Your pet business, Your way

Sweary bow ties and not caring what people think with Kerry Whitney from Franky's Bowtique

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

When Kerry Whitney split up with her boyfriend, lost her dad and had to move back home to her mum's, it led to her starting her dream business.

It was back in 2015, and she'd just started an Instagram account for her Pug Frank, and started making him fun bow ties as a way of coping with her grief and the upheaval she'd experienced.

Things grew, she started sending out her products to other dog owners, and decided to make it into a business.

Then she added in some sweary bow ties to stand out, and it took off.

From viral posts with the C-bomb, being featured in the Daily Sport dressed as a giant penis, getting her products in Pets At Home, experiencing burnout and taking a year for herself and coping with trolls, Kerry has seen it, done it and got the Dogs Not Sprogs t-shirt.

We talk about so much here - there's a bit of oversharing from me, and Kerry announces her dream new range, sweary harnesses which will be on sale from March 2026.

Kerry is a friend who I value so much, she's supported me through a lot, and I'm so pleased to share this podcast. I hope you love what she has to say.

Topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode overview.

1.50 - Episode sponsor - pet business planner.

3.16 - Kerry introduction.

4.35 - What Kerry did before Franky’s Bowtique.

5.31 - Getting her first Pug Frank and going on Instagram.

7.00 - Losing her dad and beginning making bowties as a way of managing her grief.

9.17 - Growing on Instagram, gifting her products and building her business.

10.14 - Moving back home after her relationship broke down and back to her mums.

13.35 - Putting out her first sweary bowties and going from the F bomb to the C bomb.

17.45 - Growing her community and brand reps and having raving fans!

19.48 - The most bonkers stuff Kerry has done to get her business and products out there.

23.11 - Appearing in the Daily Sport dressed as a giant penis.

24.17 - Pitching to UK retailers and getting her products in Pets At Home.

28.23 - What it’s like to go viral.

31.10 - What it’s like to get nasty comments and how Kerry turns them into ‘content gold.’

33.08 - What it’s like behind the scenes when orders go crazy from viral posts.

35.16 - What happened when Gemma Atkinson bought a bandana for her dog.

36.45 - How Kerry totally ignores all social media advice and is herself.

38.05 - Kerry’s advice to anyone who is holding back on social media and why the shouldn’t tone themselves down.

38.53 - No-one is safe from the savagery of social media.

40.47 - Not being afraid to fail publicly.

42.03 - Kerry’s experience of burnout and taking a year out.

46.16 - Thoughts on resilience and having a strong business that could continue when Kerry felt low.

47.17 - Copycats and how they fire you up to be stronger.

52.29 - Keeping going and standing out.

54.02 - Kerry’s health transformation and how that’s impacted on her business.

58.13 - Getting a part time job and how that’s helped her with her business and feeling more positive.

1.01.02 - My own emotionally fragile time and what I needed to do to pick myself up.

1.05.14 - How Kerry stops herself comparing to others and self care, Mel Robbins and sunlight first thing!

1.06.54 - Kerry’s new dog harness range.

1.08.15 - How the money for the harness range came from an insurance policy from her late father.

1.14.23 - What her dad would think and how good things can come from challenging times and loss.

1.17.12 - How to find out more about Kerry.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Pet business content planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Visit Kerry's website: https://frankysbowtique.com/

Follow Frank and Brenda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankandbrendaruletheworld/

Follow Franky's Bowtique on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankysbowtique_ltd/

Follow Franky's Bowtique on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frankysbowtique

Franky's Bowtique on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frankypantspetboutique

Further listening/reading

Dealing with copycats with Debbie Humphreys from Redhound for Dogs

Putting your personality into your marketing with Alex McCann from AltrinchamHQ

Stuff the social media rules and do things your way with Colette Adwin

Creating a business that works for you with Jane Ardern

How to create a pet business social media calendar

The confidence experiment and how you can feel more brave in your pet business

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Confidence is an area that comes up as a challenge with the pet business owners I work with over and over again.

When you're running a business on your own, you're already doing really brave things and taken the big risks.

Yet, so often, things will make us question ourselves.

I ran a workshop and a 'confidence experiment' in my membership to look at this, in particular asking people to ask themselves, 'Why do I feel confident doing some things but not others?'

And more importantly, 'What can I do about it?'

What came out of both was so interesting, and there was so much helpful and supportive advice shared, so I wanted to put together a podcast and blog.

Key topics and timings:

0.20: Episode overview.

0.50: What is confidence and why I chose it as the theme for March in Pets Get Visible.

2.01: Why I felt wobbly about covering this topic.

3.29: What confidence means to different people.

4.14: Why you don’t have to feel confident to do the brave thing.

4.37: The areas where pet pros would love to feel more confident.

5.06: Where people feel at ease with pet pro examples.

7.53: Taking notice of where you feel confident and what’s different.

9.24: The reasons that lie underneath us lacking in confidence.

10.51: How HALT works and how being hungry, angry, lonely, tired and hormonal impacts on confidence.

11.43: Acceptance and commitment theory and how this applies to confidence.

13.29: Heather’s story and how she became more confident on video.

18.33: What would be in your recipe for confidence?

19.11: Examples of what people have in their recipe for confidence.

23.39: Brave examples from the community.

26.01: Acceptance and commitment theory.

27.34: My Pets Get Visible membership and Pet Business Content Planner and work with me options.

Episode sponsor: Pets Get Visible membership

We're doing more experiments like this - breaking down the things that get in the way of visibility and making them manageable for you.

You'll get access to the workshops, the resources, the community, and most importantly, the reassurance that you're not the only one feeling this way.

Be around other pet business owners who get it, who are doing brave things, who are cheering each other on.

Head here to find out more about the membership: www.rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible

Helen Wainwright on the Dog Trainer School, doing things your way and putting your community first

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Helen Wainwright is co-founder of the Dog Trainer School, a supportive online community for professional dog trainers that she runs alongside her partner Lee.

Before working with dogs, Helen spent nearly a decade as a product tester and journalist at Good Housekeeping magazine, and later worked in community development.

Going from glossy mags to working as a dog trainer meant taking a huge chance, but you'll hear in this chat how it turned out to be exactly the right preparation for what she does now.

We talk about how the Dog Trainer School came to be, the brilliant new Dog Trainer School Approved scheme, and what Helen has learned about running a business on your own terms without burning out in the process.

We also get into the stuff that doesn't always get talked about - the pressure to prove yourself, the hustle culture that follows dog trainers around on social media, what enough actually looks like.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20: Episode overview.

0.50: Sponsor message – 2026 pet business content planner.

2.20: Helen introduces herself and the Dog Trainer School.

3.09: Why the Dog Trainer School exists — the gap that nobody was filling after qualification.

4.04: Putting together support for trainers from class plans to Canva and SOP documents.

6.51: How Helen and Lee bring in their real-life experience and reassurance into the Dog Trainer School as they're still out there training dogs.

8.44: Imposter syndrome in the dog training industry and why it's so common.

10.14: Helen's background as a product tester and journalist at Good Housekeeping magazine and the Good Housekeeping Institute.

11.32: Being burnt out and going from community development to co-founding the Dog Trainer School, and the boss who believed in her.

12.36: What Helen learned in the Good Housekeeping Institute and behind the scenes on life there testing everythings from wellies to washing machines.

15.46: The Dog Trainer School Approved scheme — how it works, what brands get, and why it matters.

16.50: Testing out the ideas at PATS in 2025 and getting her first brands on board.

17.24: How the testing works and why 30 dog trainers testing a product gives brands something genuinely valuable.

19.30: The value in the validation and what's involved if you do work with TDTS.

22.42: The full circle goal: getting the logo on packaging so dog owners can find ethical trainers.

27.15: Standing out in a busy market and why Helen's biggest advice is to stop watching what everyone else is doing.

30.19: The enoughness conversation — what success actually looks like when you work for yourself.

32.10: Why you don't need to have a high ticket offer and to do what works for you.

35.04: The pressure dog trainers face from family and friends who don't take it seriously as a career.

38.18: The move towards taking pressure off yourself and asking 'am I happy.'

41.28: Finding a way of creating content that is fun and relatable.

42.58: Working with your partner and finding the balance.

44.51: Why Helen goes to the gym every day and won't book meetings over it.

48.37: The coaching relationship Helen walked away from in December, and trusting your gut.

50.47: Helen's recent example of staying true to what the Dog Trainer School is actually for.

53.48: Being mindful of the advice you're consuming as a business owner.

57.16: The importance of ensuring her clients feel like they're not a number.

58.18: What's next: helping dog trainers feel more confident in the practical side of their work.

59.28: Acceptance and commitment — doing the scary thing anyway.

1.01.09: How to find Helen and the Dog Trainer School.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Website: www.thedogtrainerschool.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedogtrainerschool/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedogtrainerschool

Dog Trainer School Approved scheme: https://thedogtrainerschool.co.uk/tdts-recommended

Jane Ardern on running a dog training business where you put yourself first

Sasha Louise Smith on using your strengths to build a business you love

The rollercoaster of running your own pet business

How to find your voice in your pet business with Rikki Sullivan

Why the right pet business community matters

How to create a social media calendar for your pet business

How winning Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday can help your pet business

15 lessons from 15 years of Theo Paphitis' Small Business Sunday

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Each year, Theo Paphitis hosts the Small Business Sunday winner’s event to celebrate small businesses and give them a boost.

It’s a brilliantly inspiring day where Theo and a line-up of speakers share lessons, practical advice, and lots and lots of encouragement.

You come away feeling enthused and supported, because you’re reminded why you started, and you’re in a room full of people who get it.

This year marked 15 years of Small Business Sunday (SBS) and the theme of the day was ‘Resilience Rocks.’

In this blog post and podcast episode, I’m sharing my 15 lessons from the day from Theo, Katie Piper who did the fireside chat, from the small business panel, and from Kypros Kyprianou, CEO of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, and the host of the SBS conference.

Katie Piper is a British author, presenter and charity founder of The Katie Piper Foundation who survived a horrific acid attack in 2008 that completely changed her life.

After extensive surgery, she spoke publicly about what had happened to her, sharing her story in a Channel 4 documentary and later in bestselling books.

She went on to set up the Katie Piper Foundation, which supports burns survivors with specialist rehabilitation and emotional support, in St Helen’s, Merseyside.

Katie was the perfect person to talk about resilience, as someone who has turned something devastating into something that now helps thousands of other people rebuild their lives.

Topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode outline.

1.55 - Sponsor message - 2026 planner.

3.02 - What is the SBS conference?

4.12 - The benefits of being in the SBS community.

5.16 - 15 years of SBS and the theme, resilience and what that means.

7.29 - About my in person event the day before.

11.05 - Lesson 1 - business is lonely.

11.56 - Lesson 2 - things will go wrong

12.31 - Lesson 3 - learn from your mistakes

12.52 - Lesson 4 - don't do a half tackle

13.43 - Lesson 5 - keep talking about your business

14.56 - Lesson 6 - protect your energy

16.14 - Lesson 7 - your business is part of who you are

17.31 - Lesson 8 - believe in yourself

18.55 - Lesson 9 - keep your pity party short

20.11 - Lesson 10 - move from why me to what now?

24.03 - Lesson 11 - use pain, don't let it use you

24.48 - Lesson 12 - no isn't a reflection on you

28.07 - Lesson 13 - your why will carry you

29.08 - Lesson 14 - build something bigger than you

30.35 - Lesson 15 - confidence is 'I'll be fine if they don't like me.'

32.35 - SBS stats

33.45 - what to do if you want to be a SBS winner.

Links mentioned:

Jenna Wilson (Little Dreams)

Little Dreams Consulting is the first UK franchise of baby and child sleep consultants, with eight territories.

Hanan Tantush (Intotum)

Intotum garments now ship to 25 countries, Hanan has won over 15 awards, and grown her community to over 40,000 people.

Sophia Lorimer (Fine Tuned Wardrobe)

Fine Tuned Wardrobe is a sustainable styling service, and has been running for six years, helping women build confidence and enter rooms of change.

Further reading:

Theo Paphitis launches SBS Invest

Should you buy my pet business content planner

Takeaway from SBS 2025

Seven lessons from SBS 2024

10 reasons to be an award-winning pet business

The rollercoaster of running a small business

Why community matters for you and your pet business

How to become a more confident writer with Rikki Sullivan

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Rikki Sullivan is The Canine Copywriter - a specialist dog copywriter and marketing strategist who helps pet professionals put themselves out there without wrecking their nervous system.

In this episode, we talk about confidence, visibility, and how to become a more confident writer because to grow your business, people need to be able to find you.

Rikki went from working in the corporate world to setting up as a dog walker, then did a dog first aid course that completely changed the direction of her life.

Rikki started by blogging to articulate how she worked and what she did for the dogs in her care and this led to an obsession with SEO and building a business helping others find their voice.

We talk about falling for magic formulas, the pressure to promise results you can’t categorically guarantee, and why marketing doesn’t have to be manipulative or pushy to work.

Rikki explains why she chooses to market gently to protect her nervous system, and how sensitive, empathetic pet professionals can build confidence without making themselves do things that don’t feel right.

She also shares client stories - including one who grew to 5,500 website visits a month through SEO blogging - and why there isn’t just one way to grow your business.

Plus, her Rambling Method, which is all about giving yourself space to think, write, and explore your ideas before trying to be concise.

And using AI as a thinking partner without losing your you-ness, and why in a world full of generated content, sharing your life and your experiences matters more than ever.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode overview.

1.24 - Sponsor message - 2026 pet business content planner.

2.34 - How Rikki went from corporate to dog walker to specialist dog copywriter.

3.49 - The dog first aid course that totally changed her life when Rikki learned about dog body language.

4.46 - Why Rikki started blogging, fell down a rabbit hole and how it helped her own business.

6.56 - Why we need to step away from listening to the mistakes we’re being told we’re making and be ourselves.

9.07 - Why none of us are immune to falling for ‘easy ways,’ and magic formulas.

10.37 - How Rachel ended up spending a fortune on a course during a wobbly time in her business.

13.46 - Matching your values with your marketing activity.

14.59 - Why Rikki would rather market more gently for the sake of her nervous system.

17.26 - The challenge around being visible when you’re sensitive.

18.23 - My random viral video.

21.12 - Why trying to go viral won’t work because it’s often down to creating less perfect and practicing your skills.

24.17 - Finding your own way to market and be out there and reach people.

25.07 - Client example - Becki from East Coast Dog Training and how she used SEO blogging to have 5,500 visits to her website each month.

27.02 - Client example - Rikki’s client who runs live events and uses ads to grow her audience and business.

28.52 - Attraction-based marketing and ignoring the demands of the algorithms.

30.52 - Why I used to try to persuade people that my approach was right.

31.56 - Why we are so convinced we need to make life hard for ourselves.

34.12 - Finding people who will appreciate the way you help them to the outcome they’re looking for.

35.48 - Rikki's thoughts on making promises you don't categorically know you can keep.

38.35 - Trusting your gut.

39.23 - The easiest business to run is the one that solves a problem or desire from something you’ve experienced.

40.44 - Starting out with storytelling and taking baby steps.

41.53 - Why pushing through the uncomfortable part will help you build your confidence.

44.21 - The Rambling Method and giving yourself space to say what you want to share, and be more you in your content.

49.09 - Using AI as a thinking and writing partner.

51.42 - Getting your ‘you-ness’ into AI and then using it to help you write and get comfortable with writing.

54.01 - The importance of being you in your content to build a connection and stand out from the pattern of AI.

56.27 - The dog trainer who posts about crochet and shows the human side.

58.12 - Using Rikki’s journal as a content tool and a bank of stories and thoughts.

59.39 - Writing to help you figure things out.

1.02.02 - Free writing and building your confidence and skills as a writer.

1.06.57 - Finding your titles, headlines, and intros at the end.

1.08.27 - Ways to connect with Rikki, find out about her 20-minute marketing method, and journal.

1.09.15 - Ways to work with Rikki.

1.10.42 - What’s next for Rikki and why she’s taking the pressure off.

Find out more about Rikki:

Visit her website: www.thecaninecopywriter.co.uk

Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecaninecopywriter

Connect on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecaninecopywriter

Learn more on Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rikki-sullivan-88b76925

The 20 Minute Marketing Method: https://www.underdogsunleashed.co.uk/offers/aooT2sCB/checkout

The Journal: https://mybook.to/ramblejournal

A simple content plan to cover SEO, social media and email marketing

How to create a social media calendar for your pet business

How to start a pet business blog

How to create a repeatable content plan

How to write a press release for your pet business

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Do you need to write a press release about your pet business?

You're in the right place!

This episode will cover everything you need to know when it comes to creating a press release for your pet business.

But what I’m really keen to stress is that there is more to landing press coverage than writing a press release.

What journalists want are stories, and by the end of this episode, you’ll have a sense of how to go about finding them in your pet business, plus what you can do if you’d like some support.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - Introduction to the podcast and topic.

0.46 - Why I've re-recorded this episode from 2020.

1.38 - My background and how this will help you with your press release.

4.28 - Why journalists aren't bothered about press releases and what they really want instead.

4.57 - What to expect from this episode.

5.19 - Definition of a press release.

5.54 - Why you as a business owner are capable of writing one yourself.

6.55 - Why there's never been an easier time to connect with the press.

7.44 - Why have a press release and how being in the press gives third party validation.

9.20 - When you might need a press release.

10.53 - Examples of what makes a story from Zoe, Rachel and Sarah.

16.33 - Story idea prompts for if you're stuck for ideas.

17.40 - How to write your press release.

19.00 - Why you want your story to be click-baity.

22.59 - What else you need to include with your press release.

25.27 - What you shouldn't do with your press release.

28.01 - Options for working together if you'd like support.

28.45 - How press coverage has helped my dog friendly business go from ghost town to fully booked.

29.36 - What to expect from the membership.

31.18 - How my 1-1 calls work.

Background on the host:

If you’re new to the podcast and you’ve clicked on this episode because you need to write a press release, here’s a little background about me.

I’m a journalist and have been since 1999, a whopping 25 years ago, writing for local, regional, and national newspapers.

In 2006 I went freelance, and since then, I have continued to work for national titles, women's magazines, and websites. I found myself writing about the pet industry after adopting my friend's dog Daisy in 2009, and this led me to start my own pet blog.

My blog, www.thepawpost.co.uk, appeared in the top 10 UK pet blogs, and businesses and brands would approach me about being on it, and when they found out I was a journalist, they asked for help in landing press coverage.

This led to me writing a book, 'Publicity Tips for Pet Businesses,' starting a Facebook group, working one-to-one with people, starting an online course, this podcast, then a membership.

Since 2019, I’ve helped over 1000 pet business owners appear in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, including BBC Breakfast, websites, podcasts, and more.

Further reading or listening if you enjoyed this episode:

How to prepare for a radio interview with Anna Webb

What happens on a Get Your Pet Business in the Press 1-1

Dos and Don't when dealing with journalists

In the spotlight with Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog

In the spotlight with Niki French and what happens when you go viral

How to get your pet business in the press in five simple steps

Do I need to use a Press Release Distribution Service?

How to find the right journalist to contact with my press release

Get your pet business in the press in five simple steps

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Is getting some press coverage something you’d love to achieve for your pet business?

You might see other people in the industry getting brilliant media coverage and wonder ‘how do they do it?’

Well, the good news is you don’t need a huge budget and a fancy PR company to appear in the media and make sure your business is seen.

In this podcast episode I’m sharing five simple steps you can follow to if you’d like to Get Your Pet Business in the Press.

There’s also a PDF you can download here that takes you through each step, with space for notes and ideas and additional resources.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.30 - Introduction to the episode and how to get the PDF download which walks you through each step.

2.00 - Why you don’t need a PR company or agency to get in the press.

3.13 - How getting in the press can help you grow your pet business.

5.22 - The difference in the number of people you can reach through media coverage versus social media.

6.26 - Case study Zoe Willingham.

7.15. - Step one - consider who you want to reach.

9.52 - Step two - think about where you would like to be featured.

13.27 - Step three - come up with a story idea.

20.10 - Step four - find the right person to pitch to - the one who is likely to be interested in what you have to say.

23.41 - Step five - write your pitch.

25.22 - Be prepared to have the journalist call as soon as you send your pitch.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Download the Five Steps PDF

Read How to prepare for an interview in ten simple steps

How to prepare for an interview in ten simple steps

How to write a press release for your pet business

How to find journalists contact details

What’s the difference between a pitch and a press release

Three moments you can use as story ideas

How to create a repeatable content plan for your pet business

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Would you love to feel calm and in control of your content?

Does it sometimes feel like you're constantly scrambling for ideas, or vanishing off social media when life gets busy?

The good news is, you don’t need to chase trends or create from scratch every single day.

You can have a plan that fits around you and your life.

In this podcast episode, I'm sharing how repeatable content tasks - things you can post every week or every month - can help you stay consistent, visible, and connected to your audience without feeling overwhelmed or stuck.

You'll learn what repeatable content is (and what it isn't), how it helps with confidence and consistency, and why it builds trust and leads to more sales.

Plus I share some behind the scenes about the posts I use each week and month, and how you can create your own content rhythm using my free calendar and wall planner.

This episode is part of the January 2026 planning series and includes a chance to win a three-night stay at Sunnyside Cottage or a year in the Pets Get Visible membership if you grab a planner before January 28th.

Key topics and timings:

1.05 - How to access your free social media calendar and wall planner.

2.05 - Why self-promotion feels so hard.

3.14 - How repeatable tasks are just for you and can't be copied.

4.30 - Why being consistent helps and keeping in touch regularly and will put you way ahead of marketing gurus.

6.44 - What's in the calendar.

7.00 - Why repeatable content works, why we need to keep talking about our offers and how customers need so many more touchpoints now.

8.30 - The repeatable tasks I have in my business.

12.45 - What happens when you download the calendar and how you can use it.

14.00 - Putting together your repeatable plan.

16.03 - How repeatable content helps make your life easier.

18.30 - How to download the calendar.

20.42 - Ways to access more support in Pets Get Visible and what's involved.

23.12 - Episode summary and how to get in touch.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Download the social media calendar: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/calendar/

Check out the Pet Business Content Planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/shop/

Further listening/reading:

Alex McCann on putting your personality into your content

Making planning a habit in your pet business

Creating habits you can stick to

Should you buy my pet business content planner

The importance of looking back to see how far you’ve come

How to become a person who plans (without changing your personality)

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Would you love to become the kind of person who plans?

Are you fed up of feeling like you have so much going on that you can't keep up, and like the idea of a more calm way of working?

The good news is that you don't need to have a complete personality overhaul to become more organised.

It's something you can build on one step at a time.

In this podcast episode you'll learn why planning is helpful along with some stats to support the impact it has on your performance.

Plus pet business examples on ways they plan to support their work and feel less overwhelmed.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode overview.

0.30 - The feeling of overwhelm people are experiencing.

1.05 - What the Pet Business Content Planner is and how it can help with becoming a person who plans.

2.20 - Why planning is challenging and how it might take a few attempts to get started.

2.50 - The reasons people say they can’t plan.

3.30 - The importance of being seen.

3.50 - Why planning isn’t a personality trait but a habit that you can do, just like brushing your teeth.

4.30 - Setting yourself up for success with planning.

5.10 - Client example - Louise from Studio44Pilates and her tracker.

6.30 - Why it’s important to put your business out there as an ethical pet pro.

9.02 - Why habit tracking works.

9.30 - How writing down your goals helps.

10.37 - How the Generation Effect works.

12.15 - Creating the right environment to plan.

14.03 - Gamification and how that helps with planning.

15.34 - Why monthly planning works better than bigger goals.

16.03 - The fresh start effect and how the planner can support you.

17.54 - Why it’s not about being a perfect planner and how all you need to do it keep coming back.

18.34 - Starting small with 5 simple ways to be a person who plans.

21.12 - Why you don’t wake up one day as an amazing planner, but you can become a person who plans.

21.43 - How to get a copy of the Planner, join the Planner Club and win a stay at Sunnyside Cottage or a year of support.

Links mentioned in this episode:

James Clear - Atomic Habits

Studio44Pilates Habit Tracker: https://mailchi.mp/f755bf536962/mymonthonthemat

Kerry Whitney from Frankys Bowtique fitness progress page: https://www.instagram.com/kerry_9whitney

Mel Robbins podcast: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-358/

What is The Planner Club and should you join

How to use the Pet Business Content Planner

How to create website content to make your pet business stand out with Roz Healey

A simple content plan to cover SEO, social media and your newsletter

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Are you looking for a simple planning system that can cover your SEO, social media and email marketing?

Maybe you'd love to create one piece of content that you can use for all three, and know that your business is showing up on Google and in the AI learning models.

If so this podcast is for you.

It covers how to create content to feed the demands of your website, social media and your newsletter so you can keep in touch with your current clients, and connect with people who need what you have to offer.

Key topics and timings:

0.21 - What to expect from this episode.

0.50 - How my pet business planner can help.

2.30 - What we know about pet owner behaviour when it comes to searching online.

7.23 - The 'They ask, you answer,' principle by Marcus Sheridan.

8.20 - Examples of what kind of user experience you can create.

10.20 - How creating content for your website and Google will help the AI models learn about you.

11.48 - Start with one core piece for the week or month and host on your website.

12.35 - Creating a bank of bingeable content for your website, and that you can send to potential clients when they ask you questions.

13.15 - Remember your blog content will show up on AI searches too.

14.00 - Case study, Louise Humphrey.

15.07 - How blogs you wrote years ago will serve you, and creating content themes.

16.34 - How my Pet Business content planner can support you.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Buy my pet business planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/shop/

Rikki Sullivan at The Canine Copywriter: https://thecaninecopywriter.co.uk/

Kate Toon's SEO podcast: https://therecipeforseosuccess.com/category/podcast/

Read Louise from Studio44Pilates blog: https://studio44pilates.com/category/louises-blog/

Further listening:

How to create a pet business social media content calendar

How to start a pet blog or pet business blog

How to start a pet business newsletter

How to create a bingeable bank of content

Should you buy my pet business planner

How to make a plan for 2026 to fit your strengths, skills, energy, goals and values

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Are you feeling ready to make a plan for 2026 but not sure where to start?

Maybe you've got some big goals for the year ahead but it's the start of January and you're easing yourself in.

This podcast and blog is about making a plan that fits round you actually want to work, and what’s right for your life, your energy and your goals.

In the episode, I talk about the five things I believe you need to think about if you want to make a plan that works.

They are your strengths, skills, energy, goals and values.

I’ll take you through what each of those means, share how to figure them out for yourself, and walk you through some real-life examples to help you apply them to your own plan.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

2.13 - Sponsor message - Pet Business Content Planner

3.20 - Giveaway details.

3.55 - Why planning matters and so many of us get it wrong.

4.55 - How we might look at a goal for our pets example.

6.02 - How to back yourself when you set a goal.

6.45 - Marathon example.

10.50 - Katie Gwilt planning story.

11.50 - Posting on social media regularly example.

17.08 - Backing yourself to make your goal a reality.

17.42 - Looking at matching a goal with strengths, skills, energy, goals and values.

18.30 - Defining strengths.

19.57 - Defining skills.

22.06 - Defining energy.

25.50 - Defining goals.

27.04 - Defining values.

31.54 - How these would apply for me.

32.56 - How to get in touch.

33.04 - Competition details.

Links mentioned:

Buy a 2026 planner or join the planner club: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/shop/

Further reading/listening:

Should you buy my 2026 Pet Business Content Planner

How to use the Pet Business Content Planner

How to create habits in your pet business you can stick to

Why community matters for you and your pet business

Why connection is my word for 2026 - and how to choose yours

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Do you choose a word for the year? Or are you thinking about yours for 2026?

Each year, I choose a word to guide how I want to feel and how I want to work and this year it’s Connection.

In the past, it's been Calm and Space - two things I definitely needed during some pretty full-on seasons.

But this year, for 2026, it’s all about connection.

In this post, I’m sharing why that word matters to me, how it came about, and some reflections and prompts to help you choose what you want from the year ahead too.

I hope it gives you a moment to pause and think about what 2026 could look like for you.

Topics and timings:

0.20 -Episode outline.

0.38 - Planner sponsor message.

2.17 - How do you want to feel in 2026.

2.40 - Why Connection is the word for 2026.

3.10 - Why my perspective has changed.

4.37 - Some previous words of the year.

8.10 - What Connection means and the training I'm doing for 2026.

10.59 - Prompts to help you think of what connection means for you.

13.09 - Connection and collaboration example with Vanessa from Wag-Wagatha Christie groomers.

16.29 - The importance of a sense of belonging.

17.02 - How the Pets Get Visible membership can help you feel connected.

17.44 - More real life meet ups for 2026.

19.08 - Why it's not just you sitting there thinking everyone else has it all figured out and you dont.

21.18 - How imposter syndrome is with us at all levels.

22.05 - Thank you message to start the year.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Emotions coaching: https://www.igcompany.com/emotionscoaching

Planner and Planner Club: www.rachelspencer.co.uk/shop

Further reading/listening:

12 Takeaways from my Online Planning Day

How to prepare for a pet business event

What is The Planner Club and should you join

Why I am an accredited Pet Business Coach

Look back and see how far you've come

Why I'm raising my prices in 2026 – and why you might want to too

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Are you thinking of putting up your pricess in 2026?

If you're a pet business owner who struggles with charging fairly, overdelivers, and feels awkward about pricing - this episode is for you.

I share what my current offers include, why my prices are increasing in 2026, and how the investment I’ve made in my own training and development is shaping the support I provide.

You’ll also hear from two of my lovely clients, Louise and Sarah, who’ve both grown in confidence and visibility through coaching and community support.

I also explore the emotional side of pricing - the guilt, the fear, and that voice that says “no one will pay that.”

In this episode I'm inviting you to reflect on whether you might be undercharging, and how to make pricing decisions that feel right and fair for you.

And if working together has been on your mind, this is your heads - up to take that next step before my new prices come in from January 2026.

Key topics and timings:

0.14 – Why talking about pricing is awkward.

0.44 - Why this episode is for my fellow 'terrible businesswomen' who go over the top for thier clients and feel bad about money.

1.30 – One-to-one coaching: what’s changing and why.

2.30 - What 1-1 support includes.

3.58 - Louise shares what it’s like to be coached by me.

6.48 - Membership price increase: what’s included and why it’s going up.

7.12 - The impact of community, support, and being seen

8.50 - Client example, Sarah Jones.

14.12- Sarah’s journey from invisibility to impact.

18.07 - How benchmarking my pricing helped with this process.

19.17 - The ways I'm investing in myself for 2026 - Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training.

21.34 - How pricing low impacts on how you feel and valuing yourself.

22.30 - What knocked my confidence with pricing.

23.30 - Why I can look in the mirror and feel OK about what I charge and straightforward offers.

25.34 - Pricing in a way that feels good and is fair to you.

26.15 – Final reflections on money mindset, growth, and doing what feels right.

27.13 - What to do if you want to work with me.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Jane Ardern - putting you first in your pet business

How much does pet business coaching cost?

Different kinds of coaching for different stages in your business

How to choose a pet business coach

What is a pet business coach

Why I am an accredited Pet Business Coach

You need to versus what do you need?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

When you run a business, it can feel like you’re constantly bombarded with new things you need to be doing.

You wear plenty of hats anyway, from doing the actual work, to social media, your accounts, keeping on top of your orders and appointments.

And on top of that, in the ever-changing online world, with so many ways you can get your business seen at your fingertips, there’s an endless barrage of information on stuff you need to do.

There will be times when what you need is directive support, for someone to say, ‘You need to.’

And there will be stages where you’ll need space to think about what you need, and you might benefit from someone to pose that question to you.

In this episode, I talk about the two approaches, what coaching is, what mentoring is, and some things to consider when it comes to working out what you need.

Plus, your options if you’re looking for support.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode outline.

0.45 - Pets Get Visible sponsor message.

1.24 - The 'You need to' challenge.

3.25 - How it can feel like you've run back into the thing you tried to get away from, being micromanaged.

4.45 - Working at your own pace.

5.30 - When I DO tell people what to do.

7.16 - The difference between coaching and mentoring,

8.34 - Keri Squibb Pets Get Visible review.

9.48 - The three kinds of coaches I see in the pet business space.

13.28 - The coaching support I'm having at the moment.

14.40 - Having an unshakable belief in what you do.

15.00 - Why it's up to you to decide what success is for you.

16.30 - What person centred coaching is.

17.50 - What happened when I decided to go freelance.

20.02 - Training to be a coach in 2022.

21.14 - Tools in the planner that can help you figure out what you need.

22.30 - What kind of support would help you?

23.00 - How to get in touch if you'd like to work together.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Join Pets Get Visible: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible/

Buy a 2026 planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Further reading/listening:

What is a pet business coach

Should you buy the Pet Business Content Planner

Why I am an accredited Pet Business Coach

Different kinds of coaching for different stages in your business

How to choose a pet business coach

12 planning lessons for 2026

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Are you already feeling like you’ve got a plan for 2026 or looking for some inspiration?

If it’s the latter then carry on reading because in this post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 12 lessons from the online planning day I ran recently.

As well as the key areas covered in training, You’ll hear from the pet professionals who were there on the day and what works for them.

Whether you're all set for 2026 or thinking of the year ahead, I hope these give you a feeling of clarity, some reassurance, and maybe a few ideas to try out for yourself.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - What to expect from the episode

0.40 - What to expect from the 2026 Planner

0.59 - Match funding for The Big Give and StreetVet

2.30 - Planning support for 2026 and your options

2.45 - About the five pet professionals who shared their stories

7.14 - Lesson 1 - People crave structure

8.12 - Lesson 2 - Be flexible

9.43 - Lesson 3 - Keep checking to see what's working

11.14 - Lesson 4 - Plan for Jan = positive start for 2026

11.39 - Lesson 5 - Don’t forget how amazing you are

13.05 - Lesson 6 - Think of your content as a time capsule

13.33 - Lesson 7 - Energy is what will make a difference

14.22 - Lesson 8 - Being visible is SCARY

15.09 - Lesson 9 - Focus on what matters to you

16.07 - Lesson 10 - Stay on your own to-do list

18.05 - Lesson 11 - You don’t have to do it on your own

19.17 - Lesson 12 - Make sure you're connected

20.38 - Ways to work together for 2026

Links mentioned in this episode:

Planner Club: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Pet Business Content Planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Check out Pets Get Visible - My membership for support, coaching, content ideas and connection all year round.

It's currently £30/month (going up to £45 in 2026).

Head here: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible/

What is The Planner Club and should you join?

The importance of looking back and seeing how far you've come

Choosing the right pet business membership

Kate Hart on creating Nose Joy with The Sniffer Shop

Jade Statt from StreetVet - If you were made homeless tomorrow, would you give up your pet?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Jade Statt is the co-founder of StreetVet, a charity supporting people affected by homelessness and their pets.

Jade, her co-founder Sam Joseph, and their volunteers, support animals in 23 locations in the UK and there are 350 vets and nurses who are part of StreetVet.

It all started when Jade, a vet, was on a night out in London in 2016, and saw a homeless man whose dog had a painful skin condition.

She was desperate to help but couldn’t, and the image of that dog stayed with her, so she decided she wanted to make a difference.

Jade began going out and treating animals on the street, then connected with Sam, who was doing the same, and StreetVet began in 2017.

In this interview, Jade shares their story, the many hurdles and challenges along the way, and how you can support the work they do.

Scroll down for all the links to connect with Jade and support StreetVet.

Topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode outline.

1.22 - Jade on how she started StreetVet-ing in 2016, and founding the charity with Sam Joseph.

2.32 - The volume of volunteers working in the UK.

3.12 - The different kinds of animals StreetVet support from dogs and cats to rabbits, birds and snakes.

5.29 - Trust and some of the challenges Jade and Sam and their colleagues needed to overcome.

7.00 - Working with regulations to ensure vets were able to go and offer support.

8.39 - Connecting with Josh Coombes of Do Something For Nothing and how that helped build trust with the homeless community.

10.32 - The message Jade wants people to understand about people living on the streets with their pets and why they sacrifice a home to be with their pet.

14.45 - How the difficulties with the rental market and the cost of living crisis combined could lead to more pet owners being on the street.

16.36 - How 9/10 hostels don’t allow pets and why StreetVet started the Accredited Hostel Scheme.

17.39 - The Purina Better With Pets Prize and how this has supported the hostel scheme and now 60 accept pets and 50 are now being ‘onboarded’ to have the right set up for pets.

21.32 - What working with Purina has meant for StreetVet and how a corporate relationship works.

23.33 - The StreetVet film and why it was so vital to create a film with the sensitivity it deserved.

26.49 - How the Big Give is boosting funds for StreetVet and how buying a copy of my Pet Business Content Planner between 2nd - 9th December 2025 will mean £5 is donated. This is fund matched meaning the charity will be given £10.

28.07 - Some of the stories in the film - Debs and Bluebell and working with Steph Keelan to ensure StreetVet was represented appropriately.

32.30 - Jade shares some of the ‘ugly moments’ of the StreetVet experience and managing the charity along with her work as a vet.

35.30 - Why collaboration is important for StreetVet.

36.53 - Dean Coleman, one of Jade’s clients who passed away and how losing him impacted on Jade.

39.23 - Reflective practice and emotional support for volunteers with Rosie Allister from Vet Life.

41.46 - How being a StreetVet has impacted on Jade’s mental health.

45.07 - How the awareness and support around mental health has changed.

46.30 - Homeless people cite their dog as their ‘support network’ research.

48.06 - Ways you can support StreetVet as a business.

50.06 - The Big Give and the boost this can give by doubling donations - this year’s target is £60,000.

51.03 - The Human Animal Bond Day on July 26th.

52.07 - What’s next for Jade and StreetVet and having vets and nurses in new locations, with the goal of two new locations a year for the next two years.

54.01 - Ways to connect with StreetVet.

Key quotes:

"If you were made homeless tomorrow, would you give up your pet? Most people say no -but have you really thought what that means?"

"There may be nothing else going well for that person, but that dog is their anchor in a chaotic life."

"The commitment these owners show - putting their pet before themselves at every turn - is humbling."

"StreetVet gave Dean a purpose, and now he’s part of our legacy. We honour him every day in our work."

"The reality of life on the street is one of love, sacrifice and survival—and our film gives voice to that story."

Links mentioned in this episode:

Watch the new StreetVet film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h_FhJO3xHk

Find out more about The Big Give: https://biggive.org/charities/

StreetVet’s Accredited Hostel Scheme: https://www.streetvet.co.uk/streetvet-accredited-hostel-scheme/

The Better with Pets Purina Prize: https://www.purina.co.uk/our-impact/better-with-pets

Human-Animal Bond Day: https://www.human-animalbondday.com/events

Follow Josh Coombes/Do Something for Nothing: https://www.instagram.com/dosomethingfornothing

How to use your Pet Business Content Planner

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Have you bought a planner because you want to feel more organised, calm and in control of your pet business in 2026?

It’s normal to start the year with good intentions of how you’d like things to be.

And with a plan that you can keep checking back in on and that prompts you to look at your progress, the goals you set for yourself for the year ahead can become a reality.

Whether you’ve bought a copy of my Pet Business Content Planner or you’re looking for inspiration for using any planner, this post will help you get the most of the planner you’ve invested in.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

2.08 - What the planner has inside and the different elements, the diary, awareness days, goals and reflections, quarterly planning, and coaching exercises.

5.30 - What a planning power hour is and how to have one.

8.15 - The importance of taking time to reflect each month.

9.40 - Building a habit of using a planner.

11.58 - Case study - Clare Ware from Insight Hounds.

13.01 - Using the Words for When section when you need support or get stuck.

15.24 - Having a monthly and quarterly check-in to see your progress.

18.39 - About the Planner and the Planner Club.

Links mentioned in this episode:

The planner is £40: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Join the Planner Club here: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Branding that feels good with Kate Hendry from Finbo Studio

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Kate Hendry is the founder of Finbo Studio - a branding and design agency that helps pet businesses create a visual identity that feels just like them.

In this episode, we talk all about how your brand is so much more than just a logo – and how to put yourself out there in a way that feels good.

Kate is the brilliant brain behind the design of my planner, and she’s worked with loads of amazing pet brands to help them stand out, tell their stories, and grow businesses they’re proud of.

We talk about how she went from drawing wildlife prints for her son Finn’s nursery and selling them in an Asda car park, to creating brands that go on to win top industry awards.

We cover the mistakes she’s made, the moments that made her want to give up, underpants on the radiator, and what it takes to build a business that reflects who you are.

Kate explains what good branding is really about - not just colours and logos, but clarity, confidence, and creating something that supports you to show up.

She also shares how feeling invisible shaped the way she now helps others feel seen.

We chat about why we need to stop overthinking, how to be brave in our content, and why sometimes the hardest part of business is saying the thing you really want to say.

I really hope you love this episode, and that it leaves you feeling a little bit braver when it comes to being yourself.

You’ll find all the links to connect with Kate at the end of this post, along with a summary of our conversation.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode overview.

2.53 - Kate’s introduction and background.

4.02 - How Kate’s self-employment business started with creating wildlife illustrations and prints for her little boy Finn and selling them in Asda car park.

7.07 - Understanding profits and margins and why Kate stepped away from her product business.

9.21 - How Kate uses the experience she made with her product business to support her clients in her new business.

13.35 - How Kate fell into the niche of working with pet brands.

18.05 - The process of helping a pet brand work out how to bring their brand to life and represent themselves in a way that feels right and reflects how they are.

23.51 - How her clients are the key for helping Kate bringing their brands to life with a case study with Kate Hart from The Sniffer Shop.

25.50 - The research process and how the passion of the business owner is brought into branding.

27.59 - How the branding and strategy and design is implemented across the business.

31.45 - How a visual identity project worked for Nina Fotara from The Confident Canine.

35.21 - How Kate would brand herself.

40.29 - The confidence you get from feeling the impression you’re putting out into the world reflects your business properly.

43.29 - Why Kate’s own experience of feeling invisible and wanting to be ‘small and quiet’ makes her so passionate about supporting her clients in feeling good about being seen.

48.55 - Originality and authenticity and how this makes running your business easier.

51.24 - Being brave with your content.

52.14 - How Kate is feeling more confident with sharing her thoughts and feelings and not being scared of being divisive and how posting your opinions will help you stand out.

54.45 - Kate’s advice for people who want to stand out and why you don’t need to be polished and professional.

57.08 - Our sharing things you’re a bit scared of saying challenge!

1.01.52 - Where to find out more about Kate.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about Kate on her website: https://finbostudio.co.uk/

Learn more about The Sniffer Shop: https://thesniffershop.co.uk/

Learn more about Nina at The Confident Canine: https://confidentcanine.co.uk/

Further listening/reading:

Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner?

What is The Planner Club and should you join?

Should you join my Online Pet Business Planning event?

Should you join my 2026 pet business content planning day?

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0100

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re told you should be doing, and you're craving some space to figure out what actually works for you, this episode is for you.

I’m talking about my 2026 online content planning day - what it includes, how it works, who it’s for (and who it’s not for), and why it’s part of my new offer, the Planner Club.

But more than that, I share why this isn’t about giving you another strategy or a list of things to add to your already full plate.

It’s about giving you space, support, and structure so you can trust yourself, get clear on what you want in 2026, and build a plan that fits your business - not someone else’s.

Topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - Episode outline and what to expect.

0.35 - About the 2026 Pet Business Content Planner.

1.45 - What is the event all about and why the online event I’m running is different in articulating what you’re really charging for.

3.20 - Why the event is about having time and space to work out what you want for 2026.

4.20 - The structure of the event, timings and what will be covered.

5.00 - Benefits of the Planner Club (the event is part of this)

6.51 - Why the event isn’t about teaching, it’s space for you to think about the year ahead.

7.30 - The problem with using someone’s system.

8.30 - Why keeping it simple can be key for figuring out what’s right for you?

8.50 - Rachel Vigers from Rock Consulting and her framework - Direction, Connection, Impact and Differentiation.

9.30 - How different ways of communication work for different personalities.

11.22 - Why I won’t be starting a YouTube channel or going on TikTok.

12.30 - Why I don’t do video.

13.50 - Why I want my event to be the opposite of the noise we hear about all the things we should be doing.

14.16 - Who the event is not for.

14.28 - Who the event is for.

15.26 - Self-trust and why it’s the opposite of waiting for the magic bullet that will save your business.

Quotes from this episode:

“The problem with someone else’s system is - it’s someone else’s system. It might be amazing for them, but it doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.”

“I don’t want to add more to your list. I want to help you focus on what you want to do next - without all the noise.”

“This event isn’t about teaching or telling you what to do. It’s about giving you the space to think clearly about your 2026.”

“Self-trust is the opposite of chasing trends. It’s knowing what’s right for you and building your business your way.”

“I’m not going on YouTube. I’ve got false teeth, a broken nose, and a lifetime of insecurities - and I’m still building a business that works for me.”

Links mentioned in this episode:

Denise Duffield Thomas - What are you really charging for? https://www.denisedt.com/blog/what-are-you-really-charging-for

Should you join my Planner Club? https://rachelspencer.co.uk/the-planner-club-pet-business/

Bleu Stessia - How My Cat Grass is helping cats live healthier, happier lives

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Bleu Stessia is the founder of My Cat Grass - the UK’s only fully compliant producer of fresh cat grass.

Back in 2018, Bleu had the idea to create his own grass after Monty, his British Shorthair, suffered from intestinal problems caused by his thick coat.

Determined to find something to help him, Bleu decided to try cat grass, and started growing it on his windowsill to support Monty’s digestion, and found it made a huge difference.

Then friends and family asked him to supply cat grass for their pets, and he started exploring what it might be like to turn it into a business.

Now, eight years later, Bleu has supported cats and their families all over the world in living healthier, happier lives.

He’s campaigned for cat grass to be recognised as a pet food, worked with vets, DEFRA, the Food Standards Agency and so much more and he’s on a mission to improve feline nutrition.

In this episode, Bleu talks about how stepped away from a career in IT to start My Cat Grass and the many hurdles he’s overcome.

He talks about the years of research, the legislation challenges, and the utter determination it took to build a brand grounded in science, ethics, and care.

Plus, his drive to raise standards across the industry, the rise of indoor cat ownership, and why putting cats’ wellbeing ahead of profit has always been his guiding principle.

You’ll find all the links to connect with Bleu at the end of these show notes.

Topics and timings in this episode

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

2.04 - Bleu’s background and how he came up with the idea to make My Cat Gras.

4.27 - Monty, the British Short Haired cat who inspired My Cat Grass.

8.10 - What it was like to go from supplying friends and family to creating a business.

13.31 - Navigating legislation and the steps Bleu went through to make sure the claims he made were scientific and that the the product was exactly as he wanted it to be.

15.41 - The benefits of cat grass.

22.49 - How the changes in cat lifestyle, for example more cats living indoors since lockdown, has impacted on My Cat Grass and cat health in general.

27.35 - Bleu’s hopes to work with other pet professionals now the work around having My Cat Grass defined as a pet food is complete.

31.02 - Why it was so important to ensure the product was safe, organic and defined accurately.

35.19 - The Cat Show Live, events and getting the word out there about My Cat Grass.

36.51 - What it’s been like meeting cat owners.

39.17 - Bleu’s experience talking about My Cat Grass at the PIF Business of Pets event.

41.16 - The next challenge, working with pet stores to stock My Cat Grass.

43.16 - What it’s been like meeting pet store owners and the response he’s had.

51. 51 - What’s next for Bleu and My Cat Grass.

57.11 - Why Bleu was so determined to make sure he did it right, despite the costs and battles, and why he chose to take the path that benefited cats in the long run.

58.53 - Where to find out more about Bleu and his work.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about Bleu and My Cat Grass on his website: https://mycatgrass.co.uk/

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycatgrass/

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycatgrass/

Connect with Bleu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bleu-stessia-6b394967/

Gemma Stocks - The Herbal Dog Co - From kitchen table to biggest pet brand on TikTok

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Gemma Stocks is the founder of The Herbal Dog Co - the biggest pet brand on TikTok which she built after making natural products for her own dogs at home.

It all started back in 2017, when she was struggling to find natural solutions to treat skin problems for her own pets and began making concoctions for her poorly rescue dogs Benson and Lola from her kitchen table.

Gemma was working in hospitality, and had an interest in health brands for humans and wondered what it might be like to do the same for pets.

Wanting to do the best for her own dogs, she started experimenting with natural remedies and raw feeding, learning about herbs after work and building a range that now has a huge following across the UK.

Gemma talks about how being dyslexic and having ADHD has shaped how she runs her business - from her simple messaging to making sure no customer ever feels stupid or isolated.

We also chat about TikTok - how she said no to Dragon’s Den, then later joined TikTok Shop after being approached by someone who used to work on the show.

She talks about going live when no one was watching, the behind-the-scenes graft, and why being consistent when it was the last thing she wanted to do led to making £1million on the platform.

Plus, why she thinks self-care sometimes looks like trashy romance novels, and why making mistakes is something to be proud of.

All the links to connect with Gemma and find out more are at the end of this post, and you can listen to the full interview using the player link below.

Topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

1.36 - Gemma on how she went about creating the Holland and Barratt of the pet world and how her business grew.

3.40 - How Gemma learned about food as medicines through her old role working restaurants and hospitality.

4.10 - Doing her own DIY raw feeding and supplements for her own dogs and how this led her to explore her own solutions.

7.08 - Finding her customer base and talking in layman’s terms to her customers who are trying to figure out what’s best for their dogs.

9.56 - How Gemma connected with a former vet and herbalist to ensure what she was creating was the best she could offer.

11.38 - Regulation and the supplement industry for pets.

13.02 - Connecting the dots between the trends in human spending and matching this with the change in how we were treating our pets.

16.17 - Juggling her day job with running her new brand.

18.54 - Using what she learned from her old role to build an audience and community, working with groomers and people in the pet industry and growing the Herbal Dog Co.

23.22 - Having her first office/warehouse at the back of a friend’s pet shop, and taking on her first employee Hazel.

28.55 - How the team has grown since and how she maintains morale with her staff.

34.51 - The ways Gemma brings her company culture and behind the scenes at The Herbal Dog Co into her content.

41.33 - Why Gemma’s own experience of being dyslexic growing up shapes the way she communicates with her audience.

46.22 - Choosing TikTok shop over Dragon’s Den and how Gemma chose to take a leap of faith on the video platform which led to her making £1 million!

57.21 - What else has worked for Gemma in raising the profile of The Herbal Dog Co.

1.06.21 - Gemma on her biggest mistakes.

1.12.03 - The self-care steps Gemma follows.

1.16.02 - How Gemma is now supporting other brands who want to learn about TikTok.

1.17.53 - Where to learn more and connect with Gemma.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Watch Gemma's video of Gigi settling in: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOfymFFjSf1/?igsh=Zm95d2t5OWs1bDg1

Visit The Herbal Dog Co website: https://herbaldogco.com/

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@herbaldogco

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerbalDogCo/

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbaldogco/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Pet Business Content Planner Companion: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/shop/

Gemma’s new TikTok training services

The Herbal Cat Co: https://herbaldogco.com/product-category/cat/

Natasha Courtenay-Smith’s podcast: TikTok, ChatGPT and the new gatekeepers

Further listening

Gemma Glover from The Pet Carpenter on making beautiful furniture for pets

Natasha Courtenay Smith on keeping up with the content monsters

Victor Carpio and how a rescue cat in a sewer inspired the Dental Wand

What it’s like to go on Dragon’s Den with Debbie Greaves from Barking Bags

What it’s like to go on Dragon’s Den with Aneisha from Scrumbles

My beer garden lightbulb moment with Jessica Morris from The Canine Menu

Should you buy my pet business planner?

Kirsty on why winning awards will help your pet business grow.

Kirsty Skeates - From hydrotherapy to helping pet pros with Pet Biz AI

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode and the chat with Kirsty.

1.41 - Kirsty on her background in the pet industry.

2.47 - How Kirsty went from running her hydrotherapy business to creating her own tool.

3.54 - Deciding to sell her business and change direction.

5.18 - How her experience shaped what she’s made with Pet Biz AI.

8.00 - Getting her head round technology as a business owner who has dyslexia.

11.01 - Kirsty’s advice for people who might be wary of AI.

15.01 - What the Pet Biz Ai system looks like.

20.00 - Taking the pressure off yourself to keep up.

21.45 - Using Q and A to make sure the AI overviews pick up on your content.

24.49 - How pet professionals can utilise AI search, Reddit and reels to be found.

27.04 - Ways businesses are using Pet Biz AI.

31.50 - Other ways AI can help in life from counselling to trading standards complaints!

34.28 - How context windows work.

37.46 - The importance of the personal touch and putting your personality and tone of voice in your content.

42.35 - How hallucinations work and making sure you check the AI output.

45.09 - Treating AI like an intern not an equal.

47.52 - Kirsty’s thoughts on the future of AI for pet professionals and how it can make life easier.

51.39 - What’s next for Kirsty and how to get in touch.

Links mentioned in this episode:

How ChatGPT, TikTok and Shopify are the new gatekeepers podcast with Natasha Courtenay Smith.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Kirsty on her website: Pet Biz AI website

Pet Business Content Planner & Companion

Follow Kirsty on LinkedIn

What is The Planner Club and should you join?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Running a pet business is full-on, and when it comes to planning, it can feel like yet another thing on your never-ending to-do list.

That’s exactly why I created the Pet Business Content Planner - and this year I’ve created more support to help you use it, The Planner Club.

If you’ve clicked on this episode, chances are you’ve either grabbed a copy of the 2026 planner already or you’re thinking about it.

Maybe you love the idea of being organised and consistent with your marketing - but also know you need a bit of structure and support to make it happen.

This podcast will help you figure out whether the planner club is right for you.

I’ll walk you through what’s included, how it works, and what you’ll walk away with by the end of the year.

Topics and timings:

0.42 - About the Pet Business Content Planner.

1.30 - New things in the Pet Business Content Planner for 2026.

2.38 - Why I decided to create The Pet Business Planner Club to go alongside the planner.

3.10 - What the Planner Club will help you do.

3.46 - What you get in the Planner Club.

4.35 - Online Planning Event.

5.10 - How the quarterly planning sessions work.

6.55 - How the coworking mornings work.

8.16 - Tracy Brind on her thoughts on the online coworking.

9.00 - Days for the coworking morning.

9.40 - Why I’m capping the Planner Club at 50 seats.

10.09 - Who the Planner Club is for and not for.

10.43 - Discounts for Pets Get Visible members.

11.21 - Why I’m separating planning from coaching for 2026.

11.45 - My background and credentials as a coach.

12.05 - What’s inside Pets Get Visible.

13.19 - Why I’m putting up my prices for Pets Get Visible for 2026.

13.55 - Where to go to join the Planner Club or Pets Get Visible.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Should you buy my pet business planner? https://rachelspencer.co.uk/should-you-buy-pet-business-content-planner/

Buy a planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Join the Planner Club here: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Find out more about Pets Get Visible: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible-right-for-you/

Learn more about Kate from Finbo Studio: https://finbostudio.co.uk/

Claire Harris from Pets2Places 'Why I want to make sure every pet in a car is safe.'

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Claire Harris is the founder of Pets 2 Places - the UK’s first pet taxi franchise and talks about why she's on a mission to educate owners about pet travel safety.

Her business started back in 2014 when Claire had the idea to make a taxi service for pets, and with a £10 phone and a handful of leaflets.

She was supporting elderly people in her old role in another business, and was asked about helping get pets to the vets.

Claire gave the concept of ‘Pets to Vets’ a try, walked round vets with her leafets, and her business expanded, rebranded to Pets2Places in Milton Keynes and has grown into a national business helping people and their pets travel safely.

As well as transporting animals, Claire feels so passionately about making sure when they’re travelling, pets are safe, and created Pet Travel Safety Day to educate owners around doing their best for their pets when they’re in the car.

This happens every July 1st, the day wearing seatbelts became compulsory, and now Claire is working on creating her own crash tested travel equipment for pets and has become one of the UK’s leading campaigners for pet travel safety.

She talks about the lack of proper safety standards when she started out, and how she taught herself everything from scratch, plus how being visible has helped.

All the links to connect with Claire and learn more about her work and Pet Travel Safety mission are at the end of this post.

Key quotes in this episode:

“People don’t know what they don’t know. I used unsafe equipment at first because there was nowhere to learn from. That’s why I now share what I’ve learned.”

“I want people to look at their dog and ask: ‘Would I want to crash in a car like that?’ Because that’s what we’re putting them through.”

“I started with a £10 phone and a top-up card. Now I’ve created a franchise, designed a safety product and started a national campaign. It’s grown because I believe in it.”

“This business is about more than pets - it’s about people. Some of the clients we support haven’t left their house in months. We’re a lifeline.”

“I didn’t set out to be a campaigner, but I couldn’t ignore what I was seeing. Once you know better, you have to do better.”

“Being visible has helped me reach more people - but it’s also helped me stay accountable to my mission.”

Topics and timings in this episode

0.20 - Introduction to the episode.

2.28 - How Claire’s Pets2Places business happened by accident.

7.12 - What is was like starting out and how Claire went round her local vets with leaflets and her business grew.

11.22 - What travel equipment was like when Claire started out and what she’s learned.

14.36 - What set Claire off on her mission to learn about pet travel safety, and how she went about building her expertise in the area.

19.11 - What the law says about pet travel (and what’s missing).

21.16 - Claire’s education and awareness work and Pet Travel Safety Day on July 1st.

23.54 - What Claire’s taxis look like when it comes to equipment and keeping the animals she cares for safe.

25.43 - The impact of being in an accident with an animal and how dangerous unrestrained pets in the car can be.

27.30 - Some of the experiences Claire has heard of with animals being loose and the tragedies that can happen.

30.05 - Claire’s plans to create crash tested ISO standard travel equipment for animals and her work campaigning for the government to take Pet Travel Safety more seriously.

32.05 - Member story from Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog.

33.07 - Claire’s frustration that animals are ignored when it comes to travelling safely when we’re a nation of pet lovers.

34.11 - Her recommendations for pet owners who want to make sure their dog is safe.

36.02 - The problem with the market at the moment and things to consider if you’re making a pet travel product to protect the pet and the people in the car.

38.34 - The product she’s developing and what makes it different as she’s working with vets, engineers and product designers.

41.14 - The range of products she’s planning to make, from robust and hardwearing for pet pros and cuter designs for younger pet owners.

44.21 - The growth of Claire’s pet transport business, and how it’s an ideal opportunity for people who love pets and want to support the human and animal relationship.

46.31 - The most effective communication channels for getting her Pet Travel Safety message out there and getting in the press.

48.54 - How Claire’s passion has helped her become an authority and expert in her field.

51.38 - Dealing with rejection and how this has made her more determined to keep moving forward.

54.34 - How self belief and grit and determination has helped Claire keep going.

55.31 - Where to find out more about Claire and her work.

Links mentioned:

Find out more about Claire on her website: https://pets2places.co.uk/

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pets2PlacesMiltonKeynes/

Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-harris-80780512a/

The Kurgo harness Claire recommends: https://kurgo.uk/products/enhanced-strength-tru-fit-dog-car-harness

Pet Travel Safety Day details: https://pets2places.co.uk/pet-travel-safety-day/

Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner and Companion

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Are you thinking of buying my Pet Business Content Planner?

In this episode, I’m talking all about why I created it, who it’s for, and how it can help you.

This planner is designed specifically for pet business owners to make marketing easier, build confidence, and help you stay organised.

I’ll walk you through its features, like monthly content prompts, goal-setting tools, coaching exercises and practical resources that can help grow your visibility and connect with your audience.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by putting your pet business out there or struggled to stay consistent with your content, this episode has inspiration and actionable ideas to support you.

I’ll also mention The Planner Club, where you can join in an online planning day, plus quarterly planning sessions and coworking mornings to help you make 2026 your most visible year yet.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 – What to expect from this episode.

0.42 - Things to buy instead of the planner if you're not going to use it!

1.15 – Why I created the Pet Business Content Planner and what’s inside: content prompts, goal setting and support tools.

1.45 - How the planner brings together all I have learned from working with clients since 2019.

2.30 - How the Planner Club can help you keep on top of planning.

3.10 - What the Planner is like and updates for 2025.

3.49 - What a typical month looks like.

4.19 - How the awareness day section works in planning and getting your business noticed.

5.08 - Goal setting each month, the paws and reflect section and quarterly planning sections.

6.30 - The Words for When section for example, words for when the Peer Fear strikes.

9.28 - Who the planner is for?

10.37 - Planner review from Sarah from Berkshire Dog Training.

11.31 - Who the planner is not for.

13.10 - The importance of finding your own voice as a pet professional.

14.20 - How the planner can help you.

17.39 – Overview of what’s new for 2026.

19.47 – Introducing The Planner Club and how it works.

23.47 – StreetVet fundraiser – how planner sales will support the charity.

Links mentioned in this episode:

The planner on its own for £40: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Or bundle it with The Planner Club and get a ticket to my online planning event and support all year round: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Connect with me on social media: @rachelspenceruk

StreetVet Charity: streetvet.org.uk

Charlotte Faith (UK templates): caninemarketingsupport.co.uk

Bella Vasta (US templates): jumpconsulting.net

Gemma Glover from The Pet Carpenter on creating furniture pets and humans love

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Gemma Glover is the co-founder of The Pet Carpenter, a family business creating beautiful, bespoke pet furniture that looks good in your home and supports your pet’s wellbeing.

The brand began during the pandemic when her brother Harry, a carpenter, was asked to make a pet bedroom - and from that first piece, the idea quickly grew.

In this episode, Gemma shares how they turned a chance request into a thriving business, the impact of going viral on Instagram, and how they’ve dealt with trolls, copycats, and even a devastating fire in their first year.

She also talks about their campaigns around crate confidence, the collaborations that have strengthened their message, and the lessons she’s learned about marketing, customer service, and staying true to your values.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a product-based business with heart, this conversation is packed with inspiration.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

2.27 - How The Pet Carpenter started as an accident in the pandemic.

5.15 - Gemma shares how the business grew from that first pet bedroom to a workshop and running a team and the different things they did to reach people about the new products.

8.02 - How they coped with a devastating fire at their workshop and starting all over again.

10.39 - What life is like behind the scenes at The Pet Carpenter.

12.51 - What it’s like to have rapid growth and go viral plus coping with trolls.

15.05 - The Pet Carpenter campaigns and how Gemma plans and implements them.

17.51 - How to make meaningful collaborations happen.

21.05 - Instagram and how Gemma has worked on the platform.

23.08 - Using campaigns and conversations to stand out.

26.04 - Strategies for reaching different types of audiences.

29.12 - Trying different platforms for marketing.

32.53 - What it was like presenting at the PIF Business of Pets Innovation Prize 2025.

34.36 - Making the decision to be a lead generation website rather than buy off the shelf.

39.31 - The non-negotiable tasks Gemma does to keep her business moving forward.

45.22 - How Gemma navigates working with influencers and dealing with cheeky requests.

47.39 - How pet professionals and other brands can work with Gemma.

51.27 - Coping with challenges, from copycats to mean influencers.

57.57 - Trademarking and how Gemma has protected her brand.

59.53 - Gemma’s self-care go-tos.

1.01.39 - What’s next for The Pet Carpenter and how to get in touch.

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thepetcarpenter.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepetcarpenter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepetcarpenter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetcarpenter

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepetcarpenter

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/thepetcarpenter/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemglover

Victor Carpio - Taking the stress out of teeth cleaning for cats with the Dental Wand

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0100

When Victor Carpio rescued a tiny kitten from a sewer in Peru, he had no idea it would lead to him inventing a product that would help thousands of cats all over the world live healthier lives.

Victor is the founder of Inventorcat and the creator of the Dental Wand - which is a toothbrush and fun play toy for cats.

The inspiration came from his own cat, Lilo, who he’d adopted after rescuing him that night in Peru.

Victor wanted to be the best cat dad, and it was when he learned that he should have been brushing Lilo’s teeth and hadn’t that he decided he wanted to change.

And when he tried to find something so he could brush his cat’s teeth and struggled, he decided he’d try to find a solution himself.

What came next was years of research, prototypes, testing, and feedback - and ultimately to the product he pitched to the Dragons on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

In this episode, Victor talks about that eureka moment to launching his business, facing resistance in the industry, navigating burnout and personal challenges, and growing Inventorcat into a brand that will improve the lives of cats all over the world.

We also chat about what it’s like to go against the grain, build something new in an industry that doesn’t always welcome change, and why he’s so passionate about making life better for cats - and the people who love them.

Topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - What to expect from this episode.

2.01 - Victor on his role in the pet industry.

4.35 - The story of rescuing Lilo in Peru.

8.24 - Discovering the challenges of brushing cats’ teeth.

11.55 - Victor’s background in business and innovation.

15.02 - Turning an idea into a real product.

20.30 - From bristle glove to Dental Wand.

24.40 - Market research and the reality of cat dental care.

28.51 - Educating cat owners and working with other people in the pet industry.

30.25 - What it was like to be on Dragon’s Den and how he thought he was going to faint before they opened the ‘lift doors.’

35.02 - How speaking about the why and values behind his product meant that Deborah and Peter became his cheerleaders live on the show.

38.04 - What it’s meant for Victor, moving from DTC to B2B thanks to the exposure from being on TV.

41.43 - Shifting to working with large retailers, shows and exporters.

43.10 - Being taken seriously with industry experts and bodies like the British Veterinary Dental Association.

44.05 - How awards help with credibility.

46.14 - Why 2025 is the year of the cat and how the industry is now seeing that cats have different needs and products.

49.03 - How pet professionals can support change.

53.07 - How pet pros can use their own community when they want to carry out research as well as local community groups.

55.13 - The things Victor has done which have been against the grain, and how it worked for him.

59.16 - What’s next for Inventorcat and how to connect with Victor.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about Inventorcat on their website: https://www.inventorcat.co.uk/

Connect with Victor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorcarpio/

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inventorcatcare

Find Inventorcat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inventor_cat

On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inventorcat

Join the Clubhouse: inventorcat.co.uk/clubhouse

Work with Inventorcat: meow@inventorcat.co.uk

Kate Hart - The Sniffer Shop and creating nose joy for dogs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Just two years ago Kate Hart was making scentwork kits as a treat for her dog training clients and now she's sending them out to dogs all over the world.

Kate's gadgets and goodies went down so well that she decided to make them as a 'side hustle,' with her engineer husband Marcus and created a workshop at their home in Bristol.

In this episode, Kate talks about how she became a dog trainer after a terrifying accident where she broke both her legs, and then specialising in scentwork.

She talked about what it's like to follow a bit of a hunch when you might be onto something which is exactly what happened with her scentwork kits.

We talk about lots of the tough stuff that happens as you try to build something new, and how Kate has coped with rapid growth and success.

Plus awards, visibility, the kind of support that has helped her, and why it is ok to get excited about what you do, because people will pick up on that and get excited for you, and when that happens, good things come.

I LOVED this conversation so much and I hope you do too.

All the links to learn more about Kate are at the bottom of this post.

Key topics and timings in this episode:

0.20 - Episode overview.

1.23 - How Kate found herself working as a dog trainer.

3.50 - How a life changing industry led her to have a career change from her old life as a nurse and researcher in the NHS.

6.46 - What it was like to start again with a new career as a dog trainer.

7.45 - Using her experience in the NHS to build relationships and using her transferable skills.

9.23 - What helped Kate when it came to growing her dog training business.

13.36 - Kate’s lightbulb moment and why she decided to niche into scent work and making her own products which she tested on her own clients.

18.20 - Behind the scenes in Kate and Marcus’ Sniffer Shop warehouse.

23.19 - Testing out her products with her six Labradors and how the Sniffer Shop has grown.

25.04 - What it was like going from making products as a side hustle to having an actual brand and bringing ‘Nose Joy for Dogs’ to life.

27.07 - Exhibiting at Edition Dog Live and meeting her customers.

32.18 - What Kate has learned from growing very quickly and the importance of goal setting and forward planning.

35.50 - The importance of trusting your gut.

37.20 - What’s helped during the challenging times.

38.35 - Pets Get Visible review from Heather Stevens.

39.55 - Kate’s highlights from the last two years.

42.24 - The volume of products Kate is now sending out!

43.55 - The joys of getting videos of dogs enjoying her products.

45.12 - Why sharing your passion is important.

48.41 - How Kate feels about being visible now.

51.50 - What’s next for Kate.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about The Sniffer Shop: https://thesniffershop.co.uk/

Follow Kate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesniffershop

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesniffershop

Visit her dog training website: https://www.myhartdog.co.uk/

Kate trained with UK Sniffer Dogs - learn more here: https://www.uksnifferdogs.com/

Kate used Finbo Studio for her branding - check them out here: https://finbostudio.co.uk/

Further listening/reading

Building resilience as a pet professional with Andrew Hale

The importance of looking back to see how far you’ve come

Navigating the rollercoaster of running a business

Why community matters when you run your own business

Karen Rhodes on her lightbulb moment to launch Luxury Dog Hampers

Jo Scott - The dog portrait that changed my life and launched my art business

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Jo Scott is a dog artist, illustrator and creative business owner whose work now reaches people all over the world.

Yet just over a decade ago, Jo was working in corporate and dreaming of creating her own greetings cards, something that had been at the back of her mind since Uni.

Her business began with a single portrait, drawn as a birthday gift for her mother-in-law where just wanted to see if she could capture the likeness of a dog she loved.

That one drawing led to another… and eventually to a full career change in her 40s with Jo following the first career path she’d ever considered.

Jo talks about moving on from a high-pressure office job, building a creative business she loves and where she can work from anywhere, including while she's off on adventures in her motorhome.

She shares how she found her people through Substack and email, how she shows up online in a way that feels right to her, and van life with husband Dean and dog Tomasina.

We talk about creative burnout, comparison, and why it’s OK not to chase massive income numbers or shiny objects.

Jo's cards are on sale on prestigious sites like Thortful and Moonpig, meaning she gets portrait orders from all over the world, and she works with small retailers, sells from her own site and at events.

If you’ve ever had a niggling idea that won’t go away - or wondered if it’s too late to do something completely different and follow your dreams, you’ll love Jo’s story.

Key quotes from this episode

“I drew my mother-in-law’s dog for her birthday - just to see if I could—and that one drawing changed everything.”

“I didn’t need a business that made me feel stressed or boxed in. I wanted one that gave me space to breathe.”

“With Substack, I’ve found a way to communicate that I love. I started writing emails and people were replying saying, ‘This feels like you’re inside my head.’”

“Being in the motorhome showed me I could live slower, work differently—and not miss the old version of success.”

“You get to be the kind of artist - or business owner - you want to be. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.”

“It’s never too late to do something different. You can absolutely start again, and do it your way.”

Key takeaways

Jo’s first dog portrait was drawn for her mother-in-law’s birthday - and sparked a total career change.

She built her pet-themed art business slowly, alongside other work, without pressure to scale quickly.

She connects with her audience and builds relationships through email and Substack, not social media trends and values working with other artists.

Choosing to live and work from a motorhome gave her clarity on how she wanted her life to feel like and what ‘enough’ is for her.

Jo’s story is proof that it’s never too late to do something you love, and you don’t need to be everywhere and running yourself ragged to make an impact.

Topics and timings in this episode

1.30 - Jo’s first dog portrait and how it all began

4.10 - Why art was always her thing (and what took her away from it)

7.30 - Moving from a creative agency career to working for herself

10.15 - Starting over in her 40s and building a pet-themed business

14.20 - Creating her first greeting cards and finding her niche

17.40 - Building confidence and showing up online in her own voice

21.00 - Finding her people through email and Substack

26.10 - What helped her stop comparing herself to other creatives

30.00 - Choosing slow growth and redefining success

35.15 - Jo’s motorhome life and how she’s experiencing a different pace of business

41.00 - Creating from joy instead of pressure

45.20 - Selling at events like Crufts and what Jo has learned from in person shows and learning as she went

49.10 - Creative burnout and how she protects her energy

53.30 - What she’s learned about audience building and visibility

58.00 - Jo’s advice for anyone starting (or restarting) something new

1.02.00 - Why your version of success doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s

Resources mentioned in this episode

Jo’s website: https://joscottart.com

Jo on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joscottart

Substack: Jo Scott’s newsletter on art, dogs and creative life https://substack.com/@joscottartist

Clayton Payne - What I've learned from 30 years in the Pet Industry

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0100

Clayton Payne is a pet industry expert who’s been in the trade for over three decades – and who’s built one of the UK’s most well-known and well-respected wholesale businesses from scratch.

He shares what it was like starting out as a young lad knocking on doors trying to get products into shops, how he built a business that turned over millions, and why staying real and relatable has been such a big part of his success.

Clayton also talks about what it’s like to be hated and not taken seriously, and how he pushed forward and learned not to care what people thought about him, to the point where he says he ‘loved’ being disliked.

We talk about the highs and lows of running a business in the pet industry, being consistent and reliable, and how the sector has changed since he started out in the 90s, especially when it comes to social media, brand building, and visibility.

Clayton also speaks about his own challenges, including overcoming alcohol addiction in his early twenties, how he still experiences imposter syndrome, and the toll success can take behind the scenes.

If you want to know what it’s like growing a pet business that stands the test of time - and what it means to be a disruptor - you will love this conversation.

All the links to connect and learn more from Clayton, plus how to tune into his brilliant Pet Business Disruptors podcast are at the bottom of this post.

Topics and timings in this episode:

1.00 - Introduction to Clayton and his background.

3.00 - Growing up in the pet industry and early career.

6.45 - Creating and scaling a successful wholesale business.

9.30 - Disrupting the natural treat industry in the UK.

12.00 - How the industry has evolved since the 90s.

15.10 - Why it’s harder (and easier) for brands today.

18.00 - Supporting challenger brands and working with agility.

21.30 - Breaking through and being taken seriously in the early years.

24.20 - The impact of a major competitor going under – and how it led to huge growth.

27.15 - Why service and reliability matter more than price.

29.00 - Showing up for your customers and staying consistent.

31.00 - Dealing with rejection and staying resilient.

33.10 - How tailoring your approach to each pet shop can improve your chances.

35.20 - Is your product truly viable for retail? A reality check for small brands.

39.15 - How challenger brands can approach route to market and minimum orders.

41.45 - Why the Pet Business Disruptors podcast was created.

43.00 - Imposter syndrome and showing up as yourself.

45.00 - How authenticity and personality became a strength.

48.30 - Being disliked by the industry – and why that’s not always a bad thing.

52.00 - The importance of staying focused on the right people.

54.15 - How travel helped with perspective and resilience.

56.30 - Life now – consultancy, the podcast and new opportunities.

58.45 - The impact of long-term sobriety and recovery.

62.30 - How being sober supercharged business success.

65.00 - The myth of perfect timing – why it's never too late to do what you want.

67.00 - Market shifts in 2025 – the rise of premium cat products.

68.30 - What’s changing with AI, SEO and e-commerce.

69.30 - What it takes to be a true disrupter.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Download the new content calendar: http://rachelspencer.co.uk/calendar

Connect with Clayton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pet-business-disruptors/id1759599442

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1O6vFMl3vquGsl0tin2b6n

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