Running a pet resort is never a smooth ride, and in this episode, Fern dives into the art of staying resilient through the rollercoaster. From shifting pet parent expectations to staff struggles and financial curveballs, this one’s all about preparing your business—not just to survive the tough times, but to bounce back even stronger. Whether you’ve been riding out the recent economic dip or just trying to stay ahead of industry changes, this episode offers some solid advice to help you stabilize, adapt, and grow.

Fern also gets into how your own leadership mindset and staff culture play huge roles in weathering any storm. He shares actionable strategies to diversify your revenue, streamline operations, and keep both you and your team grounded when everything else feels shaky. If you’ve been feeling the weight of running your pet business lately, this episode might be exactly what you need to refocus, regroup, and recharge.

Thinking about opening another location or leveling up your current facility? In this episode Fern brings on two longtime friends—and industry insiders—from Live Oak Bank to unpack everything you need to know before expanding your pet care business. From financial indicators and loan options to the crucial operational groundwork, they break down what it really takes to grow the right way. Whether you’re dreaming of a second location or just trying to boost capacity, this is the kind of expert advice you can’t afford to skip.

But this isn’t just a numbers game. You’ll hear why cash flow, staff strength, and even your processes can make or break your expansion dreams. They also drop some real-world examples and smart tips to help you avoid common pitfalls—especially the big one: expanding too fast without the right prep. If growth is on your radar for the new year, this conversation will help you decide if you’re truly ready—and what steps to take next.

If you think automation is just for tech giants, think again. In this episode, Fern sits down with Irem Metin, Chief Product Officer at Goose, to talk about how smart systems and AI are transforming dog daycare and boarding businesses. From streamlining operations to personalizing customer experiences, they explore how tools that used to be out of reach are now leveling the playing field for smaller pet care businesses—and making life way easier in the process.

You’ll hear real examples of how automation is being used to handle tasks like email marketing, report cards, client communication, and even labor planning—all while freeing up your team to focus on what actually matters: taking care of dogs and people. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the daily grind or worried about keeping up with tech-savvy competitors, this episode might just change the way you think about running your business.