Chapter 1: So You Want to Start a Pet Sitting Business. * The pro's of pet sitting* Flexible time* Low Stress* You're the boss - you make the decisions* Good pay for the hours of work and resources needed - How much do you want to make?* How much will it cost to start my pet sitting business? Can I really work 'when I want to' and 'be my own boss?' The truth! The con's of pet sitting* The family's take: Is it a Joy or a Pain? Is it really all worth it? ** The con's of pet sitting* Through wind and sleet and snow....working in all kinds of weather conditions.* Working when others are 'off' - working early mornings, late evenings, minor holidays and of course, major holidays!* The cyclical nature of the pet sitting business. Consider the slow months and busy months.* Driving...driving...driving! The biggest expense of time and money for pet sitters.** The personality of the successful pet sitter and other questions you should ask yourself* Do you love pets and people? I have yet to have a dog sign the check!* And you thought it was just playing with dogs...you as a therapist, grief counselor, pet nutrition expert, accountant, teenage babysitter and more.* The buck (or 'bark') stops with you! Handling people pleasing/customer satisfaction issues. How comfortable are you with being the person who handles customer issues and conflict?* Physical demands of the job.* What is your personal comfort level with different pets? Are the certain pets you can't imagine caring for?* Can my kids come with me? Should they?* Still not sure? Visit a local networking group. Chapter 2: Envisioning the business * Determine a need in your area - market research of your geographical service area and other similar companies.* Calling all dogs and cats? Will you specialize or encompass all species of pets? Will you fill a niche market and specialize?* Determine your service area. Radius of travel? Urban/Sub-urban/Rural?* Will you work part time,or full time?* Are you interested in starting your own business or buying into a franchise?* What other services might you offer? Pet Taxi, Behavior Training, Errand Services, etc...* Growing your business/Meeting your clients' needs.* Juggling family life when your office is at home.* Handling your pet sitting schedule + your family.* Dollars & cents - How much can I make? Is petsitting really recession proof?* Choosing your name...and making sure nobody else has!* Sole Proprietor, LLC or Inc.? What's best for you. Chapter 3: What you need in your home office and mobile office. * Keeping your office a work space. Setting boundaries on family and setting boundaries on business.* The benefits of designating a space for your business from the IRS perspective.* Hours of operation - phone calls at 11pm!* Your client files - paper and electronic* Your client keys * Computer* Calendar* Phones (land lines, cell phones and smart phones)* Tools of the trade - leashes, toys, treats* Things to have with you - pens, dayplanner, cards Chapter 4: Writing a business plan. * Why do I need a business plan if I don't need any investment money?* Solidify your objectives: What, How, When, Where and Who.* Parts of a business plan - Get it done in Chapter 5: Getting started. * Start up costs list.* Should I hire professionals to help me? (Marketing companies, CPA's, attorneys, etc...)* Choose a name.* Do I need a logo? Can I trademark my logo?* Write a Mission Statement. What for? I know my mission.* Goals Checklist* Register your business.* Join a professional organization.* Purchase insurance and a bond policy - yes, they are two different policies! This is a must before your first assignment.* Get your printing done!* Printed materials - business cards/flyers/brochures/magnets/shirts...* Business documents - service contracts, * Supplies - What's all the junk in the trunk? Things you don't need too!* Your Presentation Book* The benefits of education/accreditation - PFA/CPR Chapter 6: Financial planning* How much do I need to make?* How much can I charge? How much should I charge? Remember you are the business owner. You make the decisions on what you will charge.* Publishing your prices - the pros and cons.* How to deal with the price shopper.* Setting a monetary value on your time.* Invoicing and payment* Long term financial planning - no 401K's here...planning for your future. Chapter 7: Financial management * Your pet sitting business should make you money! How to know if it does.* Running your pet sitting business debt free isn't a dream - it can be a reality. Chapter 8: Taxes and record keeping* Do I really have to pay taxes? * When do I pay taxes on my earnings and how do I determine what I owe?* Monthly income and outgo. A basic balance sheet or P&L.* Keeping track of your biggest expenses - especially mileage.* What to do, when - record keeping on a daily basis, monthly, yearly* When to complete and file your taxes. Chapter 9: Legal and ethical issues * Pet Neglect? Can I get involved and should I? * Under promise - Over deliver. Do the job you promised plus more* The Golden Rule is still alive and well* Am I on candid camera? Clients and 'nanny-cams.'* Help! What if I am sued! Answers to insurance and legal questions.* Real-life insurance scenarios you won't believe but are true! Chapter 10: Marketing your business - Getting your name out there is your #1 goal* Your niche drives your marketing - are you the Pet Sitter for Everyone, are you the Cat Specialist? Highlight what sets you apart* The Green pet sitter - riding the eco-friendly wave.* Press Releases* Visits to vet offices and groomers with food, free speaking engagements, dog parties/events and other 'guerilla' marketing tactics to bring you clients.* Wear your colors! Your wardrobe now consists of a myriad of shirts with your logo and tagline!* Using your business phone line/email to drive business to you.* The yellow pages - will it work or won't it? How your business makes that decision for you.* Using neighborhood newsletters and small town newspapers to your advantage.* Keeping your current clients and having them provide you with more...word of mouth referrals.* Offering specials - CGC, Shelter, Rescue Group Discounts* Set up booths at local pet events - contact shelters and rescue groups.* Participate in pet related events like PSI's TYDTWD, Wishbones for Pets.* Stay educated and up to date on pet related topics. Keep learning. Set yourself apart from the competition by being well educated in your field.* Networking! It's not a four letter word.* Have your 30sec, 2min and 5min 'pitch' of your business ready. You never know who will ask you about your shirt logo in an elevator!* How do you know if your marketing is working? Which parts of your advertising campaign are working for you? The way to know - Ask & Track. Chapter 11: The internet and e-commerce* Your website - the best use of your business dollars!* Using the internet for your day to day business - Pet sitter software to run your business.* Social Networking sites - Use them to your advantage - avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes.* How simple email can be your best friend for booking verification* E-commerce and selling pet supplies on the internet - options for the pet sitter Chapter 12: A Day in the Life* The phone rings...now what? A likely script of what you might hear.* A list of questions new clients will ask you and possible answers.* Jump out of bed and stumble to the kitchen! It's time to start the day. An account of a real 'day in the life' of a pet sitter* The client meeting - the must have information you need from each of your clients.* What you need to do at every visit - a checklist* Some additions to your standard service that will set you apart (leaving written notes, calling the client, leaving a gift for the pet).* Some problems and challenges you might run into. The solutions to answer them.* They want you, but do you want them? How to ask the right questions to get the clients you need.* Your day to day safety - How to be safe when working alone.* Safety of the pets in your care. A good dog walk gone bad.* I just wish I could have one day off! Using other pet sitting companies and colleagues to help make it happen.* Emergency Preparedness - for the big, the bad and the ugly - weather and other catastrophic events.* What to do if a pet dies in your care.* How to handle the client you can longer or just don't want to work for.* Keeping the clients you want by getting feedback on your service.* Dealing with the death of a pet client. How to help your human clients how to help yourself. Chapter 13: Business endgame* Stay small or grow big? Pros and cons - dollars and cents of each approach.* Avoiding the B-Word - B*U*R*N*O*U*T* Setting up your business as a 'process' - think fast food chain!* Employees or independent contractors?* Where do I find good people to work in my business? Recruiting 101.* Interviewing and screening potential employees.* Dealing with people that work for you.* Setting up schedules* How to pay employees or independent contractors.* Changing with the times - keeping your business strong as times/circumstances change.* Take me to Tahiti - Selling your business. Chapter 14: Training and certification - Setting yourself apart* Accreditation as a pet sitter - courses available.* Read! The only difference between where you are now and where you will be* Pet First Aid/CPR* Conventions and Regional meetings* Using your local resources - dog trainers and veterinarians. Appendix I* FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (10 to 15, intended to be used on website)* Web Resources* Organizations* Trade Shows* Educational Resources and Training Programs* Other Useful Information Appendix II* Forms: Service Agreements, Pet Sitter Instruction Sheet, etc...
