DESCRIPTION In this episode, Jo & Vicky sit down together to address some of the issues other dog business owners have raised on their Facebook group and in other places online. Including when to give up your day job and do dog training full time, how to manage the uncertainty you are afraid of and building a strong foundation for your business. They also share how to follow up when people who have shown an interest in your service don´t get back to you and how to get over a reluctance to actively sell and become an effective salesperson. KEY TAKEAWAYS Do your research, make reasonable preparations, but be careful not to drift into waiting for that perfect moment to make the leap; it will never come. Preparing yourself mentally is essential. You have to accept that not everything is going to go smoothly and that you are going to have to push through and make your business work. Make sure your business is foundationally sound, so it can survive slow periods. Don´t just learn about dog training, build up your knowledge of business too. Consider niching down and getting really good at one thing. Being the best is an effective way of standing out. All business owners need to get good at sales. Jo & Vicky share some approaches that work. Be persistent. Follow up with people until they tell you to f**k off. Ask questions that enable you to find out more about what the person contacting you wants. Be attentive and show you care. During the sales call you are in service mode, working out what the person needs and how you can help them. BEST MOMENTS “You can always put something in the way, there is never the right time, unexpected bills will always come in.” “Mentally prepare for the fact that you are going to have to do some graft and are going to have squeaky bum moments.” “If your mindset is open and you are willing to learn a different way, go for it.” “The human race has been brought up in a world where sales is considered bad.” “You´ve got to get f**king good at sales.” “Assume they are coming to you for a reason.” EPISODE RESOURCES Jo´s story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/from-passion-to-profit-how-jo-scaled-her-dog-training/id1727170978?i=1000711087315 Vicky´s story - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-power-of-coaching-a-story-of/id1727170978?i=1000710192544 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 hello@caninebusinessacademy.com 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/