Remember when you started your pet business dreaming of freedom and flexibility? Yet somehow, you ended up working longer hours than ever before. Been there… 😓
If you're feeling trapped in the day-to-day operations of your pet business, wondering when you'll finally have the freedom to live the life you envisioned, this post is for you.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Kristin Morrison, pet business coach, author, and founder of the Six-Figure Pet Business Academy, on the Pet Marketing Unleashed podcast. After experiencing burnout in her own pet business, Kristin transformed her company into one that could run without her, allowing her to travel for months at a time in Bali and India (how cool is that?! ✈️). Now, she helps other pet business owners do the same.
In this post, we’ll cover:
✅ How to start building a business that can run without you
✅ Finding and hiring the right team members to support your vision
✅ Essential Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) every pet business needs
✅ Steps to prepare your business and clients for your absence
✅ Key metrics to know if your business is ready for you to step back
✅ Mindset shifts needed to release control and delegate effectively
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the world, taking regular weekends off, planning for maternity leave, or simply having more time for yourself as a pet business owner, keep reading!
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EPISODE NOW:
Subscribe & download the episode to your device: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
WATCH THE INTERVIEW:
Kristin’s Pet Sitting Business Owner Journey: From Burnout to Freedom
Kristin didn’t always have the freedom to step away from her business. In fact, she was deeply ingrained in it—working long hours despite having a full team of 25 pet sitters and dog walkers.
Her turning point? A moment of realization when she found her old travel backpack buried in storage. It hit her—she had once dreamed of adventure and travel, yet now she felt stuck in a business she built. Around the same time, a friend of hers planned a two-month trip, sparking jealousy. But instead of suppressing it, she used it as a sign. If she wanted that kind of freedom, she needed to figure out how to make it happen.
“If you’re feeling jealous, it’s a desire. How can you create that?”
- Kristin Morrison
She started small—asking her main manager if she’d be willing to step up in her absence. After getting a YES, she booked a non-refundable ticket for nine months out to give herself time to set up her business for success.
And guess what? Her business actually made MORE money while she was away. 🙌
How to Build a Pet Business That Runs Without You
Kristin’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s actionable. Here are the key steps she took to transition from burnout to a thriving, self-sufficient pet business.
1. Find the Right Support Team
To step back from your business, you need the right people in place. But that doesn’t always mean hiring an office manager right away.
Kristin’s advice? Start with your existing team. Look at your staff and identify who might have the skills and personality for a leadership or admin role.
“Not everyone who works with pets is good with people. Look at how they communicate—are they responsive, professional, and organized?”
2. Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
SOPs are the key to consistency. Without them, your team won’t know how to handle tasks the way you would.
Some must-have SOPs for pet businesses include:
How to respond to client inquiries
Booking and scheduling procedures
Handling emergency situations
Payment and invoicing processes
A great way to create these? Use Loom videos! Record yourself performing tasks and save them for training.
3. Prep Your Clients
Clients should never be surprised by changes in your business. Kristin recommends:
Using “we” in your voicemail, website, and other communications before you step back
Sending an email introducing any new team members
Being transparent if you’re planning to take an extended leave (whether for travel, maternity, or just personal time)
“Clients don’t like change, but they also don’t want to go find another pet sitter. Be upfront with them!”
4. Test Your Pet Business’s Readiness
Before going all in, test things in small steps:
Take a short weekend away and see how your team handles things
Slowly delegate responsibilities
Monitor how smoothly everything runs without your involvement
And if you’re wondering how to know if your business is financially ready, track:
Your monthly business revenue vs. expenses
Profitability trends over the last few years
Whether you have an emergency fund in place
Overcoming the Fear of Letting Go in Your Pet Business
One of the hardest parts of stepping back? Mindset.
Many business owners fear that if they aren’t personally doing everything, the business will fall apart. But Kristin challenges that belief:
“If you’re working 60+ hours a week, do you really have a successful business? Or just a successful job?”
To help reframe your mindset:
Ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen? How can I prevent it?
Recognize that delegation is a skill. It takes time, but your team CAN do things as well as (or even better than!) you.
Stop letting work define you. Who are you outside of your business?
Kristin even suggests practicing small pockets of unstructured time in your schedule now so that when you do step back, it doesn’t feel like a shock.
Your Pet Business Should Support Your Life, Not Run It
If you started your pet business for freedom but feel more trapped than ever, it’s time to make a change. Start small. Delegate little by little. Put systems in place. Trust your team.
Because, as Kristin says: “You CAN have both time and money. But you have to build your business to allow for it.”
Links Mentioned:
📖 Kristin’s Books & Business Kits – Check them out here
🎙️The Prosperous Pet Business Podcast – Listen here
📚 Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – Get the book
💻 Kristin’s Monthly Webinars & Workshops – See upcoming events
🆓 No-Cost Business Resources from Kristin – Download them here
Connect with Kristin:
📷 Instagram: @petbizcoach
🌐 Website: Six-Figure Pet Business Academy
