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PODCAST

Pet Sitter Confessional

Pet Sitter Confessional, LLC

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

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All Episodes

34:23

740: You Don't Need Another Planner

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/10/05

What happens when we are organized, scheduled, and still cannot keep up? In this episode, we look at why overwhelm is often a capacity problem rather than a productivity problem, and why another planner, app, or system cannot create more time, energy, or people. We walk through six moves available when demand exceeds capacity: do less, delay, delegate, simplify, stop, or intentionally increase capacity. We also talk about stabilizing the business around pet safety, existing commitments, payroll,

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58:06

739: Honest Intake, Better Boundaries, Safer Walks...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/30

What does it take to confidently care for dogs that other pet professionals may be hesitant to handle? Collin talks with Maddie Krzonowski, owner of Maddie's Dog Walking, about building trust with reactive dogs, recognizing behavioral warning signs, and knowing when a case is beyond your skill set. Maddie shares how honest client communication and thorough meet-and-greets help her determine whether a dog is a safe and appropriate fit. They also discuss growing a pet care business while attending

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51:56

738: Grow by Doing Less

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/28

What if the next stage of growth in our business comes not from adding more, but from deliberately taking things away? In this episode, we examine the owner trap; how work stays on our plates because we are fast at it, familiar with it, and emotionally attached to being needed. We explore how complexity creeps into services, scheduling, pricing, communication, and client exceptions, and why every extra variation quietly raises the cost of running the business. We walk through a five-question

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59:58

737: Helping Google Trust Your Pet Care Business with...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/23

What does Google actually need to see before it trusts and recommends your pet care business? Amy Toman of Pet Sitter SEO joins us to explore how AI is changing Google Business Profiles, local search, reviews, photos, verification, and even phone calls to businesses. We discuss why consistency across your website, social media, directories, and Google listing matters more than ever and how experience, expertise, authority, and trust help establish your business online. Amy also shares important

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41:59

736: The Messy Middle

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/21

Have you reached the point where your pet care business is too busy to run alone but not yet profitable enough to comfortably add support? In this episode, we unpack the "messy middle," where demand has outgrown our available hours even though the margin has not caught up. We talk through the two intentional paths forward: growing through the stage by pricing in help, delegating, and building systems, or scaling back by raising prices, tightening service areas, and simplifying services. We also

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01:02:37

735: Leading Your Team With Purpose with Jon Eckrich

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/16

What happens when your business is built around a mission instead of just making money? In this episode, Collin sits down with Jon Eckrich of Jon Loves Dogs to discuss how a clear mission influences every decision—from hiring and onboarding to client relationships and long-term growth. Jon shares how his corporate leadership experience shaped his approach to building a professional pet care team without losing sight of compassion. Together they explore company culture, Fear Free principles,

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30:39

734: Being an Owner vs. Operator Part 2

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/14

Get 1 CEU: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEo5RsHFqlc5t5OXPZIf2CSWjuVQwS-abZVi_phWPC4CC9vg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107413215510797164078 What do we actually want our pet care businesses to make possible for us? In this episode, we build on our conversation about ownership stages by exploring how our goals shape the work we do and the responsibilities we share. We discuss the mindset shifts involved in trusting others with pet care, decisions, and leadership, including why being needed

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55:41

733: Learning to Let Go Without Losing Control with...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/09

What happens when the biggest obstacle to your business's growth is the owner? In this episode Maris Sonnabend is back on the show to discuss the difficult but necessary transition from doing everything yourself to becoming a true leader. They explore why systems, delegation, and trust are essential for sustainable growth, even when letting go feels uncomfortable. Maris shares practical insights on identifying the work only the owner can do while empowering others to take ownership. Whether you're

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31:42

732: Being an Owner vs. Operator Part 1

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/07

Are you actually functioning as the owner of your business, or have you simply created a job for yourself? In this episode, we break down five distinct roles we can occupy as pet care business owners, from owner technician to enterprise owner. We explore how our responsibilities, mindset, and definition of productive work must change as the business grows and other people begin taking responsibility. We also discuss why moving "up" these stages isn't inherently better and why a successful solo

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47:01

731: Why Going Cats-Only Was the Right Business Move...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/09/02

What happens when you build a pet care business around the animals, clients, and work you genuinely love? Sarita Eckhoff shares how she transformed an idea into Exclusively Cats In-Home Cat Sitting while initially maintaining a full-time office job. She explains why professional presentation, continuing education, veterinary relationships, and a clear cats-only niche helped her earn the trust of her earliest clients. Sarita also discusses pricing confidently, communicating concerns promptly, and

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53:11

730: Stop Making Every Problem Your Emergency

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/31

What does peace of mind actually look like when employees call out, clients cancel, cars break down, and plans change without warning? In this episode, we explore why peace of mind does not come from eliminating problems, but from building a business capable of absorbing them without every disruption becoming our personal emergency. We break that work into three major areas: hiring dependable people, creating systems designed for failure, and developing a healthier mindset toward the normal

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59:47

729: Still Standing with Cathy Duvall

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/26

What happens when one unexpected moment changes your business—and your life—overnight? Cathy Duvall returns to Pet Sitter Confessional to share her deeply personal journey after a sudden accident led to years of surgeries, chronic infection, and a complete rethinking of how she operates her solo pet sitting business. Together, we explore the emotional challenge of adapting to physical limitations, learning to say no, and creating resilience before a crisis arrives. Cathy shares practical lessons

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35:13

728: The Legacy of a Lazy Leader

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/24

What happens when a leader stays incredibly busy but keeps avoiding the work that only they can do? In this episode, we unpack what "lazy leadership" actually looks like and why it has far less to do with how hard we work than with which responsibilities we choose to avoid. We discuss the difference between delegation, rest, hustle, and avoidance, along with the consequences our teams and future selves inherit when difficult decisions are continually delayed. We also explore how our unspoken

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56:04

727: From Founder to Future with Kaz Kelly

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/19

What would happen to your pet care business if you needed (or wanted) to step away? Collin speaks with Kaz Kelly, founder of Founder to Future Consulting, about preparing a business for sale long before an exit becomes urgent. Kaz explains why annual exit-readiness audits, documented systems, independent teams, and clear financial boundaries make a business more attractive to potential buyers. They also explore the emotional realities of selling, including releasing control, redefining your

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31:09

726: What to Do When Your Business Feels Stuck

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/17

What do we do when working harder stops producing better results in our business? We explore how to recognize when we've genuinely hit a limit rather than simply experiencing a temporary slow season. We talk about separating what we can control from what we can't, managing the frustration that comes with feeling stuck, and treating a plateau as useful information instead of personal failure. We also break down practical ways to move forward by retiring tactics that aren't working, asking for outside

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52:40

725: Building Your Succession Plan with Sativa Boatman

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/12

Earn 1 CEU! What would happen to your pet care business if you suddenly could not run it? Attorney and business owner Sativa Boatman joins Collin to explain why wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and succession planning matter long before retirement. They discuss the risks of allowing a business to pass through probate and the operational gap that can leave employees, clients, and family members without anyone authorized to act. Sativa encourages owners to recognize their businesses as valuable

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20:43

724: The Long Term Cost of Short Sighted Solutions

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/10

What if some of the decisions that feel most responsible today are quietly creating bigger problems for your business tomorrow? We explore how avoiding immediate discomfort can show up in our pricing, hiring, marketing, client policies, documentation, and willingness to delegate. We discuss why doing everything ourselves, tolerating mediocre performance, underpricing services, and saying yes to every client can eventually limit the business we actually want to build. We also look at how stronger

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01:03:21

723: Don't Just Go for "Okay" with Dave Peterson

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/05

What does it take to rebuild a pet care business without losing sight of why it matters? Collin talks with Dave Peterson of Bethesda Dog Walkers about buying into a family business, rebranding, changing operations, and learning to lead through uncomfortable seasons of growth. Dave shares how marketing, client trust, reviews, onboarding, and consistency all work together to create a premium client experience. They also discuss why doing the simple things well can be more powerful than constantly

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32:09

722: The Missing Link Between Employee Retention and...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/08/03

What if the biggest reason clients and employees stay has nothing to do with pricing, pay, or perks? In this episode, we explore how understanding why each visit matters transforms ordinary pet care into meaningful service. We discuss the difference between simply completing tasks and delivering genuine care, and how giving your team client context changes the way they show up. We also share two practical systems that strengthen both employee engagement and client retention. Together, we'll discover

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55:32

721: Rebranding For the Clients You Want with Rebecca...

Pet Sitter Confessional ·

2026/07/29

What happens when your business changes faster than your brand does? Collin talks with Rebecca Thompson of Skyline Dog Walkers about rebranding, shifting toward dog walking, and learning how to communicate what makes a business different. Rebecca shares how she moved from teaching into pet care, built a team-based service model, and began using data alongside instinct to make stronger decisions. They also discuss visibility, social media, client acquisition, and the challenge of leading a team

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740 results

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