steering your business toward financial success. Ever wondered how bookkeepers conjure order out of financial chaos? Or how CPAs work their magic to save you from tax nightmares? We're uncovering the secrets behind these financial wizards, empowering you to harness their expertise for your business's benefit. From the ancient days of manual bookkeeping to modern strategies for financial mastery, we explore the evolution of small business finance and unveil the game-changing insights that can revolutionize your approach. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the world of business ownership, this episode is your passport to financial enlightenment. Get ready to transform your business from a sandcastle into a fortress of financial prosperity! This episode is brought to you by JazzHr! Topics & Key Points: The importance of bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs for small businesses Financial management for small businesses Importance of understanding business numbers Timestamps: [4:54]Bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs for small businesses. [10:23] Financial management for small businesses. [13:59] Importance of understanding business numbers. Notable Quotes: [3:08] "But unfortunately, without a bookkeeper, many of us end up with that sand castle, that's just you know, a box with a stick sticking out of it." [6:33] " And then given your personal situation, whether you're married or single, you have dependents, you have other properties or assets or investments or insert here, the multitude of things, right. That's where a CPA comes in" [10:12] "Or you really want to get aggressive with your retirement and savings accounts or you want to get aggressive with saving, because maybe you want to do investment properties, who knows. But whatever it is, you know, you want to have a real intrinsic strategy with your money. And that would be a CFO." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella JazzHR Episode 215: Getting In Control of the Financial Numbers in Your Business with Jamie Trull Episode 90: Questions To Ask Your CPA & Tracking Expenses for Tax Time Episode 230: 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Taxes Episode 138: Profit First With Mike Michalowicz Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome, everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today we're going to talk all about what I feel like we need to have more of a conversation about. I have talked about taxes, CPAs, bookkeepers, and things and other episodes. And I'll I'll, I'll respond to them, or give you those episodes as we kind of go when they come up. But I kind of want to talk about this on a high level. It's currently April 2024. And a lot of people are posting and talking and chatting, and there's a lot of chatter, about people being upset because they have to do extensions, or their CPAs just not getting back to them or giving them the time of day. Or they're just really trying to figure out how they should file and they're upset because they have not been advised. And I just want to give you a little bit of oversight over the years and years and years that I have been an entrepreneur for 22. And you know, I've 22 years of experience doing this. And I think that sometimes we're like, plug and play like, oh yeah, I have a CPA, I gave him my stuff. We filed my taxes, and I'm fine. But I think there are a lot of things to know as an entrepreneur as a business owner as someone filing as an LLC and S Corp. or however else you might file as, and we don't know what we don't know. And so I just kind of want to plant some seeds in your head. That's my intention for this podcast episode. But before I get started, I would like to thank our sponsor. Before we get into it, I also want to do a personal invite if any of you listening own a franchise, I have opened up a community just for franchise owners that helps kind of create support, and advice around the unique position that you have of being a franchisee so if that's you shoot me a DM or email, [email protected] and I will get you an invite into that special group. All right, well, let's get started. So I want to kind of talk about first bookkeepers, CPAs, and CFOs. And I invite you to listen with an open ear to think abo
Episode 385: Are the People You Surround Yourself with Hurting Your Business?
Have you ever felt like the weight of your business is resting solely on your shoulders? Do you find yourself wondering why some ventures soar while others struggle to take off? Join me for this week's episode of Bella in Your Business! We will uncover the secret to scaling your pet business: surrounding yourself with the right people. In the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship, let's the critical role that your team plays in shaping the destiny of your business. From spotting common pitfalls in scaling to navigating the intricate world of social media marketing. I share personal advice and invaluable insights. What solutions can you take to move your business in the direction you want to go? From mastering DIY social media content creation to deciphering the mysteries of inconsistent branding, this episode is jam-packed with actionable advice. Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to business coaching, marketing, and branding? I emphasize the transformative power of surrounding yourself with the right people. Plus, I share insights on attracting clients and staff through strategic marketing. So, whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the pet business world, this episode serves as your roadmap to success. Thank you to our wonderful sponsor JazzHr! Topics & Key Points: Social media marketing challenges and solutions Business coaching, marketing, and branding Surrounding oneself with supportive people Timestamps: [3:29] Social media marketing challenges and solutions for small business owners [10:47] Business coaching, marketing, and branding [14:41] Supportive people for business success Notable Quotes: [1:37] "keeping the wrong people in your life could truly hurt your business. And I don't think that you understand how much of an effect this can happen have. " [4:58] "as a coach as someone who sees 30,000 foot view, I see exactly what you gotta do. But sometimes you gotta get out of your throat out of your own way. So I want you to think about like" [12:25] "you need a strategy, you need direction, you need a compass, you need like, check ins, like we can do this. But as, as a coach, I also need to wonder, like, do you want to do this?" Resources: Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today we're gonna do a Bella Butt Kick. Yep, I've warned you. So if you're not ready for it, or if you want a teaching episode, this is not going to be the episode for you. But oh my gosh, I who there's always something with spring where I do a lot of 20-minute coaching calls. And so I get to talk to a lot of you. And while a lot of people are now starting to ramp up and gear up in their business, they're starting to hire more. They're starting to scale and expand. There are some problems that I see happening, that I wanted to talk about today. You may or may not know, every single week This podcast is something that I literally kind of sit and get quiet and think, what do I want to talk about what is weighing on my heart? What do my jumpers need to know, this podcast every single week is literally like a love letter from me to you. And there's a lot of you that download it every single month. And although or every single week. And although I might not be able to hear back from every one of you, despite my begging of you to email me,[email protected] I just kind of try to keep my pulse on what is going on. And today, I wanted to talk to a talk about a really serious issue that I see. And it's it's it's keeping the wrong people in your life that could truly hurt your business. And I don't think that you understand how much of an effect this can have. And at the same time, keeping the right people in your business can drastically help your business. But I'm going to talk about the right at the end. And I'm gonna give you some examples of the wrong right now because I've had some conversations that have just hurt my heart. If these people had other better people surrounding them, or if they were jumpers, right, a lot of this could have been avoided. And as a coach as a mama bear as someone who wants to go to battle for you, who wants to stand next to you in the trenches, and fight the big bad wolf or, you know, give you that the five fingers up and over to help you up and over your challenges. It just breaks my heart, it breaks my heart. So I take a drink of water. Um, there is one business owner, I'm going to give you a couple of examples that I know of. And she is I think the thing is a Jill of all trades jack of none, or Master of None, which means she was trying to do a little bit of everything. And, she,
Ep 384: Beware – Listen To This Before You Hire A Social Media Manager For Your Pet Business
Are you struggling to navigate the world of social media for your pet business? Wondering if hiring a social media manager is the right move for you? Join us in this episode of Bella in Your Business as we delve into the nuances of social media management and how it can propel your pet business to new heights. From understanding the unique qualities of a social media manager to creating engaging content that resonates with your audience, we explore the ins and outs of effective social media strategies tailored specifically for pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses. But it's not just about posting content randomly. It is about having a clear social media strategy aligned with your business goals, coupled with a deep understanding of your target audience's preferences and behaviors. And let's not forget about the human touch. There needs to be a balance between the professional and personal aspects of your business, and how a skilled social media manager can navigate this delicate terrain with finesse. But before you rush into hiring just anyone to handle your social media, listen closely. We will unravel the key considerations, including cost, expertise, and the importance of ongoing education and motivation for your social media manager. So, if you're ready to harness the power of social media to grow your pet business, tune in now and unlock the secrets to effective social media management that will set you apart in the competitive pet industry. This episode was brought to you by JazzHR Topics & Key Points: Hiring a social media manager and its responsibilities Social media management for pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses Social media management and its importance Timestamps: [2:27] Social media management for pet sitting and dog walking businesses. [7:01] Hiring a social media manager and their responsibilities. [11:35] Hiring a social media manager for a pet-sitting business. [16:11] Importance of Social media management Notable Quotes: [3:17] "There are lots of different ways to be successful. But I think what most people don't understand is that when you're talking about social media managers, there are so many different things that you have to think about." [5:48] " Do you have good KPI goals, key performance indicators? How are we going to determine if this person is doing a good job? Or is it like 75% of the people I see or talk to out there for the first time. It's just Oh, I have someone posting to my social. " [16:46] " That's it. It's not about spending hours and hours and hours doing this. So listen, if you're out there, and you're wondering, shoot, am I making mistakes? Or am I doing good?" Resources: Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today, we're going to talk about something that well, you probably already know, because you've seen the title of this episode, right? But I'm hiring a social media manager. And I'm so grateful to see so many of you start to do this. And because when I started doing better marketing with Bella way back in January 2018 and getting under the hood of a lot of your social media, you know, I was still convincing people to use social media, it's a great way to do things. And now, you know, a lot of you are realizing how much it can help get you clients and staff from a personable standpoint, right, we've talked a lot about how most likely people aren't going to just see your social media or like you don't hire us and then just call you and hand over their keys, and how it kind of works as a bigger ecosystem. But social media is your storefront, it is that place where you get to be seen, and heard. And then evoke that trust and personality. But hiring a social media manager, and hiring someone to be the mouthpiece of your business is a very, very big responsibility. Something that I'm starting to see is a trend that some don't understand, the immense responsibility that comes with it. And so hiring a social media manager, I'm gonna you guys know me if you've worked with me, I love analogies. A social media manager, let's just say it's like hiring a woman. Not every woman is considered the same, right? Not equal, but the same. Different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, likes, dislikes, attitudes, and styles, are all very different. And what I want you to take away this episode, is that hiring a social media manager, you need to know all the differences, the differences, you need to know what you're looking for. And that just because you hire a social media manager does not mean that all your problems are going to be solved. Now, for those of you who have just
Episode 383: Quick Tips for Your Social Media with Easy Video Ideas (Freebie Inside!)
Do your social media posts fall flat? Do potential clients scroll by without a second glance? Video content is today's crucial key for captivating audiences and converting followers into loyal clients. Join me as I unlock the secrets of social media video magic with two innovative petpreneurs. Discover fresh reel ideas and editing tricks tailored for professional pet sitters and dog walkers like you. I'm also offering a special free download - "7 Real Video Ideas to Wow Pet Owners" -packed with clever concepts for showcasing your services while engaging fans. But this exclusive freebie vanishes Monday, so be sure to tune in! Give your pet care brand a video vitamin boost! Learn how to blend personalities and pet appeal into share-worthy reels and posts. Let's make 2023 the year your content leaps off screens and into pet parents' hearts. This episode was brought to you by JazzHr, the one place where you can get everything you need to find better candidates, get more organized, and make great hires. Topics & Key Points: Using video and reels for social media success. The growing popularity of short-form video content (Reels) on Instagram Using video content for social media success in pet sitting businesses. Creating engaging videos for pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses Using Instagram reels for pet-sitting businesses. Timestamps: [ 2:24] Short-form video content (Reels) on Instagram [6:13] Video content for social media success [9:32] Creating engaging videos [13:49] Using Instagram reels Notable Quotes: [3:23] "But more and more people all they're doing is just scrolling videos, video, video, video, video video. And because video is a lot more entertaining than just scrolling a feed. So I want you to think about that. And then..." [8:43] "And it has made results in the way that they literally have people contacting them on social media wanting to work for their company, because they have made it look so appealing on their social media." [14:14] "you're gonna be able to leverage them in any of your sales, or DMS and when you're trying to, you know, have objection or rebuttals, to people's objections, and you're definitely gonna get a lot more views and eyeballs on your content when you just simply post a real slash video" Resources: Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Freebie! Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today, we are going to be talking about video and reels. Because this is important I think a lot of you guys are missing out on it. And that's why I wanted to dedicate this next episode to it. But first, I want to say thank you so much for all of your listens, you guys have been popping off and responding a lot and giving me so much feedback. And this is one of the things that I've been having a lot of conversations with you, I wanted to discuss a lot about, you know how everyone's looking to get more impressions on social media, right, and not just like come up in the feed, because that's so like elementary, you're not going to ever beat the feed unless you pay for it. But what I want to remind you guys about and I've said this so many times is that social media is a secondary source for people to know, like, and trust you. And if the only thing that you are posting on your social media platforms are just pictures of pets and their faces, you're not doing anything to help your brand. Okay, so you need to show up a lot of different ways you need to show up as a professional who looks like they are investing in their company and you know, a professional brand. But you also need to show your personality. And I know a lot of you guys want to turn off automatically because you don't like putting your faces on there. And while that is the number one way to get out there, it is not the only way. And so today, I want to help inspire you to realize that it's not as hard as you keep thinking it is. So stop stinking thinking. I want to, like encourage you to understand that the power of reels is so important. And when I say reels, I'm also talking videos. I mean, anytime you post a video, Facebook and Instagram, which are the two main platforms we're going to talk about today for just you know, ease of sense because I know that's where most of you guys are at. Is it automatic, you post a video it says turn it into a reel, you post video pictures, it says turn it into a reel. And so for lack of better terms, or whatever, I'm just gonna call everything reels today. But understand that any video is essentially a reel, and they want to make it a reel for you. And so they're growing in popularity. reels are short-form video content, typi
Episode 382: How To Have Great Staff Meetings Your Employees Will Be Begging To Attend
Inn this week's episode of Bella in your Business, I’m sharing transformative business strategies with pet industry expert Liz Illig to catalyze scaling. If you lead a 6-7 figure pet company but dread lackluster staff meetings, this discussion will resonate. Like many founders directing rapid growth, I struggled to make mandatory meetings engaging despite understanding their profit potential. After too many dull sessions met with indifference, I realized I needed a better approach. In this episode, I will share my methodology to channel spectacular staff engagement into unbreakable client loyalty, outstanding care consistency, and perpetual revenue growth into the mid 6 and 7-figures. Because once your team wholeheartedly embraces the collective vision, that ownership drives accountability and quality that retains clients. Join me in unlocking this retention model as Liz unveils her secrets to inspiring true staff excitement. Let’s maximize staff meeting ROI together and elevate our women-led companies with vibrant cultures focused on sustainable processes. By prioritizing employee enthusiasm and constructive collaboration, we can realize improved performance that takes our enterprises to unprecedented heights. I'm confident you'll discover several "aha" ideas to eliminate staff meeting dread and turn obligation into motivation. Your bottom line will capture that compounded enthusiasm. Tune in now to realize seven figures sustainably as an uplifted team propels your women-owned juggernaut. Make sure you don't miss the freebie we have in this episode just for you! This episode was brought to you by JazzHr Topics & Key Points: Staff meetings and team-building activities Planning and conducting effective employee meeting Company culture, employee engagement, and retention Creating a company culture through training and team building Timestamps: [6:46] Planning and conducting employee meetings [10:29] Company culture, employee engagement, and retention [13:45] Creating a company culture Notable Quotes: [4:26] "So to continue on that so it also will help with employee retention, right? Because they feel connected to your whole company. It also provides an opportunity for them to have some positive interactions" [10:32] "when you're bringing people together, it's good to have an agenda" [13:24] "And if they're not having regular meetings, where you guys can all come together, where they can get some face time with you. And it's, it's, it's very easy to be very isolated in this job. It's very easy to just like formulate your own thoughts and opinions. So like, what thoughts and opinions are your employees forming of you other than text message, which can often be misconstrued?" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bell JazzHR Pet Care Team Training Liz: [email protected] Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? This episode was sponsored by JazzHr! Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today I'm joined by Liz Illig. Liz, how are you? I'm good, how are you? I'm amazing. And you know, Liz, we had on our last podcast, we had Maris, Michelle, and Leia all here to talk about how they changed their hiring all around how they went from trying to create their own Google Forms and, and gonna sift through emails and ask friends and family and post on on Facebook endlessly and have no results to Systemizing their hiring process and having weightless now. Excuse me. So I thought it was only fair and awesome to have you on this time to kind of let our listeners hear a cool training that you and I did for pet care team training. Admittedly, you and I are the co-founders of pet care team training. Do you want to just briefly explain to our audience what that is in case they it's their first time listening? All right, so pet care team training is a simplified training method for your dog walkers and pet sitters. Basically, Bill and I took our expertise over many, many years, and put it together in a training where you can train people in less than two hours keeping your costs down, we thought of everything. And even once we created it, we were like, how can we enhance this and we kept kind of just like adding layers and tears to it. And I couldn't be more proud of the platform and the training and how we can get people certified fast. Right, so a lot of like Leia, Maris, and Michelle, all have used it too so they get to have certified trainers or certified pet sitters in their area as well, in a combination of using it with
Episode 381: How 3 Pet Businesses Overcame Their Hiring Challenges with Jazz HR
Do you cringe at the thought of hiring new employees? Are you paralyzed by decision fatigue from an overflow of unqualified candidates? Have nightmares of disorganized chaos plagued your restless nights as your business scales? If left unaddressed, hiring woes can completely derail your business's growth trajectory. But solutions exist! Ones that can launch your business into the realm of automated bliss. In this power-packed episode, pet-sitting trailblazers Leia, Michelle, and Maris pull back the curtain on the hiring horrors that once left them frozen. You’ll discover how each entrepreneur went from begging any warm body to fill roles to leveraging systems that virtually guarantee 100% qualified applicants with Jazz HR. Through first-hand accounts, you’ll witness the exact moment each leader swallowed their fear, committed to a standardized hiring process, and skyrocketed their business as a result. From initial application questions to cognitive skills assessments, these pet-sitting pros cover it all. Think onboarding new hires has to mean mountains of paperwork and orientations from heck? Think again. Discover how to create seamless experiences that awe promising candidates rather than turn them away. If you’re ready to step fully into your CEO shoes and remove the hiring roadblocks holding your business back, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Join Bella and her squad of industry standouts as they map the route from hiring headaches to operational bliss. Buckle up and take notes—class is in session! Topics & Key Points: Hiring challenges Using Jazz HR Cognitive testing for hiring Leveraging Jaz HR . Hiring and HR solutions for small businesses Timestamps: [7:09] Using Jazz HR for fair and standardized hiring process. [8:53] Biggest challenge in making the leap. [12:39] Leveraging Jaz HR for streamlined recruitment processes. [17:52] Using knockout questions in hiring process. [22:56] Streamlining hiring process with HR system. [26:08] Hiring and HR solutions for small businesses. Notable Quotes: [7:31] "And so I signed up and I got the free onboarding call. And they helped me create the workflows and questions like the questions were the hardest part for me, I had no standardized questions that I asked everyone. And that's really important when you're evaluating 20 30 people" [13:28] "I mean, you're literally breaking it down step by step, you can automate it with specific emails like that with each step. And integrating as much as you can into Jaz HR, like I have my payroll system connected to it that way, once I hire someone, all the information gets pushed to it, so I'm not filling it out. " [14:37] "It takes away the whole Oh, this is just a dog walking job. He's like, Oh, this is a legitimate business. They have processes, they have systems I need to be in it really helps make you look more like more professional and like you know what you're doing, which is always important." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bell Jazz HR Maris Sonnabend: House of Paws Pet Care LLC Leia Johnson: Wonder Pups Pet Care Michelle Sabia: Paws & Claws Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? This episode was sponsored by Jazz Hr! Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome, everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today I have a really special episode we don't often have more than one person that we're interviewing. But today we've got three amazing business owners with us. And the reason why I did this, is they're all mastermind members. And I kind of put it out there, we do a lot of training and talking and strategizing in there. About jump, I'm sorry, about Jaz HR. And I know many of you guys have heard me talk about jazz HR and how it helped change and revolutionize many people's businesses. But I wanted to have an open discussion. And so if you guys have been, you know, struggling with hiring, if you've been trying to, you know, pedal through indeed and go through the mounds of, of, of applications and try to remember, oh, who did I say this to? And what is this person, let me go back to their resume, you get stopped in the middle of the day and an application comes through, you feel like it's a fire drill, because you don't want to lose that person. I think that you're gonna love this episode today, these ladies have lots of experience. And they're going to be sharing what they were doing before. Also, what their biggest challenge was, when it started, I think a lot of you might kind of feel that, and then also what their biggest tip
Episode 380: Because You Get To… Pet Business Lessons and Blessings
Do you see business challenges as crushing obstacles or opportunities for growth and life lessons? As a scaling entrepreneur, how you answer that question determines your future success. In this week's episode of Bella in Your Business, I vulnerably share my own journey from fighting daily fires to embracing each problem as a privilege. You’ll hear how I turned the “mom guilt” of teaching my daughter to tie her shoes into an analogy for investing in employees during growing pains. I used to dread the inevitable hires who didn’t work out or the clients complaining over delayed orders. Now I get excited over these chances to improve. As one listener told me, “Bella taught me that struggles mean you actually have a real business!” Through candid personal lessons, I explain how my childhood traumas shaped an overwhelming fight-or-flight reaction to upset customers. You’ll learn how I navigated my own therapy and self-work so I could lead my team through challenges with empathy. Beyond mindset, you’ll hear tangible tips for goal-setting, productivity hacks for overwhelmed entrepreneurs, and my favorite modalities for mental health. I explain the brain science behind how building new neural pathways leads to conflict management breakthroughs. If you ever feel crushed under the weight of hiring, retention, and service issues, this episode provides an uplifting model for personal lessons and company growth. Tune in to begin transforming problems into progress! Topics & Key Points: Overcome challenges Business problems and personal growth Conflict management Managing business problems Timestamps: [4:17] Employee issues and overcoming challenges [8:44] Business problems and personal growth [13:36] Personal growth and conflict management [17:21] Managing business problems Notable Quotes: [3:01] "The person that is working by themselves, overwhelmed wishing and hoping that they had the courage or the know how to go out there and get employees is wishing that they had your problems? Right? " [9:14] "Stay positive, you get to have these problems. And just because it didn't work that way, doesn't mean that it doesn't work. Okay? Again, going on to all the problems, you get all the problems come to you. " [15:39] "Conflict Management, we will have it in our business no matter what, whether it's with an employee, it's with a client, it's with a service provider. Conflict Management is something that we all need to do. And I think that a lot of the world you know, it's it's fight or flight, it's, it's we go on attack, or we just avoid it. And long term. It's not good. It's not good" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Episode 340: 7 Ways To Coach Your Team To Great Customer Experiences Episode 356: Website Tips for Pet Business Owners with Bobby Machado Episode 139: The Scientific Way You Can Increase Your Productivity 39% Episode 354: Habits and Behaviors Of Successful Pet Business Owners Signa Marketing Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, from Jump Consulting, and I am here today to give you a Bella Butt Kicking, I was kind of thinking about something the other day and one of the best parts of having amazing people in your life is that you can sit there and think about, you know, or have conversations that are just on a different level. Your conversations go from saying things like, oh my gosh, I can't believe this client. And it's so terrible. And, you know, oh, I can't believe this happened. And what were they thinking? And why did they say that? And they said that word and you know all of this. nitpicking, right? Or, you know, when things rub us the wrong way, there's a deeper reason for that. If you go deeper, and you figure that out, so much is unveiled. And as I was chatting with my friend about a topic similar to that, it kind of occurred to me that we get to have these problems. And it's a good thing. Like, you get to do it, you get to have the employee issues, you get to have the tech problems in your business, you get to have all the problems from everyone come to you. You get to have clients asking you questions, you get to have the challenge of personal growth, to make your business better, you get to do all of these things. It's a blessing. And a lesson for you, if you let it be. And I want to talk about that today. Because I think jus
Episode 379: Discovering the Secret to Getting Lots of Employees and Clients with Angela Watts
Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed trying to market your growing pet care business? My amazing guest Angela Watts shares her story of nearly drowning before discovering my marketing program that helped her thrive. Angela started Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting in 2012 and soon found herself solely responsible for the fledgling company when her husband fell ill. Juggling caretaking, a full-time teaching job, and running a pet service pushed Angela to the brink of total burnout. She even lost 95% of her business at one point! Yet Angela persisted and has grown Positive Paws into a 20-person operation through perseverance and nurturing leadership. Still, she struggled mightily with marketing and outsourcing tasks that stole her energy and creativity. Angela admits feeling continually overwhelmed trying to run social media, create content calendars, blog, and keep up with 10 marketing channels while also managing employees and dozens of client pets daily. She thought about closing up shop many times. Then Angela discovered my Done-For-You marketing program. She went from completely overwhelmed and ready to quit to having her inquiries triple in just two months! Hear Angela explain in her own words how following the program’s customized content calendar, leveraging done-for-you graphics, and receiving 1-on-1 coaching helped her finally gain control of marketing. So she could focus on growing her business and caring for pets. If you feel utterly overwhelmed trying to market your own successful pet care operation, you need to hear Angela's story. Her story of finding the support and systems to master marketing so she could get her life and business back. The lessons from this incredible conversation apply to any pet business owner struggling under the weight of scaling. Don't miss out on this episode of Bella In Your Business! If you are ready to chat, I would love for you to get on my calendar for a free 20 minute call! Topics & Key Points: Starting a dog walking business, overcoming challenges, and growing a successful company. Overcoming burnout and finding support in the industry Business goals and marketing strategies for a dog walking and training service Outsourcing social media marketing for a pet care business Business growth through improved marketing strategies Marketing program Timestamps: [1:02] Starting a dog-walking business [5:33] Finding support in the industry [9:29]Business goals and marketing strategies [13:51] Social media marketing for a pet care business [18:36] Business growth [22:43] Marketing strategies and personal growth [27:30] Marketing program Notable Quotes: [17:20] " And then people employees are going to see all these graphics on my website and or my social media and say, Wow, I really want to work for that company" [21:17] "They're checking out your Google reviews, they're checking out your website, they're checking out your about us page, because they want to be able to see you and get a feel for you." [26:08] "So now I have the space to actually breathe and like, plan where I want to take this business, I actually have time to take care of myself do some self-care, things like work out or, you know, relax, if I want to. It just has changed my life, honestly" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome, everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. I am joined by a special guest today, I'm excited to share her with you because, in the middle of one of our coaching calls, she said some pretty amazing things that I just really wanted to amplify in hopes that it gives you hope that you know if you're struggling out there that there are ways and people are being successful, that are struggling with the same things that you are struggling with and figuring out how to overachieve it. So without further ado, this podcast today is all about inspiration. And I can't wait to share it with you today. Angela Watts from Positive Dog is joining us. And she's gonna tell you a cool story today. And I can't wait. So Angela, welcome to the show. Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Absolutely. Um, for those who do not know you, why don't you give us a brief background? Tell us about you how you started and where you're located. Give us the origin story here. Oh, goodness. So it is a long story. But I'll try to make it as short a
Episode 378: Unlocking Growth. Leveraging Video in Your Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business
Imagine captivating your audience without saying a word, or better yet, making them feel right at home with your business before they even meet you. That's the enchantment of video, and we're here to show you how to wield it. What's in Store: Camera Shy? No Problem! I know how to help you turn your camera fright into camera delight, making you a pro in no time. Easy-Peasy Video Tips: Discover how to create amazing videos that tell the world, "Hey, we're the best at what we do!"—and all with just a few clicks and tricks. Social Media Sorcery: Learn to spread videos across your social platforms, enchanting potential clients and turning followers into fans. AI: Your Secret Sidekick: Dive into how artificial intelligence can be your behind-the-scenes hero, making content creation smoother than ever. If you're ready to unleash the power of video and watch your pet business soar to new heights, then this episode is your golden ticket. Don't miss out on this week's episode of Bella in Your Business Topics and Key Points: Leveraging video in pet sitting and dog walking business Creating engaging video content for social media platforms Video content creation for social media platforms Leveraging AI for video content creation Timestamps: [1:21] Leveraging video [5:04] Creating engaging video content [9:40] Video content creation for social media platforms [14:32] Leveraging AI for video content creation Notable Quotes: [2:35] "Guys video says it better because people are able to see and hear things. It is not just, you know, a picture's worth 1000 words video is like 60,000 words, okay?" [8:51] "That's called Evergreen content, I want you to think about you're creating like an arsenal, you're you're creating all of the bullets inside this big room of things that you can reuse, and reuse and reuse" [17:14] "And that excuse is not valid anymore. There are so many ways that you can do video. And there are so many ways that video is effective guys. Oh, I promise you I promise you" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And wow, you guys loved hearing Randa last week and you loved hearing Bow a couple of weeks ago as well, which tells me that you want more inspiring stories from your peers. And I would love to keep doing that. So if you think that you have an inspiring story, I would love for you to pitch me and maybe you can come on the next episode of Bella in your business. Just shoot me an email Bella at jump consulting.net. Maybe it's something that you've overcome in your business, maybe it's a way that you're doing things differently. Maybe it is just an offering or a methodology or growth or overcoming a really difficult life moment and still balancing business, whatever it might be. I am looking for stories and I encourage you to pitch me just shoot me an email [email protected] or you can get me on any of the socials. If you'd like to come on and do it. Or maybe you'd like to come on for a coaching session. And we could do one live on the podcast, whatever it might be my doors open the airwaves are open and I'd love to hear from you. Because you guys love hearing from each other. Today though, we are going to kind of prime the pump, if you will. This is coming out on February 29. As we go into tomorrow will be March and March inside the mastermind is all about video and I wanted to kind of get your whiskers wet is that whistles wet. I think that's how that goes and talk to you a little bit more about how you can unlock growth and leverage video in your pet-sitting and dog-walking business. Now if any one of you automatically goes ill, I don't want to listen to the video, you're a little scared, you're a little hesitant. I have to tell you stop thinking about it being you on camera, public speaking, because video is accessible to everyone in so many different ways. And it does not just mean you and your face on video, you do not have to be like Oh, I love public speaking to be on video. And hopefully, this episode will kind of help shift your thinking a little bit. The reason the video is so amazing is there's a huge visual appeal. Humans are visual creatures, and we process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. The guy's video says it is better because people c
Episode 377: From Dog Walks to Dreams. The Unleashed Success Story of Randa Clark
Ever dream of diving into the pet business ocean but don't know if you're diving into calm waters or a whirlwind? In the ever-evolving and competitive landscape of the pet industry, understanding the journey to success through firsthand experiences can be incredibly enlightening. This week on "Bella in Your Business," we have an episode that you simply cannot afford to skip, especially if elevating your pet business is at the forefront of your goals. This week I am joined by Randa Clark, a veteran in the pet industry with over 20 years of experience. Randa’s narrative from initiating a dog training venture to diversifying into pet care services is nothing short of inspiring. We unpack the layers behind Randa’s strategic decisions. The pivotal moments (including an accidental email that led to a substantial business opportunity), and the challenges faced in enlarging a business foundation. If you are thinking about franchising or want to expand your business, these tips are for you. Randa’s got the lowdown on picking the best growth routes, nailing your branding, and making your clients feel special. If you’re after tips on how to grow your business smoothly, this episode is like a GPS for success. Topics & Key Points: Entrepreneurship and overcoming fear Starting and growing a pet business Transitioning from home-based pet care to a brick-and-mortar resort Growing a pet resort business Branding, marketing, and work-life balance Timestamps: [0:08] Overcoming fear with Randa Clark [1:19] How Randa started Tailchasers [6:17] How she transitioned from home-based pet care to a brick-and-mortar resort [10:46] How Randa began her pet resort business [17:30] Tips on branding, marketing, and work-life balance Notable Quotes: [08:46] "But it made me uncomfortable to leave my clients somewhere that I wasn't sure they were going to be well taken care of and that the focus was going to be on them being comfortable in their, their mental health. So we wanted to be able to provide that service because these dogs are part of our family" [13:50] "So it was like I got to start over from the beginning and create everything the way that I should have where I document every single thing that I do." [25:26] "It is, it's really important for our brains to like, get out of that workload and that stress mode, because that also is where we're able to, like reset and be creative. You know, like our brains can't like it's like a car, it can't operate at six RPMs all the time, it needs to shift out of gear." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. I got so much great response and feedback from when we had our clients that I thought I would give you another inspiring business owner who I've known for years. Her name is Randy Clark out of Barrington, Illinois, and many other locations, which we will get into today with tail chasers. Randall, welcome to the show. Thanks for having me, Bella, you guys are gonna love her whole evolution of what she's been doing. It's been really exciting for me to watch her grow. And, also, you know, of course, I'm sure you've been scared through it all, but I like the way that you deal with fear and just push past it. And one thing you told me a long time ago is you just work at putting yourself out of a job. And I think you guys are all going to see that and hopefully take that away with many other things. But before we get into it, Randall, why don't you just give everyone an intro of who you are and how you originally started? What were your past lives that led you into this maybe even a little bit about your family I know this truly becomes like a family business for you. Well, my name is Randa Clark. As Bella said, we are approaching our 20th year in business. So it's our 20th anniversary in March. So we got like one more month. And so before owning up pet business, I went to school to be a band director and I still have a passion for music. Our children are very musical Matt's a songwriter. But I just didn't fit in in the school system. So I ended up going to school to become a dog trainer because I had a horrible dog. No arm, I mean, like I loved him very much. And he is still my favorite dog of all time. But he was very naughty. And he bit several trainers and we got kicked out of every obedi
Episode 376: The Differences in Selling Your Pet Services To Different Generations
Imagine cracking the code to selling pet services effortlessly to any client, regardless of their age—from the enthusiastic generation of Gen Z to the seasoned Baby Boomers. It's not just a dream; it's this week's reality! The Times Are Changing, and So Are Your Clients… In an era where personal connection battles with digital dominance, understanding the unique preferences of each generation can significantly amplify your pet business's success. Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen: Demystifying Generational Preferences: Discover why Baby Boomers may favor a handshake over an email, or why a millennial might choose your service based on an Instagram story. ?? Revolutionizing Your Sales Strategy: Get the first look at a transformative sales approach tailored to bridge the generational gaps, ensuring no client feels left behind. The Art of Modern Marketing: Learn the tactics that resonate, from showcasing the power of personal stories to leveraging the latest tech trends for an unforgettable service experience. Inclusivity and Ethics in Action: Understand why the generation of Gen Z values not just what you offer but also how you stand within the community, making ethics and inclusivity your strongest assets. So, are you ready to transform the way you connect with clients of all generations? Let this episode be the key that unlocks new doors of opportunity and growth for your pet business. Dive in with me on Episode 376 of "Bella in Your Business," and let's navigate the generational maze together. Your next big breakthrough is just a play button away - I can't wait to embark on this journey with you. Topics & Key Points: Selling pet services to different generations Pet sitting and dog walking sales strategies for different generations Marketing to different generations Marketing strategies for different generations Timestamps: [3:54] Pet sitting and dog walking sales strategies for different generations [09:49] Baby Boomers [13:04] Gen X [16:47] Millenials [21:03] Marketing to Gen Z, inclusivity Notable Quotes: [4:21] "You are not competing against pet Petsmart or Petco, you are not competing against these big huge corporations that have budgets you are competing against other quote unquote mom and pops just like you. And so what does that mean?" [16:01] "Or if you're going to do monthly dog walking package, then give them some sort of a value for it and make them feel like they're part of something." [18:58] "So one interesting thing that we keep seeing here is, no matter what generation you're doing, social proof is important." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Episode 357: How To Appeal to Millennials and the Hybrid Work Model To Gain More Clients in Your Dog Walking Business Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Bella in your business, I am excited to be back here with you. We had some awesome feedback from the past five episodes honestly. First, we had a series of four podcast episodes with Bobby, if you guys have not listened to that, and you're at all interested or maybe focused in 2024, on how to get more inbound leads that you do not have to go out and get, then you're going to want to listen to those episodes. Bobby has been someone who's been on my team for just about a year now, and it's helped me tremendously has helped some of my mastermind members already, and just had great results. And not only that, but they're just good people. And they're awesome to work with. And, they've helped transform people's Google AdWords, and websites and the strategy, which is the most important thing, because I think out of all those episodes, you could understand that we, you know, anyone can get out there and do Google ads, right? But without an actual strategy and understanding of the entire funnel system, then you could be throwing your money out the window. And so go ahead and listen to those, Bobby gave us an awesome deal just for the pet industry. As you know, anytime that I use someone that I love, I go to them and I say, Hey, how can you do what you've done for me and help my clients? And all by the way, you also have to give them a really big discount. So he did, he worked this cool discount for us. It's like 50% off just like Jazz HR does for all of the people that sign up in my posse, if you will. And so I'm just really here to help solve all the proble
Episode 375: The Mindset It Takes to Buy Multiple Pet Businesses with Beau Bibeau
Are you feeling stuck in your pet business journey? Teetering on the edge of expansion but haunted by the echoes of doubt? This week on "Bella in Your Business," we're slicing through the fog of fear. We are lighting the path to growth with an extraordinary guest, Beau, the mastermind behind Top Dog Walk’s multi-location success story. Beau opens up about evolving from an employee to an empire builder. Revealing how understanding his "why" propelled him from maintaining a single location to spearheading a cross-state dog-walking dynasty. With Bella's guidance, Beau refined his ambition. Transforming it into a blueprint for relentless growth, grounded in service and personal development. Despite the challenges of managing businesses from a distance, Beau shares his golden rules for staying connected to his team and mission. Discover his top picks for books and podcasts that keep him inspired. Along with how a commitment to ethical business practices and a laser focus on systems and delegation have been crucial to his expansion. Ever wondered how to conquer the gnawing fear of stepping into the unknown within your business? Beau and Bella dive deep into the mindset shifts necessary for overcoming self-doubt. And how to embrace leadership, with practical examples from their own experiences. For those dreaming of buying and selling pet businesses or wishing to scale new heights, this episode is a trove of actionable insights. Remember, the only person holding you back is YOU. Tune in to this week’s episode for your dose of courage, wisdom, and perhaps the nudge you need to take your pet business where you've only dared to dream. Join us and transform your business fears into your most powerful fuel yet. Let's jump in! Topics & Key Points: Pet business growth and mindset with Beau Business growth and personal development Running a business from afar and overcoming the fear of not being physically present Leadership development and overcoming fear in business Buying and managing businesses with a focus on legal and ethical considerations Buying and selling pet businesses Timestamps: [1:35] Business growth and personal development [4:57] Fear of running a business from afar and not being physically present [10:11] Leadership development [12:55] Buying and managing businesses Notable Quotes: [4:55] "I think being surrounded by people who can inspire you is really important, you know, connections to mentors, connections to peers. I think it's really awesome. You know, the kids unity with the mastermind having lots of other individuals who are doing the same thing. " [8:49] "I think that it's so much about systems in your business and the trust of delegating, you know, when you have good people around you actually trusting them when you delegate the things to them, that they can do it, you know, you've trained them, they have the systems and trusting them to execute" [11:57] "And I remember, I had two people that I had interviewed. And the night before I made the hiring decision, I was up all night, I was really scared that I was going to make the wrong decision, because I had two really great people, but they were really, really, really different. And I think that there's some things in life and you know, maybe your business isn't the most serious, right?" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Connect with Beau Email Beau: [email protected] Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. Today, we have a cool guest for you though, and I have known each other for quite some time. And when we were reconnecting as he was coming back into the mastermind, he had such a unique and inspiring story that I just knew that you needed to listen. So you're gonna love this episode today. But first, if you don't know Beau is the owner of the top dog walk in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, as well as Buffalo dog walkers in Buffalo, New York, yes, three different locations in two different states. He began his journey by starting his first business and expanding it to purchase the second. Currently, he's in the growth phase. And Bo is finding resources that help move his business forward. Today Bo is here to discuss his pet business journey. And the mindset that goes along with it, because it's now February, and the shiny object of the new year has worn off. And hopefully
Episode 370: Thoughtful Tactics to Build Your Dog Walking Company Culture
Have you ever wondered why some pet businesses absolutely thrived in 2023 while others merely survived? Discover the secret in this invigorating episode of Bella in Your Business. Hint: It has everything to do with company culture and community. This episode I am continuing on the topic of isolation, and tying in how building company culture brings people together in your business. I unravel the secret sauce it takes to foster a positive and collaborative work environment for your team. Imagine a business filled with ecstatic clients and a team that's bursting with job satisfaction. How can you make this a reality for your pet business? I also delve into the transformative power of open communication. How community brings people together to not only work well but be the best versions of themselves. This episode is an integral navigation tool for pet businesses striving towards remarkable success in 2024 and building better company culture. Prepared to unlock a bright future deserving of your pet business? Invite valuable knowledge into your journey by tuning into this episode. The transformative insights you seek may be just one listen away. If you haven't make it a goal to jump on my calendar for 2024! Topics & Key Points: Isolation, community, and company culture Building a positive work culture for dog walkers Creating a feedback loop and open communication in a company Building team culture and employee bonding Building community and improving marketing for pet-sitting businesses in 2024 Timestamps: [0:10] Isolation, community, and company culture [1:54] Positive work culture [5:45] Open Communication [7:44] Building team culture [11:35] Building community and improving marketing Notable Quotes: [02:35] "And build that company culture. So walkers who enjoy their job and feel valued, they're going to be more motivated to fully care for all the dogs. And they'll they'll be more attentive during dog walks." [05:45] "I would definitely do like regular feedback. When you create a feedback loop. It's going to help encourage that communication I was just talking about, it's gonna help people feel comfortable coming to you with questions, comments, concerns, ideas, all of that." [08:13] "These events are going to be really great for team building because it's not often that we get to see each other it's not like we're going into an office every single day, saying hi at the watercooler the proverbial water cooler, and you know talking to people so these events are really important." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, Always Keep Jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. This is the last episode of 2023. How has this year been for you? Oh my gosh, I am so excited about so many of you guys, it's had a couple of coaching calls this year, I'm sorry this last week where it was just astronomical that growth and the change that my clients have experienced, they have gone from, you know, solving like their biggest problems a year ago too they're just like a little blip on the radar. Now they're on to bigger and better things. And it just makes me so excited like a proud mama bear for all of you. So I'm curious, you know, what is something that you can celebrate this year that you have done? Great, I think we get caught up in all the hustle and bustle and forget to celebrate, and celebrating is something that we need to do, we need to do especially as we're thinking ahead and the year of what we want to leave behind. What do we want to take forward with us? And how can we do that, you know, there are a lot of lessons and blessings to learn in all of our challenges and uphill battles. So I just encourage you to take a moment to reflect on that. You know, we've been talking a lot about isolation, we talked about how a couple of our listeners or our clients, you know, were isolated and got out of it. I talked to you about my own isolation story and my board of CEOs, we talked about community and just out in general and how you know, life has shifted and how much we are just so secluded and not to be and today, I want to round out this whole isolation on on building your community, within your company, basically your company culture, and why company culture matters for your Dogra walking crews and your petsitting crews. So engaged dog walking teams, they'll provide better customer service. You k
Episode 369: It Takes a Village, Cultivating Connections on Your Pet Business Journey
Have you ever felt like you were struggling alone in your pet business? Do you wish you had more of a "village" to rely on? I've been there too. In this week's empowering episode, I share my reflections on the power of community and why having the right support network is critical not just in business but in life. What if I told you that surrounding yourself with positivity could unlock more success than working alone behind closed doors ever could? I dive into the science and psychology on why community shapes our mindset, performance, and even our brain itself. You'll hear inspiring research on village living and how our ancestors collaborated within tribal support circles rather than isolating themselves. I share my thoughts on how the physical architecture in modern neighborhoods discourages human connection despite our innate need for community. Want to know the single most important thing you can do today to grow your pet business? I'll reveal it in this game-changing talk. You won't believe how a simple shift in mindset can attract new opportunities practically overnight. I'll also get candid on how I personally overcame dark times by tapping into community and why I owe so much to the power of shared experiences. Join me for a thoughtful, uplifting discussion on why we thrive when we support others without losing our sense of self. Make sure you check out this episode of Bella In Your Business! Topics & Key Points: Community impact and building support networks Community support and village living The importance of communities for emotional support The power of community and mindset for success Community support and isolation in modern society Timestamps: [ 2:06] Support and village living [3:45] The importance of communities for emotional support [5:04] The power of community and mindset for success [6:36] Community support and isolation in modern society [11:31] Personal growth and transitions in life [15:26] Building and maintaining a supportive community Notable Quotes: [2:32] " The problem is, is that this day and age, we've kind of gotten away from that. And, you know, our humanity essentially has been, has been, has been built off of villages off of communities." [4:18] "communities provide a critical physical, emotional and psychological support system that helped get us through life's toughest moments." [17:44] "A mistake we often make is waiting until the crisis hits before seeking community. I can't stress this enough, but you are who you surround yourself with." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Episode 367: Breaking Free from Isolation, Strategies for Pet Industry Entrepreneurs Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, always keep jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today, today today, oh my gosh, you guys had such an overwhelming response to all the isolation podcasts, the one that we had on with Tracy and Kathy, the one that I told you and my CEO board and what I did and do to stay out of isolation. That was powerful. And so because of your response, I thought we would end the year with more things about, you know, just impacts of community on people, which is what we're going to talk about today. And building community within your business, which is what we're going to talk about lat next week, to round out the final episode of 2023. I struck a nerve. I hear you guys, I see you guys. Thank you so much for reposting and resharing Leia, and Becky, there were a couple of others of you right now. I just really appreciate it. You know, it means a lot to know, that this stuff is striking a chord with you. So I want to keep going with it. I know we talked about hiring last week. But no, we're going to change the course and listen and give the people what they want. So I I want to get into it today, um, you hear me speak so much about the importance of who you surround yourself with and to step out from isolation and lean on others. So I want you to like honestly, like think back. And oftentimes when I have like a really big idea or decision or thing that I'm trying to wrap my head around, what I do is I catastrophize it, and I make it like big. And then I also minimalize it to like the most simple, very version of it, that's what I'm about to do, I want you to think back to like, like caveman days, I want you to think back to the beginning of civilizations, and just, you k
Episode 368: How to Perfect Your Interview Questions When Hiring Dog Walkers
Have you ever fumbled your way through an interview with an undesirable pet sitter or dog walker? Have you ever wondered how to hire the perfect pet sitter or dog walker? Where do you even start with crafting the right interview questions? In my latest podcast episode, I spill all my secrets on crafting the perfect interview questions to find the most qualified candidates. I emphasize nailing down a candidate's schedule and lifestyle early on. As small business owners, we can't afford unreliable employees, especially when it comes to caring for precious pets! My top tip? Get straight to the point with direct questions. Delve more deeply into problem-solving abilities by sharing realistic scenarios. Their responses reveal crucial glimpses into their expertise, judgment, and compassion under pressure. As we stride into 2024, now is the perfect chance for pet owners to level up their interview skills and set higher standards. By investing in a selective hiring process, we propel our businesses into a more profitable and harmonious new year! Reach out anytime for a free 20 minute call with me to help guide you in the right direction. Topics & Key Points: Interview questions for pet sitters and dog walkers. Using behavioral questions in job interviews. Assess candidate knowledge and resourcefulness. Improving interviewing skills and business success. Timestamps: [1:35]Using behavioral questions in job interviews. [6:46] Interview questions to assess candidate knowledge and resourcefulness. [8:30] Interview questions for pet sitters. [11:32]Improving interviewing skills and business success. Notable Quotes: [04:39] " So when we talk about behavioral questions, it's much better to talk about a previous time that they had, and then for them to reflect on it. " [06:04] "Now, the interesting thing here is that, you're gonna find a pattern, you're gonna understand, they like working alone, they don't like working alone, they like being micromanaged." [10:30] "There's not really a right or wrong answer here, right. But the real thing that you're testing for, is their problem solving skills and ability and how they explain to you how they reach their conclusion." Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, always keep jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today I'm gonna give you some tips on how to perfect your interview questions. When interviewing pet sitters and dog walkers. I think this is a really important topic. And I could never talk about hiring enough. Because I see so many people just kind of lost on how to interview people, they get in front of somebody, they either do all the talking, or they go off of their gut feeling. Or they feel like okay, yeah, I like this person. And then they say that hiring doesn't work. And then they give hiring a bad name, then they say that there's no one to hire in their area, no one wants to work for this certain amount of money, or no one wants to have a good work ethic. And that's just simply not true. So today, I'm going to try to reframe our brains or give you something different to look at maybe a new strategy to try. And we're going to kind of take it from there. Things to consider, if you will. So the first one is all about asking about availability. Now, that sounds pretty easy, right? Like, Bella, why are you including that? Duh. Um, because here's the thing. It's not up for them to tell you what their availability is for you to like, kind of be a detective and understand, is this going to work for us long term? What I mean by that is, let's say it is now March, and you're hiring someone, and maybe they are a school teacher, or they go to school when you sit there and you hire them for a certain timeframe. And you know, that the school schedule is going to change, it's up to you to say, you know, is your schedule going to change? Is it are you going to be more available or less available in the summer? Alternatively, maybe you hired them in June, and you know, that their school teacher or they're in college, or they're going to be going back to school? What does your schedule look like in September, or October, right? Those kinds of things are, you have to think about how or what is going to affect their life and ask them about it because they might not be thinking as far ahead as you are. And if tha
Episode 367: Breaking Free from Isolation, Strategies for Pet Industry Entrepreneurs
Ever found yourself surrounded by wagging tails and soothing purrs, yet feeling a bit like a lone wolf in the world of pet entrepreneurship? It's like being in a room filled with adorable companions, yet the business journey can be surprisingly solitary. In this episode of "Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast," we continue our discussion on isolation and its impact on business owners. Today, I want to share with you some practical tips and personal insights that can help you combat isolation and thrive in your entrepreneurial journey. First and foremost, it's crucial to prioritize personal growth. As business owners, we often get caught up in the day-to-day operations and forget to invest in ourselves. But by taking the time to learn and develop new skills, we can break free from old patterns and beliefs that may be holding us back. So, if you're a business owner feeling isolated, I highly recommend giving this podcast episode a listen. It's packed with valuable insights and practical tips to help you overcome isolation and thrive in both your personal and professional life. Topics & Key Points: The reality of isolation The consequences of isolation, such as depression and poor decision-making Taking action against isolation The power of relationships The importance of how we handle our thoughts and feelings Support and resources to Jumpers to help combat isolation You're not alone Timestamps: [02:15] - The causes of isolation [06:10] - The impact of isolation on business owners [08:31] - Strategies to overcome isolation [10:41] - Dancing for energy and creativity [12:51] - Conscious effort to cultivate relationships [15:59] - Different types of relationships [21:02] - Taking control of your thoughts and feelings [22:04] - Reaching out for support [23:07] - Sending love and support during the holiday season Notable Quotes: [00:07:08] "Something I've learned this year is that our feelings are not facts. And, you know, you might feel a certain way, but feelings are temporary.” [00:07:35] "Isolation means fewer new ideas and less energy. The individual may lose motivation and have trouble envisioning goals." [00:10:19] "Taking time off and having new experiences. This is a really great time of year to do that, even if it's just for a night or a day or a weekend." [21:00] "It's what we do with those feelings that matter. And so I ask you today, what are you going to do that's going to change the course of your life and make you more in charge of your life and your thoughts and your feelings?" Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Voxer App Neuroplasticity: The Ability Of The Brain To Reorganize Itself. How To Build A Better Brain Episode 366: Overcoming Isolation, Real Stories of Hope and Resilience with Kathy and Tracy Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, always keep jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today, we are going to continue talking about isolation. It's a pretty big topic that I have, it's been placed on my heart because so many times I've been talking to people. And I've been hearing this theme, reoccurring, and you know, this is my chance just to be in your ear and talk to you, I don't take it lightly. I honor and cherish the moments that I get to sit here and speak to you. Even though I don't get to see all of you who download it every week, which is typically over 1000 people. In our last episode, Tracy and Kathy were so vulnerable and courageous to just kind of speak about their own experience with this. And I thought it was really important, you know, to kind of take it from a place of our peers, but also do a little bit more talking on it. Because sometimes we might not even realize this is what we're doing. And it's a really important time of year to do it. We just had Thanksgiving. And you know, social media can be the bane of a lot of people's existence, you're I said, you're gonna tell you to, you know, attract employees and clients on social media and you're scrolling to either get away from life, you're scrolling to be entertained, you're scrolling to catch up on people, but then, you know, it also kind of plays a role in our mental health. And I am no exception to it. I've had my battles that I've been very open with, you know, having a 12-ounce baby going through a divorce, you know, really kind
Episode 366: Overcoming Isolation, Real Stories of Hope and Resilience with Kathy and Tracy
Have you ever found yourself surrounded by the hustle and bustle of your business, yet felt an undeniable sense of isolation? As business owners, we often paint a picture of success, but behind the scenes, many of us wrestle with a profound and sometimes lonely journey. In this episode of "Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast," we have a really important topic to discuss - the feeling of isolation among business owners. It's something that many of us have experienced at some point, and it can be really tough. Our guests today, Tracy and Kathy , are here to share their personal experiences with feeling stuck and alone in their businesses. They know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship without a support system. Tracy and Kathy found solace in joining a mastermind group and community. They talk about how connecting with like-minded individuals who understood their struggles made a huge difference in their lives. It gave them a sense of belonging and support that they had been missing. One of the key takeaways from this episode is the importance of reaching out to others. It's so easy to get caught up in our own negative thoughts and feelings of isolation, but by opening up and connecting with others, we can challenge those thoughts and find a renewed sense of purpose. Practicing gratitude is another powerful tool that Tracy and Kathy discuss. By focusing on the positive aspects of their businesses and lives, they were able to shift their mindset and find joy in their work again. So, if you've been feeling isolated in your business, know that you're not alone. There are people out there who understand what you're going through and are ready to support you. Take that first step and reach out - you never know how it might change your life. Topics & Key Points: The feeling of isolation experienced by business owners Positive impact of joining a mastermind group and engaging with a community Personal experiences of isolation shared by Tracy and Kathy Challenging negative thoughts and the importance of community and friendships Changes experienced after reconnecting with a mastermind group and better marketing program Benefits of being part of a mastermind group and attending events Importance of gratitude, accountability partners, and like-minded individuals for support Rediscovering passion and purpose in business after getting out of isolation Encouragement to reach out to communities and seek support The importance of not isolating oneself, especially during the holiday season Timestamps: [00:01] Feeling of Isolation and Its Impact [03:03] Voices in Your Head and Negative Self-Talk [05:33] Reaching Out and Connecting with Others [08:51] The feeling of isolation and the impact of joining a mastermind group [09:32] The positive impact of getting out of isolation [13:53] The importance of gratitude and community in combating isolation [17:30] The feeling of isolation and reaching out [18:21] Overcoming isolation and inspiring others Notable Quotes: [00:32] “Because once we isolate, we start thinking about all of the things and we get stuck in our head, and it just is like a vicious cycle that just goes down, down, down, down, dow” [04:34] “I felt like everybody else knew what they were doing, which made me feel worse. It made me feel like I was completely out of it, and everybody else knew the answers, and I just didn't.".” [14:46] "It always gets better. I mean, it's just...I'm kind of maybe hardheaded, but sometimes I just forget that. And I kind of was going through a period like this recently, actually, and I just always, always feel better when I talk to you.” Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, always keep jumping. Transcript: Welcome, everybody to another episode of Bella in your business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today I'm joined by two special guests, two guests that I have known for quite some time who courageously accepted to come onto the podcast today. And I'm so excited because I know that every single one of you listeners is going to be able to relate with them. And it is my goal that you don't feel so alone in this world. It is not only something that every business owner struggles with, it's honestly something that I've struggled with. And that's called isolation. Once we isolate ourselves, we start thinking about all of the things and we get stuck in our heads. A
Episode 365: What It Takes To Hire 50+ Employees In Your Pet Business with Tiffany Lewis
Hey Jumpers! In the business world, few things are as simultaneously crucial and daunting as hiring new talent. If you've ever been in a position where you had to recruit and onboard new employees, you're likely familiar with the mixed emotions of this responsibility. The mere thought of hiring new talent can send shivers down the spine of even the most experienced business owners. But, here's the twist. What if we told you that hiring might not be the colossal, nerve-wracking endeavor it's often made out to be? In this episode of "Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast," I am thrilled to welcome back Tiffany Lewis. She is the amazing owner of Pet and Home Care. Today, we dive into Tiffany’s incredible journey, starting from being a dog walker to running a business with over 50 employees. It's truly inspiring to see her build her empire and find success in hiring new talent. Tiffany opened up about the challenges she faced when transitioning from independent contractors to having a full-fledged team of employees. She also highlights the significance of having a formalized hiring process and how it has made a huge difference in her business. Oh, and let's remember the perks she offers her employees - they're a game-changer. If you're a pet business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is a goldmine of valuable insights on hiring new talent. Tiffany's journey and her tips on managing a team effectively are definitely worth listening to. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this one! Topics & Key Points: Challenges faced in hiring and transitioning from independent contractors to employees Importance of having a formalized hiring process and employee benefits Tiffanie's experience of initially hiring friends and the challenges of mixing business and friendship Transitioning from independent contractors to employees and its benefits Tiffany’s more formalized hiring process Building a strong company culture and its effects on the business Importance of creating a healthy workplace and being a supportive boss Ways Tiffany takes care of her team, such as structured onboarding and providing benefits The belief that it's not just about the money, but also about taking care of employees. Timestamps: [00:09] Tiffany’s journey from dog walker to building a team [03:05] Transitioning from independent contractors to employees [05:33] Formalizing the hiring process and employee benefits [10:12] Tiffanie's transition from a reactionary approach to hiring to building a conscious culture. [11:10] The importance of treating employees well [13:53] Tips for starting a pet care business Notable Quotes: [05:32] “Switching to employees was a huge benefit because now I have more protection and my employees have more protection, which also makes them more loyal.” [08:54] “In the beginning, I was just kind of hacking it together, finding people that met my requirements, doing some vetting. And then we would, you know, train them. So the big difference between now and then is our training and onboarding process is much longer now, but it's good because we're doing much more vetting.” [13:52] “Don't waste time in the paper world, get digital as quickly as you can. Switch to digital right away. Don't waste your time setting up paper calendars.” [15:48] ”We're trying to create a work environment. It's an independent company type of job. So trying to create a work environment. So we've had a few offices over the years. We've tried, but then for a long time, we went officeless. But then when the pandemic happened, that was a big eye-opener. I need my team to work together. I want them to feel like they're a team” Resources: Podcast: Bella in Your Business: Pet Industry Business Podcast Join Mastermind Email Bella: [email protected] Sign up for a 20 mins call Better Marketing with Bella Tiffany's previous appearance on the show 10KSB Apply Connect with Tiffany LinkedIn Website Connect with Bella Website Facebook YouTube Did you love this episode? If you liked this episode, please head on over to iTunes and leave a five-star rating and review. Every single review helps get this community bigger, stronger, and better. It gets other jumpers just like you into the community. Always remember when life gets down, always keep jumping. Transcript: Welcome to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta. And today we have a special guest for you. I want you to meet Tiffany Lewis. If you do not know her already, she is from pet and home care, and she started walking dogs in the Potomac neighborhood when she was just a junior in high school. With the combination of hustle and word of mouth, her little side gig after school turned into a full-time job. But she doesn't need to her client list had grown to a point that Tiffany had to hire her first team member and today