651: How to Move From Surviving to Scaling with Wayne Hartley Jr.
Release Date: 11/26/2025
670: Be Relentless, Not Reckless
Pet Sitter Confessional
What would change if we stopped calling avoidance “kindness” and started treating boundaries as care? In this episode, we unpack what being relentless actually means in pet care—and why it’s different from being reckless. We talk about how indecision creates inconsistency, and how inconsistency can put pets, clients, and our teams at risk. We walk through what relentless businesses do: decide deliberately, hold standards even when it costs short-term comfort, and protect time with real boundaries. We end with concrete action steps to stop tolerating what’s eroding our business and to...
info_outline
669: Keeping Quality Consistent When You Grow a Team with Mikayla and Aaron Anders
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does it look like to grow a pet sitting business without losing safety, consistency, or your sanity? Mikayla and Aaron Anders share how Adventures in Pet Sitting evolved from offering “everything” into a focused set of services built around what they love and what their community truly needs. We talk about building a team with a rigorous hiring and onboarding process, including certifications that prepare staff for real emergencies. They explain how boundaries, policies, and case-by-case flexibility protect both the business and client relationships over the long haul. The...
info_outline
668: Are You Growing… or Just Getting Louder Problems?
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens if our business keeps growing exactly the way it is right now—and that thought makes our stomach drop? In this episode, we unpack what “sustainable growth” actually means and why growth isn’t neutral—it adds complexity, risk, and load. We talk about pacing hiring before we’re in trouble, setting a target utilization (not 100%), and building real operational resiliency. We walk through how to know when it’s time to hand things off using practical financial and bandwidth-based triggers. And we cover the levers we can use to control growth—pricing, service mix,...
info_outline
667: The Safety Systems That Prevent Pet Sitting “Oh No’s” with Scott Black
Pet Sitter Confessional
Get 1 CEU for PSI and/or NAPPS: What does it mean to truly care in your business when you’re busy, scaling, and running on fumes? In this conversation, we talk with Scott Black about how complacency shows up quietly—skipping the notes, assuming nothing changed, letting small red flags slide—and how that leads to “oh no” moments. We dig into why consistency isn’t boring, it’s protective: for pets, for clients, and for your team. Scott shares practical ways to raise the bar through screening, documentation, and clearer boundaries around what you will and won’t do. The goal is...
info_outline
666: Busy but Broke? The Metrics That Reveal Your Business’s Real Health
Pet Sitter Confessional
Get 1 CEU for PSI and/or NAPPS: In this episode, we break down the difference between being busy and being stable, profitable, and resilient. We walk through five measurable health indicators that reveal whether your business can actually support you long-term. From market fit and client retention to utilization, unit economics, and cash flow, we explain what to measure and why it matters. Whether you’re solo or have a team, these indicators apply across the board. Our goal is to help you diagnose problems clearly and build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. Main...
info_outline
665: How to Work With (Not Against) Cats with Laura Cassiday
Pet Sitter Confessional
Get 1 CEU for PSI and/or NAPPS: What makes cats do what they do—and how can pet sitters respond? In this episode, Collin talks with certified cat behavior consultant Laura Cassiday of Positive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training about decoding feline body language, aggression, and litter box issues. Laura shares her process for understanding the “why” behind cat behavior and offers practical steps for sitters in fearful or aggressive cat situations. Together, they discuss the importance of setting client expectations, documenting visits, and advocating for enrichment. You’ll walk...
info_outline
664: Developing a CEO Mindset
Pet Sitter Confessional
Are you building a business—or just staying busy? In this episode, we explore what it means to shift from being the technician to becoming the CEO of your pet care company. We break down the mental and operational changes needed to move from chaos to structure, burnout to sustainability, and survival to growth. We share practical steps, real-life examples, and honest truths about what it takes to lead well. If you’re ready to design a business that runs without breaking you, this is for you. Main topics: Capacity and Burnout Pressures Systems Thinking and SOPs Delegation and Outsourcing...
info_outline
663: Leading Through the Next Level In Your Business with Marie and Justin Plummer
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when your business grows faster than your systems—and regulations force you to rebuild everything? In this conversation, Marie and Justin Plummer of Winston-Salem Dogcare share how North Carolina’s Animal Welfare rules pushed them from “in-home” into a fully regulated, facility-based setup and what that required financially and operationally. We talk about the mindset shift from feeling like problems are “happening to you” to showing up as a prepared problem solver. They unpack how staff surveys revealed unseen disconnects, and how professional development became a...
info_outline
662: The 3 Resets Every Growing Pet Care Business Faces
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when the skills that built your pet care business are no longer the ones it needs to grow? In this episode, we respond to a thoughtful listener question about the uncomfortable transition from doing the work to running a company. We unpack why growth often feels harder instead of easier, even when things are “going well.” We walk through three major mindset resets that every owner eventually faces as responsibilities shift. This conversation is about sustainability, leadership, and learning how to care at scale. Main topics: From execution to decisions Passion versus...
info_outline
661: Why “Good Enough” Pet Care Isn’t Enough Anymore with Niki Tudge
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does “professional” pet care actually mean—and why does it matter so much right now? Collin sits down with Niki Tudge, founder of the Pet Professional Guild, to talk about the gap between what pet owners assume they’re buying and what many providers actually deliver. Niki shares the eye-opening real-life process she used to hire a pet sitter for her own dogs—and why it convinced her the industry needs higher minimum standards. Together, they discuss practical ways to educate clients, set non-negotiables, and document care like it truly matters. The conversation ends with a...
info_outlineHow do you protect your passion while running a growing pet care business? In this episode, Wayne Hartley Jr. of Happy Hearts Pet Care and PETLANTA shares the realities of entrepreneurship, including the hustle, the overwhelm, and the habits that help keep you grounded. He discusses the role of community and education in sustainable growth, and why posting imperfect content is often better than not posting at all. Wayne opens up about learning from mistakes, setting boundaries, and shifting from surviving to scaling. His insights will inspire pet pros to lead with intention, not exhaustion.
Main topics:
-
Social media strategy and mindset
-
Client education and trust-building
-
Delegation and team development
-
Managing overwhelm and time
-
Hustle vs. sustainable growth
Main takeaway: “I have to get out of the ‘I have to’ mindset and into the ‘I get to’ mindset.”
This shift changes everything. Instead of dreading tasks or feeling buried under responsibilities, Wayne Hartley Jr. reminds us to view our work as an opportunity. You get to grow a business. You get to care for pets. You get to make a difference. When we lead with gratitude and purpose, we show up better for our clients, our teams, and ourselves. Let’s not forget—we built this on purpose. Now let’s enjoy the privilege of doing the work.
About our guest:
Wayne Hartley Jr. is the owner of Happy Hearts Pet Care in Atlanta, Georgia, offering grooming, boarding, daycare, training, and retail services. He’s also the founder of PETLANTA, a nonprofit that connects pet professionals through education, events, and fundraising. Through the Pet X Network, Wayne shares resources and conversations to uplift the pet care industry. Passionate about community building and professional growth, Wayne leads with the belief that better businesses are built together.
Links:
Happy Hearts Pet Care: https://www.instagram.com/happyheartspetcareatl
PETLANTA (Nonprofit): https://www.instagram.com/petlanta.inc
Pet X Network & Podcast: https://www.thepetxnetwork.com
PetLanta: https://www.petlanta.org
Previously on
375: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/375
224: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/224
Check out ProTrainings
Code: CPR-petsitterconfessional for 10% off
📞 Call us: (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: petsitterconfessional@gmail.com
Full show notes and transcript
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Pet Sitter Confessional, its hosts, or sponsors. We interview individuals based on their experience and expertise within the pet care industry. Any statements made outside of this platform, or unrelated to the topic discussed, are solely the responsibility of the guest.
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
Pet Perennials
Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days