Mollyz Reflections on 2025 and Goals for 2026

Richmond, VA pet care with heart, standards, and just the right amount of sass.

2025 a a big year for Mollyz Pet Service. The kind of year that looks shiny on Instagram, but the behind the scenes includes a lot of decision-making, a few "well, that was a lesson," and more growth than I originally planned (because business loves to humble you like that). For two years, I ran every visit myself. Every dog walk, every cat check-in, every "your pet is an angel for me" update, every last-minute schedule shuffle. It was simple in the best way: I only had to be accountable for one person.

Also, it wasn't sustainable.

Because as it turns out, a business that relies entirely on one human is not a business. It's a very dedicated solo mission with a calendar that never stops talking.

Berlin is sad he can't go outside.

The Year I stopped kicking the hiring can down the road

In 2025, I finally hired. And I did while my brain supplied a constant background playlist of reasonable questions and mildly unhinged ones:

• What about payroll and forms and all things I don't know I don't know?

• Will I be a good boss?

• Will I be too strict, a pushover, or accidentally both?

• What if I tick someone off and I end up in a courtroom drama?

Hiring means building something bigger than yourself, and that comes with responsibility. I care deeply about doing things the right way, and I care even more about the pets and people who trust Mollyz in their homes. That combination makes you a great care provider. Ad also a person who triple-checks everything.

Why coaching changed everything

One of the best decisions I made was hiring a business coach: Doug Keeling AKA "Doug the Dog Guy." I'd been following his work for a while, and it was obvious he'd seen every version of the industry, the great parts and the gritty parts. If you want to start your own pet care business, please do yourself a favor and get business coaching from Doug.

One thing he said stuck with me: hiring is a terrible idea for most pet care folks. Many of us got into this business because we didn't want to deal with people anymore.

I heard that and thought, "Respectfully, yes. That's me."

He saw something in me that told him that that I would be good at it. And so I built a team anyway.

Because here's the thing: you can be introverted, animal-obsessed, and still want to create a business that's bigger than one person's capacity. You need the right structure and the right standards. And a some coaching.

I planned to hire one person. I hired three

My original plan was to hire one person. A "test hire". A gentle transition. A low-risk experiment.

Then hiring reality showed up immediately: no-shows to Zoom interviews, reschedule requests, and the reminder that in pet care, you can't reschedule the dog. The dog is on a schedule. The dog does not care about your calendar conflict.

Then I met three strong applicants and hired all three. I told myself I'd be overstaffed.

I was not overstaffed.

That was one of the early lessons; in a premium pet care business, you don't just need people who like animals. You need people who are reliable, communicative, calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and trustworthy. The leash is the easy part.

Throughout 2025, my team size fluctuated between 3 and 5. Some people came and went and some of those experiences were hard. They made the business stronger, and they made me a better leader. I still have the original three!

We've now settled at a team of 4 very solid team members, and I feel really good about where we are.

2025 wins (the kind we're proud of)

Even with the growing pains, 2025 brought big momentum:

• We crushed a major revenue milestone, and I almost hit a second one that was so secret I didn't even tell anyone (including my best friend, my mom, or the internet).

• We have now 39 five-star Google reviews and I do not take that lightly. Reviews are trust, and trust is everything in this business.

• We have started pet transport. We only have one consistent client but it has been a game-changer for that client.

Systems, standards, and a calmer business

2025 wasn't just "grow." It was "grow responsibly.'

This was the year I focused on building the kind of structure that meks excellent care easier to deliver consistently, not harder.

A few key shifts:

Hiring and interview got tighter

I trust my intuition more now, and my standards are higher. I used to talk myself out of concerns with "I'm being too sensitive" or "I'm overthinking."

Plot twist: I'm not too sensitive. I'm observant.

And in pet care, being observant is the job.

Client communication is excelling.

Clear updates, clear expectations, and fewer "wait, what did we decide?" moments. When clients feel informed, they feel calm. That matters.

We have a new website and went through a re-branding

Our website has been professionally overhauled and we think it looks great! We hope that it more streamlined and there are few clicks to take to get where the clients want to be.

We changed our look to better match our vibe: professional, yet sassy with a bit of a sense of humor.

We're building procedures and SOPs (Standards of Practice) so the team can work confidently and securely.

Not because we're rigid, but because we're professional. Procedures reduce stress. They also reduce mistakes. And everyone wins.

We went keyless and stopped keeping physical keys.

This is a big one. Fewer keys means less stress, fewer logistics, and better security. It's a modern upgrade that makes life smoother for clients and our team.

Training is getting stronger.

We're tightening the training process so new hires feel supported, expectations are clear, and clients get consistent service from day one.

DogCo: the room that changed everything

Joining the DogCo community was a turning point.

It gave me access to business owners who are smarter and more experienced than me, and who are generous enough to share what worked and what didn't. That kind of transparency is rare, and it accelerated my growth massively.

I've learned from their successes and their failures, which means I get to build Mollyz with fewer avoidable mistakes. I still learn lessons the hard way sometimes, because I'm human. But not nearly as often.

2026 goals: growth, leadership, and "Nikki can take a vacation"

2026 will be all about growth. Bigger, smarter, and more intentional growth.

Here's what I'm focused on:

Becoming a Pet CPR/First Aid Instructor

In January, I'm getting certified so I can fill a gap here in Richmond. It's a credibility boost, yes, but more importantly, it's preparedness. If an emergency ever happens, I want Mollyz to have the knowledge locked and loaded.

And yes, I'm hinting now: classes may be coming soon.

Marketing that matches the level of service

I'll be implementing marketing strategies I've learned through DogCo to help Mollyz reach more of the right clients. My goal is BIG growth in 2026, without losing the premium, personal feel that makes Mollyz what it is.

A bigger social media presence

We'll be posting more on Facebook and Instagram. Please follow us! Tag yourself if you see your pet posted! Share with friends!

Instagram: @mollyz_pet_service

Facebook: Mollyz Pet Service

Hiring within and building leadership

I want to give my current employees mor responsibility and create opportunities for growth within the company. A strong business isn't build on one person doing everything. It's built on a team that's trained, trusted, and empowered.

Taking a real vacation, and everything runs smoothly

This is both a personal goal and a business benchmark. I want to step away, recharge, and know that our clients and pets are still getting outstanding care.

That's the definition of sustainable.

The vibe for 2026

In 2025, Mollyz became for than just me.

In 2026, Mollyz becomes bigger, stronger, and smoother.

Still warm. Still professional. Still obsessed with doing right by your pets.

Just with better systems and less chaos.

That's the dream.