Did you know that 92% of people who set New Year’s goals never achieve them? (University of Scranton study). The same thing happens in business: entrepreneurs often start with ambitious ideas, but without a plan, those goals fade away. The difference between businesses that thrive and those that struggle often comes down to setting goals that are both realistic and achievable.
If you’re growing a pet care business or thinking about starting one, here’s how to set goals that stick.
Step 1: Start with a SWOT Analysis
Before setting goals, understand where your business stands. A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) helps you see what’s working, where you can improve, and where growth is possible.
- Strengths: What are you already doing well? Loyal customers? Strong local reputation?
- Weaknesses: Where do you struggle? Marketing, staffing, or time management?
- Opportunities: Is the local demand for pet care rising? Are there nearby neighborhoods you haven’t reached yet?
- Threats: Who are your competitors, and what external challenges (like economic changes) could impact growth?
By identifying these areas, you’ll create a clearer picture of where to focus your goals.
Step 2: Keep Goals SMART
The best goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Instead of: “I want more customers.”
Try: “I want to add 15 new recurring clients within the next 90 days.”
SMART goals give you direction and make it easier to track progress. For more on how to connect goals with strategies, check out Pet Butler’s guide on building a winning marketing plan.
Step 3: Break Down Big Goals
Big goals can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller, manageable tasks makes them achievable. For example, if your goal is to grow revenue by 20% this year:
- Launch a referral program to increase word-of-mouth.
- Train your team on upselling services.
- Expand outreach into one new neighborhood.
Small steps build momentum toward bigger results.
Step 4: Assign KPIs and Adapt
Every goal should have key performance indicators (KPIs) like the number of new clients per month, percentage of repeat customers, or average customer ratings. KPIs act like scoreboards, showing you if your strategy is working. The pet industry is booming, Americans spent $147 billion on their pets in 2023 (American Pet Products Association, 2024). With that growth comes new opportunities and challenges. Revisiting and adjusting your goals ensure they stay realistic as your business evolves.
Step 5: Celebrate Achievements
Too often, business owners hit milestones and immediately move on to the next challenge. But celebrating wins, whether it’s a surge of new clients or a glowing review, boosts morale, strengthens team motivation, and builds long-term momentum. Celebrating these moments creates the energy and confidence to tackle whatever comes next.
Why It Matters
Setting realistic goals isn’t just about planning, it’s about building a business that can grow sustainably. From identifying strengths to tracking measurable results, the businesses that succeed are the ones that set goals with intention and follow through.
At Pet Butler, we’ve seen how structured goal setting helps owners thrive in the pet care industry. Want to learn how we support entrepreneurs in reaching their goals? Explore the Pet Butler franchise opportunity today.
