Petboost Co-Founder Joins Pet Industry Mentor Podcast to Discuss Systems, Burnout, and What Pet Businesses Actually Need

Petboost Co-Founder and CEO Frazer McLeod recently joined Chenelle, host of the Pet Industry Mentor podcast, for an in-depth conversation about the realities of running a pet business in Australia.

The episode, titled "Systems Equal Success," covers the operational challenges pet business owners face every day, from admin overload and inconsistent booking processes to the hidden costs of running without proper systems.

What the Conversation Covered

Frazer shared the story of how Petboost was born from his wife Annika's pet care business, Hound Health Bondi, and the years of first-hand research that went into designing software specifically for the Australian pet industry.

Key topics included:

• Why loving animals is not enough to build a sustainable pet business
• How admin overload, not animals, is the primary driver of burnout in the industry
• The importance of self-service booking and how making it easy for clients to book directly translates to more revenue
• Why professional services such as accountants and lawyers are non-negotiable investments, even for small businesses
• How putting business rules on a page (through terms, conditions, and booking systems) eliminates confrontation and builds client trust
• Why systems are an animal welfare issue, not just an operational convenience
• Petboost's design-led approach of shadowing real pet businesses before building features

Chenelle, who grew her own pet business to a multiple six-figure operation before selling it in 2025, brought her own candid experiences to the conversation, including stories of forgotten dog pickups, chaotic multi-channel communication, and the moment she realised systems were the difference between burnout and success.

What Systemising Your Business Actually Delivers

A central theme of the conversation was what happens when pet businesses move from ad-hoc processes to a proper system. Frazer outlined the tangible outcomes Petboost customers experience:

• A fuller diary. Self-service booking means pet owners can book online 24/7 without calling or texting. Bookings land in the calendar while the business owner is mid-groom, mid-walk, or asleep.
• Better cash flow. Payments are collected automatically at the time of booking. Prepaid packages mean revenue hits the account before the service even starts. No more chasing invoices at 10pm.
• Professional credibility. Branded confirmations, automated reminders, GPS-tracked visits, photo report cards, and itemised invoices make the business look and feel like the professional operation it is. Clients pay professional rates when you operate like a professional.
• Happier pet owners. For pet owners, booking their dog groomer or walker becomes a 30-second task they can do from their phone. Their chore is done, their pet is sorted, and they did not have to send a single message.
• Empowered teams. Multiple logins, individual schedules, and clear visibility of each day's requirements mean the business owner is no longer the bottleneck.
• Animal welfare built in. Pet profiles store allergies, medications, feeding instructions, behavioural notes, and vaccination certificates, all visible at the point of care.

About the Pet Industry Mentor Podcast

The Pet Industry Mentor podcast is hosted by Chenelle, a former pet business owner turned mentor who helps pet professionals build sustainable, professional businesses. The show focuses on practical advice, real-world stories, and honest conversations about the pet services industry.

Listen Now

The episode is available on all major podcast platforms:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• podcast.app

About Petboost

Petboost is an Australian-built all-in-one booking, payment, and client management system designed specifically for pet businesses. From dog groomers and walkers to daycares, boarding facilities, and puppy schools, Petboost helps business owners systemise their operations, professionalise their client experience, and focus on the work that matters: caring for pets.

The platform brings bookings, payments, scheduling, client records, pet profiles, team management, automated communications, and reporting into a single system of record. Pet owners benefit from frictionless self-service booking, transparent pricing, and a seamless experience that keeps them coming back. Business owners benefit from a fuller diary, predictable cash flow, and evenings that are actually theirs.

Petboost is co-founded by Frazer McLeod (CEO) and Mo Abed (CTO), with backing from the Di Marco Group, the family office of TechnologyOne founder Adrian Di Marco. Learn more at petboost.com.au/business.