Your pet business, Your way

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 coachShould you buy the Pet Business Content PlannerWhy I am an accredited Pet Business CoachIs my Pets Get Visible membership right for you?Different kinds of coaching for different stages in your businessHow to choose a pet business coach

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 episode0.40 - What to expect from the 2026 Planner0.59 - Match funding for The Big Give and StreetVet2.30 - Planning support for 2026 and your options2.45 - About the five pet professionals who shared their stories7.14 - Lesson 1 - People crave structure8.12 - Lesson 2 - Be flexible9.43 - Lesson 3 - Keep checking to see what's working11.14 - Lesson 4 - Plan for Jan = positive start for 202611.39 - Lesson 5 - Don’t forget how amazing you are13.05 - Lesson 6 - Think of your content as a time capsule13.33 - Lesson 7 - Energy is what will make a difference14.22 - Lesson 8 - Being visible is SCARY15.09 - Lesson 9 - Focus on what matters to you16.07 - Lesson 10 - Stay on your own to-do list18.05 - Lesson 11 - You don’t have to do it on your own19.17 - Lesson 12 - Make sure you're connected20.38 - Ways to work together for 2026Links 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/Related postsShould you buy my Pet Business Content PlannerWhat is The Planner Club and should you join?The importance of looking back and seeing how far you've comeChoosing the right pet business membershipIs my Pets Get Visible membership right for you?

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

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/ Further reading/listeningShould you buy my Pet Business Content Planner and Companion?What is the Pet Business Planner Club and should you join?Is my Pet Business Planning Event right for you?How to use awareness days in your pet business contentNavigating the rollercoaster that is running your own businessThe importance of looking back and seeing how far you've come Why every pet business should have a win folder

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: