10 reasons to work with a pet business coach

Spread the love:

There are lots of reasons why you might want to work with a pet business coach.

If you’ve been thinking about coaching but feel unsure whether it’s the right time or the right investment, you’re not alone.

For many pet business owners, coaching can feel like an indulgence. Plus, there are so many things to spend money on.

Can you really justify paying to have someone to talk to?

But when done well – with the right coach, at the right time – it can change how you feel about your business, help you make confident decisions, and stop you going round in circles.

This post shares 10 reasons you might want to work with a pet business coach – and how to know if it’s the right fit for you.

1. It’s personalised, not prescriptive

The right coach won’t hand you a one-size-fits-all formula.

Instead, they’ll ask the right questions to help you figure out what you need, and support you to get there – in a way that feels aligned with your goals, values and energy.

As John Whitmore (2017) explains, coaching is about: “Unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their own performance.” That’s not fixing, directing or prescribing.

2. You’ll feel genuinely listened to

So often in life and business, we don’t feel heard. Coaching offers the kind of deep listening that gives you time to reflect, think clearly, and feel seen. That alone can be powerful.

In Time to Think, Nancy Kline (2002) explains: “The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do first. And the quality of our thinking depends on the quality of our listening.”

3. It gives you a place to pause and prioritise

Pet business owners wear a lot of hats – often with very little time to step back and breathe.

Coaching can help you create space to stop reacting and start making conscious decisions about what matters most.

Coaching improves focus, performance and strategic clarity by creating intentional space to reflect and reset.

4. You’ll work with someone who understands your industry

You won’t need to explain what you do or justify why visibility feels hard when you’re emotionally invested in your work.

A pet business coach can offer guidance that’s grounded in experience, not theory.

With over a decade writing about the pet industry, running my own pet-friendly business, and working with hundreds of pet professionals – I get it!

5. It helps you make the right decisions (without the pressure)

Coaching helps you explore your options, think through decisions, and come away with more clarity – without someone pushing you into a particular direction.

The process is about self-directed learning and independent thinking – critical skills for navigating change and uncertainty.

The support you need will change depending on the stage of business you’re in too.

For more on this read: Types of coaching for each stage of your pet business

6. You’ll be held accountable

Accountability doesn’t need to feel like pressure.

A coach can check in, remind you of your priorities, and help you follow through on the things that matter – with encouragement, but not where you find yourself feeling bad or guilty.

Sometimes life will get in the way and a trained coach will recognise that and not put pressure on you.

Coaching is shown to support sustainable change when it’s built on psychological safety and trust, not shame (Wade, 2020).

7. You’ll get fresh perspective on your ideas

Sometimes you’re too close to your business to see it clearly.

A coach can help you connect the dots, spot patterns, and ask questions that unlock new thinking.

8. It works for your brain, your way

Whether you’re neurodivergent, introverted, overwhelmed or just wired a bit differently – good coaching should meet you where you are.

No “just do it” or insisting on working in a certain way. And if you are neurodivergent, do follow Sasha Louise Smith, a coach who specialises in this area.

You can listen to her on the podcast here: Creating a pet business that supports your needs with Sasha Louise Smith.

9. You’ll feel less alone

Coaching isn’t just about strategy – it’s about support.

For many of my clients, it’s the only space in their week where they can talk honestly about what’s going on, and feel like someone truly gets it.

10. You’ll be working with someone trained to support you safely and ethically

Anyone can call themselves a coach – but not everyone is trained to coach responsibly.

I completed my ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, which means I’ve been assessed in key areas including communication, emotional intelligence, reflective practice and ethics.

I also follow the EMCC Global Code of Ethics and continue to develop my practice through supervision and learning.

As Marshall, Lawrence and Woods (2021) explain, accreditation gives clients: “The confidence that their coach is qualified, ethical and committed to best practice.”

For more on this, you might like: Why I trained as an accredited coach and what that means for your pet business

Final thoughts

There’s no single right reason to work with a pet business coach – and there’s no shame in not doing so.

But if you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or you’re craving a sounding board, coaching might be the next right step.

The best coaching doesn’t promise magic fixes – it gives you clarity, confidence, and the kind of support that actually lasts.

If this sounds like what you need, you can fill out my coaching application form here and the questions will give you a chance to see if we’d be a good match.

This post contains part of my ILM Level 7 701 assignment and the details of the books I’ve referenced are below.

References

Hawkins, P. (2012). Creating a Coaching Culture. Open University Press.
Kline, N. (2002). Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind. Cassell.
Marshall, J., Lawrence, P., & Woods, D. (2021). Chapter on coach accreditation in Excellence in Coaching (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.
Wade, J. (2020). Evidence-Based Coaching Practice.
Whitmore, J. (2017). Coaching for Performance (5th ed.). Nicholas Brealey.