Rockin' and Rolling

Look for more updates, including some exciting new offerings.

Coming soon!

Animal career database

Here's a great link to a whole wealth of info on animal careers.

Bone marrow transplants for dogs

Washington State Univ is now offering bone marrow transplants for canines. The cost runs $25-35k. No mention of the cost of after-care, rehab, etc. Seems like a new specialty career related to this field would be a logical next step.

Pet entrepreneurs in the spotlight

Anyone near the pet industry knows that this sector of the economy remains strong. And investors agree.

The Northwest Entrepreneur Network, a leading investment group in the Pacific Northwest, has selected two businesses to participate in their Early Stage Investment Forum. to be held on May 9. Chosen from over 80 applicants, most of them tech-based, these businesses will present 10-minute pitches to an audience of investors. The goal of the businesses are to create buzz for their idea, and raise money to help start or grow their enterprise.

The two businesses are: Darwin's Natural Pet Products and DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc.

Congrats to these two businesses!

Revenue stream potential

Based on a recent study, the average horse owner spends between $200-300 dollars PER MONTH on veterinary care.

This is a huge cashflow for any animal business owner to tap into.

Tax rebate follow-up

The IRS is mailing out 'reminder letters' to 130 million Americans next week to promote the tax rebate program.

It's not too early to start marketing your business to harness this windfall for your animal business.

Spring planting for summer business

Last week, the local flower and garden show rolled through town. Sadly, I missed this annual ritual of oohhing and aaahhhing over all things flora while I rushed to do some tree planting of my own.

Regardless of the weather conditions in your particular area, it's time for every animal-business owner to start doing some spring planting of their own. And you should start NOW! Here's how:

With the fears of economic recession hitting our economy, the federal government created an economic stimulus package to kick-start consumer spending. The legislation includes "rebate checks" to be distributed to taxpayers later this year. Proponents of the plan believe this program will provide a much-needed boost to the economy. Critics fear the program will be too little, too late.

Regardless, starting in May, consumers are going to be receiving $600 checks. This will be found money, like a larger version of finding a twenty while doing the laundry. Rather than letting them tuck that check into their wallets and deposit into their bank accounts, a savvy business owner will create products or services specifically tailored to lever this windfall.

You should immediately begin packaging and marketing your business to capture these checks. And you should target the entire $600. In some cases, this will be easier than others. An animal massage school, for example, will have little difficulty finding ways to create a $600 package of classes, products, etc. A dog groomer, however, will have a greater challenge.

Using the animal massage school as an example of a high-ticket item to be packaged, you should keep in mind that you are targeting the full $600 and that you are rewarding the client for electing to spend the windfall with your business. Make sure the customer is getting something tangible for the $600, rather than just applying it to a much larger tuition. Give the customer something special for the $600. Consider running a "Tax Rebate Tuition Special" and give a free item if they spend $600 with you. Tailor your deposit/tuition structure so that people can get started for $600.

A dog groomer faces a challenge to capture the full rebate amount, since their services are much less than the overall check amount. Consider creating packages of services. Sell pre-paid packages or punch cards. Also, consider creating a package of grooming services for client and owner, where the dog might get the premium pampering package, and the owner gets a free massage at a local spa. Or perhaps you create a pamper weekend, where the dog gets a weekend of grooming and pampering at a local facility, and the owner gets a weekend at a local getaway. Try working with other businesses to create some interesting packages. Be creative.

Once the rebate checks start hitting the mailboxes, the media will start talking about all the ways people are spending the money. This can be a wonderful marketing/PR opportunity for you. Create a press release about your innovative tax rebate deal and get loads of free publicity. (Need help with a press release? Contact me.)

Lastly, make sure you start planting these ideas with your customers now. For the most part, people have not yet thought about these checks, and you can be first in line with your message. Plant the seeds now, and enjoy a bountiful harvest this summer, in the form of new customers and a basket full of $600 sales.