Every once in a while, something comes along to disrupt the status quo.
Some months ago, I received an email from fellow pet sitting business owner Danielle Chonody asking if we can set up a time to speak.
I already knew Danielle from the industry and was excited to hear what was on her mind.
Early into the conversation, Danielle cuts to the chase and says, “I want to start a pet sitting association!”
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Pampered Pet Care of Atlanta company owner Sarah Paulk on the subject of independent contractors.
Sarah’s pet sitting business was voted “Best Pet Sitting Company” in 2009 by Atlanta Magazine and with a roster of 13 independent contractors on board, the company must be doing most things right.
In this open and honest interview, Sarah walks us through the step-by-step process of finding, interviewing and hiring the perfect IC for your team.
There’s been a lot of talk lately of hiring pet sitters as independent contractors.
And it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of hiring pet sitters to help your business grow.
Bringing on the right person can make you more money by helping to expand your services and your service area.
I received this question through the Ask Joshua page:
Question:
Dear Joshua,
How can I make sure the information I share with my IC is not used against me or shared with anyone else? I don’t want my competition to know all my secrets, or the exact way I do things.
Help!
-Cindy Espers
Tampa, Florida.
Here’s an interesting ‘What If…’ that should get you thinking in the right direction.
How would you grow your pet sitting business if you were given $1000 to spend?
Where would you invest the money?
Leave your comments/list below…
Pet Sitters International (PSI) and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) are the two big players in the professional pet sitter association circle.
PSI alone boasts more than 8000 members (that’s a lot of pet sitters) and the Internet is littered with articles claiming anyone can make money pet sitting.
But how much good are they really providing us with?
PSI and NAPPS both claim similar goals and benefits:
Animal House Shelter, Illinois
Animal House Shelter, Inc rescues abused and neglected dogs and cats and rehabilitates them mentally & physically in order to place them with the best new family. We rescue 98% of our dogs from high ‘kill’ shelters, pounds and various animal control facilities in which they are usually listed as strays, and almost always scheduled to be euthanized.
We have been open since June 2002 and have rescued, rehabilitated and placed over 10,000 dogs and cats, to date, into their loving forever homes!
Sterling Animal Shelter, Massachusetts
There’s a place in your community where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and the abandoned are given care. Its your local animal shelter, right here in Sterling, MA.
Where we provide comfort and care for our community’s unwanted animals. We offer many other services too, for pets and their people.
Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center, Long Island, NY
Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center, one of Long Island’s oldest no-kill shelters, is dedicated to saving all companion animals whose lives are in jeopardy. Through rescue from kill facilities, rehabilitation of sick and un-socialized pets, and a 100% spay/neuter program, Little Shelter hopes to end pet overpopulation and place all dogs and cats in loving homes. Located in Huntington, Little Shelter is the only animal organization outside New York City that is a member of the Mayor’s Alliance.
A PLACE TO BARK is a no kill foster and adoption rescue dedicated to the welfare of animals and was founded by Bernie Berlin. Established in 2001, we mainly work with Animal Control Agencies, rescuing animals from high kill shelters and fostering them until they are healthy.
I run a full-time dog rescue, taking in the dogs that have been abandoned, abused or police confiscated. I foster, retrain, transport & adopt. Cats are also welcome at my rescue. I am drawn to the unwanted, unloved and misunderstood. Hoping to educate and effect change for the animals that do not have a voice of their own.
Fayetteville/Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Tennessee
We are the only Animal Shelter around in a 4 county area in a small rural town. Our Shelter is operated by the Humane Society of Lincoln County. We are dedicated to providing proper and humane treatment of all animals that come thru our doors. The Society was formed in 1985 by people distressed over the conditions at the local animal pound and concerned about the needs of orphaned, neglected and abused animals in the city and county.