Ep. 15 First Steps to Financing a Pet Care Facility: From Concept to Closing with Claire Cronin

Are you overwhelmed by the financial complexities of starting your pet care business?

Do you find the maze of banking options for start-ups confusing and intimidating?

Are you worried it’s too early, or you are leaving it too late to talk to someone about financing?

If these questions are keeping you up at night, then today’s episode of the Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast is tailor-made for you.

Dom is joined by Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank, who will unveil critical banking strategies and insights crucial for every new pet care entrepreneur.

Dom and Claire talk about everything from project conception, contingency funds, construction through to closing, and Claire shares why the team at Live Oak do everything they can to not only put you into business, but also ensure you are able stay in a stable, sustainable, successful pet business.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

  • Easy Peasy Email: In Dog News Dom shares how to turn newspaper stories into simple ‘non-salesy’ emails that leverage customer loyalty
  • Heather Beck Preview: This year’s PBD Expo keynote speaker pops by to share her cool origin story 
  • Banking Basics for Start-ups: Claire demystifies the first steps that business owners need to know when stepping into the world of financing a facility.
  • Navigating Financial Pitfalls: Discover the common financial mistakes and how to avoid them, ensuring a smooth start for your venture.
  • Early Bird Banking Tip: At what stage in your pet business journey should you contact a bank representative?
  • Why Starting Small is Starting Smart: Learn why Claire and the team will help you create a business plan that enables you to scale as you grow.
  • Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Ask: Claire outlines the must-ask questions to ensure your banking decisions align perfectly with your business goals.

Dom is also joined by expert dog trainer, Heather Beck, and Rebecca Shipman from Barkleigh stops by to talk more about the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo in Vegas—where knowledge meets opportunity!

Show guests Heather Beck, Claire Cronin and Rebecca Shipman will all be attending the upcoming Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo which is happening in Vegas, May 20-23. The expo is a prime opportunity to strengthen industry connections, gain invaluable knowledge, and catalyse business transformation through the power of relationships. To register for this year’s Las Vegas pet boarding and daycare expo, go to petboardingexpowest

Huge thanks to this week’s brand-new show sponsor Pack Pro. PackPro provide 

Comprehensive, affordable, and efficient daycare staff training for your pet boarding and daycare facility, to find out more about how they can help you empower and support your team by creating playgroups that are safe, productive and fun to manage, go to PackPro.com

Huge thanks to Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank for sharing her wisdom. Connect with Claire and the Live Oak Team at LiveOak.Bank

Thank you to Heather Beck for sharing her story. Learn more about Heather at HeathersHeroes

To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his exclusive pet business consulting services go to petbusinessmarketing.com

You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com

Episode Time Stamps:

  • 00:51 – Introduction and who is in today’s show
  • 02.12 – How Pack Pro training can help train your staff members
  • 02.43 – Dog News: A fishy tale with a happy ending
  • 05.36 – How to use email marketing to grow your client base
  • 06.00 – Quick catch up with PB&D Expo keynote speaker, Heather Beck
  • 14.05 – Meet Claire Cronin from Live Oak Bank
  • 17.17 – Claire’s Origin story, from Au Pair, to recruitment to banking
  • 22.00 – Mapping out the purchasing process
  • 25.27 – What stage should you contact a bank?
  • 28.05 – Benefits of a phased build out
  • 34.50 – How to contact Claire
  • 37.52 – Expo preview with Rebecca from Barkleigh
  • 42.59 – Info about the Sold out Expo trade floor
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