577: Burnout, Automation, and Private Equity—A Pet Industry Roundtable
Release Date: 03/12/2025
593: Building and Letting Go with Nicole Packin
Pet Sitter Confessional
How do you know when it’s time to transition your business—or even your life? In this episode, Nicole Packin shares her incredible journey through selling two successful pet care businesses, moving across the country, and preparing for her next adventure. She opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of letting go, creating healthy boundaries, and finding new passions after nearly two decades in the industry. She discusses the evolving pet care landscape, the pressure entrepreneurs put on themselves, and the importance of taking space to breathe and reflect. Whether you’re...
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592: Bridging the Trust Gap
Pet Sitter Confessional
Trust is essential in every part of a pet sitting business. It begins before a client ever reaches out and is built through clear communication, consistency, and transparency. Clients look for reassurance at every step, and trust can grow when expectations are met and mistakes are owned. Building trust with pets requires patience, routine, and positive reinforcement to create a sense of safety. Internally, trust within a team—and with yourself as a business owner—comes from accountability, honest reflection, and clear follow-through. Main Topics Recognizing signs of client distrust ...
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591: From Lions to Labradors with Leanne Burger
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when you treat pet sitting not just as a job, but as a serious and deeply rewarding responsibility? Leanne Burger, owner of Going Away Pet and House Sitting in South Africa, shares her journey from raising lion cubs to building a thriving team of pet sitters and groomers. Leanne shares how her passion for animals, commitment to trust, and attention to detail helped her business flourish across multiple cities. She explores the deep responsibility that comes with caring for both pets and homes and the balance needed to maintain quality as you grow. It’s an inspiring look at how...
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590: Finding Repeatable Success
Pet Sitter Confessional
Have you ever wondered why something worked so well in your business, but struggled to replicate it? In this episode, we discuss the critical importance of building repeatable success by tracking your actions and outcomes. We share how documenting your systems, analyzing client feedback, and maintaining consistency lead to sustainable growth. We explore the connection between daily habits, professional development, and long-term business stability. By making intentional, data-driven decisions, pet sitters can create a reliable, thriving business and personal life. Main Topics: Tracking and...
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589: It’s All About the Heart with Janet Buchwald
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does it take to create a business that truly stands out? Janet Buchwald, owner of Kisses Happen, shares her journey from a corporate career to running a thriving pet sitting company. She discusses the deep emotional connections between pet sitters, clients, and their pets, and how understanding both animal and human behavior has helped her business grow. Janet emphasizes the importance of clear communication, maintaining professional boundaries, and marketing with authenticity. She also provides valuable insights into branding, SEO, and client retention strategies. This episode is a...
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588: Success on Your Terms: Escaping the Comparison Trap
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does success really look like in today’s pet care industry? In this episode, we dig into the shifting landscape of 2025 and explore how external pressures—from social media comparison to AI tools and rising costs—can distort our definitions of success. We challenge you to define success on your own terms rather than chasing someone else’s goals. From financial milestones to personal freedom and mental well-being, we highlight both tangible and intangible markers of a fulfilling business. We also share practical steps to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your pet...
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587: The Changing Landscape of Pet Services with Carmen Rustenbeck
Pet Sitter Confessional
How are mergers and acquisitions reshaping the pet care industry? In this episode, we welcome back Carmen Rustenbeck of IBPSA to discuss the rise of corporate buyouts, the impact on small pet businesses, and the challenges of maintaining a personal touch in an evolving market. They explore industry regulations, including Ollie’s Law in Massachusetts and the new Veterinary Professional Associate role in Colorado, and what they mean for pet professionals. Carmen also highlights the growing influence of Gen Z pet owners and their unique preferences, from pet insurance to reptile Main topics: ...
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586: Stop Running Someone Else’s Business
Pet Sitter Confessional
Are you building the business you actually want—or just the one you think you should have? In this episode, we get honest about the constant pressure to scale, grow, and do more in the pet care industry. We share how chasing someone else’s definition of success can lead to burnout, resentment, and misalignment with your personal goals. Instead, we encourage you to use data, not emotion, when making decisions and to define what sustainable success means for you. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow intentionally and build a business that supports their life—not...
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585: Building Client Trust Through Niche Services with Niki Lepine & Steph
Pet Sitter Confessional
How do you build trust with clients while offering specialized pet care services? Niki Lepine and Steph Law of Dog Jogs share how they carved out a niche in pet care by focusing on reactive dogs, shift workers, and personalized dog jogging services. They discuss how they built a loyal client base by addressing unique pet care needs, the importance of clear communication, and why community engagement matters. From offering pet first aid courses to hosting monthly dog walk meetups, Niki and Steph break down the strategies that have helped them stand out in a crowded market. If you’re looking...
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584: Show Up and Stand Out: Visibility and Value for Pet Businesses
Pet Sitter Confessional
Can showing up at local events truly set our pet businesses apart? We discuss our experiences speaking at a Home and Garden show, highlighting how community visibility builds trust and credibility among pet parents. We also reflect on powerful lessons learned from our son’s entrepreneurship bake sale, emphasizing the importance of confidently pricing premium services. Practical insights are shared about identifying speaking opportunities to boost our brand’s visibility. Ultimately, this episode explores why delivering value first can transform our pet businesses into trusted community...
info_outlineWhat does the future of pet sitting and dog walking look like in a rapidly evolving industry? Collin sits down with four industry leaders—Morgan Weber, Doug Keeling, Michelle Kline, and Daniel Reitman—to talk about the changing landscape of pet care. They explore the challenges of economic uncertainty, competition with tech-driven platforms, and the impact of private equity entering the industry. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing automation with personal relationships, professionalizing businesses, and maintaining strong core values. Ultimately, they all agree that the next 30 years of the industry will be shaped by how pet sitters and dog walkers step up today.
Main Topics:
- Economic uncertainty and industry growth
- Technology and automation integration
- Raising professionalism standards
- Burnout prevention and healthy boundaries
- Private equity, mergers, and acquisitions
Main Takeaways:
Michelle Kline
“The quickest way to undercut your value is to try to be everything to everyone.”
It’s tempting to say yes to every client request and to try and be the perfect fit for every pet owner out there. But the truth is, trying to be everything to everyone will drain your time, energy, and resources — and ultimately dilute what makes your business special. The most successful pet care businesses are the ones that know who they are, who they serve best, and what value they bring to that specific group. When you know your ideal client, your marketing gets easier, your systems become clearer, and your value skyrockets. Don’t chase everyone. Focus on your people — and serve them exceptionally well.
Morgan Weber
“Success as a business owner is not tied to your level of burnout or sacrifice.”
Let’s get one thing clear — burnout is not a badge of honor. In the pet care industry, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the longer you work, the more you sacrifice your personal time, the more successful you are. But real success comes when you build a sustainable business that supports your life — not one that consumes it. You can care deeply for your clients and their pets without sacrificing your health, your family time, or your joy. Boundaries are professional, rest is productive, and saying no is sometimes the best thing you can do for your business.
Doug Keeling
“We can use technology and automation to enhance relationships — not replace them.”
Technology is changing the pet care industry — fast. But the goal isn’t to replace human connection with automation. Instead, smart pet sitters are using technology to enhance the client experience. Whether it’s using AI to brainstorm gift ideas for clients, automating appointment confirmations, or streamlining admin work so you have more time for personal touches — technology should make your relationships stronger, not weaker. The future of pet care is a mix of high-tech and high-touch, and the businesses that figure out how to balance both will thrive.
Daniel Reitman
“We’re not in the pet care business, we’re in the peace of mind business.”
At the end of the day, pet parents don’t hire you just to feed their pets or take them for a walk. They hire you for the peace of mind that comes with knowing their pets are safe, loved, and cared for — even when they can’t be there. When you focus on delivering peace of mind, you stop competing on price and start building unshakable trust. Peace of mind is the product, and exceptional care is how you deliver it. Every visit, every report, every communication is a chance to show your clients they can breathe easy knowing you’re there.
About our guests:
Morgan Weber
Morgan Weber is the owner of Lucky Pup Adventures and the host of the Lucky Pup Podcast. With a passion for raising the standards in pet care, Morgan helps pet sitters and dog walkers build sustainable, value-driven businesses through her Align Cohort. She’s also the proud owner of a pet store and a line of memorial candles, all designed to serve pet parents with excellence and heart.
Doug Keeling
Doug Keeling is the founder of Bad to the Bone Pet Care and a passionate advocate for professionalization and community building in the pet sitting industry. Through his YouTube channel, Doug the Dog Guy, he shares real-life lessons and strategies for pet sitters looking to grow their businesses. Doug is also a regular speaker and mentor in industry groups, known for his candid advice and strong belief in personal service.
Michelle Kline
Michelle Kline is the founder of Dog Co Launch and Dog Co Summit, where she helps dog walkers and pet sitters create thriving businesses with strong marketing strategies, operational systems, and clear brand identities. Known for her expertise in niche marketing and helping businesses find their ideal clients, Michelle is passionate about professionalizing the pet care industry while helping business owners create sustainable, fulfilling careers.
Daniel Reitman
Daniel Reitman is the owner of Dan’s Pet Care, one of the largest pet care companies in the New York area. Known for his focus on technology, innovation, and professionalism, Dan is passionate about raising the bar in the pet care industry. With over 15 years of experience, Dan brings both big-picture thinking and tactical expertise to conversations about scaling, leadership, and the future of pet care.
Links:
Michelle Kline — Dog Co Launch
Website: https://www.dogcolaunch.com
Free Facebook Group: Grow Your Daily Dog Walking Business with Dog Co Launch
Dog Co Summit (industry conference): https://www.dogcosummit.com
Morgan Weber — Lucky Pup Adventures / Lucky Pup Pod
Lucky Pup Adventures (Pet Sitting Business): https://www.luckypupadventures.com
Lucky Pup Pod (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/luckypuppod/
Memorial Candles: https://www.luckypupadventures.com/memorial-candles
Doug Keeling — Doug the Dog Guy / Bad to the Bone Pet Care
Website: https://www.dougthedogguy.co
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DougTheDogGuy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dougthedogguyofficial
Bad to the Bone Pet Care: https://www.badtothebonepetcare.com
Daniel Reitman — Dan’s Pet Care
Website: https://www.danspetcare.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danspetcare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DansPetCare
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DansPetCareOfficial
ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com
PSI (Pet Sitters International): https://www.petsit.com
Kristin Morrison (Six-Figure Pet Sitting Academy): https://www.sixfigurepetsittingacademy.com
Florida Pet Services Association Conference (where Morgan spoke): https://www.floridapetservices.org
Blackstone (Owner of Rover): https://www.blackstone.com
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