Is Your Business “Best In Show”?
I’ll never forget the day I brought my first dog, an incredibly sweet yellow-lab-mix, home from the shelter.
We were both ecstatic: I was crying with joy, and she was wagging her tail so hard I thought she’d break herself in half.
I’d purchased doggy supplies & food, and learned the basic obedience commands. I knew she already understood “Sit,” having seen her with the shelter staff.
But when I said “Sit”, she just looked at me, happily wagging and panting.
I said it again.
She licked my hands, still whipping the air with her unruly tail. Hmm.
A visiting friend walked over, put her hands on her hips, and calmly but firmly directed her to “Sit.”
Dog-butt hit the floor immediately.
I suddenly realized that the problem wasn’t my dog.
The problem was me.
My dog was reading my energy, and my “Sit” sounded more like “Um, …Sit?”
I wasn’t being a leader, so she wasn’t following.
How does this apply to small business?
In the same way that buying dog food and a basket of squeaky-toys doesn’t automatically create the ideal pooch, you’re not going to create your ideal business just by collecting a bunch of marketing tactics.
The more solopreneurs I coach to success, the more I realize that your business, like a dog, will continue showing you where YOU are out of balance, i.e. where you need to shift your mindset.
Or a fun way to think about it:
Your mindset is all about becoming a better “dog trainer” of your business.
If you do this well, your dog business will not only “behave,” it’ll lick your face and play with you and bring you all kinds of gifts and toys (i.e. money, freedom, and fulfillment).
Read on for a list of some of my favorite tips from top dog-trainers that can actually help you create your dream business.
Think of them as a handful of “Scooby Snacks” to help your business behave like the loyal friend you want it to be.
#1: Be the Leader.
*As the leader of your dog business, you tell it where to go. You set a clear vision, and keep it on track for that outcome. If you don’t set the agenda, you could find yourself constantly reacting to all the latest marketing fads and trends, like a dog yanking you toward every hydrant and mailbox to sniff along your walk.
*You create and hold your boundaries around your prices, your time, and your policies. If you make too many “special exceptions", your client may take over as leader and become more & more demanding, like a dog allowed in the bed “just this once” that ends up sprawled out in the middle while you and your partner cling to the edges.
*Your job is to avoid being reactive. Business can be challenging. Sometimes the launch fails, or a client leaves. Sometimes things just feel overwhelming. Don’t freak out. Stay calm, learn to redirect your energy, and realign with your intention, or your chaos will become your dog’s business’ chaos.
#2: Use positive reinforcement.
“Catch your dog being good. Be quick to praise.”—AKC guidebook
*Regularly celebrate wins and accomplishments. If you only focus on what hasn’t gotten done, you’re creating a recipe for demoralization and burnout. (This is why I have clients start every coaching call and masterminding session with listing what they’re proud of, no matter how small). Pat yourself on the head with a “good dog” regularly, and you’ll keep your momentum going.
*Don’t shame your dog self or rub its your face in failure. Your business will have challenges and setbacks. This is as normal as a new puppy piddling on the floor. Judging or punishing yourself will just make the situation worse. Instead, take a pause, practice self-compassion and curiosity, and redirect your attention to what you want to happen next.
*Remember, you’re already doing something brave and visionary by running your own business. Celebrating this special fact will help keep the process of learning and growing fun!
#3: Be Consistent.
*The best way to market your business is to pick just a few strategies, and do them consistently. If you try to do too much, you’ll just overwhelm and distract yourself, like dumping a basket of toys in front of a golden retriever.
*You set the habits and routines that set you up for success, and consistently maintain them: whether it’s starting the day with reading & exercise, scheduling writing time, or having a clear start and stop time for work every day. Predictability keeps your dog business focused and calm.
*Consistency in your habits, boundaries, and marketing strategyhelps you achieve consistent results, which helps you gain confidence. “Confidence comes with repetition” -Dani Shapiro
#4: Respect your Dog’s Stage of Development.
“Always challenge, never overwhelm.” –Chad Mackin
*A new puppy business will require a lot more attention and energy(and tolerance for chaos and setbacks), so be patient and don’t expect it to behave like a mature dog business right away.
*Knowing your stage of business allows you to adjust the pace of challenge vs. rest. It’s important to regularly stimulate growth with new ideas and goals, but don’t rush to do all the things too quickly or you’ll start stress-gnawing your fur.
*As your business matures and settles into itself, you’ll discover that all that work and consistency, in the beginning, is helping it grow into the thriving dog enterprise it’s meant to be. You can then introduce more creativity and playfulness into discovering what else it’s capable of.
Dog training is a never-ending process of evolving. -Ivan Balabanov
#5: Enjoy the Process.
The three most important words to remember in dog training are consistency, patience, and fun.” -Rexann Lemke
*There’s no such thing as the perfect dog business. If you spend all your time trying to achieve perfection, then you're going to miss out on just enjoying the process. Learn to adapt to the approaches that work for your unique dog business, and you’ll have a lot more fun.
*Dogs solopreneurs need rest and play, and socialization. It’s up to you to create a balance that creates time for all three. You don’t wait for your dog to decide when it’s time to play, eat, or walk; it’s up to you to schedule time for self-care and relationships and build your business around that life.
*Your dog clients can tell when you’re bringing a positive, fun approach to the process of growth. They’ll read your energy, and respond accordingly. The more you trust the process, the more your dog business will thrive and become a rewarding source of joy.
Dogs are most joyful when they get to do the things that fulfill them. -Dick Russell
As you learn to be the “benevolent alpha” of your dog business, you’ll discover that you’re a confident, joyful leader—and it will grow healthy and love you back.
But here’s one thing that all dog trainers know:
The training never stops. There’s no such thing as “arrival” in your business. It’s an ongoing process of learning, realigning with goals, and overcoming challenges. Sometimes you need support and help on those stuck spots.
“People get a dog, because they want a friend. People hire a dog trainer, because they don’t want their friend to be an asshole.” -Chad Mackin
This is why I love being a business coach (and it's why I'm so excited about leading my next Mighty Mastermind cohort!).
Hit reply and let me know which of these tips felt most helpful. And if you know your business needs some “puppy training”, let's talk about that, too.
In the meantime, know that you're already a winner for being in the arena!
To your success,
-Jane