Let's Talk Dog Business

DESCRIPTION Are you stuck on the pricing hamster wheel in your dog business – running classes, squeezing in 1:1s, but still not paying yourself properly? Today, Jo & Vicky take a more in-depth look at how much a dog trainer should charge. They unpack why asking “What are other trainers charging?” is the wrong starting point, how to work out what you need to take home, and what it really means when your current prices demand you to take on 40+ new clients a month just to survive.  You will further hone how you assess what you charge and understand why high-ticket 1:1 services can be a smarter first-phase strategy than low-ticket classes.  We've got a brand-new business health check for you - it´ll show you exactly where your business is working really fucking well, and where you are haemorrhaging time, money and energy - all in the time it takes to make a cuppa. Just click the link to take our business health check quiz -https://quiz.caninebusinessacademy.com/health-check  KEY TAKEAWAYS Knowing “how much dog trainers charge” is useless. What you charge needs to start from what you personally need to take home. Look at your current services, pick the one that sells best and figure out how many of those you need to sell per month. When you do the maths and realise you need 40+ new clients a month, you know your business model is not viable. Your capacity isn’t just about "hours in the diary” – it’s childcare, dogs, clubs, energy levels, and when you actually work best. Your pricing has to reflect your real life, not a fantasy schedule. The idea “clients will only come at evenings and weekends” is wrong. Jo & Vicky explain how to identify and actively attract people who can train during the day. Classes that don’t fill, or super‑cheap sessions e.g. £3 drop‑ins, create a lose–lose situation. They drain your time and energy, slash what client´s think your time is worth and rarely deliver good results so you put clients off rather than tempting them to book more.  High‑ticket, 1:1 offers make it easier to hit your income goals with fewer clients. You provide far better support, protect your time and avoid burnout.  Life will keep changing - kids, health, travel, regulations, overheads – so don´t lock yourself into an inflexible model that only works for one perfect season of your life.  BEST MOMENTS “Rather than what should I charge? They ask, what do people charge? So, I can copy.” “Think to yourself, Is that realistic. How much of you does that take up? Time wise, energy wise?” “We've got to be offering something that is going to be getting people a good result.” “Sometimes life happens to you as well, and your time gets taken away. So, things have to adapt.” SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness 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 We’re Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies. Force-free dog trainers, business strategists, and co-founders of Canine Business Academy. Collectively, we’ve been dog training for nearly three decades, built a six-figure dog training business, and grown CBA into a multi–six-figure global brand, all while raising kids, a university degree and life life'ing. Featured on BBC, FOX and NBC, and authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy. Giving a shit is the strategy. Getting shit done is the method. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

DESCRIPTION Are you struggling to turn your loyal followers into actual paying clients, or wondering if all that time on social media is really worth it for your dog business? Today, Jo and Vicky are joined by Tori Mistik, founder of Wear Wag Repeat, canine enrichment expert, and long-time petpreneur. Tori shares how she grew a niche dog brand over 13 years, why a small but loyal audience beats viral views, and how email marketing can quietly become the most powerful part of your digital strategy. This episode is about the wisdom (or foolishness) of shifting your niche, offering low-ticket memberships vs high-ticket offers, and building genuine trust by being more you. We've got a brand-new business health check for you - it´ll show you exactly where your business is working really fucking well, and where you are haemorrhaging time, money and energy - all in the time it takes to make a cuppa. Just click the link to take our business health check quiz -https://quiz.caninebusinessacademy.com/health-check  KEY TAKEAWAYS A small, loyal audience that trusts you outperforms a big, distracted audience.  Consistent, story-led emails enable you to make genuine connections and sell more than any social media platform. To feed the algorithms you need to be clear e.g. on Instagram you have to actually use some captions that say “I am a dog trainer specialising in (your niche)". Being general gets you lost in the crowd, being specific gets you in front of people who want what you offer. Every pivot or niche shift needs fresh proof, stories, and reassurance. Even your most loyal followers and buyers need to be convinced all over again that your new offer or direction is for them. Viral views and follower counts are vanity metrics unless they lead to real relationships, enquiries, or sales.  For most dog businesses, it’s smarter to start with a focused, high-touch, high-ticket offer, then add lower-ticket products later.  The internet is Times Square: to be seen, you need clarity, consistency, and a simple message repeated everywhere.  True enrichment – for dogs and for business – is built from small, intentional actions repeated over time, not one flashy shortcut.  BEST MOMENTS "I'll think how would I write this subject line if I was sending it to my sister Addie? How would I write this email so that it's not coming across as a sales and marketing email." "You don't necessarily need a larger audience. You really want to focus on creating a more loyal audience." "I've never been able to follow a content calendar... I latch on to those moments of momentum and schedule stuff ahead." "It's actually harder to sell anything low ticket than it is high ticket." GUEST RESOURCES http://toriknowsdogs.com https://wearwagrepeat.com https://www.youtube.com/@ToriMistick 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 We’re Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies. Force-free dog trainers, business strategists, and co-founders of Canine Business Academy. Collectively, we’ve been dog training for nearly three decades, built a six-figure dog training business, and grown CBA into a multi–six-figure global brand, all while raising kids, a university degree and life life'ing. Featured on BBC, FOX and NBC, and authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy. Giving a shit is the strategy. Getting shit done is the method. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

DESCRIPTION Are you collecting courses, certificates, and dog training books like a CPD junkie? Taking course after course without any real purpose behind what you are learning? In this episode, Jo & Vicky unpack the vital role CPD (Continuous Professional Development) plays in the dog training world. They explore how easy it is to slide into learning for learning’s sake, fuel imposter syndrome, and drift away from your original purpose – and how to flip CPD into something intentional and aligned with your niche, your clients and the business you actually want to run. KEY TAKEAWAYS CPD should support your strategy, not constantly rewrite it – choose learning that moves you toward the business you actually want to run.  Ask yourself why am I studying this, what am I going to do with this knowledge. Don´t do a course, then shoehorn that service into your business to justify the course. Purposeful, well-chosen CPD deepens your impact; endless courses without a plan just fuel overwhelm and self-doubt. Both formal education and firsthand experience matter – it’s how you blend and apply them that grows your confidence and your business. Your niche and offers are allowed to evolve; testing, pivoting, and dropping what doesn’t fit is part of building a sustainable dog business. Loving learning for its own sake is valid, as long as you’re honest with yourself and don’t force every new idea you pick up into your services. BEST MOMENTS “Knowledge is definitely power, but knowledge can be a curse as well .” “I am a massive CPD junkie. I f**ing love doing all of the dog knowledge courses.” “The skill is having the ability to do both - be aware of what you want your education skill level to be and knowing how you want to utilise that in your business.” “Don't overwhelm yourself by doing too much for the sake of doing it and getting FOMO around, not going to these events.” 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] Quiz: https://quiz.caninebusinessacademy.com/health-check ABOUT THE HOSTS We’re Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies. Force-free dog trainers, business strategists, and co-founders of Canine Business Academy. Collectively, we’ve been dog training for nearly three decades, built a six-figure dog training business, and grown CBA into a multi–six-figure global brand, all while raising kids, a university degree and life life'ing. Featured on BBC, FOX and NBC, and authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy. Giving a shit is the strategy. Getting shit done is the method. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

DESCRIPTION Are you working flat out in your dog business but still not paying yourself what you "need" – never mind what you "want"? In this episode, Jo & Vicky dive into the messy subject of pricing your dog services. They unpack the difference between your "need number" and your "want number", how to sense-check your current prices against your goals, and why simply “charging more” won´t work if the service itself doesn’t deliver a premium experience.  You’ll come away with a straightforward way to assess your current pricing, your offers, and how to attract the right clients - people who want what you offer and are able to pay what you are worth. You´ll be able to build a dog business that actually supports the life you want, without your having to run yourself into the ground. KEY TAKEAWAYS Copying other people’s prices or inherited packages rarely works– it’s a quick fix that often keeps you undercharging for your time and expertise.  Bear in mind that a “one-hour” service rarely takes only an hour to deliver. Travel, prep, follow-up and admin all eat into your day and must be reflected in your pricing alongside overheads like running your business vehicle and rent.  Your “need number” is what you must earn each month to cover living costs. Your “want number” is the higher income that lets you fund your bigger goals and “dream life” extras.  Your "need number" combined with your "want number" will give you a clear income target and see whether your current offers and fees will realistically support your lifestyle and goals.  Doing the maths on how many clients or class places you sell each month helps you spot whether you have a lead-generation issue, a sales issue, or a pricing issue.  Premium pricing only works when the service delivers – structure, support and outcomes must create a genuine win–win for you and your clients. If it doesn´t you won´t attract and retain the type of clients, you need. Building a good reputation is critical to being able to charge what you want and keep attracting enough clients. BEST MOMENTS “It never put people off - the price. It was the value behind getting your dog walked on its own.” “Look at your numbers. Know how many inquiries you're bringing in each month. Know how many of the service you have to sell in order to hit your need number.” “Then you start to look at is it actually feasible to sell that many.” “Because it's a premium service now, whereas before, it was a scratchy service - it now warranted that higher price tag.” 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] Quiz: https://quiz.caninebusinessacademy.com/health-check ABOUT THE HOSTS We’re Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies. Force-free dog trainers, business strategists, and co-founders of Canine Business Academy. Collectively, we’ve been dog training for nearly three decades, built a six-figure dog training business, and grown CBA into a multi–six-figure global brand, all while raising kids, a university degree and life life'ing. Featured on BBC, FOX and NBC, and authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy. Giving a shit is the strategy. Getting shit done is the method. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

DESCRIPTION Building a business that people trust, recognise, and seek out isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being authentic and doing your absolute best. This week, Jo & Vicky are joined by Charlotte Nichols the founder of dog industry centred PR agency Harvey and Hugo. Charlotte shares how using authentic PR techniques combined with your own story sets you apart and helps you to attract  clients that are a perfect fit for you and what you are trying to achieve. Tune in for honest advice on overcoming self-doubt, simple PR strategies, and why showing up as yourself is your strongest brand move. KEY TAKEAWAYS PR is not just sending out a press release, writing a book or entering some awards. It literally is the way you decide to dress, the way you decide to speak, the way you decide to greet your customers Your quirks and real-life experiences are your brand’s hidden superpower. Let what sets you apart define your business. Knowing your values makes every brand decision simpler. In a world of AI people are actively looking out for fakes and avoiding them, which is helping to make authenticity more powerful. People can trust you. Clients enjoy learning from your experiences, not perfection. Happy clients and authentic testimonials do more for you than slick marketing. Use stories and emotion in your PR, they’re what people connect with and remember. Take creative risks. Standing out beats playing it safe every time. You don’t need big budgets for PR, starting small and following up works wonders. There is a lot you can do yourself. Use the phone, not just social. Actually tale to people. As you grow, keep reminding the world exactly what makes you valuable. Redefine success on your terms. A lifestyle business can be powerful, profitable, and deeply fulfilling. BEST MOMENTS “You need to keep reinforcing why you create value for your customers and how you do it, and your customers telling that story is the best way.” “Don´t give up you´ve got to be relentless with PR.” “People do business with people, human to human. Forget B to B, B to C - It's human to human.” “Try and take a photograph that tells a story.” “Start small, start local.” “I'm gonna be as bold as to say, for a lot of us, certainly in the Force Free community, we are effectively marketing ourselves to our peers, our competitors, than we are to our ideal audience.” “People are employing other dog trainers… and then they're ending up like not making any profit. They're ending up having loads more stress. They're not actually happy. ” EPISODE RESOURCES https://harveyandhugo.com https://www.instagram.com/harveyandhugopr https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-and-hugo The Pocket Sized PR Plan -  PRsonal Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/prsonal/id1671838944 The Pocket-Sized PR podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pocket-size-pr-podcast/id1790644301 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 We’re Jo Moorcroft and Vicky Davies. Force-free dog trainers, business strategists and co-founders of Canine Business Academy. Collectively, we’ve been dog training for nearly three decades, built a six-figure dog training business, and grown CBA into a multi–six-figure global brand, all while raising kids, a university degree and life life'ing. Featured on BBC, FOX and NBC, and authors of Let’s Talk Dog Business Strategy. Giving a shit is the strategy. Getting shit done is the method. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/