Sarah Sit & Play | Colorado Springs, CO
Sarah Sit and Play emerged from a simple need: reliable pet care in the Pikes Peak region. Initially, Sarah Groh’s services were driven by word-of-mouth, catering to friends and their referrals. Recognizing the growing demand, she launched her business in March 2022, and by May 2023, she took the crucial step of becoming a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) and registering as an LLC. This foundation laid the groundwork for her business to scale beyond informal favors, marking the transition to a professional pet-sitting service.
To navigate this growth, Sarah sought enlisted the Pikes Peak SBDC to help her set growth strategies and establish benchmarks for her first year of operation. The SBDC provided crucial support in several key areas, including writing a comprehensive contract outlining her services and responsibilities, strategizing on raising service fees to reflect her expertise, creating a contract agreement for 1099 contractors, and securing vital liability insurance coverage. These steps were essential for Sarah to build a solid operational framework and mitigate potential risks.
With the SBDC's guidance, Sarah raised her service fees, directly contributing to increased revenue. To meet the rising client demand, she began training and hiring contract sitters to expand her service capacity. She also developed and implemented formal agreements with both clients and 1099 contractors, ensuring clarity and professionalism in her operations. Securing liability insurance provided crucial protection, allowing her to operate with confidence.
The results of these strategic changes were remarkable. By the end of her first year, Sarah had successfully managed a team of seven sitters and two dog walkers, serving 45 regular clients and completing a total of 94 house sits. This significant growth demonstrates the effectiveness of Sarah's proactive approach and the invaluable support provided by the SBDC. By formalizing her business, implementing professional practices, and expanding her team, Sarah transformed a simple idea into a thriving pet-sitting enterprise.
For more information, visit Sarah Sit & Play.
“I recommended the SBDC at Barnes & Noble to a guy in the biz book section. We were talking and he had “Small Business for Dummies” in his hand. I told him to call the SBDC!”
Sarah Groh, Owner & Founder
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The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the only statewide, nationally accredited program founded to support entrepreneurs and small businesses at every stage of business. Since 1987, the Colorado SBDC has driven statewide economic growth by providing public access to expert resources and business guidance, empowering business owners to make informed decisions. With 14 full-time Service Centers, over 25 Satellite Centers, and approximately 300 business experts, the Colorado SBDC provides free, confidential one-on-one advising, no- or low-cost business training, and connections to community partners and resources.
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