We were lucky to catch up with Rowan Grebeck-Perry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rowan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

The biggest thing that sets me apart, in my opinion, is that I put my focus on the people, not the dogs.

This might seem backwards, but I think that what a lot of training programs are missing and why people don’t get the results they desire is because the human element is neglected. If people don’t understand how to train their dogs then they can’t do the work required to keep everyone in the home happy. I love teaching, so I focus on educating people on the topic of dogs.

I actually do relatively little dog training. I love on them, and demonstrate things as needed, but then I have the parents do the exercises to make sure that they can communicate with their dogs and get the same results I do.

Another part of serving the human, is giving people the support they need, basically the ability to ask questions. I absolutely love being a resource for my clients and include lots of support with all of my programs. My clients are encouraged to email and text me questions about anything dog-related and I have a group for everyone where we continue learning together through shared experiences and weekly video Q&A sessions. I make it my job to be a resource and support system for all of my clients so they can get good, reliable, honest information and avoid the overwhelm and confusion caused by all of the advice on the internet.

I always say that there is a lot more to dog training than just training your dog, and I think this also sets me apart. I take the time to cover all the fringe topics that are often overlooked. Nutrition is sadly the most important piece that is usually just not mentioned. I want to make sure my clients are the best pet parents they can be, so we talk about everything that goes into providing the best life possible for their furbaby.

When I talk to my clients, or just prospective clients, they often tell me how relieved they are to hear that there are options other than sending their dog away to be trained. Often people are worried about hiring a trainer because they have the idea that training has to be strict and that a trainer will judge them or not be kind. I am always patient, understanding, and am generally pretty laid back. I meet all of my clients where they are and come up with solutions that will work for their dog and family.

What I most want potential clients to know about me is that I go all in. I am passionate about improving the lives of families and their dogs and do this for the joy it brings me to see you fall back in love with your dog. Living with canines isn’t easy, but I can teach you to understand and communicate with them so you can live happily ever after together.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I got into dog training when I suspected I might not enjoy engineering. I need time in nature and human interaction to be happy. So half-way through my degree I enrolled in dog training school and completed that coursework mostly in the summers. I already had Chloe, who I got when I was 15, and was obsessed with learning how to provide the best life for her, which led me to training.

I finished my engineering degree and dog training school in 2017 and got a “real job” and started training clients on the side. I was planning to make a career change, then got the extra push I needed when the family business I was working for let me go at the end of 2019. I am actually quite grateful that happened, as it forced me to go all in with dog training.

I was already teaching group classes and private lessons but had to figure out how to make dog training my primary business. I hired a business coach which I highly recommend and got things organized. I was then, and still am, insanely grateful for every client I am able to help, since this all happened in January of 2020.

For the past 3+ years I have been happily working for myself, helping families to learn about dogs and what is needed to live happily ever after together.

I provide training and support for everything a family needs, from puppy training to troubleshooting problem behavior, to teaching commands, and everything in between, before and after. Really every topic you can think of that can come up for pet parents. Things like products, healthcare, insurance, legalities of dog ownership, literally all things dog.

I primarily offer in-home private lesson programs for clients, because that is how my soulmate client wants to work with me. I have worked with a few clients virtually which I have loved and had great results with and hope to do more of in the future.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I have done a ton of work on myself and my mindset to be a better business owner.

I am enrolled in a coaching program for businesses right now and highly recommend it. This is actually the third coach I have hired. You don’t get amazing success in business going it alone.

When I first started I joined a supportive community of dog trainers on Facebook and made a few friends in the industry for support. I also hired a business coach to walk me through how to set up my business so it actually made money.

I take every reasonable piece of advice I hear (in all aspects of my life, Wear Sunscreen!) so that I can avoid issues others have run into.

I have listened to /read books on sales, marketing, mindset, everything recommended to me. I particularly liked Atomic Habits. Right now I am obsessed with Nicole Spencer and her business Authentic Conversion. Listen to her podcast!

I use the profit first accounting method which has served me well. I don’t think I read that book, but watched a youtube video on it.

When you are an entrepreneur you have to be resourceful. The answers are out there and you need to find them for yourself and often pay someone to teach you the path to success. This can be scary at first but feel the fear and do it anyway.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I own a service business where I provide the service. Just me.

I didn’t really need start-up funds.

I had to register my business, get insurance, and over time I added in things to help business run smoothly. It is free to create a Facebook profile and business page (same for Instagram, Nextdoor, YouTube, Pinterest). I built a website and had to pay for the domain and to host it. I pay for Quickbooks and Square for tracking expenses, taking payments and scheduling. The biggest upfront cost was insurance. I had about $600 in up front costs then have monthly expenses now of about $150. Some expenses are yearly. Since I started when I had another full time job it was pretty easy to save from my full time income and whatever I made on the side to afford the business things I NEEDED. Over time I got to add in things that aren’t strictly necessary. For me, that was a logo, and uniforms.

The great thing about service / coaching businesses is that they are really easy to start, and you build up and pay for things as you go, when you can afford them. Most people just don’t know how to keep them going or make money from them. Which is why you should hire a business coach

I did hire a business coach in the early days. The program was $1,997 which was a pretty scary investment. I actually had been conservative in the amount of money I withheld for taxes and had enough left over to pay for the program. It has been life changing and 1000% worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rowansdogtraining.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rowansdogtraining instagram.com/dogrowan
• Facebook: facebook.com/rowansdogtraining facebook.com/rowan.grebeck
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-grebeck-97535163/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYLXyn9S-H9dEzmu58dBEw

Image Credits
Chloe Horvath Photography