Ever wondered why picking a niche and sticking to it is one of the best ways to grow your daycare profits?
Curious how enrichment can transform not just your dogs, but your business too?
And what really happens when you stop tolerating bad clients and start building the business you want?
In this episode, Dom Hodgson sits down with Kim and Bob Karolides, co-owners of Butter’s House in Massachusetts, to hear their remarkable journey from veterinary nurses to thriving daycare owners. Kim and Bob share how after launching just as COVID hit, they managed to carve out a reputation for caring for senior and special-needs dogs. You’ll also hear how they’ve built a business that reflects their values and why Enrich U has been a game-changer for them.
Plus, they explain how they’ve turned costumes, themed enrichment, and story-driven activities into powerful upsell opportunities, and why joining Dom’s Elite Mastermind has accelerated their growth and given them a supportive community of like-minded owners. Make sure you stick around for more Hershey Expo speaker previews, with sessions on funding, marketing, and cat-only boarding spaces (yes, we’re not here JUST for the dog lovers).
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Origin Story – How a Halloween party and a vet tech career led to launching Butter’s House.
Caring for Seniors – Why offering therapeutic boarding for older dogs created instant loyalty and brand recognition.
Enrichment That Sells – How themed costumes, scent rooms, and creative activities win over clients.
Zero Tolerance = Zero Stress – How cutting toxic clients helped protect staff and attract the right kind of people.
The Power of Community – How joining Enrich U and Dom’s Elite Mastermind has fast-tracked their success.
Huge thanks to this week’s special guests Kim and Bob. To find out more about the cool things happening at Butter’s House, go to ButtersHouse
Remember, tickets are now on sale for the Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo, go to PetBoardingExpo.com to register now!
Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition
Thanks to Duane Care, Lynn Paolillo, and Alex Moore who will all be speaking at the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Hershey. Grab your ticket now at PetBoardingExpo.com
Episode Highlights:
[00:51] – Dom kicks off the episode and previews today’s guest interview with Kim and Bob.[02:11] – Dom shares updates from the garden on his latest book Mission Enrich, and the Sunderland AFC football rollercoaster.[08:47] – Hershey Expo previews: Ashlee Moore, Duane Carey, and Lynn Paolillo give a taste of their upcoming sessions.[13:08] – Kim and Bob share their origin story—from a Halloween party to their respective vet nursing careers.[16:54] – Why Kim made the bold decision to walk away from teaching and open a daycare instead.[20:00] – Early marketing wins: letters direct to vets, trainers as allies, and creative word-of-mouth.[23:10] – How Butter’s House grew crazy fast thanks to word-of-mouth in their industrial park.[25:16] – Kim and Bob explain how they built a reputation for senior and therapeutic boarding dogs.[29:21] – How to implement a zero-tolerance policy for rude clients and why it pays off.[32:07] – Enrich U in action: Bob’s costumes, themed décor, and how enrichment transformed their business.[37:59] – How joining Elite Mastermind gave Kim and Bob the push (and the community) they needed.[43:00] – Future plans: the Butter’s House duo talk stepping back from the day-to-day and looking forward toward expansion.
This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and the power of building the right kind of community around your daycare.