In this episode, Jo and Vicky explore the prevalence of imposter syndrome within the dog industry and discuss potential solutions. Many dog professionals continually seek to expand their knowledge through conferences and courses but often struggle to apply what they have learned. This can lead to a loss of confidence and open the door to imposter syndrome. Peer pressure, the way accreditation works and how course creators upsell are also fuelling the growth of imposter syndrome within the industry.

Jo and Vicky provide insights and strategies to help you to avoid and overcome imposter syndrome. Enabling you to confidently apply new knowledge that improves your services.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• When you use too many training approaches (disciplines) you spread yourself too thin and imposter syndrome starts to creep in. It is better to specialise.
• You don´t have to take every course out there to become an expert. Believing that you need to do that when you don´t have time to do it can contribute to imposter syndrome.
• There is a lot of knowledge crossover between courses. Trying to beat imposter syndrome by becoming a serial course taker will waste a lot of your time.
• If you let imposter syndrome creep in, it will cripple your business. You won´t be willing to put yourself out there, which will greatly restrict the effectiveness of your advertising.
• Most business owners struggle to implement what they have learned. Often, because of the way the information is presented.
• Shoehorning something you learn into your existing services is rarely effective. The strategies you learned become too diluted to have much impact.
• Making too many changes at once is counterproductive. You have to put the implementation of some of the new strategies you like on the back burner.
• Let your business purpose dictate which new approaches you adopt, rather than peer pressure.

BEST MOMENTS

“I’m sitting there and I’m going it’s great I just love this, but How the f**k do I implement that?”

“This just highlights the big gaping hole of things that need fixing in this industry.”

“It´s like learning the theory without the practical application.”

“This comes back down to having a strategy and a purpose for your business.”

“There shouldn't be such a thing as imposter syndrome when it comes to dog knowledge... the education out there is epic.”

“You need to be a specialist in one or other of the disciplines rather than trying to be that jack of all trades.”

“Imposter syndrome isn't about a lack of knowledge or skills. It’s about that judgment.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

ACE Free Work - https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com

SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS

https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness

Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com

Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/

Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.

In this episode, Jo & Vicky talk about why so many of us are sceptical about business coaches. They look at why this is and whether people who work in the dog industry are right to be sceptical.

Jo & Vicky also explain how to work out if a business coach will help you to grow faster. If you conclude that you should hire one the advice shared in this episode will help you to find the right coach for you and your business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Most business coaches have no experience of the dog business, so often fail to appreciate the important differences and adequately adapt what they teach and the support they give.

• Having the right knowledge is vital, for example you have to understand how humans think as well as their dogs. Essentially you have two clients.

• When you have a coach who has been exactly where you are now, they remove most of the mental and practical barriers that have been holding you back. Often, by offering practical advice about how to overcome specific physical problems.

• The right coach will save you a lot of wasted effort, frustration and stress.

• If you have tried a coach before and not had good results don´t let that put you off. You just need to find the right one for you. Someone who provides support tailored to the stage your business is currently at.

• Working efficiently is an effective way to earn more. A coach that has worked in the dog business can provide practical advice and tips to help you to work smarter.

• A good coach will help you overcome overwhelm and make the right business decisions.

• How you structure your finances has a bit impact on wealth creation. The right coach will help you to understand this aspect of business too.

• Most business coaches are not just out to make money. Often, they see helping others as an important part of their purpose.

BEST MOMENTS

“Without the coaching, the strategy doesn't work, because there's always going to be a blockage.”

“I genuinely believe that my purpose is to inspire others and to inspire a change.”

“We are pretty unusual in terms of how deep we go on really getting into somebody's mindset.”

“It´s about peeling those layers back. You´re all onions out there.”

“If you need specific help on social media, go and find a social media coach.”

“You have to really work hard as a professional to be able to adapt and tweak your style to suit somebody else’s.”

“We know that the work we do with trainers and others is going to impact the dogs they train.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Let´s Talk Dog Business Strategy Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lets-Talk-Dog-Business-Strategy/dp/1068791705

SOCIALS AND IMPORTANT LINKS

https://www.tiktok.com/@letstalkdogbusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkDogBusiness

Website www.caninebusinessacademy.com

Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caninebusinessacademycommunity/

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Meet Jo and Vicky! They bring a combined 25 years of expertise in the canine industry. Jo, with a background in corporate business, and Vicky, a dedicated advocate for rescue organisations, form an unstoppable team. Beyond the mic, their lives are a whirlwind – managing two successful businesses, pursuing a full-time university degree, and parenting two little ones under four. Each of their homes combined is a lively menagerie, housing five dogs and an abundance of chickens.