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Dog Handler Academy

DHA Business Leadership Summit Details

Location Details

Hosted at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont
at 5500 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL, only 1.7 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Location

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont is located at 5500 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL, which is only 1.7 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)! 

We suggest staying at right the Embassy Suites and use the link for our block of discounted rooms ($174).

Food and Drinks

Coffee, water, and lunch will be provided Monday and Tuesday.*

*Added perks of staying at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont: complimentary breakfast is included with your stay and happy hour with two free drinks along with camaraderie and networking!

Dog Policy

Only service dogs are allowed in the summit conference rooms.

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2024 Summit Schedule and Session Details

NOTE: There is only one session track for this year's summit, so you don't have to choose between sessions/speakers!

Attendees also will have the opportunity to engage with speakers at the back of the conference room during breaks for further insight and information.

*Schedule is subject to change without notice*

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024

8:30 AM–9:00 AM: Welcome & Coffee (30 minutes)

9:00 AM–10:00 AM (1-hour session)

Session: School Is in Session: How to Create a Dog School Program

Speaker: Eve Molzhon

Dog school is a great way to add revenue through a new program for dogs that may not necessarily be daycare appropriate. You’re not a dog trainer? No worries! You already have most of the knowledge by owning and operating a dog daycare and your staff are knowledgeable as dog handlers. You can add a dog school program if you have an open suite for the dog to hang out and rest, a slip lead, and treats. Creating a program at a higher price point brings you more revenue and is a great way to promote your rock-star employees! The session will provide all the info you need to create and run a successful, profitable dog school program.

10:15 AM–11:15 AM (1-hour session)

Session: Building Your Dream Team

Speakers: Rob Van Craenenbroeck & Sandra Noworul

In this session, you’ll learn how to hire and retain top talent while developing a strong, positive company culture. Rob Van Craenenbroeck and Sandra Noworul will teach the critical aspects of hiring, focusing on strategies to attract the best candidates who align with your company values. You’ll also discover effective retention techniques that keep your team engaged and committed. Additionally, Rob and Sandra explore ways to gracefully exit team members who aren’t fully aligned with your vision, ensuring your company culture remains robust and unified.

11:30 AM–12:30 PM (1-hour session)

Session: Empower, Engage, and Excel: Strategies for Motivating Staff, Enhancing Communication, and Leading Effectively

Speaker: Amy Hillis

In today’s dynamic workplace, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. This session will explore key strategies to keep your team motivated, engaged, and productive. Learn how to foster open communication, hold impactful meetings, and delegate tasks efficiently to drive success. Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor or new to leadership, this session will provide you with actionable insights and tools to enhance your skills and create a thriving work environment. Join Amy to discover how empowering your team can lead to exceptional results.

12:30 PM–1:30 PM: Lunch Break (1 hour)

1:30 PM–2:30 PM (1-hour session)

Session: Fur and Finances: Unlocking Funding for Pet Care Facilities

Speakers: Claire Cronin & Jacqueline Pait

Are you dreaming of starting a pet care facility but unsure how to fund it? Live Oak Bank is here to help! Join us for an insightful session where we’ll explore a range of funding options available to turn your vision into reality.

What to Expect:

  • Traditional Loans: Compare loan options & Understand the ins and outs of securing a loan for your pet care business.
  • Alternative Funding Options: Discover other financial avenues that might be suitable for your needs.
  • Expert Insights: Gain valuable knowledge to make informed decisions and prepare effectively.


Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the tools and information needed to make your dream of opening a pet care facility come true.

2:45 PM–3:45 PM (1-hour session)

Session: Habits for Business Success and a Balanced Life

Speakers: Rob Van Craenenbroeck & Sandra Noworul

This session will guide you in cultivating healthy habits that empower you to take control of your day, rather than letting the day control you. Rob and Sandra will focus on practical strategies to boost productivity while maintaining a balanced life. Additionally, you’ll learn how to foster a positive company culture by building strong relationships through relationship equity, ensuring that your team thrives in both their professional and personal lives.

3:45 PM–4:00 PM: Snack Break (15 minutes)

4:00 PM–5:00 PM (1-hour session)

Keynote Session: The Art of Humor for Enhanced Communication

Speaker: Lisa David Olson

In this engaging keynote, discover how humor can transform you communication skills while strengthening relationships personally and professionally. Wouldn’t you like to diffuse tension, foster collaboration, and make your exchanges more memorable?  Whether you’re leading a team, preparing a speech, or navigating everyday conversations, harness the power of humor to communicate with impact and ease.

After 5:00 PM: Happy Hour & Networking at Embassy Suites

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024

8:30 AM–9:00 AM: Networking & Coffee (30 minutes)

9:00 AM–10:30 AM (1.5-hour workshop)

Session: Quick-Thinking for Crucial Conversations

Speaker: Lisa David Olson

Wake up with wonderment, curiosity and an open-mind for play and discovery. Leading a team can be draining; from challenging dialogue to finding the style of communication that ‘sticks’.

Learning improvisation tips and tools from an Improv Ninja, you’ll uncover fresh ways to engage with others, and even how to not dread a crucial conversation. Prepare to participate at your comfort level, or be the all-important audience member while scenarios are presented and laughter is the main ingredient while learning a great new skillset.

If you’re ready to gain confidence and clarity, don’t miss this session! 

10:45 AM–11:45 AM (1-hour session)

Session: Why Is Scaling Your Business So Hard?

Speaker: Catherine Crews

Join us for a dynamic session on scaling your pet care business strategically. We’ll explore how to grow beyond just adding locations by diversifying services like grooming, training, and unique pet experiences. Learn how strong leadership and situational adaptability are essential for maintaining high-quality, consistent service across all areas, ensuring your business thrives as it expands.

Key takeaways you’ll learn from this session:

  • Strategic Growth Beyond Locations: Scaling is more than just adding locations; it’s about diversifying services like grooming, training, and unique pet experiences to increase revenue and attract a broader customer base.
  • Strong Leadership and Situational Adaptability: Effective scaling requires a leadership team that adapts to the needs of your business, ensuring consistency and quality. Situational leadership is key to securing buy-in and developing the right skills across your team.
  • High-Quality, Consistent Service Delivery: Implement thorough training and strong policies to maintain a high standard of service across all locations, which is essential for sustaining growth and elevating your brand.

11:45 AM–12:45 PM: Lunch Break (1 hour)

12:45 PM–1:45 PM (1-hour session)

Session: One KPI to Rule Them All: How to master labor productivity, eliminate employee overspend and maximize profits

Speaker: Sean Felty

Join Sean Felty, owner/operator of Greenlin Pet Resorts and expert in systems optimization, as he shares the strategic insights that have fueled the growth of six successful pet care facilities. In this presentation, Sean will dive deep into the journey from expanding from two to six locations over four years, the critical role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and the importance of achieving efficiency through systems.

You’ll discover how to calculate waste in your pet care facility, implement processes that save time, avoid common efficiency blunders in pet care, and maintain a clear financial picture of your business. Sean will also explore payroll efficiency, when to hire administratively, and how to solve the ever-present labor problem for pet business owners.

Sean will provide real-world examples, actionable tips, and practical advice that you can apply to improve your own pet care business. Whether you’re looking to grow, optimize, or simply fine-tune your operations, this session will equip you with the tools and mindset needed to succeed.

2:00 PM–3:00 PM (1-hour session)

From Leads to Leashes in the Door: How Automation & Custom AI Transforms Prospects into Loyal Clients and More Money

Speaker: Sherry Boyer

Are you feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and missed opportunities in your dog business? Join Sherry Boyer, a renowned dog business coach and industry expert, as she reveals how automation and AI can revolutionize your operations. In this session, you’ll discover how to streamline your daily tasks, enhance communication with clients, and unlock new revenue potential. Learn practical strategies to turn prospects into loyal clients, and watch as your business grows more efficient and profitable. Don’t miss this chance to transform your dog business with the power of automation and custom AI!

3:00 PM–3:15 PM: Snack Break (15 minutes)

3:15 PM–4:15 PM (1-hour session)

Session: Engage Your Clients: Social Media Workshop for Pet Daycare and Boarding

Speaker: Joe Meyers

Are you ready to transform your pet daycare or boarding facility’s social media presence from ordinary to extraordinary? Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to create engaging content that captures your clients’ hearts (and screens). In this session, we’ll guide you through filming captivating videos, crafting eye-catching Reels, and going live on social media to showcase the best moments at your facility. You’ll practice taking and editing photos, adding music and captions to videos, and using storytelling techniques to connect with pet parents. Plus, you’ll receive cheat sheets with tips to keep the momentum going at home. Get ready to bring your social media skills to life, build stronger client relationships, and make your pet facility the talk of the town — one post at a time!

4:15 PM–5:00 PM (45-minute session)

Speaker Roundtable: Q&A Session with Summit Attendees

After 5:00 PM: Happy Hour & Networking at Embassy Suites

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Speaker Bios

Amy Hillis

Amy is Social Pet Hotel and Daycare’s Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education from Ohio University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also earned her Certificate of Leadership and Change from Queens University of Charlotte. Amy recognized that her passion for differentiating the instruction to meet the needs of children translated well to the pet care industry, and she draws inspiration from her prior career to strategically fuel the growth of Social Pet.

Amy helps bring continuing education and independent certification to the pet care industry by serving as the Chair of both the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) board and the International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA) Education Committee. In 2023, she won the IBPSA Industry Leader Award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding efforts to improve the pet care industry through humanitarian or animal welfare efforts, as well as through education and industry development. She is also an author, speaker, a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator, Pet Tech Instructor and a Fear Free Certified Professional.

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Sherry Boyer

Sherry Boyer is an award-winning coach and 7-figure earner who specializes in combining powerful business strategies with cutting-edge marketing and automation to accelerate her clients’ success. With deep roots in the pet care industry, Sherry’s real-world experience and sharp intuition enable her to guide business owners to achieve their financial goals and enhance their personal fulfillment.

In 2005, Sherry started her journey with just $750, launching a dog training business in a small town of barely 2,500 people. Through relentless determination and learning on the go, she transformed that modest investment into a thriving enterprise, eventually expanding into a 16,000 sq. ft. facility for boarding, daycare, and training in Northern California. Her story of turning $750 into millions has inspired countless others to pursue similar success.

Recognizing a critical gap in the pet care and dog training industry, Sherry founded ConnectXperts in 2023, a software and marketing company designed to revolutionize how businesses capture and convert leads. She developed a solution that allows businesses to effortlessly capture leads from a simple phone call, with no manual note-taking required. And that’s only the beginning! 

By implementing customized automations tailored to each business’s unique needs, and bringing in AI to make communications seamless, Sherry ensures that leads are followed up on automatically, freeing up time and resources for her clients to focus on what they do best.

Sherry’s industry specific software and marketing solutions bypass outdated blueprints and everything else the industry has offered up to now, going straight to the heart of what holds business owners back. Through her expertise in business strategy and marketing and automations, she empowers others to unlock their full potential and live in their brilliance.

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Catherine Crews

Meet Catherine Crews, a proud Chicagoan since 1999, who’s crafted a unique journey blending her love for pets, her vibrant city, and a thriving career in leadership and consulting. She holds a double major in History and Art from the University of Arkansas, which fueled her creative spirit and love for culture.

Before immersing herself in the pet care industry, Catherine spent a solid decade in the metal industry, where she rose to become President of the Association of Women in the Metal Industry. In this role, she frequently spoke to large audiences, sometimes nearing 1,000 people, sharing her insights on leadership, industry trends, and empowering women in the workforce.

In 2009, Catherine decided it was time to turn her volunteer passion into a business. She laid the foundation for Canine Crews, a beloved pet care hub, which officially opened its doors in West Bucktown on January 4, 2010. Canine Crews has since become the go-to place for pet parents, specializing in dog daycare and boarding.

Catherine’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. In recent years, she introduced Kitty Crews, a haven for cats offering top-notch boarding and care, MINDful Day School, Day School Training as well as Group Training and the Walk & Wag Club, ensuring that all pet care needs could be met under one roof.

Her expertise extends beyond the pet care industry. Catherine has taken on numerous consulting contracts, assisting small businesses with their organizational and leadership development needs. Her work in this area has helped many businesses streamline operations, foster strong leadership, and achieve sustainable growth.

Catherine’s dedication to excellence is also evident in her participation in professional associations like the International Boarding & Pet Sitters Association (IBPSA), Pet Care Services Association (PCSA), Owners of Dog Daycares (ODD), and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). She’s made her mark on local chambers of commerce, including a stint as President of the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce in 2016-2017. In 2018, she graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Cohort 22.

Outside of her business and consulting endeavors, Catherine’s all about staying active and sharing laughter with friends and family. She’s into CrossFit, yoga, and good food and wine. A lifelong dog lover, she currently shares her home with Puddles, a lively 6-year-old mixed breed, and Crash, an energetic 2-year-old black lab. 

Catherine’s heart belongs to Chicago. She’s deeply invested in her neighborhoods and businesses, actively participating in local community groups, collaborating with fellow small businesses, and making her community a better place every day.

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Claire Cronin

Claire Cronin joined Live Oak Bank in October of 2015 as part of the Hotel team. In 2018, Claire moved onto the vet and then pet facility team, where her focus has been on assisting customers with financial options, including acquisitions, expansions, start-ups, and renovation projects. Her goal is to provide financial solutions that allow her clients to continue growing their businesses. Claire resides in Atlanta, GA, with her husband Brian and three kids, Emmet, Fintan, and Emer.

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Jacqueline Pait

Jacqueline Pait joined Live Oak Bank in September of 2015 as an Underwriter where she underwrote loans from all Live Oak Bank industries. In 2016, she transitioned to a Loan Officer where she was part of a team who focused on craft beverage financing. Jacqueline now works solely with veterinarians and pet care facilities. She is responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and structuring new loan opportunities. Prior to joining Live Oak Bank, Jacqueline worked for Wells Fargo as a personal banker and business banking specialist. A graduate of University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Jacqueline earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She resides in Wilmington, NC with her husband, Roby, son, Brayden, and daughter, Anderson.

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Sean Felty

Grit, Growth, and the Next Tree

Sean Felty isn’t your typical Business Coach. He’s a battle-tested entrepreneur who knows firsthand the relentless challenges of growing a business, especially in the pet care industry. Sean and his wife own and operate Greenlin Pet Resorts, a thriving network of six locations offering boarding, daycare, training, and grooming services. With over 100,000 visits per year and a team of 130-150 employees, Sean has lived through the sleepless nights, the unforeseen crises, and the constant question that every entrepreneur faces: “What the F%$K am I doing?”

But it’s these exact moments that have shaped Sean into the business owner and coach he is today. His approach is grounded in a concept he knows intimately—grit. It’s the grit that carried him through building a business while raising a newborn, the grit that saw him through a pandemic during a multi-million dollar renovation, and the grit that pushed him to run 100-mile ultramarathons.

Sean doesn’t just talk about success; he’s lived every brutal, beautiful moment of it. His coaching philosophy revolves around helping other business owners find their own “next tree”—the small, achievable goal that keeps you moving forward, no matter how tough things get.

With a career that spans both in and out of the pet care industry, Sean has developed a unique perspective that acts like rocket fuel for growth. Whether you need strategic insights, operational efficiency, or just a solid push to get to your next milestone, Sean’s been there, done that, and is ready to guide you through it.

So, what does Sean know about grit? Everything. And if you’re ready to push your business to the next level, he’s ready to help you find your next tree.

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Joe Meyers

Joe Meyers is a marketing expert in the pet industry, keynote speaker, dog dad, and founder of Share, a digital marketing agency. He has been featured in USA Today, Pet Life Radio, Pet Age, Minnesota Business, INC, pet podcasts, and many more. He is also the host of Pet Marketing Mastermind, where he speaks with top pet marketing and entrepreneur professionals.

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Eve Molzhon

Eve Molzhon’s interest in dogs began in 2000 as a board member for Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. In the corporate world, she worked in sales management, marketing, and project management, but CCOW inspired her to delve into the animal care industry. She is a member of APDT, IACP, IAABC, and IBPSA. In 2013, she opened Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare and Boarding. As business grew, Eve saw gaps in employee training, so she created an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program, Dog Handler Academy. At Fun Fur Pets, she created Dog School, a program for dog socialization and obedience training and subsequently opened a second business for a similar program, the Dog School of Minnesota. In early 2023, Eve built and opened Pawesome Pets Country Club, an enrichment-based dog daycare and pet boarding facility. Eve also created 2nd Chance to Shine, a non-profit organization that provides basic manners training and social rehabilitation to several dogs who are currently in rescues throughout the Midwest.

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Lisa David Olson

Lisa David Olson is the (Practically) World-Famous Business Humorist; interactive speaker, author, podcaster, performer, and customer service guru who shares how humor connects teams, and even strangers.  

Olson is a multi-TEDx speaker, speaker-mentor, and professional nag (accountability buddy).

Her interactive presentation style, and tools from the stage to real life, are sought out to re-energize stale thinking. Olson demonstrates how humor is a genuine connector, with a bonus of health benefits!

Interactive card deck: Dare Zone. The fun-making game of prompts! 

Latest book: From The Spotlight To Real Life; tips from the stage to reignite teams, spark communication skills, and encourage speakers

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Rob Van Craenenbroeck

Rob has been a Human Resource and Learning and Development practitioner for more than 30 years. He has lead HR teams in multiple industries including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, education, and financial services. Rob has also provided leadership for national and global sales forces. And served as Director of Human Resources at Kaplan Professional Education.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Development. Rob has helped companies emerge from bankruptcy and has been a catalyst for successful organizational change. He is a frequent keynote speaker and facilitates cultural change workshops.

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Sandra Norowul

Sandra Noworul is the Director of Coaching and Culture for ISTO Optimize where she is focused on building world-class teams. The foundation of her work is aimed at helping people reduce stress, overwhelm, and imbalance in their lives, resulting in enhanced health, happiness, and career performance. 

She has had great success helping organizations develop thriving cultures and developing people to be their very best, both personally and professionally. Sandra has coached thousands of individuals and has facilitated seminars around the world, on 5 of the 7 continents.

Sandra draws on thirty years of business experience in training, human resources, and coaching. Her diverse background ranges from running a small start-up to working for a company ranked on the Fortune 100 list.

Sandra holds entrepreneurs in high esteem and believes that they are essential to the economic strength of America. Being a small business owner is among the world’s most demanding professions, often resulting in suboptimal physical and mental well-being. She is on a mission to change that by empowering entrepreneurs to create an extraordinary career within an extraordinary life, so they can have a greater impact on everyone they serve.

Professional Certifications:

  • Executive Coach, Dream Manager® Life Coach, Culture Coach, Heroic Coach, Positive Intelligence Coach
  • Education: Illinois State University, Bachelor of Science in Business and HR Management

 
Sandra lives in the suburbs of Chicago. She treasures time with her family and her husband, enjoys fishing and volunteering her time to support children with serious illnesses.

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Dog Handler Academy
Business Leadership Summit

October 14 & 15, 2024
Chicago, il

$485

  • Admission for 1 to DHA Business Leadership Summit
  • Coffee, water, and lunch provided Monday & Tuesday
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