The Dog Walking Business Mentor Ltd

23/04/2025

A Big Welcome to Rachel! 🙏

I’m so excited to welcome Rachel to my mentoring program as our newest Silver Level mentee! She runs a dog walking business over in Nottingham and has joined the program to gain more confidence, streamline her processes, and bring a bit more structure to her growing business.

It’s always such a privilege to support passionate pet pros who are ready to take things to the next level—and Rachel is exactly that. She’s already doing an amazing job, and I’m really looking forward to helping her shape a business that feels calm, confident, and aligned with her goals.

Welcome aboard Rachel—let’s do this! 💪🏾

21/04/2025

Another First… and What a Special One!

I’ve just wrapped up a business planning and mentoring session with my very first international client—Jayden, all the way from Seattle, USA! 🇺🇸

Jayden has signed up to my Gold Mentoring Program to launch his brand-new dog walking and pet sitting business, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be supporting him on this journey. We covered everything from pricing and branding to scaling up with a future team—and let me tell you, this guy has big plans and buckets of passion.

It’s a bit of a “pinch me” moment to be helping pet professionals not just across the UK but now across the pond!

This is such an exciting milestone, and it reminds me just how universal the dream of working with animals really is. Whether you’re in Southampton or Seattle, I’m here to help you build a pet business that’s full of purpose, passion and proper planning.

Jayden, I can’t wait to see Seattle Strolls & Sniff come to life! You’ve absolutely got this.

20/04/2025

Starting a Pet Biz?

Here’s What You Actually Need

Before you order flyers or panic about a logo…
Let’s make sure you’ve got the foundations in place.

I created The Ultimate Pet Care Start-Up Checklist to help new pet pros get clear on what really matters when setting up.

Want it?

Grab it here:

https://dogwalkingmentor.co.uk/5-steps/

It’s free, helpful, and designed by someone who’s been there.

~ The Dog Walking Business Mentor:
*Building Better Pet Businesses, One Step at a Time*

With 5 Steps to Launching Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business, your dream business can become a reality.

20/04/2025

Happy Easter from The Dog Walking Business Mentor! 🐣

Just hopping on to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s supported me, my mentoring biz, and the amazing community we’ve built together.

Whether you’re spending the weekend with family, friends, floofs, or just enjoying a well-earned break – I hope it’s full of joy, chocolate (if that’s your thing), and maybe the odd dog walk or two!

Wishing you all a lovely Easter – however you celebrate it (or even if you don’t!). Thanks again for being part of this little corner of the dog world. You lot are eggs-tra special.

Stay pawsome,
Nathan x

19/04/2025

One Week In – and Already Clearer! 🙌🏻

“We’re only one week in, and Nathan has already given us a fresh perspective on our dog walking business. His ideas are not only practical but genuinely inspiring.
After our initial call, we walked away with so much valuable information and a clear plan to move forward.” – Dog Almighty

It doesn’t take months to start seeing change.
Sometimes, one powerful week is all it takes to finally feel like you’re moving forward.

Ready for that clarity?

DM me ‘READY’ and let’s chat.

~ The Dog Walking Business Mentor:
*Mentoring with Heart, Growing with Purpose* 💙

18/04/2025

Being Busy Doesn’t Mean You’re Successful”

Let’s normalise this:
You don’t need a back-to-back diary to prove you’re doing well.

In fact, if you’re working 7 days a week, have zero boundaries, and you’re constantly drained… that’s not a badge of honour—it’s a recipe for burnout.

Let’s stop glorifying being “booked solid” and start celebrating businesses that leave room for rest, joy, and dogs and life.

Who’s with me?

- The Dog Walking Business Mentor:
*Empowering Pet Professionals, Ethically and Effectively*

18/04/2025

Big News from HQ… My First International Mentee Has Landed! 🌍✈️🐾

I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Jayden, based all the way over in Seattle, USA, to my Gold Mentoring Program—making him my first international mentee!

It’s such a significant moment for me personally and professionally. When I launched this mentoring program, I had no idea it would one day reach pet pros across the world. To now be supporting someone thousands of miles away feels incredibly special—and a real “pinch me” moment.

Jayden is about to launch his brand-new dog walking and pet sitting business, and I’m so excited to be part of that journey with him. He’s got the drive, the vision, and now a plan—and I can’t wait to help him bring it all to life over in Seattle!

On that note… I’ve got two more mentees hopefully signing up shortly, which means I’ll be at full capacity again. As many of you know, I only take on 3–4 mentees at a time to make sure I can give each person the dedicated support they deserve.

So, if you’ve been thinking about mentoring and want to work together before the summer, now’s the time to drop me a message. Let’s get your business where you want it to be—whether you’re in Southampton or Seattle!

17/04/2025

3 Things to Stop Doing if You Want to Grow Your Pet Biz

1. Stop charging based on what others charge – Your costs, your skills, your worth.

2. Stop saying “yes” to everyone – Not every enquiry is your ideal client.

3. Stop waiting to feel ready – Confidence comes after action, not before.

If you’re still in the early days or feel like you’ve skipped a few foundations, I’ve got you:

Download my free checklist to make sure your business is built on solid ground:

With 5 Steps to Launching Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business, your dream business can become a reality.

16/04/2025

If I Could Tell 2018 Me One Thing…

When I started out, I thought success meant a full diary and lots of dogs.

Turns out, success is being in control of your time, having boundaries, earning properly—and actually enjoying the job you built for yourself.

If I could tell 2018 - me one thing, it would be:

“Build your business around the life you want—not the other way round.”

That’s exactly what I help my mentees do now.

What would you tell your past self if you could?

The Dog Walking Business Mentor ~
*Building Better Pet Businesses, One Step at a Time*

16/04/2025

“They just want a happy dog…”

That’s what one lovely pet pro told me after doing a focus group for her business.

She said:
“My USP is my knowledge, but I don’t think guardians really appreciate that. As long as they see a happy dog, they’re content.”

And I get it—because it feels like that sometimes. But here’s what I told her (and maybe you need to hear it too)

Your knowledge is the reason that dog is happy.
Your route choices.
Your understanding of group dynamics.
Your ability to spot subtle stress signs and adjust on the fly.
Your training knowledge that prevents overwhelm or overstimulation.

The guardians might not always see it—but the right ones will.

So don’t hide your knowledge. Let it trickle through your posts.
Let them see the thinking behind the fun.
And remember—you’re not just walking dogs.
You’re actively improving their lives.

That’s the kind of value that deserves premium pricing.

https://dogwalkingmentor.co.uk

Mentoring with Heart, Growing with Purpose 💙

Expert guidance for thriving in the pet industry with award winning Nathan Dunleavy. Elevate your dog walking business with tailored mentorship and coaching

14/04/2025

You deserve to be paid for the expertise you bring to the table.

~ The Dog Walking Business Mentor
*Empowering Pet Professionals, Ethically and Effectively*

14/04/2025

International Vibes Incoming… ✈️

Something really exciting happened today… I had my first ever discovery call booked from someone outside the UK—and I’m absolutely buzzing about it!

They’re based in the US 🇺🇸 and ready to make the leap from employment to starting their very own dog walking business.

They’ve got the passion, the experience, and now they’re looking for support to build something sustainable and fulfilling. And honestly? That’s my favourite kind of person to work with.

No matter where you live—if you’ve got the dream but you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you. My mentoring is fully remote, tailored, and built around your goals and lifestyle (and your timezone, of course!).

I’m so looking forward to speaking with them tomorrow—and hopefully helping another amazing pet pro take their first steps toward self-employment.

The dream doesn’t have borders—and neither does support.

Watch this space, world! 🌎

13/04/2025

Success doesn’t happen overnight. Play the long game. 🙌🏻

~ The Dog Walking Business Mentor
*Empowering Pet Professionals, Ethically and Effectively*

13/04/2025

“Let’s Play a Game: Would You Rather… Dog Walker Edition!”

Would you rather:

A) Walk 1 dog for £30 or 3 dogs for £10 each?

b) Do all your marketing on TikTok or face-to-face at the park?

C) Take Friday off or work a half-Sunday for double pay?

Comment your answers below—I LOVE seeing how differently we all run our businesses!

P.S. Want to set your biz up the right way from the start?

Grab my free Ultimate Pet Care Start-up Checklist here:

With 5 Steps to Launching Your Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Business, your dream business can become a reality.

12/04/2025

‘’From Trainer to Dog Walker – Mentee Spotlight: Luke’s Journey” 💙

Luke Rainsford had years of experience as a dog trainer, but when he decided to transition into professional dog walking, he felt unsure about how to make it all work.

He’d tried to figure it out solo—but the shift felt clunky, and he struggled to implement his vision with confidence.

After working together, Luke:

✅ Found clarity in how to merge his passions

✅ Gained confidence in pricing, branding, and delivery

✅ Created a service that brings together his dog training background and love of the outdoors

Here’s what he said:

“Joining Nathan has been a breath of fresh air… He gave me a real spark to make the move possible, highlighting my passion and helping me bring everything together. The support is ongoing from start to finish. Great mentor—and more importantly, a great guy.”

If you’re trying to shift, grow, or finally feel in control of your pet business—DM me ‘SUCCESS’ and let’s chat about how I can help. 🙌🏻

- The Dog Walking Business Mentor
*Mentoring with Heart, Growing with Purpose*

11/04/2025

“You’re Not Too Expensive. You’re Just Not for Everyone.”

Here’s something I wish more pet professionals believed:
You are allowed to charge properly for your time, energy, and expertise.

Low prices don’t make you more “caring” or “ethical.”

They just make it harder for you to stay in business.

When you price confidently, you:

✔ Attract better clients

✔ Build a sustainable business

✔ Feel GOOD about your work

Let’s stop glorifying hustle and start celebrating sustainability.

Agree or disagree? Let’s chat in the comments.

11/04/2025

A Full-Circle Moment… Lisa Has Graduated! 🎓✨

Lisa left me such a kind review when she first joined the mentoring program—but now that she’s officially graduated, she’s followed it up with this absolute beauty of a testimonial (cue the emotional music).

Working with Lisa has been an absolute privilege. She came to me with a beautiful vision, and together we turned it into a brand that’s full of heart, clarity, and confidence. Watching her grow—not just in business, but in self-belief—has been a total joy.

To read this and know that she feels her business is now filled with purpose and direction… well, that’s what it’s all about.

Lisa, thank you so much for trusting me with your journey. I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way—and hopefully welcoming you into The Graduates Club soon too!

11/04/2025

Big Congratulations to Lisa Ward - of Noble Paws Partnership - Official Mentoring Graduate! 🎓🐾

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that Lisa has officially graduated from my mentoring program—and I couldn’t be prouder of everything she’s achieved!

Over the past few months, Lisa has worked so hard to shape a business that’s truly her—heart-led, holistic, and built around her deep connection with animals. She’s rebranded, restructured, and refined her services, and watching her confidence grow has been such a joy.

Lisa, it’s been an honour to be part of your journey—and I can’t wait to see what you do next as Noble Paws Partnership continues to grow and evolve.

I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll be welcoming you into The Graduates Club soon so we can keep the momentum going!

You’ve got this—and I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

I did it — I’ve officially graduated from Business Mentor School!
Huge thanks to the incredible Nathan Dunleavy for his guidance and support over the past 4 months. This journey has been full of learning, growth, and valuable insights, and I’m so excited to put it all into action as I take my business to the next level! Watch this space 🐾