You need to versus what do you need?

You need to versus what do you need?

Author: Rachel Spencer December 16, 2025 Duration: 24:14

When you run a business, it can feel like you’re constantly bombarded with new things you need to be doing.

You wear plenty of hats anyway, from doing the actual work, to social media, your accounts, keeping on top of your orders and appointments.

And on top of that, in the ever-changing online world, with so many ways you can get your business seen at your fingertips, there’s an endless barrage of information on stuff you need to do.

There will be times when what you need is directive support, for someone to say, ‘You need to.’

And there will be stages where you’ll need space to think about what you need, and you might benefit from someone to pose that question to you.

In this episode, I talk about the two approaches, what coaching is, what mentoring is, and some things to consider when it comes to working out what you need.

Plus, your options if you’re looking for support.

Key topics and timings:

0.20 - Episode outline.

0.45 - Pets Get Visible sponsor message.

1.24 - The 'You need to' challenge.

3.25 - How it can feel like you've run back into the thing you tried to get away from, being micromanaged.

4.45 - Working at your own pace.

5.30 - When I DO tell people what to do.

7.16 - The difference between coaching and mentoring,

8.34 - Keri Squibb Pets Get Visible review.

9.48 - The three kinds of coaches I see in the pet business space.

13.28 - The coaching support I'm having at the moment.

14.40 - Having an unshakable belief in what you do.

15.00 - Why it's up to you to decide what success is for you.

16.30 - What person centred coaching is.

17.50 - What happened when I decided to go freelance.

20.02 - Training to be a coach in 2022.

21.14 - Tools in the planner that can help you figure out what you need.

22.30 - What kind of support would help you?

23.00 - How to get in touch if you'd like to work together.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Join Pets Get Visible: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/pets-get-visible/

Buy a 2026 planner: https://rachelspencer.co.uk/product/pet-business-content-planner/

Further reading/listening:

What is a pet business coach

Should you buy the Pet Business Content Planner

Why I am an accredited Pet Business Coach

Is my Pets Get Visible membership right for you?

Different kinds of coaching for different stages in your business

How to choose a pet business coach


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
Get your pet business in the press in five simple steps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
Is getting some press coverage something you’d love to achieve for your pet business?You might see other people in the industry getting brilliant media coverage and wonder ‘how do they do it?’Well, the good news is you d…
How to create a repeatable content plan for your pet business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:50
Would you love to feel calm and in control of your content?Does it sometimes feel like you're constantly scrambling for ideas, or vanishing off social media when life gets busy?The good news is, you don’t need to chase t…
How to become a person who plans (without changing your personality) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
Would you love to become the kind of person who plans?Are you fed up of feeling like you have so much going on that you can't keep up, and like the idea of a more calm way of working?The good news is that you don't need…
A simple content plan to cover SEO, social media and your newsletter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Are you looking for a simple planning system that can cover your SEO, social media and email marketing?Maybe you'd love to create one piece of content that you can use for all three, and know that your business is showin…
Why connection is my word for 2026 - and how to choose yours [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:05
Do you choose a word for the year? Or are you thinking about yours for 2026? Each year, I choose a word to guide how I want to feel and how I want to work and this year it’s Connection.In the past, it's been Calm and Spa…
Why I'm raising my prices in 2026 – and why you might want to too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
Are you thinking of putting up your pricess in 2026?If you're a pet business owner who struggles with charging fairly, overdelivers, and feels awkward about pricing - this episode is for you.I share what my current offer…
12 planning lessons for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 d…
How to use your Pet Business Content Planner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:57
Have you bought a planner because you want to feel more organised, calm and in control of your pet business in 2026?It’s normal to start the year with good intentions of how you’d like things to be.And with a plan that y…