Building a new business without social media with Gill Gallagher

Have you ever wondered what you’d do if you were kicked off Facebook and couldn’t use Instagram or WhatsApp anymore? 

Or what it would be like to move your pet business to a completely new area where nobody knows you? 

That’s exactly what happened to Gill Gallagher, and in this episode, I’m chatting with her about how she handled both of these challenges.

Gill is the founder of Speaking Spaniel and has been working as a dog trainer since 2016. 

After losing access to Meta platforms and relocating her business, she had to find new ways to get visible and connect with clients – without relying on social media. 

In this conversation, she shares how old-school, face-to-face marketing and building real-life connections helped her bounce back.

We talk about the frustrations she faced, how she kept her business going, and why the Meta nightmare ended up being a blessing in disguise. 

Gill’s approach is a reminder that even when things don’t go to plan, you can still find success by doing things your way.

If you’ve been knocked back by the many bumps in the road you have running your business or just need a bit of inspiration, this episode is full of practical advice.

Listen in to hear how Gill turned things around, and find all the links to connect with her at the end of the episode.

Key topics and timings

00:20 – Introduction and what to expect from this episode.

02:56 – Gill's background and starting out as a dog trainer.

04:15 – Moving her business from Portsmouth to a new area and starting from scratch.

09:42 – What it was like to be kicked off Facebook and lose access to Meta platforms.

17:30 – How going back to traditional marketing helped Gill rebuild her business.

21:12 – Building collaborations with local businesses and why face-to-face networking worked.

29:18 – How Gill found a new field for her business through community connections.

35:00 – Setting up events, workshops, and building a local presence in a new area.

42:10 – Why relying on social media isn’t enough and how Gill diversified her approach.

51:35 – Gill’s advice to anyone moving to a new area and starting your business from scratch.

Links mentioned in this episode

Find out more about Gill’s business at Speaking Spaniel

Check out Gill’s website for puppy training: Speaking Puppy

Read about Gill in her local paper showcasing her new business training Shropshire's Spaniels!

Further listening and reading

Ways to grow your pet business off social media

15 reasons not to worry about social media engagement

Building resilience as a pet professional with Andrew Hale

Taking care of your emotional wellbeing with Andrew Hale

Stuff the social media rules and do things your way with Colette Adwin

Navigating the rollercoaster of running a small business

Putting you first in your pet business with Jane Ardern

How to cope with stop start times in your pet business