limits that benefit my clients
- jes vasquez
- May 27
- 4 min read
if you love to work over 40 hours every week and have had PTO rolling over for years,
this blog post might make you cringe.
if you've heard the phrase "healthy boundaries," but are still wondering what that looks like in a business setting, this one's for you!
i started my pet care business in 2020 while my husband and i lived in south philadelphia.
yes, THAT year. it was a great way to get out of the house, exercise my body and mind, and absorb all the unconditional love that the pets could spare!
pet parents typically found me by word of mouth or while i was walking a client.
in 2022, as things were getting "back to normal," i had weekly clients, more and more overnight guests, and a real income!
i had no intention of going back to "corporate america;" i had started a business!
then, in 2023, we moved to glenolden, and i had to start all over.
it was a slow first year, and while i can attest that fliers on light poles still work, the best choices i made for my business were investing in a website, creating a facebook page, and networking with other business owners!
*there may have been some magic involved; share your money bowl ingredients
in the comments!
it all paid off, and now i can say...
my weekly walking schedule is FULLY BOOKED!
at this time my weekly schedule outside of the house is:
Mondays 10:30am -2:30pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesdays 10:30am - 3:30pm
Friday is my "light" day; i have one weekly client that day, and don't plan on changing that.
which brings me to the limits i am setting to benefit my clients!
having a (mostly) open Friday comes in handy when i have to reschedule any pets from earlier in the week. more on that in an upcoming blog about weather!
while it might look like i only work 4-5 hours a day, that's just outside of the house.
when i'm boarding (hosting pets at my home for overnight stays) i have to work my house guests into the day's walking schedule. typically, i'll make sure they get a potty break before and after my outside of the house clients.
and i have A LOT of boarding clients on the calendar through 2026!
all that said, for the first time in six years of business, i am pausing new client intake!
this means that while i might be able to add the occasional visit before and after the hours mentioned above (for current clients) my weekly schedule is set!
it's bittersweet, but it's the right move for all the pets and for my body! which brings me to...
scheduled time off!
in the summer/fall of 2025 my boarding calendar was back to back to back which sounds great in theory, but it made me realize that as much as i consider myself a home body, i need to travel away from home sometimes or i start to feel stuck, and that "blehk" feeling is not good for the pets.
so last fall i made the conscious decision to block off one weekend a month to get my house, body, and soul in order!
i get to see family who live farther away, i can take a day trip down the shore, i can host friends at my (deep cleaned) home!
and it all recharges my battery so i can keep up the top-notch service for the pets!
"but i need a pet care pro!"
not currently a client of mine, but need services? don't worry, i can still help!
i am working to meet other pet care professionals throughout Delaware County!
this means coffee dates that involve lots of questions about their belly rub technique and their views on toe beans!
but in all seriousness, i only recommend pet care providers who i know personally, and who have rave reviews from clients!
for that reason, i can recommend Sarah Walsh (Glenolden) for all your in-home needs!
You can check out Sarah's Facebook page or email her to set up a meet and greet;
Shout out your personal pet care pro in the comments! Share their name, location, and contact info for other pet parents, not just in Delaware County.
work-life balance
before starting my business, i only stayed at a job for 4 years max.
by 2024 i knew i wanted to keep my business alive because as my own boss, i get to have that work-life balance! personally, i work so that i can enjoy life!
if you're an entrepreneur and you feel like you're overworked, let's chat!
if you don't have your own business, and you're putting in over 40 hours a week because you don't have the social life to pull you away, let's make plans!
i'm here for all of it: work and play!
share your full time job and your favorite hobby in the comments!
i'll start: you all know my full time job is pet care. my favorite hobby these days is sudoku, best enjoyed with a cup of matcha in the morning!
your turn!
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