I was a dog trainer for 13 years. I made every business mistake you can make.
I had a big facility, classes running 6 days a week, loads of private clients and a waitlist a mile long, “good” revenue coming in the doors and a 5 star rating on google…. And a bad case of burnout.
I missed my friends, my family and my dogs because I was too busy working in my business to build a business.
I worked with anyone and everyone and I was miserable (because not all humans are good humans!)
I wasn’t making enough for the time I was spending and I needed a fucking vacation in the worst way. I was tapped out and feeling trapped.
Maybe you can relate.
It took some time but I learned how to:
I learned that 1 to 1s and group classes just weren’t going to cut it. They just weren’t. There’s only so much of me. Something had to give.
I needed:
Most of all, I needed time with my dog. I bet you do too!
I lost Piper in April 2022. And I'm still learning how to be a person without her. And it has made me even more passionate about helping dog trainers set up businesses that work for THEM, because I was able to provide the life for her that she deserved, and spend the time I wanted to with her while she was here, as well as take the time I needed to grieve, without it impacting my business or financial stability.
This dog has literally saved my life and is the reason I'm where I am right now in business.
I started my dog walking business way back when, because I was tired of feeling guilty about leaving her home alone every day to go to a job that left me drained and unable to spend quality time with her.
I was so disconnected from what I needed and wanted, providing her gave me direction and purpose.
Providing her with safety and stability pushed me when I didn’t want to do hard things for myself.
Piper is my heart dog. My soul dog. My one in a million.
She moved with me from South Africa, she's been through 2 marriages (and divorces), the start and build of 3 successful businesses, many house moves, all of the ups and downs in my entire adult life.
Saying I love her hardly seems adequate, but it's the truth. Love in its purest, most unconditional, beautiful way.
She shaped who I am and how I help people by being the best canine support I could ever ask for.
Do you have a dog you're working towards building a better life for?
Let’s take the business end of the leash together, to get you there!
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