515: The Power of Membership Models in Pet Care with Traci Bisson

Have you ever wondered how to create a thriving community for pet owners while running a successful business? Traci Bisson, founder of Golden Dog Adventure Company and Start a Dog Walking Club, shares how she transitioned from a corporate marketing job to founding a professional pet sitting company and eventually Golden Dog Adventure Company, which has a very unique model. She delves into the concept of dog walking clubs, fostering a sense of community among pet owners, and the benefits of a membership model. Addressing the needs of reactive dogs and their owners, Traci highlights the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for all. The episode also explores partnerships with local businesses, and managing burnout through the model of business you design.

Main topics:

• Transition to Dog Walking Clubs

• Membership Model and Benefits

• Supporting Reactive Dog Owners

• Partnerships and Community Events

• Managing Burnout and Fatigue

Main takeaway: Building a community around pet care has had a profound impact on our members' lives.

About our guest:

Traci Bisson is the Owner/Founder of Golden Dog Adventure Co., formerly the NH Dog Walking Club.In 1994, Traci received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire where she studied wildlife management and business. She has over 30 years' experience in marketing and public relations, including 15 years as the owner of Bisson Barcelona, a PR and marketing firm, and 12 years' experience working in the nonprofit sector. In 2018, she established a dog walking club as a community outreach program for dog lovers throughout the state. Today, Golden Dog Adventure Co., works with local, national, and international experts to offer quality education for dog owners.Traci created Golden Dog Adventure Co. to offer unique experiences for dogs and their people, including an annual Doggy Easter Egg Hunt, Doggy Olympics, Scavenger Hunt at the Mall, Skijoring, SUP with Your PUP, Maple Sugaring Experience, Corn Maze & Halloween Party, Wine & Wags Socials, Apple Picking, "Reindeer" Games for Dogs, and much more!In addition, the company offers corporate wellness programs, special occasion events (i.e. birthday pawties, Adoptaversary, Puppy Shower, Gotcha Day Pawty, etc.), membership, partnerships, and more.Traci was featured in the January/February 2020 issue of Pet Sitter's World for her focus on sustainability and community. She was also named a Northeast Credit Union (NECU) Planet Protector for her contributions to sustainability. In addition, she has been featured on NH Chronicle, on the front page of the Portsmouth Herald, chosen as a 2022 Best of NH Editor's pick in NH Magazine, 2022 Best of the Seacoast, and 2022 winner of NH Business Review's Business Excellence Award for Consumer Services (Small Company).When Traci is not busy dreaming up creative events for dog lovers, she teaches pet pros around the country how to boost their revenue, attract new clients, and give back to their community by starting a dog walking club in their area. To learn more, visit StartaDogWalkingClub.com.

Links:

https://goldendognh.com

startadogwalkingclub.com

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/startadogwalkingclub

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Full show notes and transcript

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