Do you REALLY understand what an Independent contractor is? Why having employees is the smarter way to run your business.
What is an independent contractor? An IC is an individual or business that provides services to another individual or business. The independent contractor is a separate business entity and is not considered an employee. Did you catch that? IC’s are a separate business entity and this is where you can get into trouble.
There is a TON of information you need to know, so I’m only going to share some of what I know, otherwise this blog will turn into a book. But at the end, I will include some links for you to read further. Let’s start to break it down.
- By law, a business cannot train or guide independent contractors, and they cannot specify exactly how the business of pet sitting is carried out. So in other words, the standard that you have set for your business, your policies, your idea of customer service can NOT be forced upon the IC you hired to represent your business. To me it’s a no brainer to hire employees vs. IC’s… it’s My company, My idea, My reputation on the line… why would I want to hand that control over to someone I barely know who could put me out of business?
- Independent contractors can substitute whomever they wish to do a job, without notice to the owner of the company hiring them, or to the client. That means that ANYONE can be entering your clients home, and they may not be screened, bonded and insured. Huh? So your spending money to run a back ground check on these people to ensure they don’t have a criminal record and can be trusted in your clients home, but they can call their sister, brother, aunt; whenever they want and ask them to go walk Sally Maes dogs for them so they can hit the beach with their boyfriend?!!! Where’s the logic in that? For all you know the sister, brother, aunt is an ex con or drug addict or worse a known animal abuser.
Then there are the rules! Yes there are rules that YOU the business owner has to adhere to in order to LEGALLY comply with the IRS standards, BUT… you can’t really control anything the IC does, you can’t train them, you can’t tell them what time to be there, you can’t even collect the money due! If you fail to comply and you get caught breaking any of the rules, or worse you piss off the wrong person that you hired and they file for unemployment or file a complaint with the labor board; YOU put yourself and your business at risk to be audited, investigated and could face penalties and interest. Businesses can receive audit bills of 50% or more of wages paid. For example, if you paid Millie Ways, an employee, $20,000 as an independent contractor, the IRS might hit you with $10,000 in taxes, penalties, and interest for the misclassification.
Did you know…?
- Your IC’s need to have their own business license filed with the state, city, county they provide services in. Remember at the beginning, I said they are a separate entity, which mean they are self-employed like you and need to be licensed as such. You cannot pay for that license. By the way, having a non-compete is basically null and void at this point because to be an IC they have to start their own business, so what’s to say they don’t walk with a hand full of your clienst and do what you did, start a pet sitting company.
- THEY must pay for and maintain their own Liability insurance or pet sitting insurance. I think a lot of pet sitting owners miss this one, or do not fully understand this. If you put them under your umbrella insurance, you risk breaking the rules, and I personal know someone who has been investigated for this very issue.
- You the business owner cannot collect the money due! WHAT???? Yes, some states say that if you have IC’s they must collect the money and all transactions and communication must be between the client and the IC. What’s the point of being the owner if you have no control? And when you employ IC’s you basically give up all control. So you are advertising, taking calls, doing all this work and for what? So the IC can make a major mistake and cost you your business? Or Steal your money, your clients? No thank you!
- For income tax reporting, an independent contractor usually receives Form 1099-MISC at the end of a year from each company for whom work is done. The 1099-MISC shows income and any withholding (usually none, unless backup withholding is required). Since the independent contractor is self-employed, he or she will file income taxes on Schedule C unless a different business type has been selected. If they earned over $600 they must file a tax return and pay the taxes. Guess what? If they do not file and pay their taxes the IRS can come back to you!!!!
So what do you do to protect yourself?
- First thing first, do your homework. Don’t rely on what you read in those, “How to start a pet sitting business” books. I mean REALLY do your homework. Consult with a local labor attorney, call your state labor department and speak with someone who can tell you about your specific state laws. The IRS has their own standard but each state has their own set of laws you must comply with. Don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions, there are no stupid questions if you want to be successful and in business for the long haul.
- Weigh the options. Yes, having IC’s means that you save some money by NOT paying payroll taxes. But if you break one rule you could be hit with major fines that will ultimately put you out of business and possibly bankrupt you.
- Switch over to Employees, right now! Do not pass go, do not collect $200…. Switch to employees.
Is not having to pay payroll taxes worth the risk? I personally don’t think it is which is why I switched from IC’s to employees year 2 of my business. I have employees. 15 of them! And every two weeks I pay out an extra $400-600 in payroll taxes… but at the end of the day I know my business is being run the way I want it to. I know my clients are protected and that ONLY an insured, screen member of my team is entering my client’s homes. I know that I have fully trained my staff and they know and will do what is expected of them to my standards. Just like we offer piece of mind to our clients, paying the payroll taxes and having Employees gives you the professional pet sitting business owner “Piece of mind” Whatever you do, do not let yourself be misled or fall into the thinking that It will never happen to me or I’ll deal with it when I get caught. As grumpy cat would say. NO! Be smart and protect your investment. AKA your business!
Check out these links for more info on this subject and start researching today. Your business’s success and your livelihood may depend on it.
http://www.chicagonow.com/get-employed/2012/04/irs-cracking-down-on-independent-contractors/
http://www.taxattorneydaily.com/topics/ch-11-small-business-self-employed.php
http://biztaxlaw.about.com/od/glossaryi/a/indcontractor.htm
http://smallbizsource.org/?page_id=174
http://comptroller.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/20-factor-test-for-independent-contractors.pdf
Now hiring Dog walkers and Pet Sitters
Professional Dog walking & Pet Sitting Business is now hiring. This job is perfect for housewives, stay at home moms, online college students, freelance people, etc., who are looking for a lifestyle not a temporary job! If you love animals, caring for them and understand pet care needs. This could be the right way for you to earn a “little” extra money and get you out of the house, while still giving you the flexibility to shop, workout, attend PTA meetings, etc.
We’re looking for people who have flexible schedules to take on assignments based on our client’s needs between the hours of 7am-9pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You may work 30 minutes total one day and 4 hours the next, you could also be assigned a weekly set route. Walkers are compensated starting at a minimum $6.00 per 15 minutes, $8.00 per 30 minutes, and $11.00 for 60 minutes.
For us you need
To be 21 years old or older
Have a reliable car to drive to and from assignments, a valid DL and Car insurance
Have a smart phone to use with our mobile app
Be able to walk 2 large dogs over 50lbs together
Be able to pass a criminal back ground check
Live in one of these areas of Nashville 37203, 37205, 37208, 37209, 37221, 37215, 37219, 37204, 37212
And willing to work weekends SUNDAY included, nights, summer, school breaks and Holidays
If this sounds like a good fit for your life, email us info@pawsitivestepsnashville.com a cover letter and answer these questions
1) Tell us what major cross streets you live near and zip code
2) How much money you want to earn per month to make this worth your while
3) Hours you are available to work
4) Can you commit to a job like this for one full year
5) How long you have been a resident of Nashville
Failure to follow instructions will result in your email being deleted. We do not offer full time employment.
Pawsitive Steps Featured in Nashville Lifestyles Magazine – May 2012
Pet Food Nutrition
Do you know what’s in your pet food? I’ve heard many people say their pets are their kids and they would do anything to keep them healthy and happy. Let’s be honest though. How healthy do you think your animal is if you are feeding them the equivalent of McDonald’s every day? Now there are probably some of you who think you are feeding good quality food because it says “premium”, “natural” or “veterinarian recommended” but that isn’t always the case. I’m going to give you a few tools to help you decide if you are feeding a good quality food to your little fur kid.
First off dogs and cats are carnivores. They need meat. Canine nutritional diets should ideally consume single source proteins as the majority with limited fruits and veggies (with the exception of grapes and raisins). Grain intake should be kept to a minimum. I personally believe that dogs and cats do better on a grain free diet but some animals do well with limited grains including brown rice, oatmeal, or cracked pearl barley.
The first 5 ingredients in pre-cooked weight sequence on any pet food or treat label are what prominently make up that pet food product. Quality pet food ingredient labels should read like a good stew with high-grade sources of protein as the first 2 to 3 ingredients. I always like when I see fresh meat in the ingredient list and it should say whether it is chicken, beef, whitefish, etc. Some foods may say it contains meat meal. Those can be okay as long as it specifies the protein source – chicken meal, fish meal. Beware of any of the following types of ‘meals’: meat meal, bone meal, by-product meal. Anything with by-products listed isn’t a high quality food. By-products are the left over parts of an animal that is deemed unfit for human consumption. Did you know that chicken by-products can contain beaks, feet and even feathers? My rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t eat it don’t feed it to your animal.
The second thing to look for is any sort of corn, wheat, or soy products in the food. These are major sources of allergies in pets. They are also a great indicator for low quality pet foods. These ingredients are used as cheap fillers with empty calories and no real nutrition source. They are also hard to ingest. If you were to give a dog a bowl of steak or a bowl of corn which do you think he would go for? My friend recently got a rescue dog. She kept telling me that the dog, Karly, wouldn’t eat her food. She said she would bark at it and run away. It would take hours for her to really get hungry before she would break down and eat what was in her bowl. I had to educate my friend on pet nutrition a bit and then I gave her a grain free fish based kibble to try. She said Karly went crazy when she put it in her bowl! I asked my friend to look at the ingredient list on the old food. The second ingredient was corn! No wonder Karly didn’t want to eat it.
A few other things to be on the lookout for is generic animal/poultry fat. Fat should have a specific protein source. In the past, manufacturers admitted to using rendered dog and cat in their food! This practice no long occurs, but using the term “animal fat” allows manufacturers to include lower priced ingredients, often to your pet’s detriment. Also avoid artificial dyes and colors. These are used to make the food more appealing to the owner and not the animal. BHT, BHA, Ethoxyquin, and Propyl Gallate are preservatives to avoid. These synthetic preservatives have been identified as potential cancer-causing agents. Most high end foods will now use vitamin C and E to preserve their food.
Another thing I hear a lot from pet parents is that they need to keep an animal on the same type of food because they have a sensitive stomach. I say that is a lot of bull. Do you like eating the same thing for every meal day after day? Rotational feeding will help your animal from developing food allergies. It will also help strengthen their digestive tract so they don’t have those issues. It’s best to start them off with rotational feeding when they are young but it can still be done with older dogs. Slowly transitioning them between foods helps to strengthen their digestive tract without giving them what I like to call “mud butt”, i.e. diarrhea. To transition to a different food mix 75% of the old food with 25% of the new food for a few days. Then mix a 50-50% ratio for another couple of days and end with a 25-75% ratio for the last couple of days. In a little over a week you can have your dog or cat on a different food with few complications. Now not all dogs will need this. My dog, Riley, can eat anything! She’s got an iron stomach but I’ve switched her food up since she was little. As long as it is a good quality food then I don’t necessarily care what flavor it is. I think she enjoys it that way as well.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pet nutrition. There is so much out there. My goal is for you to be armed with the basics. I think pet nutrition is common sense. Use your common sense to determine what is the best choice for your dog or cat. One of my favorite companies in Nashville is Riley Roo Pet Delivery Service. They know about nutrition and other pet “problems”. They carry good quality foods, toys, treats, and supplements and deliver them right to your doorstep. (Great for those of us who are busy and don’t always have time to make it to the store!) They also have a lot of knowledge when it comes to different pet issuenbs. You can always email them at info@myrileyroo.com if you have a specific question or check them out at www.myrileyroo.com and because you read this blog Pawsitive Steps clients get $5 off their order with coupon code “Pawsitive”.
Things to Avoid
- 1. Generic terms such as poultry or fish
- 2. By-products
- 3. Corn, soy, and wheat
- 4. Animal/Poutry Fat
- 5. Rice Gluten (Glue)
- 6. Brewers Rice (the sweepings of the floor of the mills)
- 7. BHT, BHA, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate (preservatives)
- 8. Artificial Colors (Dye #s) & Flavors
Author: Brianna Swanberg
Addressing Pain in Senior Dogs
Addressing pain in dogs hasn’t always been a top priority for veterinarians. In fact, at one time, many in the profession believed animals weren’t capable of feeling pain or somehow perceived it differently than humans.
Now that’s changed. Over the last decade, research has shown how animals and humans have similar neural pathways for the development, conduction, and modulation of pain.
“They feel pain just like we do,” explains veterinarian Shana Savikko, a veterinary adviser for the American Animal Hospital Association in Lakewood, Colorado. “And that pain can be debilitating, decrease the quality of life, and decrease the bond between the pet and the owner.”
Armed with better knowledge, veterinary medicine has taken a huge leap forward in reducing animal suffering caused by painful surgeries, injuries, illnesses and chronic conditions.
Read more here http://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/pain-in-senior-dogs
Dog Health Care ~ Heartworm Treatment for Dogs
Heartworm is a parasitic infestation transmitted to dogs by bites from infected mosquitoes. Heartworm is a potentially fatal health threat and often requires aggressive, prolonged and painful treatment.
Prevention is Easier Than Treatment
Heartworm disease is easier to prevent than it is to treat. The first line of defense in preventing your pet from any disease or infection is through the promotion of a healthy immune support by providing optimal nutrition, exercise and play, minimizing stress, thoughtful vaccination protocols, and veterinary care. According to the Integrated Pest Management Information Network from North Carolina State University, “Healthy animals are best able to withstand and, to some extent, avoid infestation.” Dr. Michelle Tilghman, D.V.M. says, “Strengthen [your pet's] resistance with whole foods. Dogs and cats are more likely to resist heartworms when they are given all-natural foods, which help keep the immune system strong.”
Read more http://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/heartworm-treatment-for-dogs
Let The Adventures Begin!
Nashville, TN– Pawsitive Steps is pleased to announce a new, valuable service opening in your area. Pawsitive Steps grand opening is on April 10, 2010. Pawsitive Steps will serve as a Professional Dog walking, and pet sitter service to the following Nashville Areas. Downtown Nashville, Midtown, The Gulch, West End, East End, Belmont, Bell Meade, Green Hills, Berry Hill, Sylvan Park, German Town, Brentwood, Bellevue, and Forest Hills
Pawsitive Pets will service the needs of pet owners including: pet sitting of dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and small animals, dog walking and exercising, veterinary visit, overnight stays, plant watering, mail collection, holiday or vacation care, and special care for young, elderly, and sick animals. Pawsitive Steps also has a list of home and concierge services created to make your life that much more simple.
Daily rates start as low as $16. Pawsitive Steps is fully bonded and insured for all services provided. Pawsitive Steps is also a member of the Pet Sitter Associate, LLC.
“We are extremely excited to open. Getting the opportunity to help make pet’s lives that much more fun and interesting has huge rewards,” said Mahalie Dodson, Owner of Pawsitive Steps.
Microchip Clinics
Microchips are a safe and affordable way to keep you and your pet together forever. Microchip cost is $25.00, including registration. A priceless investment in your pet!
NHA is offering several opportunities for you to microchip your pet. Please see the below dates, join us and make sure he always finds his way home.
April 17, 2010
National Pet ID Week
NHA, 213 Oceola Avenue
April 24, 2010
Tour For Life
Metro Animal Services, 5125 Harding Place
August 21, 2010
National Homeless Animals Days
NHA, 213 Oceola Avenue
September 18, 2010
Dog Day in the Park
Centennial Park
December 4, 2010
Home For The Holidays
NHA, 213 Oceola Avenue
April 16, 2011
National Pet ID Week
NHA, 213 Oceola Avenue
Pawsitive Steps Now Open For Business
Let The Adventures Begin
Nashville, TN– Pawsitive Steps is pleased to announce a new, valuable service opening in your area. Pawsitive Steps grand opening is on April 10, 2010. Pawsitive Steps will serve as a Professional Dog walking, and pet sitter service to the following Nashville Areas. Downtown Nashville, Midtown, The Gulch, West End, East End, Belmont, Bell Meade, Green Hills, Berry Hill, Sylvan Park, German Town, Brentwood, Bellevue, and Forest Hills
Pawsitive Pets will service the needs of pet owners including: pet sitting of dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and small animals, dog walking and exercising, veterinary visit, overnight stays, plant watering, mail collection, holiday or vacation care, and special care for young, elderly, and sick animals. Pawsitive Steps also has a list of home and concierge services created to make your life that much more simple.
Daily rates start as low as $16. Pawsitive Steps is fully bonded and insured for all services provided. Pawsitive Steps is also a member of the Pet Sitter Associate, LLC.
“We are extremely excited to open. Getting the opportunity to help make pet’s lives that much more fun and interesting has huge rewards,” said Mahalie Dodson, Owner of Pawsitive Steps.
For more information on Pawsitive Steps, please contact: Pawsitive Steps; Phone: (615) 573-7387; E-mail: info@pawsitivestepsnashville.com or visit: www.pawsitivestepsnashville.com.
About Pawsitive Steps
Pawsitive Steps was founded by Mahalie Dodson who wanted to follow her passion in life, animals.
Mahalie was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She relocated to Nashville in 2000 but left for a brief time to explore Charlotte, North Carolina. It was there that Mahalie realized that her true calling in life was to work with the animals she loved.
Mahalie has spent her entire life around animals. As a child her house was always filled with dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, fish and even a squirrel. Her love of animals prompted her to walk away from the corporate world and start her own dog-walking business and her love of Nashville prompted her to move back in 2009 after a year away.
You will often hear her say “If I could take home all the dogs in the world I would.” And those sad ASPCA commercials are a sure way to see her cry. She has a huge heart for animals and she makes sure to give plenty of love and attention to each client’s loved ones.
Although Mahalie has been around animal her entire life her passion for dogs didn’t really blossom until she was 26 and she adopted her first puppy of her own, Noah a full blooded beagle. “I fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her, she just stood at the back of the barn and refused to make a fuss over being adopted, I knew right then that she was my dog.”
After Katrina hit New Orleans, Mahalie’s heart broke as she watched one animal after the other being deserted and abandoned by owners, and rescue workers and wanted to do something to help. In an attempt to adopt a Katrina dog, which was delayed months due to owners reclaiming, she decided to adopt Odie, a German short hair pointer mix from Metro Animal control. ” He looked like a Dalmatian all covered in spots and all he wanted to do was cuddle with me, I had to have him.”
“A friend of mine saw a picture of me looking down at my dog who was laying upside down and said, ‘Girl, you need to start having babies.’ I said, “I already had two!”
These days Noah and Odie are beloved children not pets, and Odie even though fully grown and weighing 50 pounds still thinks himself to be a lap dog and still loves to cuddle, and Noah; is still independent and not willing to impress you unless you have treats.
Mahalie’s philosophy is that pets should be beloved members of the family. They should be well cared for and always loved, after all they always love you
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