Thoughts & Tips from a Professional Dog Walker
Creating the Perfect Business Model for Your Dog Walking Business
If you’re serious about running a dog walking business, as a business, not a hobby, then it's crucial to develop a business model that aligns with your goals, values, and market preferences. Your chosen business model will shape how you operate, attract clients, and generate revenue. What is a business model? A business model is a framework or plan outlining how a business intends to generate revenue and make a profit. It describes the core aspects of how a business creates, delivers and captures value. A well-defined business model helps a business understand how it will operate, sustain itself and grow over time. Key elements of a business model typically include: Value Proposition: This explains what product or service the business offers and how it solves a problem or meets a need for its customers. Target Market: Identifies the specific groups or types of customers the business aims to serve. Revenue Streams: Describes the sources of income for the business, such as services, product sales, subscriptions, etc. Channels: Details how the business reaches and interacts with its customers. This can include online and offline channels like websites, stores, social media, and more. Customer Relationships: Explains how the business engages with customers, whether through personalised support, self-service, or other forms of interaction. Key Resources: Lists the essential assets, technologies, and capabilities needed to deliver the value proposition and run the business. Key Activities: Outlines the core operations and processes that the business must perform to create and deliver value. Key Partnerships: Describes any external collaborations or partnerships that are critical to the business's success. Cost Structure: Details the expenses and costs associated with operating the business, including fixed and variable costs. There are many different business models within the dog walking industry and you don’t have to replicate or offer the same services as your dog walking peers. In order to maximise your chance of success, it’s important to thoroughly research and plan your business model to build a dog walking business that suits your vision and meets the needs of your clients. Aligning Your Business Model with Your Goal Your business model should serve as a roadmap guiding your dog walking business toward success. Before deciding on the right model, take the time to: Define Your Values: Consider what values are important to you and your business. Are you passionate about providing a personalised service? Or do you prioritise efficiency and affordability? Set Financial Goals: Determine your financial needs and objectives. Are you looking to maximise profits or prioritise steady, sustainable growth? We discuss this in more detail in our blog post: “Setting Your Prices: Step by Step for Professional Dog Walkers”. Assess Your Resources: Take stock of your available resources, including time, energy, and capital. This will influence the scope of services you can offer. Understand Your Target Market: Your business model should be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of your target clientele. Who are they, and what kind of services are they seeking? The Interplay Between Your Business Model and Target Market Your business model and your target market are interconnected. If you already have a clear vision of how you want to operate your business, this will naturally lead you to a specific audience. Conversely, if you have a particular target market in mind, your business model must be crafted to cater to their preferences. For instance, if you're open to various business models but want to serve pet owners with high disposable incomes, your services may lean towards the value-driven category. This approach allows you to charge higher prices, emphasising the additional value you provide to your clients. Your pricing strategy must align with this model whilst ensuring it doesn't compromise your profitability. On the other hand, if your target market consists of clients with smaller pet care budgets, a cost-driven business model might be more suitable. In this scenario, efficiency and volume are paramount to maintain competitive pricing while still delivering excellent service. Remember, neither approach is inherently better than the other. Your success depends on how well your chosen business model aligns with your goals and your ability to cater to your target market effectively. Business Models: Cost-Driven vs. Value-Driven Cost-Driven Dog Walking Business: By prioritising efficiency and volume, a cost-driven business is able to maintain lower prices and offer a straightforward service which meets the needs of their target market. They may achieve this by: Offering a one-size fits all approach, providing one type of service to all dogs, rather than creating individual plans for each client. Allowing last minute bookings and flexible schedules, but with no guarantee that there will be availability for these bookings. Having a large number of clients, including ad-hoc booking, to ensure gaps in schedules are able to be filled rather than left empty. Taking on dogs who are suitable for group walks, allowing them to walk in larger groups. Value-Driven Dog Walking Business: A value-driven business may focus on creating value for their clients and charge a higher price to reflect this. This isn’t to say they are offering a better service, but rather offering more specialised service that is valuable to their specific target market. This may include: Offering smaller group sizes or solo walks. Customising offerings based on the dog’s age, needs, energy levels etc. For example, offering specialised walks to puppies or elderly dogs, or enrichment activities for busy dogs. Regular communication, updates, photos and reports for clients. Focus on maintaining lasting relationships with a smaller number of clients. Provide additional services Your business model might provide room for a blend of both cost-driven and value-driven approaches within your business plan. You could offer a no-frills walk at a lower price point in the mornings, and also provideanother type of walk with added flexibility and premium options at a higher price point during the afternoon.Your business model might encompass a range of specialised services, such as solo walks or puppy visits. If you opt for a rigid structure, this can allow for greater service customisation in other areas while maintaining a small and consistent client list. Alternatively, you may choose to offer many ad-hoc or last-minute walks to cater to an extensive and regularly changing client base, targeting specific groups such as shift workers or school teachers. Your dog walking business's success depends on your ability to create a business model that aligns with your values, goals, and target market preferences. Whether you opt for a cost-driven or value-driven approach, your commitment to providing excellent service and understanding your clients' needs will be the keys to thriving in this industry. So, take the time to strategise and create a model that sets you on the path to success in the world of professional dog walking.
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Setting Your Prices: Step by Step for Professional Dog Walkers
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or totally new to dog walking, I’m sure we’ve all questioned what our pricing should be. When you’re lucky enough to truly love the job you do, it can be difficult to charge for something which often feels like a privilege. BUT, dog walking IS a business and so we must don our business hats and think realistically. If you charge too little, you end up chasing your tail, working yourself into the ground and constantly feeling like you have to take on extra clients just to make ends meet. Perhaps you prefer to keep busy and keep your prices low and accessible, or perhaps you’re burning out and your structure and pricing needs to change to allow you to enjoy your work again. Whatever route you take, it has to work for you. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing – there is a market for many different services and price points. Find your niche and you will flourish. So, let’s look at this together and get some much-needed clarity on setting your prices!Step 1: Analyse the Market Take a moment to research what other professional dog walkers in your local area are charging for similar services. This will serve as a foundation for your pricing strategy. But hold on, we must be cautious not to fall into the trap of undercharging, which can compromise the industry's ability to provide exceptional care.Step 2: Factor in Your Costs To determine the right price for your dog walking services, you must first calculate your costs. Consider the following expenses: Insurance: As professional dog walkers, having insurance is a non-negotiable. This protects both ourselves and our clients in case of any unforeseen accidents or incidents during our walks. Transportation: If you use your vehicle to pick up and drop off dogs, factor in fuel costs and maintenance. Ensuring your car or van is reliable and equipped to safely transport dogs is crucial for providing top quality services and minimising disruption (tell me a dog walker who hasn’t had their car/van give up the ghost at the most inconvenient time, and I’ll eat a waterproof lead). Dog Walking Equipment: Don’t forget to account for the cost of essential supplies such as leads, poo bags, treats, walking belt, treat pouch, suitable footwear, clothing and cleaning supplies. Taxes and Licenses: Remember to set aside a portion of your earnings for taxes and any required licenses or permits. Complying with legal obligations ensures a smooth and reputable operation. Time and Effort: Time is valuable, and as dog walkers, we invest considerable effort in each walk. Calculate the time spent on each dog walk, including travel time to clients' homes. Remember that your time and dedication deserve fair compensation. Step 3: Embrace Your WorthAs professional dog walkers, we invest our heart and soul into caring for our canine companions. We become trusted caregivers and reliable friends to our furry charges. It's crucial to recognise our true worth and the value we bring to the lives of pet owners. Take a moment to reflect on your experience, expertise, and passion for your services. Consider the peace of mind you offer to busy pet parents who entrust you with their beloved companions. Recognising your worth isn't about boasting; it's about setting fair prices that reflect the exceptional standard of care you provide. Step 4: Understand Your Own Earning Requirements Running a successful dog walking business requires financial stability. Let's crunch some numbers together: calculate your monthly expenses, including business-related costs, taxes, and personal needs. Be realistic, it is your life and only you know what you need to earn to live comfortably – everyone’s needs are different. Think about long term stability: don’t forget to factor in savings goals, pensions, holidays, emergencies etc. This will give you a clear picture of the minimum amount you need to take home in order to keep your business thriving and your tail wagging.Step 5: Structuring your businessWhen you first start up dog walking, it is so tempting to say yes to every request that comes your way, but be warned that this can lead to an all-over the place schedule, uneven distribution of services and it can be wildly inefficient. Before taking on any work, think about how you want your days to be structured in the future, assuming you are working at capacity. 1. How much time are you willing to put into dog walking? How many hours each day, days per week?2. How much time off do you want each year? Will you work weekends, bank holidays, school holidays? It’s important to take a break and you should factor this into your planning. 3. What services will you offer? Group walks, solo walks, pop in visits? What times will these services be available? What is the maximum number of dogs you will walk at one time, remember your insurance provider is likely to have a limit, and many councils and public areas impose a maximum number of dogs per walker. Note: this is a maximum, don’t be tempted to take on more than you can safely handle.Think about how you can utilise peak hours and position services with lower earning potential during off-peak hours, or charge a premium for off-peak services during peak hours. 4. How big is your service area? How will travel time impact the number of walks you can offer each day? Will you have to travel far to find suitable walk locations, and are you going to be driving through congested areas at peak traffic times? Once you have an idea of the above 4 points, you can create your business structure and assess your maximum capacity. It may be when you start out, you accept jobs which fall slightly outside of these parameters, but be realistic in how far you can stretch yourself and be transparent with potential clients. Explain what you can and can’t accommodate and don’t be afraid to say no or suggest alternatives which fit into your long-term plans. You should now have an idea of how many walk/visit slots you have available each day/week/month/year. Step 6: Quality Over Competition Although charging competitive rates is a common approach, it is not the only approach. It’s all too easy to getcaught in a cycle of undercharging, leading to a race to the bottom which undervalues the industry as a whole. Let's break free from this pattern. Instead, let's emphasise the exceptional quality of our services and the unique value we offer. Highlight your expertise, dedication to dog welfare, and commitment to raising industry standards. Many clients will happily invest in superior care for their dogs when they witness the professionalism and love you bring to every walk. Step 7: Educate Your Clients If you settle on a higher price-point for your service area, this may raise questions for some pet parents, but don’t panic! It's an opportunity to educate them about how a higher price-point allows you to provide exceptional care without cutting corners or stretching yourself too thin. Explain how your experience, dedication, and ongoing commitment to learning ensure their pets receive the best care possible. By charging a fair price, you can invest in continuous education, quality equipment and of course, the time to enhance your services further. Clients will appreciate your transparency and dedication to their pet’s well-being. Setting prices as a professional dog walker demands thoughtful consideration of market trends, your true worth, and your financial requirements. Remember, you are a pet care pro, and you deserve to be fairly compensated for the love and care you bring to every furry friend. Happy walking!
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More than "Just the dog walker"
How many times have you said, “Oh, I’m just the dog walker!” when somebody asks about the dog you’re walking? I know I’ve said it hundreds of times! But you know what? The phrase really bothers me because I do think many of us are more than “just the dog walker”. We are your dog’s best friend, advocate, giver of treats, adventure buddy, protector, and cheerleader, and we love them unconditionally. We spend our days creating memories with your dogs and forming unforgettable bonds. When we say we love your dogs as if they were our own, we really mean it. Our hearts are filled to the brim with love for each and every dog in our care, so much so that sometimes we can’t believe how much we care for them. When you call and tell us that your dog is unwell and won’t be in for walks this week, we worry about them and wait anxiously for an update to hear if they’re feeling better. When your dog progresses with their training or they have a breakthrough with their reactivity, we whoop and cheer and our hearts burst with pride! When you move away, we cry and wonder if your dog will remember us or if their new dog walker will make sure they always get a belly scratch when they go home. And when the day comes and your dog passes over the rainbow bridge, our hearts break into a million pieces. Your precious dog will always have a place in our hearts and we will never forget them. We know we are “just the dog walker” to the outside world, but the bond we share with your dog? We know it’s much more than that.
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What I thought I needed when I became a dog walker:
What I thought I needed when I became a dog walker: tennis balls, adverts and loads of clients. What I actually needed? Boundaries… and a good coat! When I started dog walking years and years ago (way back in 2015, to be precise), I was so full of energy and excitement. I thought I had it sussed! Wow, how wrong was I… the things I thought I needed were not the things I needed at all.
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What They Don't Tell You About Becoming a Dog Walker
Being a dog walker is great! You get to set your own hours, exercise while you work, and spend your days hanging out with lovable pups. But the life of a dog walker is not always easy, and there are plenty of unexpected moments to keep you on your toes. In this post, we've collected a few of our favourite stories and anecdotes from dog walkers across the country. Keep reading to find out what they don't tell you about becoming a dog walker – and see if you can relate!
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