Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 04/02/2025

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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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