Let's Talk Dog Business

• For Better or Worse: Surviving, Then Thriving Together as Business Partners

  DESCRIPTION What does it really take to build a successful business partnership—and how do you navigate the bumps along the way? In this candid episode, Jo & Vicky discuss the real-life journey of their business partnership. They share the highs, lows, and the lessons learned.  Jo & Vicky cover understanding personality differences, improving communication, and not killing each other in the first few months. They share how embracing self-awareness transforms your relationships with clients as well as your business, and how to turn the challenges of partnering up into opportunities that create a far stronger business than one you could develop alone. KEY TAKEAWAYS Regularly communicate openly and honestly with your business partner to address challenges early. Understand and make allowances for both your own and your partner’s personality types and working styles. Embrace self-awareness and be willing to work on your personal growth for the benefit of the partnership. Clearly define roles and expectations, but be ready to help each other as you learn and grow together. Be patient with each other. Don’t be afraid to seek external help, especially when you are facing challenges. Jo & Vicky hired a mentor to help them grow. Make time to work on the business, not just in the business, to accelerate growth and decision-making. Use structured frameworks like DISC profiling to improve collaboration and understanding. Ask open questions to encourage discussion rather than just yes/no answers. E.g. This is my idea, what do you think about it? Accept and leverage each partner’s unique strengths instead of trying to change each other. BEST MOMENTS “That's how I knew you were the right person, because we want to achieve the same thing.” “I think it’s more intense than marriage … it can be make or break as to whether that business works.” “I love our journey, it’s really fun looking back on it.” “It works because I’m you and you are me.” “You  need to keep having the conversations of what we are prepared to do for the business and what we're not prepared to do." “It is that dance that you have to learn.” EPISODE RESOURCES Andy Nisivic episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-impact-your-personality-profile-has-on-your/id1727170978?i=1000668232509 https://onedegree.uk – DISC personality profiling SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705 Email [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• The Power of Overcoming Fear of Judgement and Sharing Your Success

  DESCRIPTION Are you holding back from putting yourself out there and sharing your achievements because you fear being judged? Today, Jo & Vicky look at the real reasons behind self-doubt, imposter syndrome and a reluctance to self-promote, that holds so many business owners back. They explain how embracing your unique story and confidently sharing your wins inspires others while also accelerating the growth of your business.  They share practical strategies that enabled them to overcome imposter syndrome and share what they knew. A move that enabled them to build their training businesses, create The Canine Business Academy, reach and help hundreds of people and win awards. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sharing your achievements and what you offer is not about ego. It´s about serving your audience. If you say nothing, people never know there is a solution available for their problem. Overcome imposter syndrome by recognizing your unique strengths and focusing on your purpose. Be the bouncer of your own club. Define your audience – people you can genuinely help and work with effectively. Then, focus on attracting them. They will truly appreciate what you offer. Be authentic and share your story, it builds trust. It´s OK to turn people off. What you offer and how you work is not going to suit everyone. You are not a good fit - they don´t need you and you don´t need them. If you don´t take what you do seriously other people won´t either. Your job is not a hobby. Confidence comes naturally once you are clear about who you are, what you stand for and what you have to offer. Personal development matters, it is the main fuel for your business growth. Without authenticity, confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome you can´t grow very fast. Celebrating true wins, even if they are small ones, inspires both you and others. BEST MOMENTS “If something inside you will not shut the f**k up…  that needs to get out to the world, and it’s your job to do it.”  “Everything comes back down to purpose. What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to help?” “If you keep it a secret, which effectively is what a lot of you are doing… You’re doing those people out there that need you, your knowledge, and what you’ve got a disservice.” “It's not that I'm a bigger person than you or a better person than you. It's just that I know who I am, and that's it.” SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705 Email [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Taking Your Business to the Next Level: Countdown to The Canine Business Academy Conference

  DESCRIPTION In this episode, Jo & Vicky tell you more about what you can expect and achieve by attending their first Canine Business Academy Conference on 11-12 September at Village Hotel, Solihull. They explain who the conference is for, how it will help you with personal development, mindset, business strategies and growth, networking and working collaboratively so that you can grow faster. If you've not yet got your tickets, there's still time – You just need to book here - https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/cba-conference-2025 KEY TAKEAWAYS If you are a force-free trainer or a behaviourist that is ready to move from winging it, only just making enough money to get by, to running your business with purpose and confidence, the CBA conference is definitely for you. Conferences are a great place to genuinely connect with others. You cannot beat the support of people who are following a similar path to you.  Networking creates opportunities to work with other dog business owners, so you can both be more effective and both make a better profit.  The speakers and mentors all offer insights and advice based on real-world experience. Expect plenty of Aha moments. The CBA conference is designed to empowers attendees to become more self-aware,  improve their mindset and grow their confidence. It supports both personal and professional development. BEST MOMENTS “The bare minimum salary somebody (a single person) needs to live a very basic life in the UK is £28k.” “What life do you want to be leading? What do you want your business to look and feel like? All of this comes down to literally mapping out that roadmap.” “Every decision you make is going to impact not only that financial goal, it's going to impact how you're spending your time.” “Don't think that we're getting rich from this conference because we are not. It's the complete opposite, actually. But there's a bigger picture.” “When we talk about a roadmap, we do mean staying on a track, but what we don't mean is literally that tunnel vision of sticking your fingers in your ears.” EPISODE RESOURCES If you´ve enjoyed or benefited from any of our podcasts, courses or our book. https://share.google/wgGEcJzpJGZu0xIRY - Please click this link or copy and paste it into your browser and leave us a review on our Google business listing. Joseph Rowntree Report £28k income - https://www.jrf.org.uk/a-minimum-income-standard-for-the-united-kingdom-in-2024#:~:text=A%20single%20person%20needs%20to,prices%20all%20rose%20in%20April. SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705 Email [email protected] https://www.caninebusinessacademy.com/cba-conference-2025 ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Market Saturation: Turning Competition into Opportunity and Thriving in a Crowded Market

  DESCRIPTION In this episode, Jo & Vicky shatter the "saturated market" myth. They explain how to turn your fear that there is too much competition in your area into a strategic advantage. It pushes you to take a fresh look at your business and identify your unique offering and gaps that need filling. You become more effective at making would-be customers more aware of why you are worth hiring instead of the competition, all of which enables you to continue charge enough to make a good living. Listen in to learn how to turn competition into your greatest opportunity, instead of joining the “race to the bottom”. KEY TAKEAWAYS Don't automatically assume that competition means there are not enough clients to go around.  Most areas have a lot more dogs than service providers can serve. You only need a limited number of clients to succeed. You don't need to attract every potential client, just the right ones for your business. Avoid the "race to the bottom". Lowering your prices rarely helps. However, there can be a place for genuine special offer campaigns. Focus on your unique value and delivering high quality. Continue to charge what you are worth. Conduct a SWOT analysis to objectively assess your business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Jo & Vicky´s course includes a module on doing this. You can learn a lot from your competitors. New competition is an opportunity to review and strengthen your business. Identify weaknesses in your competitors´ businesses. Filling those gaps is an opportunity for you. Approach business challenges logically, stay confident in your unique offerings, and see competition as a chance for growth rather than a threat. BEST MOMENTS “Pivot into using it (competition) as an opportunity, rather than something to be scared of.” "Why am I stressing out so much that all these people are going elsewhere when I only need five new people to succeed." “I don’t want to lower my fees because then I’m going to have to work 10 times as hard to actually just put food on the table and pay my bills and deliver a s**t service whilst doing it.” SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705 Email [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Annoying Clients – Is It Them or Is It You?

  DESCRIPTION Are annoying clients really the problem, or could you be the source of some of their frustration? In this episode, Jo & Vicky reveal the surprising truth about why clients seem "annoying" and the role not managing customer expectations often plays when that happens. They explain how to master the art of clear communication, set realistic outcomes, and create services that truly serve both you and your clients.  If you've ever found yourself frustrated with "difficult" clients, this episode will change your perspective and give you the tools to create a more harmonious, successful business. Listen in to answer the question: Is the problem really my client, or is it me? KEY TAKEAWAYS Never assume clients fully understand what they are buying. Clearly communicate what clients can expect from your service, focusing on outcomes rather than just selling time or sessions. Set realistic expectations from the beginning, explain the process, potential challenges and the type of support they can expect. Be flexible and supportive. Avoid damaging your reputation by venting about clients in professional groups or online forums. Approach client communication with empathy. Try to understand why they might struggle to complete tasks. Be transparent about the time and effort required to achieve the required result. If you offer one-off sessions, make it clear that the problem won´t be 100% solved at the end. Regularly seek and incorporate client feedback to improve your service and communication. Be very clear about the work the client needs to do in between sessions, but be patient. Managing expectations is a multifaceted process that requires ongoing communication and support. BEST MOMENTS "Do they know what's coming next? Do they know what's expected of them? Or do you just spring stuff on them and then get annoyed that they're not doing the work." "Our role is to manage their expectations right from the outset." “You have to start asking yourself, ‘What do you want them to walk away with, and what do you want to walk away with?’” “It gets really messy, because you're essentially trying to sell an hour of your time, and you're not selling an outcome.” “Look at who you’re helping, what your service is supposed to do and how you can communicate that clearly.” "Some people find it a bit judgey, even though it's supposed to be constructive criticism." “It's not our job to be coming down them like a tonne of bricks.” SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/ Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705 Email [email protected] ABOUT THE HOSTS Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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