Interview – Joe Nutkins Of Dog Training For Essex & Suffolk
I am interviewing business owners who are member’s of Maddy Alexander-Grout’s Invisible To Influential membership in the run up to Christmas.
Invisible To Influential is an inclusive business membership that helps you to get more visible in your business and make more money.
All designed for neurodivergent brains, Maddy the founder wanted to help neurodivergent people in an easy to understand format.
Every month you get masterclasses on things that will help you to grow your business, you get your content reviewed 4 times a week, tips on specific platforms to help you to grow.
Discounted tickets to Visible Fest , Discounted 1:1s with Maddy, missions to help you to hit your goals.
It’s £10.00 a month currently. On 6th December 2024 the price will increase to £27.00 a month but once it does, details of a 50% off discount code for WGTD website readers will be posted that will reduce the amount to just £13.50 a month.
You can cancel anytime. But the support you get within this community is unparalleled.
https://stan.store/maddyalexandergrout/p/join-invisible-to-influential
Now, here’s what lovely Joe Nutkins of Dog Training for Essex & Suffolk had to say…
How and when did your business start?
My business was registered in 2008 and it started as a partnership with one of my previous employers; after being invited to take over some dog training classes in my area that I had been running for my employers for a couple of years one of my then previous employers asked to run my classes with me as the background person running the company set up, accounts, HMRC etc.
After a few years ***** (editor’s note – name removed) took a step back to focus on her young family so I ended up running everything suddenly and I’d never considered running a business by myself before it was very daunting and to be honest it’s still daunting now!
What would you say have been your biggest challenges business wise?
Biggest challenges in the business have included trying to learn everything that is needed so I have been learning everything as if I’m a startup but with an established business that been running several years so trying to fit everything in is hard work!
My health has been one of the ultimate challenges within the business as 12 years ago I was formally diagnosed with Myalgic Encephamyalitis (ME), then also Fibromyalgia a couple of years later, as well as Hypothyroidism and adding Peri-Menopause 4 years ago too so a combination of low energy, high pain, bad memory and cognitive blocks doesn’t help with getting office work done or planning a day of work! It has meant I’ve had to reduce the hours I can do the actual dog training each day so I can’t help as many dogs and owners as I used to. It also means I can take days or even a week or two to reply to messages if I have a few days in a row of brain fog and fatigue.
Balancing health and running the business as well as doing the dog training is a big juggling act and trying to not burnout is a struggle.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own business?
Oohh, advice! I definitely am not any good at listening to my advice! I would say to look into what help and support is available as a new business early on or before you take the plunge so that you have the time to implement it before the business takes off as well as having more available for start ups and new businesses.
Look into a business mentor or coach who is right for you. The person your friend uses might not be the right person for you due to personalities, what a mentor specialises in, their understanding of your type of business etc. If you start with someone but are not quite feeling it’s a good fit, part ways and look for someone else. Look online and see what people offer, look at their ‘voice’, who they already help etc.
Are there are funny stories that you would like to tell us with regards working with pets?
There’s so many stories I get to be part of through working and living with pets but here’s a couple of my favourites!
When working with dogs on ‘fun training’ such as tricks we often use a technique called Shaping. This is where we have a prop or piece of equipment and let the dog interact with it and offer skills which we then reward when we like something. It gives dogs the chance to offer skills more natural to them and also in a way that works best for them too. However there are times when dogs have overactive imaginations and we might have a dog trying to roll over on a skateboard or pulling a little tent down the room instead of getting inside it! Always something new and so often lots of laughs!
What is the best thing about being in Maddy Alexander-Grout’s Invisible To Influential membership?
So far I’m finding Maddy’s group useful for seeing what people ask questions about as they often are something I find interesting but wouldn’t think to ask about.
I’m also finding the review share really interesting; Maddy has given me feedback on a couple of my own posts which has been great help but also see advice for others has been really useful too.
Have there been any recent wins that you would like to tell us about?
Recent Wins I’m usually not very good at acknowledging but in October I was awarded runner up finalist for Innovation in Sustainability in our local Tendring Small Business Awards which really means a huge amount a sustainability is a big part of my life, both working and personal. We were invited to an awards night which being local I could actually go to whereas usually awards etc are several hours drive away so I can’t manage it.
Other wins would include celebrating with my clients and their dogs on their progressions, achievements etc but I never consider them my own wins!! Seeing the joy in an owners face when their dog learns a skill is amazing!! Sensing the relief in a message from a client when we help their dog feel comfortable when home alone or being able to recall their dog after they backed out of their harness are also brilliant experiences.
What activities do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
Most of any leisure time I have is spent with our pets. I have three dogs, plus we have over 100 Ducks, Hens, Cockerels, Quail, Parrots and Ferrets, mostly rescue and rehome. Spending time just interacting with them, watching them while I sort their enclosures, doing tricks with them, caring for them etc really gives me a lift and always puts a smile on my face.
I also love to find places to take my dogs that is quiet where we can just meander about uninterrupted. Secure dog fields with trees are great as there’s plenty for the dogs to explore but we know we won’t have anyone else passing by; although I love working with dogs and their families it is nice to just be with my husband and our dogs too!
Contact info:
Dog Training for Essex & Suffolk
Facebook: Dog Training for Essex & Suffolk
Instagram: CassnTay
Linked In: Joe Nutkins KCAI (CD), CPCDT
TikTok: Joe Nutkins Dog Training
Text/WhatsApp: 07809 117912