Libsyn Directory

583: Creating a Trusted Name in Pet Sitting with Justina Allen-Yancey

Release Date: 04/02/2025

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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: ...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

How do you build a pet sitting business that becomes a household name? Justina Allen-Yancey, owner of Justina’s Pet Sitting, shares how she turned her business into an award-winning, community-trusted brand. She dives into the power of team management, setting clear client expectations, and why networking is key to sustainable growth. Justina also discusses how proactive planning, volunteer work, and local recognition have helped her business stand out in a competitive market. Whether you’re looking to refine your policies, grow your team, or strengthen your community presence, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you build a thriving pet care business.

Main topics:

Building trust through community engagement
Setting and enforcing client expectations
Managing a growing pet care team
Leveraging awards for business growth
Proactive planning for pet care

Main takeaway: “We’ve in the long game to earn the trust of the people around us, and we’ve done that just by getting really involved in things that are going on in the community.” – Justina Allen-Yancey

Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s earned through consistent actions, clear standards, and a genuine presence in your community. 🏡 Justina Allen-Yancey reminds us that being actively involved, setting high expectations for service, and staying engaged with clients creates long-term credibility. Whether it’s through networking, volunteering, or maintaining strong business policies, every touchpoint with your community reinforces your reputation. When people know they can count on you, they don’t just hire you—they recommend you. 🌟

How are you strengthening trust in your business?

About our guest”

Justina’s Pet Sitting Service, LLC was founded by Justina Allen-Yancey in 2018. Justina’s love of animals is immediately apparent to anyone who meets her, which is why she decided to ditch her day job and start a pet sitting business. After years in Corrections and Non-profits, Justina knew it was time to get out of the office setting as she hated leaving her own dog, Neville, home alone all day. It felt natural to switch gears and follow a career she is completely passionate about. Justina now runs the company with her husband, Drew Yancey.

Justina has lived in Prior Lake since 2014 and Drew joined her in 2020. Their fur family consists of dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and lots of fish!

Justina and her carefully selected team of employees are here to ensure all of your pet’s unique needs are being met. We understand how important it is for your pet to be cared for and loved while you are away. We also strive to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible so they are comfortable and happy while in our care. Our own pets are our family members and we will treat your babies like they are our own!

Links:

previously on: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/343

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