<![CDATA[
<body bgcolor="#cccc66" link="#FF0000" vlink="#990000" background="http://www.tripod.com/work/columns/brainstorm/img/bg.gif">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td valign="TOP" align="CENTER" width="178">
<!--Begin Nav Table-->
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="170">
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP" width="100%">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/adm/imagemap/logo-map.html"><img src="../../../../img/nav/www_subdomain/logo.gif" alt="Tripod Map" border="0" height="58" width="170" ismap></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP" width="100%">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/adm/imagemap/universal-map.html"><img src="../../../../img/nav/www_subdomain/universal.gif" alt="Member Services Map" width="170" height="45" border="0" ismap></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP" width="100%">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/adm/imagemap/zones-map.html"><img src="../../../../img/nav/www_subdomain/zones.gif" alt="Zone Map" width="170" height="69" border="0" ismap></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" valign="TOP" width="100%">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/adm/imagemap/pods-map.html"><img src="../../../../img/nav/www_subdomain/pods.gif" alt="Pod Map" width="170" height="18" border="0" ismap></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="CENTER" valign="TOP" width="170" bgcolor="#999966">
<form name="pod_list">
<select name="pod_name" onchange="self.top.podRedirect(this.options[this.selectedIndex].value);">
<option value="">What's Your Interest?</option>
<option value="Activism">Activism</option>
<option value="Animation%20Central">Animation & Cartoons</option>
<option value="Crafty">Arts & Crafts</option>
<option value="Beer%20Lovers">Beer</option>
<option value="BookTalk">Books/Reading</option>
<option value="Carburetor%20Junction">Cars</option>
<option value="TechBits">Computers</option>
<option value="Mac%20Computing">Computers (Macintosh)</option>
<option value="PC%20User">Computers (PC)</option>
<option value="Cooking%20Capers">Cooking</option>
<option value="Education">Education</option>
<option value="Mod">Fashion & Style</option>
<option value="Freebies">Freebies</option>
<option value="Gamesta'">Games</option>
<option value="Genealogy">Genealogy</option>
<option value="Holiday">Holidays</option>
<option value="Alternative%20Health">Holistic Medicine</option>
<option value="Funny%20Bone">Humor</option>
<option value="Film%20Buffs">Movies</option>
<option value="Alt.Music">Music (Alternative)</option>
<option value="Musicology">Music (General)</option>
<option value="Critters">Pets</option>
<option value="Photography">Photography</option>
<option value="Christian%20Fellowship">Religion (Christianity)</option>
<option value="Stone%20Circle">Religion (Earth)</option>
<option value="Romantic">Romance</option>
<option value="Natural%20Science">Science (Natural)</option>
<option value="Science%20Fiction">Science Fiction</option>
<option value="Smallbiz">Small Business</option>
<option value="Spirituality">Spirituality</option>
<option value="Extreme%20Sports">Sports (Extreme)</option>
<option value="Sports%20Fans">Sports (General)</option>
<option value="Sweet%20Tooth">Sweet Confections</option>
<option value="TV%20Lounge">Television</option>
<option value="Second-Hand">Thrift</option>
<option value="Travel">Travel</option>
<option value="PageSlave">Web Design</option>
<option value="X-Squared">Women's Issues</option>
<option value="Writers'%20Block">Writing</option>
<option value="Zine">Zines</option>
</select>
</form>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<!--End Nav Table-->
</td>
<td valign="TOP"><base target="_top">
<form name="navbar">
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" align="RIGHT">
<tr>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="MIDDLE">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/work_money.html" target="_top"></a></td>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="MIDDLE">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/work_money/index-html/anchor_toc.html" target="_top"></a></td>
<td valign="TOP" align="RIGHT">
<select name="pod_name" onchange="self.top.podRedirect(this.options[this.selectedIndex].value)">
<option value="">Related Pods</option>
<option value="Freebies">Freebies</option>
<option value="MacComputing">Mac Computing</option>
<option value="PC%20User">PC User</option>
<option value="Second-Hand">Second-Hand</option>
<option value="Smallbiz">SmallBiz</option>
<option value="Travel">Travel</option>
</select></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>
<br clear="ALL">
<p>
<p>
<!--AD>
<!--/AD-->
<p>
<p>
<p>
<table cellpadding="0">
<tr><td valign="TOP">
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
<b>by Leah and Elina Furman</b>
<p>
<font size="+1">
<b>
</b>
</font>
<br>
<p>
<p>Published June 23, 1997<br><p>
<p><br>
<p>read <a href="../../../../www_subdomain/work/archive/brainstorm.html">more</a> Small Business Brainstorms
<p>
</td>
<td><font size="+1">
<center></center>
<font size="+2">A</font>nimal lovers, listen up! Entrepreneurs with a soft spot for furry creatures are a lucky lot. Getting paid to feed and play with other people's pets, what could be better? Besides the obvious perks of never having to wear a suit and absolutely no human supervision, there's the matter of very low start-up costs. A pet-sitting service can easily be started right out of your own back yard, and you can bring in substantial currency as your reputation and customer base grows.
<br><br>
<font size="+2">W</font>e all like to go on vacation every now and then. For some of us, it's a simple process — pack up and go — but for poor Fluffy, the issue is fraught with controversy. Pet owners understand their charges' concern, and are almost always grappling with the horns of a major dilemma; what to do with the dog, cat, or python, as the case may be. Dropping Fifi off at a friend's is too much of an imposition, but the kennel is so impersonal, it's downright cruel.
<br><br>
<font size="+2">T</font>hat's where you come in. Not only will you be providing care for the pet, you can also water the plants and get the mail. But since trust is of paramount importance, just you leave that disco ball where you found it. That's right, while the customers are away the pet-sitters will not play. The peace of mind your service has to offer will keep your clients coming back time and time again. So get out your pooper scooper, and get ready to make a pretty profit sitting pets.
</font>
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Raking in the Dough</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">O</font>n average, a pet sitting service can expect to bring in a pretax net profit of $52,000. But that's just for starters; some pet sitting service businesses report profits of $110,00 to $200,000 annually. You may have to contend with a few difficult critters now and again, but what's a few barking canines when we're talking this kind of money?
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="TOP" width="160">
<font size="+2">A thrifty capitalist could do much worse than this small stakes/high profit venture.</font>
</td>
<td>
<font size="+1"><b>Start-Up Costs and Financing:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">H</font>ere's the best part of all; pet sitting services can be started for virtually nothing. You can even house the entire operation under your own roof, saving yourself tons of cash. The whole kit and caboodle can be set up on a measly $500. Some business owners report a start-up cost of $4,000 or even $5,000. But even at the high end of the start-up spectrum, a thrifty capitalist could do much worse than this small stakes/high profit venture.
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Market Research:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">W</font>hile it's true that pet owners abound, you're still better off researching the local market before opening for business. Are there a lot of young, single professionals residing in the area? What about the about the well-to-do? These groups tend to log on more frequent flyer miles than any other, and are bound to spawn more potential patrons than you'll know what to do with. You should also keep an eye out for competition. Check out the local yellow pages and call up any contenders. Ask them about what kind of services they offer, which kinds of pets they sit for, and what territorial region their services cover. A robust interrogation may get you thinking about how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace, or reveal that all competition is null and void.
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Trade Associations:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">R</font>egistering for membership with one of these associations can considerably boost your business. Besides serving as referral services and resource centers, they will provide access to inexpensive insurance plans and offer discounts on certain products and services.
<ul>
<li> American Pet Sitting Club: 61 S. Division St., New Rochelle, NY 10805.
<li> National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS): 1200 G St. NW, Ste. 760, Washington, DC 20005. 202-393-3317
<li> Pet Sitters International: 418 E. King St., King, NC 27201. 910-983-9222
</ul>
<font size="+1"><b>License and Insurance:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">Y</font>ou don't have to be a vet to succeed in this biz, but you will have to have some familiarity with the basics of pet care. You'll also have to look into obtaining a standard business license and various permits, as well as meeting certain tax requirements. If the home-based route is for you, check with a professional about city zoning laws before stocking up on plastic cushion covers.
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="TOP" width="160">
<font size="+2">Insurance is top dog among issues in the pet industry.</font>
</td>
<td>
<font size="+1">I</font>nsurance is top dog among issues in the pet industry. Forget the weak humor, and concentrate on the scary side of animal care for a moment — not all pets are friendly to strangers. That's where a reliable insurance salesperson comes in. You'll need bonding and liability insurance, as well as automobile insurance that covers you while transporting pets for business purposes.
<p>
<font size="+1">F</font>inally, don't even think about saving money on lawyer's fees by drafting up the client-pet sitter agreement yourself. In case something goes horribly wrong, you'll need the added protection that only a well thought-out contract can offer. You shouldn't be held accountable for every little problem that arises, so protect yourself and your business by drawing up an air-tight contract.
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Equip Yourself:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">T</font>he beauty of the pet-sitting business is that it requires very little space and only the most basic equipment for operation. Anyone with a spare room can start a sitting service. Mandatory office equipment includes an office chair, desk, fax machine, two-line phone, filing cabinet, and possibly even a computer system to maintain a client data base. Since you will have many appointments to keep and a good deal of tooling around to do, invest in a few local maps and a scheduling aid. And don't forget the pet supplies; you'll need a pet carrier, a first-aid kit, and an extra leash.
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Franchise Opportunities:</b></font><p>
<ul>
<li> Critter Care, Inc.: 2251 Drusilla Ln., Ste. B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. 504-923-1144
<li> Pet Nanny: 1000 Long Blvd. #9, Lansing, MI 48911. 517-694-4400
<li> Pet-Tenders International, Inc.: PO Box 23622, San Diego, CA 92193. 619-298-3033
</ul>
<font size="+1"><b>Services and Prices:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">D</font>etermining which services you'll be providing to customers and what you will charge is your next step. In addition to pet care, some pet sitters offer the deluxe home maintenance package; bringing in the mail, starting the client's car once a day, collecting newspapers, and watering the plants. Your rates will depend on the services you provide.
<p>
<font size="+1">W</font>hen setting prices, keep geographic considerations in mind. Calculate the total amount of gas expended for each trip and figure that expense into your total bill. It may seem like a drop in the bucket, but drip, drip, drip — before you know, it you're dry.
<p>
<font size="+1">Y</font>ou should also factor in the number of pets per household. The more pets, the merrier your pocket book. Twenty bucks is the going average rate per call, but it's always a good idea to check out where the competition stands. And don't forget to ask about the services being provided when getting the cash breakdown. Sure, you're providing a humanitarian service, but that's as far as your resemblance to non-profit goes. You can't survive on applause, even if you are willing to jump through hoops for your customers.
</td></tr>
<tr><td valign="TOP" width="160">
<b><font size="+2">WEB RESOURCES:</font></b><p>
U.S. Small Business Administration Online<br>
A terrific resource with information about the Small Business Act, tips on starting and financing your business, local resources, and much more.<br>
Pet-Sitters Yellow Pages<br>
Research services other pet-sitters offer and the prices they charge.<br>
Pet-Sitter Start-Up Kit<br>
This company offers a kit with forms and tutorials to get you started.
</td>
<td>
<font size="+1"><b>Getting the Word Out:</b></font><p>
<font size="+1">Y</font>our first couple of self-employed years will see a large portion of time spent in the pursuit of advertising and promotion. Once your customers are hooked and feel that you can be relied upon, you'll have enough business to last you a lifetime. There's no need to invest your life savings into a marketing campaign. Get your creative juices flowing, and you'll be surprised at how quickly the word will spread. Your first goal is to get as much free press as you can. Leaving your business cards or posting flyers at your local veterinarians' offices, pet grooming salons, and pet shops will get you noticed by pet owners all over the county.
<p>
<font size="+1">A</font>nother great way to generate business is to write up a press release about your company. You'll want to make it as newsworthy as possible. Create a press release that reads like a newspaper article, citing the popularity of pet-sitting services. Local newspapers and radio stations will be more likely to feature your release free of charge if the promotional aspects are toned down. Don't offer special deals or discounts; save that pitch for when you've got prospective clients on the line.
<p>
<font size="+1">I</font>f you have a few shekels to invest in marketing, consider renting bench space at local parks for your advertisement. Since parks are piled high with people walking their pets, this marketing strategy may be the soundest initial investment you can make.
<p>
<font size="+1"><b>Read All About It:</b></font><p>
<ul>
<li> Pet Sitting for Profit: A Complete Manual for Professional Success; Howell Book House/Macmillan, 1991.
<li> The Professional Pet Sitter: Your Guide to Starting and Operating a Successful Service; Paws-itive Press, 1994.
</ul>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<hr>
<br><br>
<a href="mailto:Faivel1.aol.com,work@tripod.com">Leah and Elina Furman</a> are freelance writers living in Chicago, and are the authors of <b><tt>The Everything After College Book</tt></b>, to be released by Adams Media in the fall of '97. Leah and Elina invite readers to visit their homepage at <a href="/">members.tripod.com/~ElinaF</a>.
<br><br>
<center><font size="-1">© 1997 Leah Furman and Elina Furman. All rights reserved.<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<form method="POST" action="../../../../www_subdomain/bin/search/pursuit.html">
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" align="RIGHT">
<tr>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="MIDDLE">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/work_money.html" target="_top"></a></td>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="MIDDLE">
<a href="../../../../www_subdomain/work_money/index-html/anchor_toc.html" target="_top"></a></td>
<td valign="TOP" align="RIGHT">
<select name="pod_name" onchange="self.top.podRedirect(this.options[this.selectedIndex].value)">
<option value="">Related Pods</option>
<option value="Freebies">Freebies</option>
<option value="MacComputing">Mac Computing</option>
<option value="Second-Hand">Second-Hand</option>
<option value="Smallbiz">SmallBiz</option>
<option value="Travel">Travel</option>
</select></td>
</tr>
</table>
<br clear="ALL"><br>
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" align="RIGHT">
<tr>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="RIGHT">
<nobr><img src="../../../../img/www_subdomain/lycos_power.gif" border="0" alt="Lycos Powered" height="15" width="91">
<select name="cat">
<option value="tripod_www" selected>Search the Tripod Web Site
<option value="tripod">Search Tripod Member Pages
<option value="lycos">Search the Web</select></nobr></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="MIDDLE" align="RIGHT">
<nobr><input type="text" size="20" name="query"> <input type="submit" value="Search"></nobr></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>
<br clear="ALL">
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
]]>