76. Value Is Just A Feeling

I’ll happily spend $1000’s on Halloween decorations - would you? Maybe, maybe not. What is valuable to one person is worthless to the next Relevance? Well, I really need you to stop valuing your services based on what YOU are happy to pay for them or what you FEEL they are worth Tune in, feel inspired, do the damn price rise pronto

Having difficult conversations with your staff is one of the most uncomfortable parts of owning a business, especially when you care about your team, want to keep the peace, and don’t want to be seen as the “bad boss.”But avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the problem disappear. More often than not, it allows frustration to build, standards to slip and resentment to creep into the business.In this episode of the Pet Industry Mentor Podcast, I’m talking about my own recent experience of finally addressing issues that had been bothering me for some time, and what happened when I stopped trying to keep everyone comfortable and started having the conversations that actually needed to happen.We talk about the difference between being kind and avoiding accountability, why your staff are allowed to be unhappy with feedback without that automatically meaning you’ve done something wrong, and why someone’s reaction to a reasonable boundary or expectation can tell you a lot.I also unpack something I think a lot of business owners need to hear: your job as a leader isn’t to prevent your staff from ever feeling uncomfortable. Your job is to communicate clearly, set reasonable expectations, address problems when they arise and protect the standards of the business you’re responsible for.Sometimes a difficult conversation leads to improvement. Sometimes it exposes a much bigger problem. Sometimes a staff member decides the expectations of the role no longer work for them.All three outcomes give you more clarity than months of walking on eggshells.If you’ve been rehearsing a conversation in your head for weeks, overlooking behaviour because you don’t want the confrontation, or finding yourself changing how you run your business because you’re worried about how one particular staff member will react, this episode is for you.In this episode:Why business owners avoid difficult staff conversationsThe difference between kindness and people-pleasing in leadershipWhy clear expectations are not unreasonable expectationsWhat happens when small issues are allowed to buildWhy you can’t control how someone responds to feedbackHaving conversations based on facts rather than emotionWhy documenting conversations mattersWhat a staff member’s reaction can revealAccepting that sometimes accountability changes the relationshipWhy protecting your business sometimes means being willing to have an uncomfortable conversationYou don’t need to become cold, aggressive or overly corporate to lead your team well.You do need to be willing to say the thing that needs to be said.

There is a good reason the saying is ‘hire slow fire fast’ The wrong employee can cause financial and emotional strain that can take months to recover. I know because I’ve experienced it more than once If this episode hit home for you, reach out for a chat Instagram: @petindustrymentorwww.petindustrymentor.com

If you've ever said, "I've never needed marketing because all my business comes through word of mouth," this episode is for you.Don't get me wrong, referrals are one of the best compliments your business can receive. They build trust, create loyal clients and are something every business owner should strive for.But are they enough to keep your business growing?In this episode, I'm sharing why relying solely on word of mouth can quietly limit your growth, why being a great business isn't always enough if people can't find you, and the mindset shift that changed the way I look at marketing forever.We'll chat about:• Why word of mouth isn't a business strategy.• What new pet owners actually do when they're looking for a service.• The role Google plays in attracting new clients.• Why visibility matters just as much as reputation.• How referrals and marketing work together, not against each other.• Simple ways to make your business easier to find.Whether you're a groomer, trainer, pet sitter, dog walker, behaviourist or any other pet professional, this episode is a reminder that incredible businesses deserve to be seen.Because your next client can't book you if they don't know you exist.

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We spend so much time watching what everyone else is doing that we forget to focus on the one business that actually pays our bills... our own.In this episode, we're talking about the trap of constantly comparing yourself to competitors, getting caught up in industry drama, chasing every trend, and letting other people's decisions distract you from your own goals. Because the truth is, every minute you spend worrying about someone else's business is a minute you're not improving your own.If you've ever found yourself frustrated by what another business is charging, posting or achieving, this episode is the reminder you probably need. Put the blinkers back on, get back to work, and focus on the things that actually move your business forward.

This weeks episode is going to highlight and explain the differences between the business owner who has the capacity to generate $60,000 in a year vs those exceeding $200,000The differences might surprise you. You probably think those making over 200 are working 10x as hard as you, or got lucky, or just have figured out the secret. It’s actually none of the above, and allow me to enlighten you. I hope this episode inspires you, resonates with you, and leaves you asking yourselves many questions I would love to work with you and help you get past this 60k (or less) mentality. You can find me on Instagram @petindustrymentor or at www.petindustrymentor.com

Ever wondered what it's actually like to work with a business mentor?In this episode, I sit down with one of my mentor clients for a completely honest conversation about her experience inside Pet Business Mastery. We chat about where she was before we started working together, the challenges she was facing, the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference, and the practical changes she's made in her business along the way.Rather than hearing it from me, this episode gives you the opportunity to hear directly from someone who's been through the process. We talk about the wins, the moments that felt uncomfortable, the support she received, and why having someone in your corner can completely change the way you approach your business.If you've been wondering whether mentoring is right for you, or you're feeling stuck and unsure of your next move, I hope this conversation gives you a genuine insight into what coaching together looks like.In this episode we cover:- What life and business looked like before mentoring.- The biggest challenges she was facing.- The changes she's made since joining.- Mindset shifts that created momentum.- The value of accountability and support.- Advice for anyone considering investing in themselves.If this episode resonates with you and you've been thinking about getting support in your own pet business, I'd love to have a chat. You can learn more about my mentoring programs or send me a message through my website or social media @petindustrymentor on Instagram or www.petindustrymentor.comIf you enjoyed this episode, I'd really appreciate it if you could follow the podcast and leave a review. It helps more pet business owners discover the show and build businesses that support the life they actually want.

.Underpricing is one of the most common challenges I see across the pet industry, and unfortunately it's also one of the quickest ways to create burnout, stress and financial pressure.In this episode, we're diving into the real cost of charging too little for your services, why being busy doesn't always mean being profitable, and how underpricing impacts everything from your wages and team culture through to your ability to grow, invest and actually enjoy the business you've worked so hard to build.We'll unpack some of the reasons pet business owners stay stuck with outdated pricing, the warning signs that your prices may no longer be serving your business, and how to start looking at pricing through the lens of sustainability rather than fear.Whether you're a groomer, dog walker, trainer, pet sitter, daycare owner or any other pet professional, this is a conversation that could completely change the way you view your numbers.Ready to make some business changing choices? Book a call with me via my Instagram bio @petindustrymentor