Author name: Kristin Morrison

Pet Sitting Employee Handbook

Let me guess… you are a busy pet sitting or dog walking business owner and haven’t had the time to create an employee handbook for your pet sitters and dog walkers.

Or… perhaps you’ve recently converted your ICs to employees.

Maybe you’ve needed an employee handbook for a very long time and it has gone to the bottom of your To Do list because it’s such an ordeal to create one from scratch. Whatever the reason, you just know you need one.

Creating an employee handbook from scratch is a lot of work to create. I get it. (This one was a lot of work to create and took many hours and thousands of dollars to have an HR company and employment attorney review it!)

Our handbook is the perfect ready-made template to insert your own pet sitting or dog walking business name and offer it to your employees.

Click to find out more about the pet sitting employee handbook.

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The Audiobook Version of “30 Days To Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business” is Here!

I’m happy to announce that the AUDIOBOOK version of 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business is now available starting TODAY! Woot! ?

This Audiobook is now available on my website and on Audible, Amazon and iTunes!


Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the audiobook:


Q. Where can I get the audiobook? A. You can click here to get it sent to you immediately from my website: 30 Days To Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business audiobook.


Q. Is the audiobook available on iTunes, Audible, and Amazon? A. Yes, it’s also available on these three sites and you can click to get the audiobook from Audible.


Q. Does the audiobook come with a checklist or a booklet of any kind? A. Yes. It comes with a 71-page booklet to accompany the audiobook version and contains checklists, recommended resources and so much more.

Q. Kristin, was the audiobook recorded with your voice? A. I hired a professional voice artist named Kara to record the audiobook. Her voice is great. I think you’ll like it a lot. My husband even thinks she sounds a lot like me and he would know. 🙂 Here’s a picture of Kara:

Kara B. / Narrator

Q. How long is the audiobook recording? A. It’s 6 hours and 20 minutes.


Q. Will I receive the audiobook right away upon order? A. Yes, you’ll receive the audiobook within 30 seconds of your order. It will be in mp3 files and you can listen from your smart phone or your computer, and you’ll also receive the 71-page accompanying booklet too.


Q. What’s the audiobook website page? A. Six-Figure Pet Sitting Academy


Happy listening and starting or growing your pet sitting and dog walking business!

The Audiobook Version of “30 Days To Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business” is Here! Read More »

New Book: The Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers is Coming Soon!

Do you need or want to hire pet sitters and dog walkers to work for you?

Kristin Morrison’s newest pet business book is almost here!

The Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers by Kristin Morrison is coming this summer.

Hiring high-quality, right-fit dog walkers and pet sitters is one of the most essential steps to creating more money, time, and freedom in your pet business, but you’re not alone if you find this process daunting… or even downright frustrating!

Pre-Order This Transformational Pet Business eBook and You Will:

  • Easily navigate the hiring process and attract the staff you want.
  • Understand how to financially prepare to hire.
  • Learn the personal and professional benefits of hiring excellent employees.
  • Stop stressing over paperwork — this book explains everything you’ll need!
  • Receive expert advice on how and what to pay your employees.
  • Get tips on how to delegate and release your fear of letting go.
  • Know what to do if you need to part ways with a staff member.
  • Strengthen your pet business reputation and professionalism.
  • And so much more!

Regularly $24.95, this eBook is only $19.95 when you pre-order the eBook today.

($5 off pre-order price offer expires at midnight on May 1, 2019. You’ll receive your eBook via email hot off the press in August 2019.)

Click to find out more and save $5 now on the pre-order price for The Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers eBook.

New Book: The Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers is Coming Soon! Read More »

The 2019 Pet Business Book + Pet Photo Contest is Happening Now!

 

Want to win a pet business coaching session with pet business coach and author Kristin Morrison?

The 8th Annual Book + Pet Photo Contest is happening now and your entry will give you the chance to win a business coaching session with Kristin – and so much more!

Entering is easy: Take a picture of your pet with one (or all!) of these four books from now until March 31, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post your picture on Facebook and tag Kristin Morrision or post your picture on Instagram and tag Kristin there (@petbizcoach).

Or email your picture to: thrive (at) SFPBacademy.com.

Here are the prizes for the top three winners of the 2019 Book + Photo Contest:

First Prize:
50-Minute Pet Business Coaching Session with Kristin
$250 worth of your choice of Pet Business Products
2 Pet Business Webinars of your choice

Second Prize:
$100 worth of your choice of Pet Business Products
2 Pet Business Webinars of your choice

Third Prize:
1 Pet Business Webinar of your choice

All kinds of pet pictures are welcome including:

 

 


I look forward to receiving your book + pet photo contest entries. One entry per person, please. 🙂

 

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What To Bring With You On Your Dog Walking Jobs: Dog Walking Must-Haves

Someone recently posted this question in the Prosperous Pet Business Facebook group that I host: “Dog walkers, what is the ONE THING or THINGS that you never leave home without when out walking dogs? (Like these things are the top important items to have with you for ease on your walk for safety reasons, and you wouldn’t even consider leaving home without them?) These items can be something for you or for your dog you are walking with.” Thanks so much to Mara K. for that good question! 

Here are some of the responses from our great group members:

Violet L.: My phone (for safety and updates), and good shoes! I walk a lot of large, pulling dogs and I need my footwear to help me in a bind. Also treats. I guess I’m pretty simple really.

Kylee M.: “Halti harnesses ? Every dog I walk MUST have one on. My phone for safety reasons. Poo bags. Treats and I do carry Sprayshield (in case I have an issue with another dog).”

Lori B.: “Poop bags, treats, phone, first aid kit, airhorn. I either carry everything in a backpack or running belt. I also being a collapsible bowl and water bottle in warmer weather.”

Lisa B: “I carry poop bags, phone, treats, a can of pepper spray, a can of Go Dog which is just an air horn that’s crazy loud. I’ve had 2 incidents with loose dogs in the last 4 months so I now walk with both plan A and a plan B. Sunscreen, bug spray, water, umbrella and a towel are always in my car along with extra leashes and harnesses.”

Kathryn A.: “Always something you could throw over dog to distract. Coat or sweatshirt around your waist. Extra leads. Collapsed bowl and copious poop bags. Phone. I carry in a mountain hardware thin backpack. Snacks!”

Brandy E.: “Phone, poop bags, leashes, gulpy water bowl, umbrella, towels, change of shoes/ rain boots, shoe covers (for boots in the winter so I don’t have to take them off), and a first aid kit.”

Sarah R.: “Food for myself, water, gasoline, a good leash and prong collar for big strong dogs, phone, phone charger.”

Josie H.: “Sunscreen!!! I’m a fair-skinned redhead living in Texas! Nuff said.”

Linda S.: I feel naked without my Squishy Face Studios leash belt. You can hook any leash to it, even multiples if walking more than one dog. I have a little running pocket from Nathan Sports attached for treats. Other stuff like poop bags and keys go in my pockets. I tell clients my belt is a safety feature. It allows me to be hands-free but still in control of the dog when I’m locking doors, picking up poop, or taking photos. They love that!”

Monica F.: “My fanny pack stocked with notepads, poop bags, mace, flashlight, pen and phone! Great shoes is a must too!”

Janie T.:  “This is in no particular order. In my car: extra poop bags, several plastic grocery bags, pens and pencils, sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant ?, benedryl (for dogs and people), Motrin (for people only), Band-Aids, lip balm and hand lotion, towels, dog treats, notepad, business cards for me and select network friends, tape, duct tape, WD40, multi purpose tool, extra cat litter scoop, head lamp, flashlight, map, extra water, snacks, napkins, extra leashes, extra collar, phone charger, hat, rain gear, extra cold-weather gear, seasonal change of clothes, extra shoes, sunglasses.
In my walking bag: extra poop bags, pens, keys (of course!), extra slip leash, business cards, flash light, small notebook, treats and pepper spray.”

Denise G.: “A whistle. You never know when you might need it.”

Nancy A.: “A reflective or LED leash (from Amazon) a sweatshirt or long-sleeve tee (you can wear or tie around your waist to break up dog fights) and compressed air or citronella spray.”

Kelly B.: “Oh!!!! Don’t ever leave the house without your business card! I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met out walking dogs and they’ve asked me for a card.”

 

Kristin Morrison is a pet business coach, pet business speaker and author who has written four pet business books including: 30 Days to Start Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business, Six-Figure Pet Sitting, Prosperous Pet Business, and Six-Figure Pet Business. The paperback versions of her books can found found on Amazon or Barnes and Noble and the eBooks on her website using the links above. Kristin also hosts the podcast Prosperous Pet Business that’s found on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What To Bring With You On Your Dog Walking Jobs: Dog Walking Must-Haves Read More »

The 30 Days Book is One of Dogster Magazine’s Obsessions!

Hey pet sitters and dog walkers:

Yesterday I went out to my mailbox and the Dogster magazine was in there. When I opened the magazine, I saw this:

 

This is especially exciting because this book was an obsession in my head for over a year and then it took a year to write it! Happy to see it’s one of Dogster’s obsessions too.

You can get the paperback book wherever you buy your books online or click to get the 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking eBook delivered to you immediately from the Six-Figure Pet Sitting Academy website. Happy reading!

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You In? The FREE 2018 Pet Business Online Conference is Next Month!

Are you signed up yet for the 2018 Prosperous Pet Business Online Conference?

This is a free online event that you can attend from wherever you are in the world. All are welcome!

Transform your pet business by attending this year’s free online pet business conference. You’ll gain access to expert tools and techniques and learn from industry experts. This year’s conference contains 25 top experts who provide their insider knowledge in these strategy-packed conference segments.

This is an event that brings together pet sitters, dog walkers, dog trainers, pet groomers, dog daycare owners and many other pet-service providers from all over the world to receive fresh inspiration to grow their pet businesses in an all-new way – and those just thinking about starting a pet business will find helpful guidance, too!

This year’s conference is different from all the rest because we’ve curated the top selection of speakers from the past four years — including more speakers than we’ve ever offered before at prior conferences.

These 25 experts who received the most rave reviews in years past will bring their wisdom and their “hot topic” pet business segments for this year’s event.

The focus of the conference is business success – and it doesn’t stop there!

We’ll also be providing tips and tools for your body, mind, and spirit so you can completely transform your business and your life at the same time. Prepare to be amazed.

Need more information and want to sign up now? Click here to find out more and to sign up now for the 2018 Prosperous Pet Business Online Conference.

FAQ:

Date:

Where is the conference located? It’s a virtual event so it’s located in your home, car or office – wherever you want to view the conference speakers!

How long has this pet business conference been happening? This will be our fifth consecutive year of offering this free online pet business conference!

Okay, so I realize I can watch it from my home or office but how do I actually attend the conference? And will I be able to access the speakers from wherever I am in the world? Yes, because it’s a virtual, online conference, so you can attend from wherever you are in the world. When you sign up for the conference, you’ll receive daily conference videos via email from us between the two-week conference period (September 12 – 25, 2018). Each daily conference email from us contains 1-3 conference speakers. There are 25 conference speakers and a total of 28 videos that you’ll receive over a period of two weeks.

What if I can’t make some (or all) of the conference dates? You’ll have access to each day’s video selection for a total of 24 hours to watch the daily videos that you receive from us. If you need or want unlimited, lifetime access to the videos, you can purchase the conference video package for a low price.

How much is the conference? It’s free for 24 hour viewing to each daily speaker selection. But if you want unlimited, lifetime viewing so you can watch whenever you want in the future, you can purchase the speaker package for a low price. 

Sounds great! How do I sign up? Signing up is easy! Just click this link to sign up now.

You In? The FREE 2018 Pet Business Online Conference is Next Month! Read More »

New Book! 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business

Hi pet sitters and dog walkers!

My new book is done and almost here! The paperback version of the book will be available on Amazon and the eBook will be available on my website in July 2018. You can pre-order the eBook now and you’ll get it hot off the press in July!

It’s over 300 pages of real life stories, step-by-step guidance and action steps to keep you on track.

Here’s the link to find out more about the 30 Days To Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business book.

Readers and different pet business organizations are giving it rave reviews and I think you’ll like it too!

You can read the book reviews here.

I think you’re going to like it. But don’t just take my word for it – check out the reviews. 🙂

 

New Book! 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business Read More »

2017 Pet Sitting Business Conference

Hello pet sitters and dog walkers,

I’m so excited: The fourth annual Prosperous Pet Business Online Conference is coming!

If you aren’t familiar with this online pet business conference, you are in for a treat. It’s a worldwide conference that you can attend from your home or office (or home office!) You’ll have 24 hours to watch each speaker video and if you miss any of the videos you can purchase the video package for a very low price and get unlimited viewing so you can watch, listen and learn whenever you like.

The speakers that are speaking this year…wow. Just wow. You are going to get so much from each one of the pet business and life management experts. (We include life management because, well, you want to have a life in addition to your pet business, right?) We are excited to help you create a pet business and a life.

Our speakers include Wayne Pacelle (CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and recent guest on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday), Andrea Arden (Today Show pet expert), Victoria Stilwell (Animal Planet host), Ian Dunbar (top dog trainer, author and TED speaker) plus so many more including me.

If you haven’t already signed up, you can sign up here for the pet sitting conference

And if you have already signed up, I’ll see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Pet Sitting Business Conference Read More »

Seeing Your Pet Business As a Spiritual Teacher

Owning a business (especially a pet business) can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life and can also be among the most challenging experiences.

I often tell my new pet sitting coaching clients who are experiencing growth spurts or dry income times that owning a pet business has the power to bring us to to our knees in pain and to create some of the greatest joy depending upon the day (and sometimes the hour!)

A business is like a living, breathing entity in the way that it shifts and changes and rarely stays the same. There are often challenges to deal with (even after 18 years of owning my pet business I was still surprised by some of the odd things that would happen in regards to a pet, home, client or staff member). If you’ve owned your pet business for many years you know exactly what I mean.

 

Because it can be challenging it can be helpful to see your business as a spiritual teacher. I’ll be the first to admit it: besides my close relationships, owning a business has been my greatest teacher.
And I don’t mean great as in, “You are a great teacher. You deserve an apple, teach!” Nope. I mean great as in, “Whoa, you are a tough teacher! I’m really learning here. I’m even learning what I’m resistant to learning. Oy!” 

 

Here’s why owning a pet business can be your most powerful spiritual teacher:

 

You never know what is going to happen in your pet business. Right?! 
Not knowing what’s going to happen can help you cultivate acceptance. But only if you relax and surrender to not knowing what’s going to be coming your way. If you are internally or externally fighting against not knowing that will make you bat sh*t crazy. And miserable. So you might as well groove into acceptance. And your pet business will give you lots of opportunity to practice acceptance because you. literally. never. know. what’s. going. to. happen. (It’s enough to make you crazy but remember: pet business is one of the greatest spiritual teachers and many would even consider it to be their greatest teacher. And spiritual teachers -the good ones anyway- kick your butt into shape in order to make you into a better human being. And we can use some better human beings on the planet right now. So thank you.

 

You have to learn to trust. Oy!
Yes, trust. But here’s the bizarre paradox: trust is super hard for the control freaks that are often the very ones most drawn to self employment. (You know who you are.) I’m one too and I write this from experience. Ahem. So… it’s a set up for disaster because here’s the deal: the control freak starts a pet business thinking they get to control their domain (and they do–to a point) but once they get clients, pets and staff members then that control often goes out the window (much to the pet business owner’s dismay). That lack of control sucks, yes. But it’s a great opportunity to practice trust.

 

Self employed people have to trust that the calls and emails from new clients will come in to keep the business going going (of course, the marketing has to be done to get them but once that’s done, it’s about trust, baby.) If hiring has happened, trust needs to be given to that staff member (after you’ve done a good job vetting them of course).

 

Then there’s the trust that’s needed in yourself that you’ll be able to handle the endless odd situations and circumstances that come with you caring for hundreds (if not thousands) of pets and homes. It’s a numbers game, folks. When you are dealing with that many pets, humans and (if you are a pet sitter) homes, then strange things are bound to happen. Trust that you can deal with whatever arises. Because you can and you will.

 

Patience is a virtue (and most pet business owners need to cultivate it).
It’s not just self employed people but so many people want things to happen right here, right now. We’ve lost the art of patience and our pet businesses can help us gain it back. Aren’t we lucky?

 

There are countless ways to cultivate patience in a pet business so don’t worry, you’ll have lots of opportunity to work on this one.

 

Here are just a few ways: dealing with a neurotic client who goes on and on about her Fido, trying to pill the kitty Fluffy who is hissing at you from the top of the fridge, hearing a client’s dog piercing bark (and bark and bark) on the way to the dog park, when said barking dog eats your seat belt or poops in your car, when you’ve forgotten your poop bags. Oy, oy, oy. The list goes on. Patience is one of the highest spiritual qualities and lucky you, you’ve got a wealth of opportunity to practice it in your pet business (and if you resist patience, that resistance will make you bat sh*t crazy. Patience is a bit like acceptance in that way).

 

Lovingkindness (it’s not for sissies).
This can only be learned through the daily practice of lovingkindness for self and for clients (pets and human). However, the only way some can begin to even practice lovingkindness is through noticing when its opposite pops up: hatefulmeanness. Some of us are pretty skillful at hatefulmeanness (to ourselves if not others) and if so, it’s often a big stretch to go immediately to practicing lovingkindness. Some of you who are super adept at hatefulmeanness might need to step toward cranky or bitchy and then go to neutral before you can make the big leap to lovingkindness. The public can be challenging to deal with, cranky staff can be tough to deal with, house alarms going off at 2am can be tough to deal with – it’s all an opportunity to go toward love rather than anger or fear (fear is what’s often under anger).

 

Meditation can set you free. (In your pet business and in other areas.)
Regardless of what you call it: prayer, meditation, mindfulness – it’s all good. And practicing it (whatever the “it” is for you) will help you deal with your greatest spiritual teacher.

 

Try this: practice five minutes of meditation every morning. That’s it. Just five little minutes. Don’t go all guru on me but simply set the timer and breathe in and out and watch your thoughts as they arise. Really that’s you need to do to begin to untangle the resistance that will inevitably arise when you own a pet business. Soon you will be beaming like a light bulb and will feel ommmm-tastic while you run your pet business like the Buddha that you are.

 

 

About the author:

Kristin Morrison started her pet care company in 1995 and it grew to be one of the largest pet care companies in the United States before she sold it in 2013. Kristin assists thousands of pet business owners from across the United States, Canada, UK and Australia to create profitable businesses and empowered lives. Kristin is a nationally recognized speaker and has taught workshops at pet business conferences around the country.

 

Kristin is the founder of Six-Figure Pet Business Academy and Six-Figure Pet Sitting Academy and the author of three books: Prosperous Pet Business: Interviews With The Experts – Volume One, Six-Figure Pet Sitting and Six-Figure Pet Business. Her podcast “Prosperous Pet Business” can be heard on iTunes or on the Prosperous Pet Business website.  Kristin enjoys making business easy, fun and (very!) lucrative for pet business owners. You can find her at: www.SixFigurePetSittingAcademy.com

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