Jul 2

6 Factors Affecting your Dog Business Growth

Updated: Aug 9

There are so many pieces of information that I wish I knew when I first started my businesses, specifically my dog training business. A few years into my business, Instagram and Youtube became major platforms for dog professionals. It felt like everywhere I looked, everyone was doing better than me. I didn't understand it. I had the skills, knowledge, business background and more to create a highly successful business.

Here's what I didn't know: I already was massively successful, even in comparison to these online trainers. I just compared myself to the 1% of people who had huge social media followings or multiple training facilities. I'm just one woman! Why would I ever compare myself to them? (Hint: I shouldn't have and you shouldn't either.)

If you want to know what I did to change my mind, attitude, happiness AND revenue..keep reading. The below list will take you through 6 major factors affecting your business growth and what you can do about it. Don't make the same mistakes I did and delay your happiness and your version of your businesses success.

1. Lack Of Organization

Efficiency is how you make money in a service based business. You know what eats away at efficiency and slows growth? Lack of organization. This can include many different steps in how you receive payment, how people sign up, where you hold client information, how many or what type of programs you have, when and how you schedule people and more. Just because you're getting the job down right now, doesn't mean it's overly effective or efficient.

Want more specific help on this? Check out my Blog Post, "A Step by Step Guide to Organizing your Small Business".

2. Lackluster Programs

Solid programs are what draw people in and keep them in. Your business needs to have a healthy mixture of finite and reoccurring services. For example, my dog training business has in-home lessons which are are usually a finite amount and then I offer group classes and day care of Friday's (reoccurring). This programs help owners stick with me for the long term.

Building unique and creative programs for your clients can take years of trial and error. It's important to choose options that you're passionate about, that clients want and are financially profitable.

3. Poor Sign-Up Process

The more people have to do, or click, the less likely they are to sign up. People like easy, simple options. Now, that doesn't mean you want to make your sign-up so easy that anyone can quickly sign up with no thought because that can attract the wrong audience. It does mean you need to stop using a document via Google to sign up your clients. Even as a solopreneur early on in your career with little revenue, it is incredibly worth it to check out CRM's, scheduling platforms or even using Wix or Squarespace CRM options to help automate and simplify your sign up process.

I promise, it will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself or your business.

4. Overworking and lack of self care

The saying goes for entrepreneurs, "We work 100 hours a week so we don't have to work the 40." and truly, I used to stand by this. Now, I feel a bit differently. I want to spend time with my family, my loved ones, my dogs, my friends. I want to go on vacation whenever I want instead of just saying, "I can take off whenever I want.". So many of us are straight up over-worked. That's not the case for me anymore.

By overworking yourself you limit creativity. Creativity is what your business needs in order to grow and thrive. I know for many new business owners, financially it is a struggle. The idea of taking off is sometimes actually impossible, or it feels that way anyways. I challenge you to take off 2 days a week AT LEAST over the next few months.

Watch how you're able to think of new ideas, do a better job for your clients and feel less overwhelmed. All of those points will allow your business to thrive.

Overworking is the chokehold on growth.

5. Say "Yes" when I wanted to say "No"

This is self explanatory. Saying "yes" when you want to say “no” is a form of self-betrayal. This is particularly true for women. We are conditioned to placate, but I'm here to give you permission to say "No!" to the next client request, foster animal, favor from someone or anything else that doesn't sit well with you.

You will feel immensely more confident with yourself when you practice saying no. The best piece of advice I've ever received is: this, "Don't say yes if you can't say no."

6. Not Keeping Track of Financial Data

This feels like a no-brainer but y'all are out here raw dogging your financials with no data, organization or clear tracking.

Here's what you're going to do:

Stop accepting cash and checks (unless you live in a rural area where your client's are old and really need that. In that case accept only checks)
Start using Paypal, Stripe, Quikbooks invoicing, Square, Wix or Sqaurespace invoicing

These companies track financial data for you so you can easily review increases, decreases, changes in revenue and trends over time. Stop accepting Venmo, get your big girl panties on and organization your financial data to ONE PLACE.

7. Bonus Tip - Comparison to Others

Comparison is the thief of joy. I am soooo lucky Instagram and Youtube weren't huge for business owners when I first started in 2015. It was just getting started and I was totally oblivious which means I had no one to compare myself to initially. That's when I'm the happiest!

You have no idea what someone's background is, what they're going through, how much financial help they've received, whether what they post is true and accurate (the more famous dog trainers I meet the more confident I become that I'm doing amazing lol) and so much more. When we compare we rob ourselves the ability to be present, focus on ourselves and our own accomplishments or areas we want to get better.

Checking out the other cool things your colleagues are doing is great but be mindful of spiraling into, “I should be there or have that or have this many things.”

I believe in you ;)

By Brianna Dick

Owner of Pack Leader Help

Owner of Your Dog Biz Coach