This is a behind-the-scenes look at what I've learned from running a dog-friendly holiday property for the last three years.
Having a holiday cottage has always been a dream for me and getting the keys for Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood's Bay in April 2023 was so exciting.
In this episode and blog post I talk about what has happened at Sunnyside over the last couple of years, the changes I've made at the cottage and the impact of that.
The last time I did a behind-the-scenes episode was in 2024 and I've learned a lot and changed lots of things at the cottage.
I talk about what's worked in terms of visibility, from going viral to working with influencers and how I've been working on developing my skills when it comes to standing out and attracting guests.
And I also share information on the people I've had supporting me, from Instagram advice to putting new windows in, because there is no way I could do this on my own.
You'll find all the links to the people and businesses I mention at the end of this post and if you're interested in staying send me a message.
Topics and timings in this episode:
0.00 – Episode introduction and what this behind‑the‑scenes look at Sunnyside Cottage will cover
1.45 – How Sunnyside connects to the “Your Pet Business Your Way” message and an introduction to the pet business planner
3.40 – What’s inside the planner: audience tracker, awareness days, diary, income trackers and “Pause and reflect” sections
5.30 – Recap of year one at Sunnyside: doubling income and testing visibility strategies on her own pet business
7.10 – The wider climate in 2026: cost of living crisis, war, rising costs and why customer experience matters more than ever
8.40 – A big refurb year: new windows, Floors for Paws, carpets, bathroom, decor, pointing, sofa, mattresses and lighting
11.45 – Money talk: spending over £25k on the refurb, other running costs and why losing only a few thousand still feels like a win
13.00 – Investing in guest experience: photography, handmade treats, branding, dog robes, bowls, welcome packs and dog‑friendly touches
15.00 – Visibility foundations: social media, blogging, awards, press coverage and choosing not to have a separate cottage website
16.10 – Awards and media: PIF Awards, Dog Friendly Awards, SBS, Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Living, Your Dog and more coverage
18.00 – Working with influencers: Kate from Dotty4Paws, Sal from Woof Wag Walk and how repeat visits showcase updates
19.40 – Hosting The Yorkshireman, short‑form video, YouTube content and the impact of influencer collaborations
21.00 – Training investments: TikTok training with Alex McCann, why TikTok wasn’t the right fit and repurposing what she learned
22.10 – Instagram membership with Camilla at Pink Storm Social and how it has shifted her content strategy
23.10 – Reels that performed well: Blue Monday, Christmas in Robin Hood’s Bay, dog safety at Sunnyside and the power of consistency
24.40 – The Storm Chandra viral reel: what happened, why it took off and the “iceberg” of work behind one lucky post
26.20 – The hidden work: almost 30 years in journalism, major investment in learning and the reality behind visibility wins
27.20 – Tough feedback: being called “stupid” for being generous, “desperate” for being visible and why she continues anyway
28.40 – Reach vs results: 3M+ views, audience growth and still only one direct booking from Instagram
29.50 – A realistic view: why press and viral content don’t equal instant fully booked calendars (and why she keeps testing)
31.00 – The importance of support: Sam and Sian from Baytown Holiday Cottages and why they’re more than “just agents”
32.00 – Juggling a new business with grief: getting the keys to Sunnyside while caring for a dying uncle
34.10 – Crisis moments at the cottage: boiler issues, leaks, broken locks and the value of a trusted local team
36.20 – Why reliable on‑the‑ground support is crucial when the owner isn’t local or is facing big life events
37.30 – More supporters: photographers Kerry from Fur and Fable and Liz Gregg, and how their shoots elevated Sunnyside
39.00 – Brand partners: The Canine Menu, Leo Charley and Me, Send the Dog a Bone, The Dog and I and Jess’s Sunnyside illustration
41.00 – The trades team: windows, stonework, flooring, plumbing, electrics and handyman work that transformed the cottage
42.30 – Gratitude for guests: feedback, repeat bookings, social shares and what “home from home” means at Sunnyside
44.00 – Final reflections: running a dog‑friendly business in challenging times and staying focused on guest experience
45.10 – Where to find Sunnyside Cottage online, how to book and how the Pet Business Content Planner can support other pet businesses.
Further reading/listening
Lessons learned from my first year running Sunnyside Cottage
Doing visibility my way at Sunnyside Cottage
Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner?
The rollercoaster of running your own business
The Theo Paphitis SBS award and how it can help your pet business
10 reasons to be an award winning pet business
