If you decided to sell your pet resort tomorrow, would your business be ready? And would a buyer see the same value in it that you do? In this episode, Fern sits down with Craig Pollack of Cantara Pet Business Advisors to talk about what buyers actually look for and why preparing for a sale starts long before you’re ready to hand over the keys.

Having been on both sides of the table, Craig shares a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a pet resort attractive to buyers, the overlooked details that can derail a deal, and why running a successful business doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready to sell it. Whether selling is on your radar or years away, this conversation will get you thinking differently about the business you’re building and how to protect the value you’ve worked so hard to create.

A full building and a packed schedule can make your pet resort look successful. But is your business actually healthy, or just really busy? In this episode, Fern looks beyond bookings and revenue to explore what makes a daycare and boarding business strong enough to handle challenges, keep customers coming back, and succeed for years to come.

From your team and daily operations to your own ability to step away, the signs of a healthy business aren't always where you'd expect. You'll learn how to spot weaknesses that are easy to overlook when you're caught up in the daily grind and figure out where to focus your attention next. Because building a successful pet resort should give you a better life, not leave you too exhausted to enjoy it.

Staffing is one of the biggest challenges in the pet resort industry, but how often do we look at the experience we’re creating for the people on our teams? Fern sits down with pet resort operator and consultant Alex Varney to talk about what it takes to genuinely connect with staff and why that connection matters to the business.

They get into the small moments that build trust, the way leaders communicate when things get difficult, and what it means to support employees whose goals may take them beyond your resort. If you’ve ever wondered why your efforts to build a strong team aren’t quite landing, this conversation will give you a fresh place to start.