You have this amazing new pet business idea, and you’re feeling ready to become your own Pet Boss! 

☑️ You’ve asked yourself these three questions to build the foundation of what your business does, who it serves, and how you’ll enter the industry. 

☑️ You’ve brainstormed how to protect your amazing new idea legally and with the support of insurance (read more in this blog post). 

And now it’s time to pursue the people who will make your dream thrive: 

Your clients! 

If you’re going to break into the 180 billion dollar global pet market, you’re going to want a solid plan to get and maintain clients to support your mission. You’re going to need the ultimate marketing plan to make the whole vision come to life! 

Here are three questions to ask yourself to find that sweet-spot client who will support your Pet Boss dreams: 

1. Where is your ideal client hanging out? 

To get clients, you need to understand who your client is and where to find them. Then, you can develop a plan to market to that client specifically. 

Are they hanging out at the dog park? Should you be attending industry trade shows or consumer shows? Which social media platforms are your ideal client using? Would partnering with other local pet businesses be beneficial? 

These are some questions to answer while you decide where your marketing time and efforts are best spent. You might not narrow down every ideal client this way, but you want to find the sweet spot. Where are the majority of your clients going to be found? Prioritize those avenues first.

2. Which software programs will help you prioritize your client relationships?

Software and systems will set you free! Having solid software systems in place to make reservations, manage client contact information, communicate with your clients, accept payments, and manage inventory will be a game-changer for keeping the clients you bring in. 

Systems help us communicate and improve efficiency. People want to do business with someone who can keep track of their needs and offer them convenience. On the flip side, your systems will improve in-house communication, which will have a ripple effect on the overall experience of the customer. That’s why software is so essential to your foundation for success! 

3. How will you build your list? 

A plan to continue building on your list is everything. It’s not about getting everyone to follow you or subscribe to your email list. It’s about the quality of your list, meaning– are they your ideal client? Are they engaged with your content? 

In the beginning, you may need to do whatever it takes to get started. You could offer some free product, free services, do a giveaway, etc. just to get some people in the door! Your very first customers will become your ticket to building a bigger following. Do some before and afters, get testimonials, take photos of your products in the real world, and then use that collateral to find more ideal clients to service. 

Make sure you are collecting email addresses and phone numbers to stay engaged with the clients you attract! Regular communication reminds them that your support is there when they need it. Bring them value each time you communicate with them, and before you know it, you’ll be their go-to person for support. 

For even more details on starting your new pet business, check out episode 14 of the Boss Your Business Podcast! And for more inspiration, listen to episode 15 for an interview with a new-ish pet business owner, Shannon Heitt, who is thriving after less than 2 years in business!

Learn more with us!

• Need 1:1 support to make massive action now? Book a discovery call with us to see if working 1:1 with Candace is the right fit for you.

• Get on the waitlist! You’re passionate about pets. It’s time to have a business that supports the life you want, too! Learn the specific techniques to find new customers, to increase sales and to build a better team for ANY kind of pet business by joining the Pet Boss Club! Get on the waitlist here.