Veronica

Overwork and uncertainty can drain the joy from dog training. Kizz transformed her chaotic schedule into a sustainable, single-focus career, finding success and balance.

Terrifying, hopeless, unpredictable.

Before THRIVE!, Elizabeth “Kizz” Robinson was caught in a storm of overwork and uncertainty. Juggling a support job alongside full-time dog training, Kizz was working seven days a week, feeling that success came only through word of mouth. When COVID hit, her fears intensified, leaving her wondering how dog training businesses would survive the upheaval.

Being given specific actions to take that lead to successes I could build on has made all the difference to me.

Kizz joined THRIVE! as a founding member, recognizing the value of the program. Through THRIVE!, Kizz learned to make data-driven decisions, reducing the emotional roller coaster of small business ownership. She implemented regular price increases, established clear policies, and began automating administrative tasks. Most importantly, THRIVE! gave her the confidence to leave her support job and focus solely on dog training.

I have 1 job now. I train dogs and their people.

The results of Kizz’s THRIVE! journey have been significant. For the first time in her life, she has only one job. Her income from training has remained consistent, and she’s working on increasing it further. Kizz no longer works seven days a week and has become a better coach to both clients and colleagues.

Beyond business improvements, THRIVE! has given Kizz the flexibility to prioritize what matters most to her. She was able to spend six weeks with her father as he passed away – something that would have been difficult to manage before.

THRIVE! is finding these small pockets of community and making connections so that we’re creating a wider, supportive community across the US and around the world.

For Kizz, THRIVE! isn’t just about business growth – it’s about community. She’s found a supportive network that spans the globe. She now pays it forward by encouraging other trainers to join THRIVE!, helping them build sustainable businesses. While the challenges of small business ownership remain, Kizz has the tools, community, and confidence to face them head-on, building a sustainable career doing what she loves.

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!

Isolation can stifle business development. With THRIVE!’s community and support, Wendy reshaped her dog training business and experienced tenfold income growth.

I was feeling isolated, insecure about my processes and skills, and spending way too much time crafting training plans and post-lesson email follow-ups.

Like many dog trainers, Wendy found herself struggling with self-doubt and overwhelm. The loneliness of running her dog training business left her questioning herself and spending countless hours on administrative tasks. Seeking connection and growth, Wendy joined Survive and THRIVE during the pandemic. Finding it so helpful and enjoyable, she continued into the permanent THRIVE! program when it was launched in 2020.

What’s made the biggest difference for me is simplifying processes and being brave enough to charge enough. I made 10x as much in 2023 as in 2014.

Through THRIVE!, Wendy embraced key teachings that changed her business approach. She learned to simplify her processes, charge rates that reflected her value, and let go of perfectionism. She adjusted her pricing structure to ensure a living wage, streamlined post-lesson communications using templates, and even ventured into creating gift baskets for marketing – all inspired by ideas from the THRIVE! community. These changes had a profound impact on her business operations and mindset.

I have a supportive and fun community at my back. THRIVE! is a think tank led by excellent teachers and filled with talented and experienced colleagues.

Wendy now feels more confident in her skills, inspired by her talented THRIVE! colleagues. Beyond financial gains, Wendy has experienced personal growth. She’s better at self-care and feels a sense of belonging. The weekly sessions boost her mood, and she finds value in both receiving advice and helping others.

For Wendy, THRIVE! is more than just a business resource – it’s a vibrant community that celebrates diversity in business approaches and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their stage in the journey. She particularly appreciates the camaraderie in the Facebook group and the insights gained from participating in specialized teams like the Curriculum Strive Team.

For dog trainers feeling stuck or isolated, Wendy’s experience shows that with the right support and resources, it’s possible to build a thriving business while finding joy and connection in the process.

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!

Balancing two demanding careers can be overwhelming. With THRIVE!’s guidance, Linda tamed the frenzy and is now running her training business with confidence.

I was disorganized, overwhelmed, and yet passionate about all I was doing.

Before joining THRIVE!, Linda found herself extremely busy but lacking a clear pathway forwards. Having sold her veterinary practice, she was pivoting to relief vet work while also expanding her dog training business. Linda was revamping her website, pursuing certifications, producing webinars, and speaking at educational events. Despite her passion, she felt overwhelmed and scattered.

The transition from veterinary practice owner to training business owner left Linda feeling isolated. She craved a sense of partnership and direction, as well as like-minded colleagues with shared values.

I needed to feel less ‘alone’ in my expanding business.

After discovering THRIVE!, Linda found the support and resources she had been seeking. She learned to be kinder to herself and to meet clients where they are. THRIVE! taught her that she didn’t need to reinvent the wheel – often, solutions to her challenges already existed within the community.

Linda implemented numerous changes based on THRIVE! teachings. She began using templates to organize her life and business, from daily tasks to yearly planning. She learned to say no and prioritize self-care, including getting more sleep. Linda also started utilizing THRIVE! resources, recognizing the value and quality of the information.

The community is real, and is robust. People are kind, and it seems they all share – information, templates, wording, advice, help – willingly.

The THRIVE! community became a cornerstone of Linda’s professional growth. She found a network of aligned R+ trainers facing similar challenges, offering mutual support and shared experiences. This sense of community helped alleviate the isolation she’d struggled with.

Today, while Linda still faces challenges – particularly in managing employees and balancing two demanding careers – she feels more equipped to handle them. She recognizes that building a successful business takes time, and she’s proud of navigating the difficult periods.

Join! It is worth the money, and per hour is quite an inexpensive employee/manager, as that is what THRIVE! is!

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!

Chaos doesn’t have to be the norm for dog trainers. With THRIVE!’s support, Amy transformed her hectic business into a thriving one.

I didn’t even realize it was chaotic. I just thought these were the dues I had to pay.

Before joining THRIVE!, Amy’s dog training business was a whirlwind of challenges. Having restarted her business in 2021 after a hiatus, she found herself struggling to balance competing demands. As a single mom, Amy was juggling client appointments, childcare, and her own dogs’ needs. She accepted nearly every client, regardless of fit, and drove all over her large metropolitan area to accommodate their schedules.

The chaos felt normal to Amy. She believed working evenings, taking on difficult clients, and being at everyone’s beck and call were simply part of running a business.

I figured I would waste a few bucks and just cancel it after a few months. Ha! Joke was on me!

In a moment of curiosity, Amy decided to join THRIVE! on a whim. This decision was transformative for both her business and personal life. Through THRIVE!, Amy implemented numerous changes. She eliminated evening appointments, restructured her services, and created new day training packages. She learned to identify her ideal clients and politely decline those who weren’t a good fit. Amy also limited her service area and improved her marketing strategies. Despite working fewer hours and being more selective with clients, Amy’s business flourished.

It has been life-changing to realize that I really am in control of this, that I’m the one driving this bus!

THRIVE! empowered Amy to take control of her business and prioritize her well-being. She has mastered her planner, completes client write-ups during appointments, and requires prepayment for initial consultations. These changes have led to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Amy likens the THRIVE! community to “grad school for dog trainers,” with an atmosphere that encourages collaboration rather than competition. 

Amy’s journey is an example of how perseverance, guidance, and community can help turn a passion into a successful, sustainable business.

Create YOUR business success story with THRIVE!