Pet Marketing Unleashed Podcast

Pet Marketing Unleashed Podcast

Your Ultimate Guide to Growing a Thriving Pet Business—Stress-Free Welcome to The Pet Marketing Unleashed Podcast, the go-to resource for petpreneurs (AKA pet business owners) who want to scale their service-based pet businesses without the overwhelm. Whether you're a dog walker, pet sitter, dog trainer, pet photographer, dog daycare owner, or any other pet care professional, this podcast is packed with actionable marketing, branding, and website strategies tailored to your unique needs. Hosted by Mikaela Vargas, designer and educator for pet businesses, each episode dives into practical tips for streamlining your online presence, boosting client onboarding, implementing SEO strategies, enhancing your branding, and avoiding burnout—even while you’re out walking dogs or managing your busy schedule. Expect a mix of solo episodes and guest interviews that dig deep into what it takes to build a successful, sustainable, and stress-free pet business. So, pop in those earbuds, grab your favorite treat (or three!), and join Mikaela as she shares how to grow your fulfilling pet care business—one walk, sit, or coffee break at a time! https://www.petmarketingunleashed.com

Episodes

May 27, 2025 21 mins

Have you ever spent hours crafting Instagram posts, tweaking your website, or trying to get more engagement, only to feel like nothing is actually working? It seems like it's working for everyone else, but for some reason, you're not seeing the big ROI you were promised.

In this value-packed episode, I break down exactly how to stop wasting time on marketing that isn't working for your pet business. Marketing can make...

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In this important conversation, I welcome Beth Stultz-Hairston, President of Pet Sitters International, who brings over 20 years of experience supporting pet care professionals and certifications on the topics of burnout and compassion fatigue. Beth shares why burnout and compassion fatigue are increasingly prevalent issues in our industry—and the practical steps you can take before reaching your breaking point.


Here's wha...

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What if a brand refresh could transform not just how your business looks, but also increase your leads and inquiries?

What if building authentic community connections is the missing piece that could elevate both your business presence and your confidence as a pet biz owner?

In this inspiring conversation, I welcome my friend and client, Heidi Lewis-Pracko of Heidi and Hope Pet Services, whose community-inspired business helped her gr...

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Stop writing blog posts like… "Why You Should Hire a Professional Pet Sitter.”

No one reads those! 👇

What if we told you that strategic blogging isn't about random pet tips but about creating specific content that ranks on Google, builds authority, and turns readers into clients? And worse—what if your current approach is causing you to miss out on valuable traffic and leads that your competitors are capturing?

In this stra...

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In this value-packed episode, Pet Marketing Unleashed is thrilled to welcome Collin from Pet Sitter Confessional as our special guest. After transitioning from scientists to pet business owners, Collin and his wife, Megan, built a thriving pet care business and launched a popular podcast that connects pet care professionals across the industry. Their journey from charging $20 per day for unlimited visits to building a team-based bu...

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Have you ever found yourself second-guessing your website platform choice after hearing different people tell you Wix (or any other platform) is ‘bad for SEO?’ or ‘doesn’t have the functionality you need?’ What if I told you those rumors about any of the popular platforms aren’t the real issue? And worse– what if those rumors are holding you back from having a website that's both powerful AND easy to maintain?


In this myth...

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Remember when you started your pet business dreaming of freedom and flexibility?


Yet somehow you ended up working longer hours than ever before. If you're feeling trapped in the day-to-day operations of your business, wondering when you'll finally have the freedom to live the life you envisioned, this episode is for you.


We welcome Kristin Morrison, pet business coach, author, and founder of the Six-Figure Pet Bus...

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Ever googled "SEO tips" only to feel overwhelmed by technical jargon and endless to-do lists? You're not alone! While most of us know SEO is important for business, figuring out where to start can feel like solving a puzzle in the dark.

In this episode, we're diving into the world of SEO audits—no tech expertise required. Whether you're new to SEO or looking to improve your current strategy, these ...

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Email marketing remains one of the most powerful ways to connect with clients, yet many pet businesses struggle to use it effectively. While social media gets most of the attention, email marketing actually offers one of the highest returns on investment of any marketing channel—with studies showing a $35 return for every $1 spent.

In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Tori Mistick, founder of Wear Wag Repeat and a...

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Are you stuck in the cycle of posting, engaging, and trying to keep up with social media trends, but not seeing results? We feel ya!!

Here’s the reality: Less than 3% of your followers are even seeing your Instagram content, and those hours spent scrolling, liking, and posting might not be bringing you the clients you deserve.

In this episode, we dive into six powerful strategies to grow your pet business without ...

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Think branding is just about a logo? 👀 Think again. Your brand is more than colors and fonts—it’s the heart and soul of your pet business. It’s what helps you stand out in a sea of other dog walkers, pet sitters, and petpreneurs vying for attention.

In this episode, we welcome Cagney, one of Pet Marketing Unleashed’s talented brand designers who brings both creativity and strategy to the pet brands she designs. 

...

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The new year is the perfect time to refresh your pet business website! Whether you're setting new goals or just looking for a fresh start, a quick website update can work wonders to boost business and build momentum.

In this episode, we’re sharing 8 simple, actionable ways to refresh your website so it not only looks its best but also works smarter for you in the year ahead. Each of these tips is easy to implement and...

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Finding and retaining great team members for your pet business can feel like an impossible task, and there's so much struggle around identifying the right candidates, navigating employment laws, and building a team that truly represents the values of your business. Maybe you've tried hiring before but struggled with finding people who truly care about your clients’ pets as much as you do, or perhaps you're considerin...

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The world of SEO can seem daunting, especially for small, local pet businesses. It's tough to know where to start and which strategies will actually make a difference in your search rankings. 


Let alone the fact that most SEO efforts can take months and months to see results…

In this episode, we dive deep into practical SEO strategies for pet businesses, and uncover some game-changing insights:

...
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    The pet industry is booming, which means more competition than ever. It's tough to know how to position yourself, find your ideal clients, and build a business that truly reflects your values and expertise.

    In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome our very first guest, Michelle Kline, founder of DogCoLaunch–a powerhouse in the pet care industry. Michelle's journey from accidental pet care business owner to...

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    We're diving into one of my absolute favorite topics: websites! As a website designer, I'm thrilled to share some quick, actionable tips that can make a huge impact on your pet business's online presence.


    Today, we're focusing on the "above the fold" area of your homepage - that crucial first impression that can make or break a potential client's interest. Whether you're a dog walker, pet...

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    Are you constantly being told you should have a marketing strategy but don’t know where the heck to start? 

    How do you build one? Where do you start? What should be included? How does it become useful?

    Crafting a marketing strategy can seem like a huge, daunting task. We’ve all been there, feeling like we need to do everything and be everywhere, only to end up confused and burnt out with not a lot to show for it. 

    In today’s episode, ...

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    Have you ever felt like your pet business isn’t quite where you want it to be?

    You’re putting in the work, but the results aren’t what you expected. Maybe you’ve been working on your branding, posting on social media, and running your business day in and day out, but it feels like something’s missing. You’re exhausted, juggling too much, and no matter what you try, the stress just keeps piling up.

    Can you relate?

    Have you ever found y...

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