581: Driving Success Through Core Values with Amy Munns
Release Date: 03/26/2025
608: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Mid-Year Review
Pet Sitter Confessional
How is your year going—really? In this episode, we share why doing a mid-year review is essential for personal and business clarity. We explore common reasons pet business owners avoid this process, from fear and overwhelm to unclear goals, and offer a practical roadmap to reflect, adjust, and move forward with purpose. We also dive into what to track, how to celebrate your progress, and how to simplify or pivot your goals. Mid-year is not just about performance—it’s about direction, clarity, and peace of mind. Main Topics Mid-year business reviews Setting and tracking goals Common...
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607: Sustainability, Stress, and Success with Wendy Mackay
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does building a sustainable pet care business look like? Wendy Mackay, founder and owner of Pet Sitters Nelson, shares her 20-year journey from backpacking traveler to thriving business owner, offering a fresh look at how community involvement and flexibility can drive success. She dives into how she developed her signature services like “doggy day outs,” and the power of group walks in rented paddocks. Wendy also opens up about facing burnout, overcoming serious health challenges, and reimagining her business to prioritize her well-being. Her story is a heartfelt reminder that pet...
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606: The Power of Both/And Thinking
Pet Sitter Confessional
In today’s pet care world, it’s easy to fall into false choices — between daycare and in-home care, solo sitters and teams, enrichment and exercise, and more. But these false dichotomies often lead to confused clients, bad service matches, and needless infighting between pet professionals. In this episode, we explore the most common false dichotomies in pet care, how they show up in client conversations and marketing, and how we as pet sitters and dog walkers can communicate more clearly and provide better care by embracing nuance. Because in pet care, it’s rarely either/or — and...
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605: Innovate & Elevate: Pet Care Synergy with Ines McNeil
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when dog training meets pet sitting? Ines McNeil, APDT Chair, dives into how the pet care industry can benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration. She explores innovative training methods, shared challenges, and evolving client expectations. Her conversation also highlights the impact of emerging regulations on pet care practices. Ultimately, she showcases how working together can transform care for both pets and their owners. Main Topics: Bridging Pet Training and Sitting Navigating Industry Legislation Challenges Innovative Dog Training Techniques Building...
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604: Marketing Pet Sitting in a Modern Experience Economy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How should pet sitters adapt as client expectations shift? Camp Bow Wow is celebrating 25 years as a market leader in daycare and boarding. Their recent brand refresh and national pet parent survey offer valuable clues about where the pet care consumer mindset is heading — and what we, as dog walkers and pet sitters, can learn to better serve clients and compete in an increasingly emotional and experience-driven marketplace. In this episode, we explore insights from the survey, including the rise of the emotional experience economy, the power of community connection, and the growing demand...
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603: The Mission of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates with Kristin Holzapfel
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does local collaboration mean in 2025 and beyond? Why should pet sitters care about it? Kristin Holzapfel, founder of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates, joins us to share her journey of building a thriving community of pet sitters across the Midwest. She talks about the importance of educating both pet sitters and clients, how to move beyond third-party platforms, and why fostering an open-minded, collaborative culture matters for the future of the pet care industry. We cover how local organizations can raise industry standards, support professional growth, and create lasting connections that...
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602: From Pastels to Pet Care: Crafting a Lasting Legacy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How can a centuries-old art supply company teach us about running a pet care business? This episode draws lessons from La Maison du Pastel in Paris, a 300-year-old handcrafted pastel maker, to explore what it means to build a business rooted in quality and culture. It highlights the importance of prioritizing craft over scale, using thoughtful service offerings to meet specific client needs, and collaborating with clients to create personalized care. The conversation also emphasizes the power of storytelling in marketing and preserving company culture through growth and change. You’ll walk...
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601: Not One More Vet with Gigi Tsontos
Pet Sitter Confessional
What is life really like behind the scenes at your vet’s office? Collin sits down with Gigi Tsontos, Executive Director of Not One More Vet, Inc. (NOMV), to discuss the hidden mental health crisis facing veterinary professionals. Gigi shares the mission of NOMV, the complex stressors vets face, and the resources NOMV provides—from peer support to emergency grants. They also explore how pet sitters and pet parents can shift the culture through empathy, gratitude, and everyday check-ins. It’s a call to action to recognize, respect, and support the emotional toll behind every diagnosis....
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600: Knowing When to Take Action
Pet Sitter Confessional
Have you ever found yourself endlessly planning but never actually launching? This episode explores the common trap of over-planning and perfectionism that keeps business owners stuck. Drawing lessons from Thomas Edison’s relentless experimentation, it contrasts “dwelling” with “doing” and emphasizes the power of messy, iterative action. It unpacks how fear of failure and the sunk cost fallacy often prevent entrepreneurs from testing ideas, and why feedback—not perfection—should guide the next move. With practical tools and real-world examples, the episode encourages you to take...
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599: Standing Out in a Saturated Market with Natalie Durack
Pet Sitter Confessional
How do you take a pet sitting business from one city to two, grow a team of 30+, and develop a thriving brand? In this episode, Natalie Durack of Happy Hounds Pet Services shares how she expanded from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, navigating market differences and competition. She discusses the importance of client communication, onboarding team members, and building a recognizable brand. Natalie also explains how she introduced wedding pet attendance and proposal services, creating new ways for pet parents to include their furry friends in big life moments. Tune in to learn how she sets herself...
info_outlineHow do you build a pet care business that stands the test of time while staying rooted in your core values? Amy Munns, owner of Leash 4 Lease, shares how she has successfully grown her company over 24 years by focusing on honesty, reliability, and professionalism. Through the challenges of balancing a team, client relationships, and evolving industry standards, Amy stayed true to her mission: providing high-quality pet care with a personal touch. She leveraged her values to guide decisions during difficult times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, and even turned those moments into opportunities to serve her community through initiatives like a pet food drive. By embracing open-mindedness, trusting her instincts, and empowering her team to shine, Amy has built a business defined by passion and purpose. Her story reminds us that staying authentic, even in the face of challenges, is the key to building a business you truly love.
Main topics:
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Developing and implementing core values in personal and business life.
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Balancing professionalism and fun in pet care services.
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Empowering team members to bring their personalities to client interactions.
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Trusting your instincts in decision-making and staying authentic to your vision.
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Challenges and triumphs in adapting a business during COVID-19.
Main takeaway: “Fun doesn’t mean casual or lazy—it’s about embracing the joy in what we do, while staying true to our professional standards”
Success in pet care begins with staying true to your core values, even as the industry evolves. Amy Munns shares how she built a thriving business over 24 years by focusing on honesty, reliability, and professionalism. From weathering challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic to empowering her team and embracing new opportunities, Amy shows us the importance of aligning every decision with a clear mission. Her passion for pets and dedication to delivering exceptional care has created a legacy her clients and community trust.
This week on Pet Sitter Confessional, Amy reminds us why authenticity and commitment to values are the foundation of a successful pet care business. Her story is one you don’t want to miss.
🌟 How do you ensure your business reflects your values every day? 🎧🐾
About our guest:
Amy Munns is the founder and owner of Leash 4 Lease, a professional pet care company proudly serving Northwest Washington for nearly 25 years. Passionate about honesty, reliability, and personalized care, Amy has built her business on a foundation of core values that guide her team to deliver exceptional dog walking and vacation pet care services. Known for her dedication to professionalism, Amy is committed to creating meaningful relationships with her clients and their pets while empowering her team to bring their unique personalities to their work. As an advocate for ongoing learning and professional growth, Amy regularly attends conferences and embraces advancements in pet care to provide the best service possible. Outside of work, Amy enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and pets, and finding joy in the little moments life offers.
Links:
Website: Leash 4 Lease
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @leash4lease
Facebook: Leash 4 Lease Professional Pet Care
Links:
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Full show notes and transcript
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