Highlights
- Client: Self-owned dog sitting business
- Industry: Pet Care
- Problem: Financial struggles and limited career growth opportunities in a low-paying social media job
- Solution: Optimized my profile and story behind the experience I’d offer, I offered exceptional customer service, and set up community partnerships to stand out in a competitive local market
- Outcome:
- Generated $6,000 to $8,000 per month
- Expanded with additional staff
- Built a highly trusted brand
While balancing my part-time social media manager role, I decided I needed to find a way to make extra money on the side. Here’s how I surpassed my goals in the process of working on that.
The Problem
Before starting my dog sitting business, I was working a low-paying part-time social media job. I was just starting my career, and it was tough because no one really wants to give an entry-level employee the space to learn, make mistakes, and grow.
I felt stuck. It seemed like the only way I could get the experience I wanted—and actually start learning—was by creating my own opportunities. So that’s exactly what I did.
Challenges
When I started, there were two big challenges I had to overcome:
- Competing with established businesses that had tons of reviews and strong rankings on Google.
- Going up against dog sitters on popular platforms who already had shiny badges showcasing their repeat clients and glowing reviews.
It felt like I was stepping into a game where everyone else was already way ahead, and I had to figure out how to catch up fast.
The Solution
I knew competing on Google was out of the question—it takes time to rank, and I didn’t have time to wait. But on dog sitting sites, I noticed something: new profiles got a temporary boost to the top of search results for about a week. I decided to go all-in on creating a standout profile.
Here’s what I did:
- Created a story: I helped pet parents imagine their dog’s stay at my home, focusing on how safe and comfortable they’d feel.
- Showcased my space: I took great pictures of my home and myself with dogs, so people could feel like they already knew me and trusted me.
- Highlighted my unique offer: I emphasized peace of mind—unlike overcrowded pet hotels or undercharging sitters, I guaranteed their dog would be the only one (or one of just three) staying with me at a time.
It worked. Within a day, I got my first inquiry. I made it my mission to give a 5-star experience. Every dog left with a goody bag that included a toy, a treat, and a referral card.
Positive reviews started rolling in, and even after my profile’s initial boost was over, I stayed at the top of search results.
I also partnered with local dog goods businesses to get exposure in the community.
Eventually, I built up a strong recurring client base and branched out on my own. I bought my own insurance, launched a website, and kept all my clients—some of whom paid me $400 to $800 a month. No more giving a 15% cut to the dog sitting platforms!
The Outcome
The business brought in between $6,000 to $8,000 per month, with holiday months pushing earnings to the higher end.
As demand grew, I expanded by hiring and training another sitter to cover surrounding areas where I couldn’t take on clients personally.
While being a dog sitter wasn’t part of my long-term career vision, I was proud of what I built. The income was steady, the feedback was incredible, and our clients were so happy they’d bring me gifts from their trips. It was a business rooted in trust and genuine care, and that made all the difference.