Episode 401: Why Connection Is The Key To Your Success in The Pet Sitting Industry

  Are you feeling the isolation that often comes with running a business? Consistency and discipline got us to 400 episodes, and today’s episode is a must-listen for all pet business owners feeling the weight of isolation and stress. In this episode of the Bella In Your Business podcast, I dive deep into the POWER OF CONNECTION. Running a pet care business can be incredibly rewarding but also lonely. Pets can’t respond emotionally, and it’s tough to share certain struggles with your team. This isolation can lead to mental health challenges, something many entrepreneurs experience, even if we don’t talk about it enough. I open up about the impact of high cortisol levels caused by chronic stress and how it affects everything from your weight to your sleep and even your concentration. My journey with a naturopath has been eye-opening, revealing how critical it is to manage these stressors for overall well-being. But here’s the game-changer—COMMUNITY. I can't stress enough the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive network. From emotional upliftment to practical business advice, a solid community can transform isolation into inspiration. Tune in as I share personal insights, scientific data, and actionable steps to help you combat the loneliness and stress of running your pet business. Learn how being part of a community can elevate you both personally and professionally. Don't miss out on this episode—it could be the leadership shift and support you've been searching for! Timestamps: [00:46] Importance of Community [02:31] Mental Health and Cortisol Levels [08:11] Symptoms [12:01] Overcoming Isolation in Business [17:46] Business Community Benefits [21:31] Shared Experiences and Support [24:01] Personal Benefits and Accountability [27:51] Finding the Right Community Notable Quotes: "Consistency and discipline will get you everywhere in life." "Isolation doesn't just impact your business, it impacts you and your mental health." "High cortisol levels associated with chronic stress can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms." Resources & Links: Jump Mastermind Did you love this episode? Make sure you never miss an episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify to subscribe to Bella In Your Business. Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of Jump Consulting. Oh, my gosh. I can't believe this is episode 401. Literally, guys, you just never know. Like, consistency and discipline, like, will get you everywhere in life. I haven't always been perfect. We have missed a couple of Thursdays, especially at the beginning when we are starting to get really, really going with this podcast. But I literally feel out of body. I can't believe this is episode 401. However, I do want to talk to you about something that I don't… I haven't really gone that far into before. I've talked about, you know, how important it is to have community, and this is not a pitch for the mastermind. Like, I literally want you to start thinking about who's in your life, who's surrounding you, who's lifting you up, because that has been so pivotal in my own life the past six months that I cannot even tell you. If I did not have different communities in my life, I do not know what… where I would be in certain areas of my life. And I really wanted to bring that to you this week. So, um, you know, there's an isolation that happens when we run a business, and loneliness and stress is a real thing. I mean, literally, let's get real. Like, owning and operating a pet care business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be incredibly lonely. The pets don't talk back to us, and we can't necessarily talk to our office managers or our pet sitters like we could a comrade or a friend or a confidant, right? And so every day, we're pouring our heart and souls into caring for those, for babies, for our staff. But when the hustle winds die down and you find yourself alone with the thoughts, the isolation kicks in. The weight of running our business, maintaining client relationships, ensuring the well-being of the pets, it can feel like an insurmountable mountain. And isolation doesn't just impact your business, it impacts you and your mental health. And I want to really talk about something that I haven't really talked about before. When I've said about mental health before, when you're operating in a silo, it's easy to spiral into feelings of overwhelm and depression. And what I really want to kind of talk about is cortisol levels. And I want you to understand what it is and how to understand it and how to, like, you know, ask your doctor about it. What changed my life was when I brought a naturopath into things.  And you can disagree with me, and that's okay. Like, regular doctors just kind of throw, like, meds at something to, like, you know, like, cover the problem, right? And it's kind of like a band-aid, but they don't ever actually address the actual problem, which is where my naturopath came in a couple years ago and really started, like, looking at my blood, and I realized my cortisol levels were through the roof, and that that constant stress wreaked havoc on my mental and physical health. High cortisol levels associated with chronic stress can manifest in various physical and emotional symptoms. And I did a lot of research on this podcast so that I could just, like, kind of, you know, open your thought process to this and say, hmm, this is interesting. Um, well, the definite way to determine if you have high cortisol is through blood testing, right. There's several signs that you can think about. Um, now, of course, you gotta get tested, um, because what I'm about to tell you could also be associated with other things, but commonly, this is also cortisol. So, like, weight gain, notably around the abdomen, face, and upper back. And if you're perimenopausal, like I am, um, that also could be that. Fatigue, persistent tiredness, and a feeling of exhaustion even after a full night's sleep. Have you ever, like, gotten up in the morning like, yay, I got a lot of sleep, but you feel exhausted. Sleep issues. You have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing a good quality of sleep. One thing about high cortisol is, like, you're waking up between, like, one and three in the morning. High blood pressure, elevated blood pressure, blah, blah, blah. Blood pressure can be a result of high sustained cortisol levels. Muscle weakness, generally like, muscle weakness or feeling less physically strong. You don't feel strong. Uh, frequent infections. Cortisol can suppress the immune system, so you could be really susceptible to colds, flus, and other infections. Does it feel like you're just constantly getting sick? Headaches. Do you get a lot of headaches, frequent or chronic headaches without a clear cause? I woke up this morning with a headache, but I know it was because I slept wrong, and I've got, like, you know, a pinched nerve in the back of my neck. But it's really important to just, like, listen to your body and, like, think about, like, do I just feel ugh or, like, what feels ugh and what's causing it? Another thing is digestive problems, like bloating, indigestion, IBS, increased thirst or urination, feeling unusually thirsty and having to urinate more than often. And skin changes like acne or thin, frail skin or slow, slow wound healing. That's all physical. Then we got into the emotional. I hope I'm not depressing you right now, but like, seriously, think about this. Have you looked into your cortisol levels? Emotional and behavioral symptoms? Anxiety and depression? Feeling nervous, stressed, or more than you know, down more than often? Mood swings, memory, and concentration, like that? Brain fog, like you can't remember anything. You know, maybe you're taking pictures of everything or doing voice notes all the time. Or setting reminders for everything because you feel like you cannot be left alone to your own devices. Decreased libido and changes in appetite. All of those are symptoms. And so, like, do you lay awake at night staring at the ceiling, shackled by the never-ending to-do list running through your mind? Studies actually show that business owners are statistically more prone to mental health challenges due to these reasons. A survey by the Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute revealed that 30% of small business owners have experienced symptoms of depression. You are not alone. You are not… I'm repeating this so many times. You are not alone. But the good news is there is a way out. I'll tell you that. The value of community is the way that a lot of people really do combat this. I have seen so many people get involved with communities, whether they're working out and they're like, oh my gosh, you feel like, me too. Or maybe it's a business community, and they're like, wow, I thought I was the only one. Or maybe it's a mom's group, and they're like, oh my gosh, there's other people that feel exactly like me. When you get that support system and you can find and engage with the community, you're building a solid support system. It isn't just about networking or superficial engagements. This is about emotional sustenance. A community that provides space where you can express your fears without judgment, share your victories, and know that other people truly understand. Studies and statistics suggest that business owners involved in a business community are actually better positioned for success. Here's some key benefits backed by data. One is enhanced networking opportunities. So being a part of a business allows the community owners to network efficiently, share insights, and obtain referrals. A study by ResearchGate companies that made networking a major part of their strategy is likely to grow their business by 45% faster than businesses that don't.