When kids grow up eager to earn a little extra money, it’s time for parents to nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. Any parent can appreciate their children learning the value of hard work, especially when they do it in a way that appeals to their passions. For animal lovers, one of the best opportunities is a local pet sitting business!
Setting up this service is cheap and straightforward. This is a perfect foray into the world of commerce for your budding tycoons. Here are seven smart tips for starting a pet sitting business to help your kids succeed.
7 Tips for Helping Your Kids Start a Pet-Sitting Business
1. Discuss Their Capabilities and the Logistics Before Anything
Before helping your child with their pet-sitting business, you need to talk about their goals, the services offered, and how (or if) you can do it.
Start with the types of services they want to provide and what they envision the job entailing. Can they do dog walking, grooming, and other services beyond basic pet care? Here, you can help them set their expectations, set reasonable goals, and define the services they will offer.
Then you need to think of a meaningful schedule. Your child will likely rely on you in some areas, such as transportation. Although you want them to succeed, they must work in your work. Make sure they are clear on limitations like this before making plans with customers.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
The pet-sitting business is a serious responsibility and a test of your child’s sense of duty. Your son or daughter must be at least 10 years old. Regardless of age, only you can gauge their level of maturity and respect for all that is required on the job.
Responsible children can manage the basics of pet sitting. But regardless of their ability, you cannot treat it as a common business. One consideration is that your child does not have insurance if something happens at work. You could be on the hook for any liability if pets are injured or run away while your child is caring for them.
Your child’s potential client list is limited to begin with. Generally, they will look to family, friends, and their networks to build a customer list. Strangers will be more wary of an unknown child with their animals and home, especially if they are inexperienced. Your child should get along with people you know and won’t cause trouble if something small happens while your child is taking care of the pet.
Expanding Your Child’s Pet Grooming Business
If your child is getting serious about their budding pet-sitting gig, they can start a legitimate business with your help. They want pet sitter licenses and insurance to cover liability if something happens to their customer’s pet or property. With this, the business can expand its marketing and focus on growing its customer base.
Setting up a business entity will require varying degrees of effort, paperwork, and investment. It all depends on where you live and the services your child is offered. Have them research state registration laws and how to obtain licenses and permits on your city and county websites.
Fees are involved, and your child’s income is taxable when they earn more than $400. However, the business will be legitimate and have fewer obstacles to remaining operational.
Under your guidance, your child will be able to do research, formulate a business plan, and figure out the name and services of their business. Let them learn by managing the key ins and outs of their business.
3. Have Friends and Family Reach Out to Your Children
When your child is dipping her toes into pet care, starting with someone she knows well is ideal. If you can think of a family member or friend with a cat or dog who is willing to house-sit your child, they can learn the responsibilities and challenges of the job in a safe and familiar environment.
Starting slowly with close relatives will also allow your child to learn what kind of pets they can work with and the services they are willing to provide. As they become more comfortable and efficient with the process, you can help them branch out.
Instead of making appointments for your child, encourage them to contact their potential customers directly. You can bring them the list and give them feedback throughout the process, but this is another opportunity for them to learn business and communication skills.
4. Arrange Meetings With Families Before Setting Appointments
Meeting the pet sitter at the place where your child will be pet-sitting is a critical step before confirming an appointment. Even if you know the person, you may not know the pet or the area, and you don’t want to throw your child into an unknown and possibly unmanageable situation.
A meet and greet will allow your child to interact with the pet in a controlled environment to test their temperament and compatibility.
5. Guide the Conversation With Potential Customers
Setting specific and reasonable expectations is the only way to guarantee a positive experience. You don’t want any uncertainty around responsibilities that could frustrate the customer or put your child in a difficult spot.
Confirm a written checklist of roles during your meeting, and encourage your child to ask any questions they need for clarification. Go to emergency contacts, escape routes, and restricted areas around the house.
Make sure your child has reliable access to the home. As a parent, you will appreciate the opportunity to assess the situation and gain reassurance that your child will be safe.
While your child may want to create a separate website once his business gains traction, you can boost his profile by starting with social media advertising services.
Give the business a quick shoutout to let your extended network know. Instagram, X, Facebook, and other social sites let you instantly connect with interested pet owners and start conversations.
7. Get Business Cards
If your child has a business name, an email address, and a logo, you can offer marketing help by getting them their first set of business cards. Sites like Canva let you design and order business cards in a few quick and easy steps.
Your child can create a card and use it as their neighborhood canvas to network and expand their potential customer list.
Conclusion
Pet rearing is one of the best business ventures a child can enter into, requiring little more than a genuine passion for animals to get started. For us parents, the hardest part is finding the balance between providing support and allowing freedom.
Your children will need your help to succeed, but you don’t want to control the process of starting a pet sitting business. Here is a great opportunity for your children to understand new concepts and develop skills. While you can give feedback, you should let them learn their lessons, make mistakes, and take advantage of the opportunity for personal growth.
Featured Image Credit: Bear Images, Shutterstock
