Best thing to do?

[Mrs Malapup]

I have been doing my dog walking business now for just over a year. The business is going very well but in order to expand and earn a living wage I would have to take staff on, look into franchising or do more walking myself.(none of which I want to do) I have been looking for evenng work but have now decided that I will look for a full time job and let the dog walking side go if necessary and maybe just keep doing the cat sitting which I can fit in in the evening or early morning.

My poblem is that there is no one in this area doing dog walking and I will have to let my customers down without being able to offer an alternative for them. This is quite sad because I have a lot of dogs on the books. Do you think it would be worth while trying to sell the business....although if I get the job Im after I wouldnt have time to do that as I would be starting next month. I have put a lot into the business and I have a lot of flyers and cards and a van with signage etc I have my own letter heads and feedback forms etc. What do you think....should I let it go or try and find someone to take it over?

Thanks guys

 

[streetslocal]

I have been doing my dog walking business now for just over a year. The business is going very well but in order to expand and earn a living wage I would have to take staff on, look into franchising or do more walking myself.(none of which I want to do) I have been looking for evenng work but have now decided that I will look for a full time job and let the dog walking side go if necessary and maybe just keep doing the cat sitting which I can fit in in the evening or early morning.

My poblem is that there is no one in this area doing dog walking and I will have to let my customers down without being able to offer an alternative for them. This is quite sad because I have a lot of dogs on the books. Do you think it would be worth while trying to sell the business....although if I get the job Im after I wouldnt have time to do that as I would be starting next month. I have put a lot into the business and I have a lot of flyers and cards and a van with signage etc I have my own letter heads and feedback forms etc. What do you think....should I let it go or try and find someone to take it over?

Thanks guys

Is the option of employing somebody out of the question?

 

[carmenes]

Sounds like a business ripe for expansion to me - why are you reluctant to scale up (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

[Mister B]

I think that you'd be absolutely bonkers to pack it in, if I'm being honest.

Ounds like you have a viable business and just need some part time workers to do the walking for you. There are hundres of pet loving pensioners who would like an excuse to take a dog out, never mind loads of teenage children who fancy earning a little extra pocket money. One small ad in the local paper and I think that you'd be surprised at the interest that you may generate.

Only sticky point, IMHO, is the health & safety, child work permit etc but I'm sure that your local agency could help you out on this.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Mister B

 

[Mrs Malapup]

Ok..its not just about pet loving pensioners or school kids....my dog walking is serious business. I am insured, police checked and have many years of dog handling experience. If I were to employ anyone they would have to have meet some very high standards for a start. That would mean training etc The whole employee thing just doesnt appeal at all. I know someone else who has gone down that route in this business and it didnt work for them for the same reasons as I dont want to do it. I have also known someone have a bad experience trying to franchise a dog walking business. The only way that I could envisage carrying it on would be if someone came in with me and I have asked a couple of people that I would trust and theyre not interested. So the question is do I let it go or try and sell it. I have an interview at the end of the month and if I get it I will have to let it go as the money would be too good to turn down and I am not making enough dog walking alone.

 

[Mister B]

Ok..its not just about pet loving pensioners or school kids....my dog walking is serious business. I am insured, police checked and have many years of dog handling experience. If I were to employ anyone they would have to have meet some very high standards for a start. That would mean training etc The whole employee thing just doesnt appeal at all. I know someone else who has gone down that route in this business and it didnt work for them for the same reasons as I dont want to do it. I have also known someone have a bad experience trying to franchise a dog walking business. The only way that I could envisage carrying it on would be if someone came in with me and I have asked a couple of people that I would trust and theyre not interested. So the question is do I let it go or try and sell it. I have an interview at the end of the month and if I get it I will have to let it go as the money would be too good to turn down and I am not making enough dog walking alone.

I think that you've answered your own question here No point in letting it just slide into oblivion, have a go at selling and see what you can get for it. has to be worth a try?

Mister B

 

[leonle]

Thanks guyz

 

[JADEMEDIA]

Hi Gill.
Have you considered the tax and NI situation in getting a job. If your charging £12 an hr for a dog walk you don't need that many customers to earn a living wage where as after tax your be lucky to take home £4 an hour unless you get a well paid job. Anyway just a thought. Jade

 

[Hogrill]

Can you not put your rates up or try to offer some additional services such as taking them to dog grooming and getting a percentage off the parlour.

 

[Mrs Malapup]

Its not as simple as working out how much an hour can be earned at dog walking. Some dogs cannot go off lead and have to be literally walked miles in order to excercise them. Some dogs live miles apart from each other and travelling time has to be taken into consideration. Some dogs cannot be walked together so have to be done seperately. My physical capabilities have to be factored in to the equation and I have four dogs of my own, two of which cannot be walked with other dogs. I am fit but I have my limitations and at 56 Im kinda looking for an easier way of life too. I have done the figures and I cannot earn enough walking dogs on my own. If I get the job I will be able to pay my mortgage etc which at the moment I am struggling with.

 

[Digital Mistress]

If you sell it to someone else don't you have the same worries as if you take on employees, that they wont be qualified etc? Or are you sort of washing your hands of the whole thing if you sell it, like it's not your problem anymore?

I don't mean that in a bad way, I'm trying to make excuses for keeping the business, unlesss you're sick of it? I'm thinking if you can find someone qualified to take over the business, you must be able to find somone qualified to work with you with minimal training. There's thousands of jobs where you need police checks, so that part isn't a difficulty. Have you tried looking for someone who's worked with dogs for a living already?

 

[Findermonkey]

What about if someone came on board on a self employed basis, they are a self employed dog walker and you supply their work? Maybe a school leaver or something?

 

[Mrs Malapup]

Can you not put your rates up or try to offer some additional services such as taking them to dog grooming and getting a percentage off the parlour.

Thanks....good idea for anyone who wants to do it......it would be a lot of hard work for not much more. I have looked into this business quite considerably.....I run a forum for pet sitters and not one of them can earn a good wage on their own. The ones that earn money have a partner and a bit of land or large enough house to board dogs.....which there is good money in but involves alsorts of council nonesense to get a license.

 

[Mrs Malapup]

What about if someone came on board on a self employed basis, they are a self employed dog walker and you supply their work? Maybe a school leaver or something?

Like I said I have approached a couple of people who I think I would work with but they have good jobs already and dont want to get involved. I will probably just let it go and keep the cats on.....unless I dont get the job in which case I will carry on until I do get one

 

[Mrs Malapup]

If you sell it to someone else don't you have the same worries as if you take on employees, that they wont be qualified etc? Or are you sort of washing your hands of the whole thing if you sell it, like it's not your problem anymore?

If I sold the business it would no longer belong to me.....they would buy the name and the clients and it would be under new management. Like any other business....once its sold its not yours anymore. Of course I would be around to advise but basically if I sold it I would be busy doing other things..............

 

[Morgan]

Hi Gill

It does seem a shame to to let your hard work of building up the business just go but I totally agree its not as easy as it seems to find competant and reliable staff. Too many people think it's a 'walk in the park' (pun intended ) but its seriously hard work and I'd like to see a pensioner walk some of the dogs I have to take out in snow, ice, wind and rain!! There's no ringing in sick in this job - the pets have to be cared for come what may. Financially it just doesn't add up having staff, by the time you've paid their wage in my opinion it just isn't worth doing, not to mention the horror stories I could tell about staff nicking your clients and setting up on their own

If I were you I'd give it a go at selling it on as it is, what have you go to loose? You've got the branding, vehicle, clients etc. Have you tried approaching some of the exisiting franchises out there already ie pet - pals or g b pet sitters .co .uk? For them they would purchase a ready made business? Either that or I'd advertise it in the local paper and see what response you got. Yes of course you'd have to sort the wheat from the chaff but it's got to be worth a shot? :redface: