You are a business owner. 

Yes. You are. 

Go ahead and say “No,” if you want. But the facts remain.

Anyone working towards growing clients, or clients’ clients, or increasing their share of voice is a business owner. You have a market, its scope is the entire internet world, the people you sell to at that place that rewards you with a paycheck, or maybe your small town or huge community. You want to grow your footprint as you work towards World Domination in your field.

See, I was right. Obvious or not, you are a business owner.

And as a business owner, there is something you need, right now and long term.

For clarity and to avoid confusion, I am going to call it a puppy. Any breed that comes to mind. Picture that perfect ball of fluff. Or are you leaning towards a sleek little bundle of fun?

Can you see it? Cozy and sleepy, and eyes still closed. Probably – no, actually, so incredibly cute. 

I really want an actual puppy…. but I digress.

Again, I can hear you. 

And yes, you actually do want a puppy. Stay with me!

Simply replace puppy with what it is you actually need. What you actually want. More clients. More staff. More equipment. A larger location.

Okay, back to my exceptional metaphor. You want a puppy. You need a puppy.

Choose carefully.

I’m all about the rescue puppy. Mom and litter, found by a puppy-loving group, cleaned up, vet-checked, and waiting, not so patiently, for their forever home. They are ready to GO!!

We get sucked in by the cute. And get stuck. And worse, potentially hurt the puppy. Eager and cute and cuddly – with those big paws that indicate an eventual Great Big Dog. Perfect. None of those pretend dogs. This rescue is for Big Dogs Only…. but the puppy with those gorgeous eyes may simply not be ready to come home yet.

Dog lovers are always looking for big dogs to love. Ready to offer them newspapers to pee on, healthy food (so there’s less stuff mom! You know what I mean by stuff, right Mom?), and long walks in the early morning air. 

Imagine being a Big Dog’s rescuer and having a serious sit-down with that adorable puppy. “You, cute bundle of cuddles, have everything you need to be a Big Dog. A down-the-road big dog, to be sure, but here are my rules to be rescued, and we can make this work, so, come home with me. Now.” 

The cute little puppy with big paws gets excited. 

Yes!! He is going to be a Big Dog, with a forever home, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get there. 

And as happens with puppies, you fall just a little bit in love. 

Now, if you know cute little puppies, you know that 8 weeks is the earliest to rehome one. Earlier, they are not ready for that next step. They are not ready for that new food or that new freedom when they are at their cutest. Younger than that, they still need to grow into the promise of their paws. Their giant paws are still potential.

Wait till the puppy is ready.

Otherwise, that forever home you are promising won’t be forever. Maybe your area is too small, or your yard is too big, you are short on time, or worse, there isn’t enough money. 

Those paws were big, but that cute little puppy still had to grow into them, just a little bit. You took it home too soon.

That puppy with big paws might grow into them. But it should start back at the rescue. No matter how cute, if you don’t have time to bottle feed, cozy up, and clean up that puppy, it is simply wrong to take that puppy, yet. Let it grow big enough to be your big dog.

The worst is if you have to find someone else to fall a little bit in love with that perfect puppy so they can take it. Being in love is never enough. Only help puppies that are grown-up enough to take the next step.

Some rescues will take the puppy back to their momma. But it’s never the same. And trying to rescue a rescue… well, once you take a puppy and promise a forever home, you are on the hook. Or should be.

So, business owners, sales reps, consultants, and marketing professionals. Don’t become a puppy mill professional.

By all means, pick out the cutest of the litter. Promise and plan for a forever home. 

Brand yourself and your service as the person and place that will make sure and say if it’s not the right time to connect. Don’t cash a cheque that will haunt your business because you are in fact selling something that isn’t the right fit. 

Even if it’s not the right fit, yet. One day, it might be.

Wait till the paws are big enough to handle the changes in that next step.

Otherwise, you are hiring, selling, servicing, or promising what a perfect puppy wants but is simply not ready for.

And the Potential Paws of the Eventual Big Dog will not be following you around wagging their tail with appreciation when they do grow up. They will give you a sniff, pee on your tires, and ignore every good thing your business might have done for them.

Latest posts by Leah Bumphrey (see all)