where ethical animal pros find business strategy that actually fits
You don't have to choose between ethics and success... you can have a business that
This isn’t just a hobby.
It’s your business… your future.
You’ve poured your heart (and probably half your savings) into this work. But passion alone doesn’t pay the bills and working every hour won’t guarantee success.
Whether you’re just starting out or still wondering why the long hours aren’t adding up to the income you deserve, the way forward isn’t to just ‘try harder’ or ‘believe in yourself more’… it’s to design your business in a way that actually supports the work you do.
Like a counter-surfing spaniel eyeing up cake (yes Pedro, we see you!), your dream business is right there… but it takes more than ‘positive vibes’ and an endless CPD list to get your paws on it. Luckily you’re a lot smarter than a spaniel… that’s why you’re here.
Want to make a difference and a living? I’ll show you how.
Proud to be trusted by…
In the training and behaviour world, you know that quick fixes and one-size-fits-all methods aren’t the answer… and the same applies to business!
Much of the advice out there focuses on marketing trends, visibility and pushing harder. When it doesn’t work, the assumption is often that you just need to ‘be more consistent’ or ‘work on your mindset’.
But superficial hacks and cookie-cutter formulas aren’t built for our values-driven work… and simply trying harder inside a misaligned system isn’t going to get you to where you want to be.
Instead, let’s take a strategic, industry-specific, evidence-based approach… one that aligns with your ethics, plays to your strengths and brings the clarity and structure your business needs.
And just so we're clear... I'm not talking about your mindset. I'm talking about your business structure.
want a business that doesn’t rely on burnout?
These 5 pillars underpin everything
-
INTENTIONALITY
Building a business that’s aligned with your life + vision
-
VISIBILITY
Being continually discovered by your ideal clients
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IRRESISTIBILITY
Making it easy for potential clients to choose you
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PROFITABILITY
Ensuring you’ll be paid appropriately for your skills
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SUSTAINABILITY
Supporting your energy and long-term capacity
Which pillars do you need to strengthen in your business?
Working with Gretta has been a game-changer for my business!
LUCY
🡩 With Pedro… my not-so-trusty sidekick!
Nice to meet you…
I’m Gretta Ford - an ethical, welfare-focused dog trainer and behaviourist, as well as a total business nerd.
If your business isn’t yet quite where you want it to be (or even if it’s still just a twinkle in your eye), you need someone on your side who not only understands the business side of things but also has real-world experience of our industry. That’s me, by the way!
In our training and behaviour work, we talk a lot about setting animals up to succeed: shaping their environment, giving them the right support and making sure that they have what they need to thrive. But what about you? What if you gave yourself the same opportunity in your own business?
Well, that’s exactly why I created Set Up to Succeed… because ethical trainers and behaviourists deserve the same level of thought, strategy and support that we give to our clients.
In case you’re wondering…
Why choose me?
There are other people you could learn from... so it's probably worth knowing what makes me different.
Clients consistently tell me that what sets me apart is that the support I offer actually fits (the industry, their values, their way of working) and that they feel genuinely cared about in the process.
There’s a specific combination of experience and expertise that makes that possible… and, as the youngsters say: “I've got receipts” →
Exhibit A
Dog Trainer & Clinical Animal Behaviourist
I’m one of you… not someone who arrived here from an adjacent industry. So wherever you are on your journey as an ethical animal professional, I get it.
Your professional world, your ethics, the nuance of your work and the competitive landscape you're operating in... I live it too.
Exhibit B
Six businesses, across very different models
Local service businesses (including one which I sold and rebuilt entirely from scratch after relocating), a product business and two online businesses.
Different markets, different business models, different everything… not a one-time success story packaged into a formula.
Exhibit C
Teaching, pedagogy and school leadership
Before working with dogs, I had a career as a teacher and spent years as a deputy headteacher, focused on strategy and the quality of teaching.
This is why everything I offer is carefully structured, genuinely personalised and designed around how people actually learn.
Exhibit D
Background in sales and marketing
I understand buying decisions and trust-building from real commercial experience, not just from reading about it…
Which is rather useful when you want to help people attract the right clients, without becoming someone that they don't recognise in the process!
Exhibit E
Website and digital marketing expertise
Google-certified in digital marketing, trained in website design + strategy, with an English teaching specialism behind the copywriting.
Others can tell you your website needs improving. I can tell you why it isn’t working and help you to fix it… rather than sending you off to get a fancy new one.
Exhibit F
Trusted by the profession’s leading bodies
Guest lecturer at University of Edinburgh’s vet school and invited to deliver business training for universities and professional membership bodies.
When the organisations that set the industry standards trust you with their own businesses, students and members... that says something.
Want my help?
If that sounds like the kind of expertise you need in your business…
Check out the ways that I can support you by clicking on the link below:
In case you’re wondering…
Why choose me?
There are other people you could learn from... so it's probably worth knowing what makes me different.
Clients consistently tell me that what sets me apart is that the support I offer actually fits (the industry, their values, their way of working) and that they feel genuinely cared about in the process.
There’s a specific combination of experience and expertise that makes that possible… and, as the youngsters say: “I've got receipts” →
Exhibit A
Dog Trainer & Clinical Animal Behaviourist
I’m one of you… not someone who arrived here from an adjacent industry. So wherever you are on your journey as an ethical animal professional, I get it.
Your professional world, your ethics, the nuance of your work and the competitive landscape you're operating in... I live it too.
Exhibit B
Six businesses, across very different models
Local service businesses (including one which I sold and rebuilt entirely from scratch after relocating), a product business and two online businesses.
Different markets, different business models, different everything… not a one-time success story packaged into a formula.
Exhibit C
Teaching, pedagogy and school leadership
Before working with dogs, I had a career as a teacher and spent years as a deputy headteacher, focused on strategy and the quality of teaching.
This is why everything I offer is carefully structured, genuinely personalised and designed around how people actually learn.
Exhibit D
Background in sales and marketing
I understand buying decisions and trust-building from real commercial experience, not just from reading about it…
Which is rather useful when you want to help people attract the right clients, without becoming someone that they don't recognise in the process!
Exhibit E
Website and digital marketing expertise
Google-certified in digital marketing, trained in website design + strategy, with an English teaching specialism behind the copywriting.
Others can tell you your website needs improving. I can tell you why it isn’t working and help you to fix it… rather than sending you off to get a fancy new one.
Exhibit F
Trusted by the profession’s leading bodies
Guest lecturer at University of Edinburgh’s vet school and invited to deliver business training for universities and professional membership bodies.
When the organisations that set the industry standards trust you with their own businesses, students and members... that says something.
WANT MY HELP?
If that sounds like the kind of expertise you need in your business…
Check out the ways that I can support you by clicking on the link below:
See how I can help you
Real clients, real Google reviews
What clients say about working with me
Working with Gretta was the best decision I’ve ever made for my business. If you’re an animal professional that needs a little help with your business, trust me – Gretta is who you need to speak to.
KAREN
Ok, let’s get you to where you need to be…
Which one of these ↓ best describes you?
I’d like TO HAVE
a website that wows
Make life easier with a website that works as hard for your business as you do for your clients.
I want to make
my business better
Give your business a boost so that you can earn more money and enjoy a better work-life balance.
I’m ready to
start a new business
Prepare to launch your own business as a self-employed ethical dog trainer or behaviourist.
I’d like to see my
personalised picks
View all your options or take my quick quiz to filter by those most relevant for you.
Gretta has helped me tremendously with my business and I deeply value her knowledge, expertise and professionalism. Everyone needs a Gretta in their life!
ROXANNE
As featured in
Will we go together like a clicker and treats?
I'm here for the people who...
Want a business that actually reflects how skilled they are... without compromising their ethics to get there.
Know their stuff inside out... and yet still get a flutter of imposter syndrome when their own dog pulls on the lead in public!
Find the typical ‘six-figure funnels, post-every-day, manifest-your-clients’ advice deeply unappealing.
Would break out in a cold sweat at the thought of “sliding into people's DMs” to get clients. Luckily, there is another way.
Suspect that they're working a lot harder than their business is... and they're probably right.
Are tired of crossing their fingers and hoping for the best... and are ready for a proper plan instead.
If that sounds familiar... you're in the right place.
The people I work with aren't chasing ‘growth’ for the sake of it. They want something more meaningful: a business that's more fulfilling, more profitable, more sustainable.
Not necessarily a bigger business… a better one.
Not sure what you need?
Take my 2-minute quiz to find out which of my 5 pillars you most need to strengthen and get personalised recommendations for your best next steps.
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Just click on the button below to get started.
Gretta is the whole package!
She’s hugely knowledgeable on the technical side of things, really understands the industry and is a genius with eye-catching copy and graphic design as well.
HELEN
Gretta is a joy to work with!
She offers so much support and insight into different areas of business, sharing her knowledge and great ideas. I’ve found her input to be invaluable.
HANNAH
Ooh, look at you scrolling all the way down here!
I should probably reward you with a few treats…
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