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How to Build Your Pet Business Fast
Slow and steady wins the race. Or…
The Fast and furious.
I received an email recently from someone who wants to start their own pet business, and asked “How can I build a pet business fast?”
Certainly, I can assist with many of the moving parts needed to get your business up and running.
What I’m not certain about is the “fast” part.
In fact, on this very website, you can make your way through my Start A Pet Sitting Business course that is designed to take about 45 days to complete.
Sure, you can always do things quicker, as your time, energy, and schedule permits, but we’ll touch more on that in a second.
Why the specific need for ‘fast’?
In order to best answer the original question asked, I’d want to first learn WHY the specific need for ‘fast’?
Yes, whenever you begin a new venture, time is of the essence. You have a strong sense of motivation and excitement, and you want to hit the ground running. That’s all good and normal.
But is there a bigger need going on here that needs attention? Is this person looking for ‘fast’ (quick) income?
Are they looking to change professions and get out of the current job as quickly as possible?
Knowing the full picture will help guide this person properly down the correct path. For example, perhaps they do not realize that it’s very possible to keep your current job while setting the foundation for your pet business.
The big point to emphasize is this: Any working, professional pet care provider will tell you this is not the business for fast cash.
While there is honest money to be made in this industry, “easy money” or “fast cash” is not part of the equation.
The Actual ‘Fastest’ Way to Build Your Pet Business
On the surface, looking to build your business fast implies that you may be after putting in the least amount of work and expecting a big return.
Life doesn’t work that way. Business doesn’t work that way.
Allow me to provide a legitimate answer to this original question.
If you are ready, willing and able to put in a bit of work, you can improve your chances that your pet sitting business will grow fast.
How? By creating and writing powerful, relevant, and helpful content for your visitors.
It’s that simple. Unfortunately, many aren’t willing to put in the required amount of work to succeed. But if you do even the minimum amount of work, you’ll be way ahead of the others.
RESOURCE: Ready to tell your STORY to connect with more pet owners who want to hire you? Join us on Tuesday, July 8 for a FREE Webinar that will put you squarely on the path to land higher in Google, and grow your business further.
If you spend anytime following me, you know that I teach and help pet sitters blog, write content, and post engaging articles.
There are many pieces to the puzzle and even taking the first step will get you ‘seen’ by Google, and improve your business’s bottom line.
Would This Question Work In Any Other Industry or Profession?
I’m always a bit… perhaps insulted is the right word… when people assume what we do is easy, and that anyone can do it.
We know this is far from the truth. Just like everything else in life that’s worth doing, a bit of effort and work is required.
Let this point be known: (and scream it from the roof tops if need be)…
We are not in the same boat as baby sitters. We are not doing this for fun.
Pet sitters (and dog walkers, and all other pet care professionals) are small business owners providing a local service.
Just like a locksmith, or plumber, or even an ice cream shop.
We need to work hard to win business, show up in the search engines, set up our websites, create relevant and informative content, educate each potential client over the phone…
And that’s even before the pet owner agrees to hire us!
The bottom line is this:
We are in business. We need to remain in our business (most often) in order to earn an income to survive.
I’m not certain any pet sitter who is in this for the long haul is looking to set up a pet business fast.
There’s an old saying that goes:
Good, Cheap, Fast. Choose Any Two.
Think about it. If you pick any of those two qualities, naturally the third will have to suffer.
*You can get something good and cheap, but it won’t be delivered fast.
*You can get something cheap and fast, but it won’t be good.
*You can get something good and fast, but it won’t be cheap.
Over To You
How long did it take you to get your business off the ground (up and running)? How would you respond if someone asked you the same question: “How can I build a pet business fast?”
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There is a phrase I heard from Pat Parelli and while he was actually referring to the training of horses, I think that it fits when starting a business. He said “Take the time it takes so it takes less time”
You need to put in the effort, the hard work, create a solid foundation with which to build your business on. Can you do that “fast”. Without cutting corners? Probably not but it also depends on what your definition of fast is.
We started our pet sitting business in 2011. We are just shy of reaching all of our 5 year goals, in 3 years; which I think is pretty fast. But I think it’s most important to do it efficiently. Don’t waste your time doing things that don’t work. How do you do that? Network. Get advice from Josh and PetSittingOlogy, have a plan in place, focus, implement. Take the time it takes.
“Take the time it takes so it takes less time” Brilliant. So simple, yet so true!
Great content as always, Josh! I just started my business in early June 14′ and thought I would have several customers by now. Wrong!!! I’m okay with slow and steady, though. Building from the ground up is never easy. 🙂
You are an incredible example of what this industry needs and takes to succeed, Tomika. I’ve watched you from Day 1 (even though it was recent!) and you are going to succeed greatly. Keep doing what you’re doing! We are here for you.
Thank you so much! I needed to hear those kinds words this week, “you are going to succeed greatly.” 🙂
All true! Talk to you soon. And go get ’em!
Preach it Josh, it certainly is not easy. I have been operating as a very casual business without the bells and whistles for about 3 years. I have a number of very good regulars, but have now decided to go professional. Even with inking up with the best of the best, for over a month or so and really packing in the tips and tricks I am still very much in the raw and planning stages. It has taken me two weeks to set up my website alone – weeeeeeeeeeeeel to put my ideas on paper. As for actually doing the website blush. blush. I always thought I was smart. Ha Ha what a lifeshock. I am now taking stock of reality. So to start a business fast???? May I suggest that your client take a breath and have a lovely cup of coffee. That is about as instant she will get. Hell I don’t even get to stop and smell the coffee, let alone drink it before it is ice cold.. I love being associated with you Joshua. When the going gets tough you lighten the load with your energy and enthusiasm and get us going.
Awww, thanks so much for saying those kind words about me: “I love being associated with you Joshua. When the going gets tough you lighten the load with your energy and enthusiasm and get us going.”
I appreciate knowing you get value from this more than you can imagine. I will continue to fight the fight for us as an industry. Thanks!
I think it is entirely possible to start fast. But I would think to do that you would have to set up shop like a brick and mortar business. Meaning lots of advertising, flyers, ads in newspapers/magazines, join the chamber/BNI, Kiwanas, Rotary Club and have employees already hired and at the ready. In other words, with a large capital investment and no profit for 3 years or more.
This is assuming there is not already a lot of well-respected and established pet sitting companies already in your area.
People like to start their own pet sitting business since it can be done with very little money up front. Depending on who you know, you could start super small with only business cards and referrals. It ALL depends on your town and what you want to accomplish.
You bring up the exact point I made near the end of the article, Michelle. “Good, Cheap, Fast. Choose Any Two.”
You can certainly create something fast but it will not be cheap. And while your point about starting up with little financial investment and some referrals is accurate, it will still take a bit time to learn the ropes and find your groove as business owner.
Great blog Josh.
Laura your words remind me of a passage in the Bible from Matthew:
Matthew 7:24-27New International Version (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
As I always tell the people in my group “grow with your business.” There is so much to learn not only from a pet sitting standpoint but from a business standpoint as well.