The Poodle to Pitbull Pet Business Podcast

What actually separates businesses that blend in with the crowd… from the ones that stand out? Why do some owners seem to escape the race to the bottom on price, while others feel permanently squeezed? And what does behavioural psychology, copywriting, and niching properly have to do with running a predictable and more profitable dog daycare? In this episode, I share a special conversation recorded at the Elite UK Mastermind with Mike Samuels — one of the most renowned copywriters and behavioural psychology specialists in the world. While Mike doesn't work in pet care, the lessons he shares land squarely where dog daycare owners need them most: positioning, differentiation, pricing confidence, and future-proofing in a changing market. Mike breaks down why generalists always compete on price, why AI is forcing businesses to move beyond just "words on a page," and why the real value today lies in insight, strategy, and clarity. With Mike's help I then translate those ideas directly into the pet care world, showing how daycares that position themselves as trusted partners (not just service providers) escape comparison, retain better clients, and build stronger businesses. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Generalist Daycares Get Squeezed – And how clearer positioning instantly reduces price pressure. • What AI Is Really Changing – Why insight and experience matter more than ever in a crowded market. • The Power of Niching Properly – How being a "big fish in a small pond" applies directly to dog daycare. • Why Behaviour Beats Tactics – How understanding human decision-making improves sales, retention, and loyalty. • What Happens in the Room – Why masterminds and in-person events accelerate clarity and confidence far faster than online learning alone. You can find out more about what Mike does by following him on Instagram: @thecoffeeshopcopywriter Huge thanks once again to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here: https://pawpal.uk If you're tired of being busy, burned out, and underpaid… and you're ready to transform your daycare into a premium, experience-heavy, profit-driven powerhouse… then IMPACT 2026 is the event you've been waiting for. And if you want one of the first 50 tickets — and the $500 savings that comes with them — go to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/impact2026 To grab a copy of my latest book Mission Enrich, click here now Huge thanks to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here:

What happens to your business when the economy shifts, jobs disappear, and your clients start feeling the pressure before you do? How resilient is your pricing, your positioning, and your client base if AI starts replacing roles your customers rely on? And what really changes when you experience Dom's coaching in person — not through a screen, not in theory, but live and unfiltered? In this episode, Dom pulls back the curtain on why Teija Heikkilä was the only choice for keynote speaker at IMPACT 2026 — and why her message lands harder now than ever before. Teija isn't talking hypotheticals. She's built, scaled, and sold multiple pet care businesses, and now helps owners do the same through PetVetMa. Her lens is simple, uncomfortable, and powerful: every business owner exits — the only question is how well. You'll hear Dom and Teija in conversation discussing premium pricing, asset value, exit planning, and a topic most people are skirting around: AI and the knock-on effect it will have on jobs, income, and consumer behaviour. Not from a "tech bro" angle — but from a practical, business-owner perspective. If your clients lose income, change jobs, or feel uncertain… what does that mean for your business? And how do you insulate yourself from that now? Alongside that, Dom shares behind-the-scenes insight from a recent in-person consultation day with Adam Elderfield, PBIC Marketer of the Year. In a single day, they fixed leaks, uncovered hidden money, ruled out entire business directions Adam didn't want — and mapped a clearer, more profitable future. Dom explains why this kind of clarity simply doesn't happen by accident… and why events like IMPACT compress years of trial and error into days. You'll also hear a teaser about the 2026 PBIC Marketer of the Year, what's coming next, and why the people who win in this industry are always the ones willing to get in the room, challenge their thinking, and build businesses designed to last — not just survive. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Teija's Perspective Is Different – Built it. Sold it. Repeated it. And now teaches owners how to do the same. AI, Jobs & the Economy – How shifts outside your business can quietly wreck unprepared ones — and how to stay ahead. Build It to Sell (Even If You Never Do) – Why exit thinking makes your business stronger today, not later. What In-Person Coaching Really Unlocks – Why one focused day beats months of calls and content. Why IMPACT Isn't Just Another Event – Strategy, pressure, perspective, and momentum — live, not theoretical. If you want to understand where the industry is heading — and how to build a business that thrives no matter what changes next — then IMPACT 2026 is where those conversations are happening. If you're tired of being busy, burned out, and underpaid… and you're ready to transform your daycare into a premium, experience-heavy, profit-driven powerhouse… this is the event you've been waiting for. And if you want one of the first 50 tickets — and the $500 savings that comes with them — go to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/impact2026 To grab a copy of my latest book Mission Enrich, click here now Huge thanks to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here:

What if you could transform your daycare into the Disney of your town, the place affluent owners brag about, pay more for, and refuse to leave? What would happen to your business if you mastered experience, enrichment, pricing, systems, and upsells in just two days? And what could next year look like if you finally stopped running a wacky warehouse… and started running a wonderland for dogs? In this week's episode, I come in hot with the announcement I've been dying to make: The Disnify Your Dog Daycare LIVE Impact Success Summit is coming to ORLANDO in 2026. And it's going to be the biggest, boldest, most transformational event I have ever delivered. Before diving into the details, I recap an emotional and breakthrough-filled week inside the UK Elite Mastermind – complete with hotseats, tears, major wins, as well as behavioural psychology insights from guest speaker Mike Samuels, and a stack of 90-day action plans that will fuel major business growth well into the new year. Then, I unveil the full vision behind the 2026 Impact Summit, and how those smart enough to attend will walk away having become experts on premium pricing, systemisation, ascension, upsells, staff culture, enrichment, and showmanship… this is the ultimate masterclass for dog daycare and pet resort owners who want to rise above the competition. In this episode, you'll discover: • The Magic of Experience – How to use Disney's "Everything Speaks" principle to make every square foot of your facility sell for you. • The Business of Enchantment – Why the next generation of premium pet care is EXPERIENCE-led, not operationally led. • How to Imagineer Your Empire – The exit-ready operations map that makes your business scalable, sellable, and self-running. • Ascension Secrets – Disney's client journey playbook and how to turn one service into multiple revenue streams. • Showmanship & Sales Choreography – How to turn your staff into cast members who sell confidently and consistently. If you're tired of being busy, burned out, and underpaid… and you're ready to transform your daycare into a premium, experience-heavy, profit-driven powerhouse… this is the event you've been waiting for. And if you want one of the first 50 tickets — and the $500 savings that comes with them — go to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/impact2026 To grab a copy of my latest book Mission Enrich, click here now Huge thanks to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here: https://pawpal.uk

What would happen if you stopped for a moment and actually looked at how far you've come in your business? How much easier would things feel if you recognised the wins, the lessons, the mistakes, and the mentors who helped you get here? And what breakthroughs might you unlock if you took stock of everything you should be thankful for as a pet business owner? In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, I take a breather from the post-Hershey whirlwind to reflect on the major moments, decisions, and people that have shaped my business journey. From leaving Imperial Tobacco, to finding the right clients, to building a team I trust, I lay out the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to create a business that grows, evolves, and keeps moving forward even when an unstable economy, government changes, or other people make it feel harder than it needs to be. You'll hear my gratitude list (with a few surprises on it), the pitfalls I've learned from, and why I credit much of my success to the mentors and masterminds who helped me skip years of pain and fast-track real progress. I also dive into the importance of pricing courage, innovation, better boundaries, and attracting the right clients – the ones who make the work feel like fun rather than friction. In this episode, you'll discover: The Power of Being a Business Owner – Why choosing this path (and sticking with it) is something to be proud of. Clients Worth Protecting – How the right customers make your business lighter, happier, and far easier to grow. Mentors & Masterminds – Why fast progress happens when you stop guessing and start listening to people who've done it. Learning From Mistakes – How failures like the online store became fuel for better systems, smarter pricing, and stronger positioning. Courage, Growth & Innovation – Why pushing out of your comfort zone is the key to bigger breakthroughs in 2026. If you've been head-down, grinding through the chaos of Christmas bookings, staffing headaches, or end-of-year admin, this episode is your reminder to zoom out, breathe, and acknowledge the progress you've already made, and the opportunities waiting for you.I To grab a copy of my latest book Mission Enrich, click here now Huge thanks to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here: https://pawpal.uk

Ever wondered what actually goes into launching a book that could reshape the way dog daycares think about enrichment? What happens when you return from a whirlwind U.S. expo, jump straight into coaching calls, and then dive headfirst into recording your next audiobook? And what is it about enrichment that has daycare owners buzzing, levelling up, and leaving rave reviews within days? In this episode, I check in from a frosty, Christmas-tinged Town Farm to share the story behind the launch of Mission Enrich, my newest (and most unusual) pet business book. Fresh off the plane from Hershey, still buzzing from back-to-back presentations and an avalanche of Enrich U sign-ups, I break down why this book is different — and why it's already making waves with daycares across the UK, US, and the rest of the world. You'll hear the behind-the-scenes of the launch week at the Hershey expo, the early feedback flooding in from readers, why writing remains my most important business tool, and why now is the perfect time for daycare owners to rethink what enrichment really means. I also share the opening chapter of the audiobook, plus a special offer for podcast listeners who want early access to the full audio version. In this episode, you'll discover: The Spirit of Canis – The ancient idea at the heart of Mission Enrich and why it matters for modern dog daycares. Why This Book Is Different – How a parable can teach deeper lessons than any how- to manual. Real Reviews – What early readers are saying about how the story is already reshaping their teams, dogs, and daycares. The Power of Writing – Why learning to communicate through story is one of the most profitable skills a pet business owner can develop. A Special Launch Bonus – How to get the audiobook version for free — before it's available anywhere else. If you've been thinking about implementing enrichment, this episode is a window into the next evolution of the industry — and the mindset shift that will define the best-run facilities in 2026 and beyond. To grab a copy of Mission Enrich, click here now Huge thanks to our sponsors PawPal, who's amazing services you can find more about here: https://pawpal.uk