Episode Details

From “rock bottom” to national crime-scene cleaners turning over six-figures plus. Donna and Dennis share how they built a premium, values-driven cleaning business and coaching brand. Weirdly, there’s a lot of crossovers into dog training - and they prove it. Their lessons on pricing, mindset, recruitment, and client relationships map uncannily well onto the realities of running a dog training business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Don´t start your business as a hobby – “I just love doing this thing” doesn´t work. You need a business and growth mindset.

• Charge premium prices and structure for cash flow from day one.

• Don´t be afraid to break through the VAT barrier.

• Look out for new opportunities and services you can add to create a more resilient business.

• Don´t be afraid to recruit.

• Know your core values, hint at them in your job advert and hire for the character traits you need. 

• Having a strong purpose creates a lot of positive energy. Wanting to help others is a particularly good driver.

• Expect complaints and wobbles you will rarely achieve perfection, be ready to deal with oversights (don´t call them mistakes). 

• Build clear processes to minimise risk of oversights and deal with them. This also makes it easier to teach your staff and others the skills they need.

• Overserving for free is not good for you or your client. You can help but need boundaries.

• Learn to bridge the knowledge gap: meet clients where they are at, not where you are. Pitch at their level.

• You are going to have those “I should just go get a 9-to-5 job days” – refocus on why you are running your business, the things you enjoy and how working in Asda would make you feel.

BEST MOMENTS

“Everything we do, or we train our staff do to, we've done ourselves on the ground.”

“I have got that purpose, and I have got the ability to change people's lives and it's massive.”

“Recruit for character.”

“There is space for everyone. If you don't believe there's space for you, there won´t be.”

“The universe puts in front of you what you need to see.”

“I have never stopped pushing. I just find different ways to push.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://thespecialistcleaninggroup.co.uk

https://donnahall.co.uk

DISC profiling for recruitment - https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc

SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS

https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness

Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com

Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity

Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705