When growth opportunities show up in the pet care industry, they rarely wait around. In this episode, Fern sits down with financing experts Claire Cronin and Jacqueline Pait of Live Oak Bank to unpack a topic that every daycare or boarding owner eventually faces: how to fund your next move without putting your business under unnecessary pressure. From expansions and acquisitions to hiring ahead of demand, they dig into why the type of money you choose can shape the future of your facility more than you might think.

The conversation breaks down the difference between “fast money” and “smart money,” and why the easiest option isn’t always the one that sets you up to win long-term. You’ll hear how strategic financing can support growth, the common traps pet care owners fall into when they need capital quickly, and how to think about borrowing in a way that actually strengthens your business. If you’ve ever wondered when it makes sense to use financing—and when it doesn’t—this episode will give you a clearer framework for making those decisions.

Most business owners think if their website looks great, it must be working. But what if that beautiful site is quietly leaking customers? In this episode, we dig into a common mistake pet care businesses make with their websites—and why design alone isn’t enough to turn visitors into bookings. If your site is acting more like a brochure than a sales system, you could be losing clients without even realizing it.

We break down the subtle elements that separate a website that simply exists from one that consistently generates customers. From the psychology of trust to the hidden “checklists” every pet parent is mentally running through when they land on your page, this conversation will challenge the way you think about your online presence. If you want your website to actually work for your business—not just sit there looking nice—this episode will give you a whole new lens to evaluate it.

If payroll is eating your lunch every month and you’re not totally sure why, this episode is going to hit home. In this special replay, we’re sharing a powerhouse training from the late Philip Parris, who joined our Pet Resort Rocket Ship members to break down the real story behind payroll margins. Not the Facebook-group version. Not the “someone said it should be 30%” version. The real, boots-on-the-ground numbers and the operational decisions that quietly make or break your bottom line.

Philip dives into what actually drives payroll up (hint: it’s not just hourly rates), how your daycare model changes everything, why enrichment might be helping—or hurting—you, and the sneaky habits that drain profit without you realizing it. He also gets into hiring, training, scheduling, incentives, grooming pay structures, and what healthy net profit really looks like in a multi-service facility.

It’s practical, honest, and packed with perspective from someone who saw behind the curtain of a lot of pet resorts. If you want clearer numbers, stronger margins, and a smarter way to think about staffing, this is one you’ll want to listen all the way through.