12 planning lessons for 2026

12 planning lessons for 2026

Author: Rachel Spencer December 8, 2025 Duration: 22:47

Are you already feeling like you’ve got a plan for 2026 or looking for some inspiration?

If it’s the latter then carry on reading because in this post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 12 lessons from the online planning day I ran recently.

As well as the key areas covered in training, You’ll hear from the pet professionals who were there on the day and what works for them.

Whether you're all set for 2026 or thinking of the year ahead, I hope these give you a feeling of clarity, some  reassurance, and maybe a few ideas to try out for yourself.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - What to expect from the episode

0.40 - What to expect from the 2026 Planner

0.59 - Match funding for The Big Give and StreetVet

2.30 - Planning support for 2026 and your options

2.45 - About the five pet professionals who shared their stories

7.14 - Lesson 1 - People crave structure

8.12 - Lesson 2 - Be flexible

9.43 - Lesson 3 - Keep checking to see what's working

11.14 - Lesson 4 - Plan for Jan = positive start for 2026

11.39 - Lesson 5 - Don’t forget how amazing you are

13.05 - Lesson 6 - Think of your content as a time capsule

13.33 - Lesson 7 - Energy is what will make a difference

14.22 - Lesson 8 - Being visible is SCARY

15.09 - Lesson 9 - Focus on what matters to you

16.07 - Lesson 10 - Stay on your own to-do list

18.05 - Lesson 11 - You don’t have to do it on your own

19.17 - Lesson 12 - Make sure you're connected

20.38 - Ways to work together for 2026

Links mentioned in this episode:

Planner Club: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-planner-bundle/

Pet Business Content Planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Check out Pets Get Visible - My membership for support, coaching, content ideas and connection all year round.

It's currently £30/month (going up to £45 in 2026).

Head here: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible/

Related posts

Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner

What is The Planner Club and should you join?

The importance of looking back and seeing how far you've come

Choosing the right pet business membership

Is my Pets Get Visible membership right for you?


There's a persistent myth in the pet industry that success requires a rigid, one-size-fits-all formula. Your Pet Business, Your Way exists to dismantle that idea entirely. Hosted by Rachel Spencer, a journalist and accredited coach with deep roots in this world, this podcast is a conversation for pet professionals-groomers, trainers, walkers, product makers-who feel exhausted by generic marketing advice and industry trends that clash with their personal values and lifestyle. Rachel brings her background as a mentor and author to frank discussions about building a sustainable enterprise that doesn't demand you sacrifice your family time, your sanity, or your unique voice. Episodes delve into practical strategies for marketing, client relationships, and entrepreneurship, but always through the lens of your individual circumstances. You'll hear from Rachel directly, as well as insights from others navigating the same path, focusing on how to grow a business that genuinely fits around your life, whether that involves kids, other passions, or simply a desire for more autonomy. This isn't about following a rulebook; it's about writing your own. Tune in for a refreshingly realistic take on creating a pet business that thrives on your terms, making this podcast a trusted resource for anyone who believes their love for animals and their personal ambitions can truly coexist.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Your pet business, Your way
Podcast Episodes
Kate Hart - The Sniffer Shop and creating nose joy for dogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:48
Just two years ago Kate Hart was making scentwork kits as a treat for her dog training clients and now she's sending them out to dogs all over the world.Kate's gadgets and goodies went down so well that she decided to ma…
Clayton Payne - What I've learned from 30 years in the Pet Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:56
Clayton Payne is a pet industry expert who’s been in the trade for over three decades – and who’s built one of the UK’s most well-known and well-respected wholesale businesses from scratch.He shares what it was like star…
Is my Pets Get Visible membership right for you? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:09
Are you thinking of joining my Pets Get Visible membership?If so, this podcast episode is for you. Inside you’ll learn what the membership is, the different elements inside of it, and what’s in it for you if you join.Plu…
Why I'm stopping the Your Pet Business, Your Way podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:32
After nearly five years and 250 episodes, I’m taking a break from my weekly podcast, Your Pet Business Your Way. In this final episode, I reflect on how the podcast started, how it’s evolved, and why now feels like the r…
How to build a tribe around your pet business with Laura Hebberd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Want to know how to create a loyal, engaged community around your pet business?In this episode, Laura Hebberd, founder of Pure Dog Adventure Training, shares how she went from running small classes in her local village h…
How website content makes your pet business stand out with Roz Healey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:45
Want to make sure your pet business website content is helping your pet business stand out?I'm chatting to Roz Healey for the second part in a series on websites - this time looking at the content you create on yours.Roz…
How to create a website that connects with pet owners with Roz Healey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:37
Are you looking to create a connection with pet owners when then land on your website?This podcast episode with Roz Healey, a website expert who has carried out research into the psychology of how pet parents make decisi…
Which type of core content is right for your pet business? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
Are you thinking of starting a blog, a podcast or a YouTube channel and regularly publishing content around your pet business?If so this podcast episode is for you, as it will help you decide which style of content is ri…