Creating an App to Run Your Dog Walking Business

In this episode I’m talking to Diana Akelman, a pet tech entrepreneur who founded PetPocketbook. Her app helps pet sitters and dog walkers run their business so they can focus on what they’re passionate about - caring for pets. I was interested to learn that Diana has been working on this business for 10 years, but the product has only been live for the last 5. We talked about how important it is to stay persistent and never give up on your dreams. It can take years to find the right people to bring your vision to life, and then years beyond that to get feedback from customers to fine-tune your product into something that’s functional, looks good, and helps people. She now serves hundreds of dog walkers and pet sitters. I also enjoyed hearing Diana’s story of going from dog mom to human mom and the challenges that came with that. She’s passionate about bringing attention to the fact that we shouldn’t be expected to swoop in and instantly be super moms - or super bosses or super dog moms. This whole journey can be scary. Diana points out that often the scariest part is the unknown, so she’s a big believer in doing a lot of prep work. Listening to her story, I saw a lot of similarities between how she prepared to run a business, how she prepared to be a dog mom to her Siberian Husky Remington and how she prepared to become a mom to her daughter. As we near the end of the year, I’m excited to share that this podcast will be hitting 250 episodes at the end of December. I need your help to put together a best-of episode! Please reach out and let me know about your favorite podcast interviews and moments.

Om Podcasten

Are you ready to grow your pet business? The Wear Wag Repeat Podcast is where petpreneurs find the actionable marketing tips and support they need to thrive in the long game. Hosted by Tori Mistick, an award-winning digital media expert, Canine Enrichment Specialist, and passionate dog mom, this podcast is designed for those who want to build a lasting, impactful pet business. WHAT YOU GET: - Monthly Expert Interviews: In-depth marketing workshops with industry leaders who share actionable strategies to elevate your business. - Solo Episodes with Tori: Benefit from Tori's extensive knowledge and experience with practical advice tailored to the pet industry. - The Short Leash Segments: Quick, under-10-minute episodes to keep you focused and motivated in your business journey. WHY LISTEN? The Wear Wag Repeat Podcast is more than just a podcast. It's a community. Tori's mission is to help you build a business that stands the test of time. Whether you're a content creator, dog trainer, or pet product entrepreneur, you'll find the inspiration, confidence, and practical tips you need to make your pet business flourish. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: This podcast is a peek at what it's like inside the Wear Wag Repeat Society membership. If you love the podcast, you'll adore the membership where collaboration, networking, and personalized support from Tori take center stage. Join at the start of each quarter: wearwagrepeat.com/society ABOUT TORI MISTICK: With over a decade of experience in the pet industry, Tori Mistick has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Good Morning America (to name a few) and is loved by listeners worldwide. Her friendly and approachable style makes complex marketing strategies easy to understand and implement. When she's not running her per business, she's a professor of multimedia. Tori's passion is helping pet businesses succeed! SUBSCRIBE NOW: Don't miss your chance to unleash your pet passion and turn it into profit. Subscribe to the Wear Wag Repeat Podcast today and learn how to grow your pet industry business online.