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_outlineHow do you build a thriving business while staying true to its legacy? Lauren Dunkle, owner of The Pet Lady, shares how she transformed her aunt’s long-standing pet care business into her own while honoring its foundation. She opens up about the struggles of hiring and staff turnover, the transition from independent contractors to employees, and the power of clearly defined roles and SOPs. Lauren also discusses the emotional challenges of business ownership, from self-doubt to burnout, and how she reignited her passion by embracing new learning opportunities. Her story is a powerful example of how growth, structure, and personal fulfillment can coexist in a pet care business.
Main topics:
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Hiring Challenges & Staff Turnover
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Transitioning from ICs to Employees
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Defining Roles & SOPs
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Balancing Growth & Legacy
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Staying Engaged as an Owner
Main takeaway: “The lessons you learn as a business owner are things you’ll never expect, but they shape you. It’s overwhelming in the moment, but if I hadn’t gone through the struggles, I wouldn’t have the business I have today.”
Every challenge in business feels impossible in the moment—hiring struggles, staff turnover, client conflicts, financial uncertainty. But each of these hurdles teaches us something vital. Lauren Dunkle’s journey proves that the toughest moments are often the ones that push us to grow the most.
Instead of fearing the hard times, embrace them as part of the process. Every setback refines your vision, strengthens your leadership, and ultimately builds a business that can stand the test of time.
🎧 This week on Pet Sitter Confessional, Lauren shares how she navigated hiring challenges, redefined her role as a leader, and built a business that truly reflects her values.
How has a tough lesson helped you grow as a business owner? Drop a comment below! ⬇️
About our guest:
Lauren Dunkle is the owner of The Pet Lady, Ltd., a pet care company serving the western suburbs of Chicago. Taking over the business in 2016 from her late aunt, Lauren has navigated the challenges of leadership, hiring, and transitioning from independent contractors to employees while maintaining the company’s legacy. With a background in management and a passion for structure, she has built a thriving pet care business focused on professionalism, client trust, and a strong company culture. Lauren is dedicated to refining business operations, creating effective SOPs, and ensuring her team delivers top-tier pet care services.
Links:
The Pet Lady, Ltd. Website – https://thepetladyltd.com
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On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepetladyltd
Pet Marketing Unleashed: https://www.petmarketingunleashed.com
DogCo Launch: https://www.dogcolaunch.com
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