Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
This podcast provides business advice for owners of local pet businesses, covering foundational tips and current strategies that work in a challenging market. Host Candace D'Agnolo, CEO and founder of Pet Boss Nation, shares honest conversations with industry peers and lessons from her own experience starting, scaling, and selling successful pet businesses. The show is aimed at pet supply stores, grooming salons, dog daycares, boarding facilities, pet sitters, and dog trainers. It offers a holistic perspective from someone who has built multiple locations, managed a large team, and reached seven-figure revenue.
Episodes
257: Say Yes to the Trip: Why You Should Leave Your Store When a Vendor Invites You
This episode is a special treat. It’s an impromptu recording around a hotel fire pit in Perham, Minnesota, with wine in plastic cups, a train going by, and a surprise guest who walked up mid-recording and got handed a microphone. 🔥
Candace drove 9.5 hours each way from Galesburg, IL to spend two days inside the NutriSource and KLN Family Brands factories, and by the end of day one there was too m
256: The Last Quarter of Our First Decade & What’s Next
Q4 is here, and for most of you that means holiday prep and chasing down year-end numbers.
For Candace it means something else entirely. This is the last quarter of the first decade of Pet Boss Nation. 🎉
Ten years and thousands of clients through our programs, and a number Candace shares on this episode that she still has a hard time saying out loud.
She also gives podcast listeners the first l
255: A Love Letter to the Independent Pet Business (Happy Neighborhood Pet Store Day)
This one is a love letter. 💌
It is Neighborhood Pet Store Day weekend, and it is also the one-year anniversary of Dante and Dory's!
So Candace is doing two things at once: celebrating the independent pet businesses who decided their community deserved something more personal than a box on a porch, and pulling back the curtain on exactly how she built a three-day birthday bash around the ho
254: Safety, Empathy, and Running a Brick and Mortar Pet Business
It was a normal Tuesday, around 7 in the morning.
Candace pulled up behind the building to get a head start on the day. Before she could unlock the door, she had to step around someone sleeping against it.
Notice what that sentence does not say. Not some guy. Not some homeless guy. Someone was asleep against the building, and she had to step around them to open her own business.
That sentence i
253: Our 1.6M View Reel: Swipe this Strategy
Many of our videos get hundreds, maybe a few thousand views.
This one got 1.6 million. 🎉
It was a video of a filthy self-wash tub getting rinsed out. That is it. A German shepherd had just been bathed on opening weekend, the tub looked like it was growing hair, and Candace told Morgan to film it before anyone cleaned it up.
Three weeks after posting, it hit 1.6 million views, 8,623 likes, 128 r
252: Biscuit, Tootsie Rolls, and a 17-Year-Old: Inside Our Pet Care Certification Event
What do an animatronic dog, a bag of Tootsie Rolls, and a 17-year-old FFA chapter president have in common?
They are the reason Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium just pulled off one of its best pieces of community marketing yet! 🎉
Candace is joined by Dakota, the youngest member of the Dante & Dory's team, to break down the Pet Care Certification event they hosted at Discovery Depot, the local childre
251: Ready vs. Prepared: What Sending My Son to Preschool Taught Me About Business
This week, Candace sent her son Carmine to preschool for the first time.
He was ready. She thought she was ready too. And then something happened that surprised her - and opened up a much bigger conversation about business, control, and what it really means to be ready.
In this episode, she covers:
❤️ The difference between preparation and feeling ready (and why both matter)
❤️ What the readin
250: 16 Winners Revealed: The Pet Boss Trade Show Awards SUPERZOO 2026
It is a double celebration on the Pet Boss Podcast this week!
Episode 250 of the Pet Boss Podcast is also the debut of the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards. 🎉🎉🎉
Candace and Morgan are back from SUPERZOO 2026 in Las Vegas with awards for the booths, brands, products and people that made them stop in the aisle.
Tune in to hear:
✅ The booth that took interaction to a whole other level
✅ How pac
249: From Crazy Decision to One-Year Anniversary: What Opening a Pet Business Taught Me (Part 2)
Last week, Candace shared the first five lessons from Dante and Dory's one-year anniversary. This week, she's revealing the final five and these are the ones that didn't announce themselves until the store was actually open.
This is Part 2 of the two-part episode, featuring lessons six through ten.
She also shares her bigger vision for Dante and Dory's future - not just for this year, but fo
248: From Crazy Decision to One-Year Anniversary: What Opening a Pet Business Taught Me (Part 1)
December 16th, 2024. Candace received an email: Pet Supplies Plus in her town was closing in less than 30 days.
She rushed to the store, bought what she needed, and saw the sadness on everyone's faces. And she thought: "Should I do this again?"
Crazy? Maybe. But on that day, she posted a question on Facebook: "If you had extensive experience in the pet industry, owned a building already, and the
247: Pet Boss Trade Show Awards Are Coming! Here’s What You Need To Know
It started as "Candace's Favorite Things" at the Global Pet Expo.
A friend said "You need to make this official.” So we did!
Today, Candace officially launches the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards!
This isn't just a fun list. It's a recognition system built by people who actually run pet businesses, for the brands, booths, and reps who deserve to be seen - not because they have the bigges
246: SUPERZOO 2026 Guide: Sessions, Events, Logistics, and Our Exclusive Pet Boss Party
We're headed to Vegas, baby! 💃
In just two weeks, Candace and Morgan from Dante and Dory's are flying to Las Vegas for SUPERZOO 2026 - one of the pet industry's largest trade shows. And whether you're going, thinking about going, or already panicking about your trip, this episode has you covered.
Candace walks through everything from her speaking schedule, to events you won't want to miss, to th
245: SEO is Changing. Meet AEO and Why Your Pet Business Should Care
The way your customers search has changed. Not gradually. Dramatically.
And most indie pet businesses haven't noticed yet.
A year ago, if someone's dog had itchy skin, they'd Google "best dog food for itchy skin" and scroll through 20 links. Now? They're asking ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or Perplexity the same question in a conversation: "My seven-year-old Labrador has itchy skin and keeps licking
244: Sale Secrets: A $3,000+ in Extra Revenue Story And How You Can Replicate It
July has always been known as one of the slower retail months so Candace made a strategic decision: go big or go home.
Dante and Dory's threw a patriotic pet sale from Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 6th. The result? $3,000 more in sales than Memorial Day weekend (about a month earlier), driven by 100 additional transactions.
This episode is a complete behind-the-scenes walkthrough of how
243: 250 Years of Change: Why Adaptation Wins (And What It Means for Your Business)
It's July. America just turned 250.
And Candace is pulling a powerful thread through this month's focus in Pet Boss Nation: Work Smarter, Earn More, Adapt Faster.
In 250 years, this country has survived wars, depressions, booms, the Industrial Revolution, the rise of the automobile, the telephone, the internet. Entire industries disappeared. Entire industries that didn't exist a generation ago b
242: What 1,000 Pet Businesses Taught Us About Growth (With Matt Aldrich)
Matt Aldrich, founder of Pet Engine Marketing, has a front row seat to pet businesses and their patterns - the ones growing and the ones stuck.
Between Pet Boss Nation and Pet Engine Marketing, they've seen 1,000+ pet businesses over the years. In this candid conversation, he and Candace talk about what growth actually looks like when the economy is tough, competition is everywhere, and business
241: Stop Starting from Zero Every Month: A Pet Business Guide to Subscription Revenue
We have an exciting new episode for you this week and this is one you are going to want to pull out a notepad and pen for!
Candace is sharing the full training she delivered at Launch Your Box's Subscription Summit and turns it into an actionable playbook specifically for pet businesses. Whether you sell products, services, or both, there is already a subscription opportunity inside your busines
240: Can Indies Really Out-Compete Amazon and Chewy? (CEO of Wholesale Pet Says Yes)
Can indie pet stores really out-compete Amazon, Chewy, and Petco?
Pearce Tibbles, CEO of Wholesale Pet, says yes - but it takes strategy, technology, and intentionality.
In this interview, Pearce walks through how Wholesale Pet spent over a year gathering feedback from retailers and vendors before completely redesigning their platform. The result? AI-powered search, curated collections, new vend
239: The NeeDoh Craze: What a Squishy Toy Teaches You About Viral Marketing In Your Pet Business
A squishy palm-sized toy with no celebrity endorsements and no big marketing budget just sold an entire year's worth of inventory in 9 weeks - and Candace watched it happen right outside her front door.
In this solo episode, Candace breaks down the NeeDoh craze: how it started, why it exploded, and - most importantly - what the mechanics behind it mean for your pet business right now.
She covers
238: Why You Should Never Make Blanket Statements to Broad Audiences Again
This is a very special episode!
Candace is inviting you into a recent Pet Boss University marketing training - a true fly-on-the-wall peek at what's happening inside the membership.
This training is about customer personas: how to stop making blanket statements to broad audiences and start marketing to one specific customer type instead.
She covers:
🙌 What a customer persona IS (and what it's
237: June Education Events You Don't Want to Miss (And a Secret About Dante and Dory's)
It's the start of summer - can you believe it? Half the year is already over, and Candace has some exciting announcements to share.
She's covering 3 education events happening in June that you don't want to miss, plus a BIG announcement about what's coming for Dante and Dory's that took a year to make happen.
She shares:
🙌 Why you should pitch yourself as the local pet expert in your community
236: Part 2: How We Leveled Up the Farmer's Market Booth in One Week
This is part two of last week's episode where Candace talked about the five ways off-location events make you money.
After another week at the Dante and Dory's farmer's market booth, she realized there were some things worth sharing - adjustments to the booth setup, the living SOP guide they're building, and an on-the-spot coaching moment with a new 17-year-old team member.
If you're running
235: The 5 Ways Off Location Events Make You Money (Beyond Day-of Sales)
What if your best new customers aren't finding you online - they're walking right past a tent at a farmer's market, and you're just not there?
Pop-up events, farmer's markets, street fairs, 5K runs, community festivals - when done right, they're one of the most powerful, affordable, and underutilized tools in an independent pet business's playbook.
Candace is sharing exactly what Dante and D
234: The Cash Flow Squeeze (And What to Do About It Right Now)
Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. The financial squeeze is real - and if you're feeling it, this episode is for you.
Candace tackles the most pressing realities that independent pet business owners are facing right now: fewer customers walking through doors, shoppers stretching every dollar, unpredictable weather keeping people home, rising expenses, and growing competition.
She shares:
🚨 The surprisi
233: What We Learned From 100 Customer Surveys (5 Insights That Changed Everything)
Candace sent out a customer survey for Dante and Dory's - and when the results came in, she had to stop and sit with it for a minute.
Because everything she assumed about her customers was wrong.
In this episode, she's pulling back the curtain on the entire process: how they built the survey, how they promoted it, what questions they asked, and most importantly - the 5 findings that genuinely su
232: The Story is Everything: How to Get Free Local News Coverage with Whisker Media's Mary Tan
Want to see your pet business featured on the evening news but think you need a huge marketing budget to make it happen? Think again.
Meet Mary Tan, award-winning TV reporter who covered major stories for Fox News, CNN, CBS News, and NBC News for 13 years - and now runs Whisker Media, a boutique strategic communications agency focused on pet-related businesses and animal welfare nonprofits. She
231: Inside SUPERZOO 2026: What Makes It Essential for Pet Retailers and Brands (With WPA's Mike Karsting)
SUPERZOO is coming August 12-14, 2026 in Las Vegas, with an education day Tues, Aug 11, - and if you sell products, make products, or work behind the scenes in the pet industry, this is your must-attend event.
Candace sits down with Mike Karsting, Senior Vice President of World Pet Association (WPA) and the driving force behind SUPERZOO, to talk about what makes this show essential for independ
230: Global 2026 Recap & Candace's Favorite Things Awards
Candace and Morgan are back from sunny Orlando after a long week at Global Pet Expo 2026 - and this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights, favorite product discoveries, and Morgan's fresh first-timer perspective.
They discuss:
🙌 The brand that dominated with marketing everywhere - a masterclass in visibility)
🙌 Interactive booth experiences that win
🙌 Smart founder moves
🙌 Uni
229: Strategic Partnerships That Actually Work: The Pet-Inclusive Economy with PetsVivo's Luis Zamora
Recorded live at Global Pet Expo on Day 1 (education day), this episode features a conversation Candace never planned to have - until she sat in Luis Zamora's session and realized this was exactly what Pet Boss Nation listeners needed to hear!
Luis presented "Profiting from the Pet-Inclusive Economy Through Strategic Partnerships" at the Pet Summit, and instead of being a sales pitch for his pl
228: Trade Show Content Strategy: What to Capture Before, During, and After Global Pet Expo
Global Pet Expo is just days away - and if you're investing the time and money to be there, you need a content creation plan.
This episode brings a brand new team member Morgan Seabloom (Marketing & Operations Coordinator for Dante and Dory's) alongside Candace to share their pre-show prep checklist and 5 content buckets to help you capture everything worth capturing!
Because trade shows aren't
227: When a "Customer" Complaint Isn't What It Seems (AI, Scams, and Looking Inward)
A message came through Dante and Dory's website contact form. It was detailed, critical, and specific- complaining about pricing, construction timelines, employee compensation, and the value of shopping local.
But something felt off.
The team ran the message through an AI detector: 100% AI-generated.
In this episode, Candace unpacks the entire experience - from the initial reaction to the
226: Q2 Is Your Biggest Marketing Opportunity: Get The Strategy Here
Be honest: when was the last time you looked at your calendar and knew exactly what you were promoting, posting, and doing in your business three months from now?
Do you even know what you're doing next week? Or do you wake up on Tuesday and think: Wait, did anyone post today? What am I supposed to post?
If this hits a little close to home, this episode is going to change how you run your ma
225: Donation Requests: Burden or Business Strategy?
How many donation requests have landed in your inbox lately? Today? This week? This month?
Silent auctions, raffles, gift baskets, event sponsorships - can you donate a gift card?
And if you're honest, how many of those people ACTUALLY buy from you?
It's easy to feel frustrated. One-sided. Used. Like people only remember you when they need something.
Because what if donation requests a
224: 2,000 emails: Zero Campaigns. Here’s What I’m Doing About It
Is email marketing dead?
Well, Candace sure hopes not - because she's been sitting on over 2,000 customer emails from Dante and Dory's for the last 5 months and has done absolutely nothing with them.
And as a business coach who sends emails like a well-oiled machine at Pet Boss Nation, that admission is a little uncomfortable to make.
But here's the truth: email marketing still delivers a
223: What Slow Sales Are Really Telling You & How to Fix It
It's cold. People are sick. Business feels quiet. Sound familiar?
Candace is coming to you fresh off 10+ days sick with the flu - three of them completely in bed - and using this slower winter stretch at Dante and Dory's to get honest about what the numbers are really saying.
This episode is about what actually happens when sales dip, and what smart pet business owners do instead of waiting
222: When Your Toddler Wakes You at 3am and You Record a Podcast Anyway
It's 4am and Candace's toddler just woke her up. So instead of lying in bed hoping to fall back asleep, she's recording this episode.
Because sometimes leadership shows up tired. Sometimes it's messy. Sometimes you just get it done anyway.
In this quick episode, Candace shares:
⭐ Why sometimes responsibility shows up at inconvenient times
⭐ Global Pet Expo announcements - where you can find (a
221: When Sales Feel Uncertain, Margin Matters More: Real Money Leadership from Dante and Dory's
Right now, some pet businesses are booming. Some are holding steady. And many are feeling like sales have slowed down and they need to make a change.
But here's the truth: When revenue feels uncertain, that's exactly when how you manage your money matters MORE than how much money is coming in.
In this episode, Candace shares real money decisions she's making at Dante and Dory's - and why being m
220: Feedback Is A Gift: Mastering Communication in Your Pet Business
How many times have you corrected the same mistake this month? What if a 3-minute coaching conversation could stop it from happening again and actually make your team stronger?
Amy Castro, communication and leadership expert who's been training pet business owners at Global Pet Expo and beyond, shares why communication skills matter just as much as knowing pet nutrition and behavior - and how t
219: From Wearing All The Hats to Staying In Her Zone of Genius: Morgan Weber’s Journey to Building Teams that Thrive
Why does hiring feel impossibly broken right now? And why are some pet businesses thriving with amazing teams while others can't keep anyone for more than a few months?
Meet Pet Boss client Morgan Weber - a recovering Chief Everything Officer who runs both a 13-year pet sitting company AND a growing pet supply store.
She went from burned out and constantly hiring to building teams that actua
218: Before You Market Your Business, Build This in Your Pet Business
Are you trying to build momentum, growth, and sales without a solid foundation underneath you?
If hiring feels scary or too expensive, if training lives in your head instead of being documented, if growth feels stressful instead of exciting - it's not because you're doing anything wrong.
It's because your foundation is wobbly.
In this episode, Candace breaks down the exact framework Pet B
217: The Future of Pet Business Starts Now (Season 5 Kickoff)
Welcome to 2026 and a brand new season of the Pet Boss Podcast!
After four solid years and 216 episodes, Season 5 is here with a brand new intro and a clear mission: build what lasts.
Because if you've been in the pet industry for any amount of time, you know last year felt HARD. There was a lot of retracting, pulling back, and retreating. Costs got higher. Hiring felt heavier. Customers bec
216: Season 4 Finale: A New Year’s Toast to You
Happy New Year, Pet Boss! This episode isn't about strategies, checklists, or empire-building.
It's about pausing long enough to notice what this year actually asked of you - and what you became in the process.
Before we rush into 2026, Candace is raising a glass to honor what was. Behind every pet business is a human who showed up when it would've been easier to coast, quit, or stay quiet.
215: 12 Days of Deals: What's Working, What's Not, and What I'd Do Differently
There's a promotion that happens around the holidays that's hit or miss for most businesses: the 12 Days of Deals.
Candace tried this years ago in Chicago and it NEVER worked. But after learning from thousands of successful retailers, she decided to give it another shot at Dante and Dory's - with a few strategic spins.
In this real-time episode, she's sharing on how it's going so far, what s
214: Parades, Blizzards, and Breakthrough Moments at Dante and Dory's (Behind Closed Doors)
It's been a month of momentum, mayhem, and massive visibility at Dante and Dory's.
Have you ever had a month where you're marching confidently toward progress while also dragging chaos behind you like a determined toddler on a leash? Welcome to small business life.
In this Behind Closed Doors episode, Candace takes you through November's slow sales anxiety, December's sudden surge, and all t
213: From Icky to Easy: 5 Steps to Selling with Confidence
It’s officially prime selling season! 🎄
The next few weeks are when pet businesses see their biggest boom so what if increasing your revenue has nothing to do with fancy marketing, new customers, or spending another dollar - and everything to do with simple conversations you're already having?
This week on the podcast, Candace is sharing:
💰 The Show, Tell, Ask method that engages all senses an
212: You Don't Need More Time - You Need Less in Your Brain
In this brutally honest episode, Candace calls herself (and probably you) out for being the bottleneck in your own business.
Whether you're drowning in holiday chaos, forgetting things because your brain is full, or catching yourself saying "I'll just do it myself" one more time, this episode will help you get your time, energy, and brain back.
She shares:
🙌 The "holiday pressure cooker" r
211: Gratitude as a Superpower: How Thankfulness Fuels Business Success
Before sprinting into the holiday rush, Candace is pausing to share a different kind of episode: a love letter to the people, moments, and lessons that have shaped this incredible year.
From the Pet Boss Nation team to her family, clients, and YOU—this gratitude episode is an invitation to reflect on what truly matters.
She shares:
❤️ Why gratitude is a form of leadership that keeps you gr
210: Pennies, Paychecks, and Lead Magnets: A Pet Boss Q&A
In this special Q&A episode, Candace shares real conversations from a recent Pet Boss Nation coaching session- tackling the topics keeping pet business owners up at night.
From the literal end of U.S. penny production to navigating employee raise requests when budgets are tight, to creating lead magnets that actually grow your business, this episode delivers practical solutions you can implemen
209: Midlife Career Change: From Nonprofit Manager to Dog Grooming Specialist at 50 Years Old
What do you do when you're over 50, comfortable in your career, and suddenly the world turns upside down?
Meet Stacy Maly-Rodgers, who spent 20+ years in nonprofit management in St. Louis until COVID gave her the push she needed to tackle her bucket list - and on that list was becoming a pet groomer.
Now she's found her calling as the go-to groomer for the dogs others won't touch at Three Ta
208: Six Weeks In: How Education Became Our Secret Weapon (Behind Closed Doors)
Six weeks into opening Dante and Dory's, and we have realized something unexpected: it's not the products, prices, or location driving success - it's how we are teaching!
In this Behind Closed Doors episode, Candace shares what's really happening on the floor and how building a culture of education has transformed both customer behavior and sales results.
Listen to hear:
🙌 Why customers i
207: How a Frustrated Employee Became the Berkshires' Most Beloved Pet Store Owner
What happens when you're tired of following someone else's playbook and decide to create your own?
Meet McKenna Burzimati, who went from being the frustrated employee with great ideas that weren't valued to building the Berkshires' first and only barkery and boutique - Roxie’s - a business so beloved by the community that it's been voted best pet store multiple times!
In this episode, we're
206: From Abandoned Gas Station to Award-Winning Pet Boutique: Anita Freund's 67% Growth Story
What happens when a real estate professional spots a gap in the market and decides to fill it herself? Meet Anita Freund, who transformed an abandoned Shell gas station into Portage County's award-winning pet boutique in just two years.
From self-funding her startup to achieving 67% sales growth and recently purchasing her building, Anita's grassroots marketing mastery proves that community co
205: [Part 2] Unwrapping Holiday Profits: Creating Winning Experiences and Avoiding Costly Holiday Mistakes
We are back this week with Part 2 of our Unwrapping Holiday Profits masterclass! 🙌🏻
This is the continuation of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation that dives deep into execution, avoiding critical mistakes, and your complete action plan for Q4 success.While Part 1 covered inventory strategy and display magic, Part 2 focuses on the customer experience that keeps them coming back, the biggest pitfal
204: [Part 1] Unwrapping Holiday Profits: Strategic Inventory and Display Magic for Q4 Success
Can you believe it? Christmas is less than 100 days away! 😅😅
55% of pet owners buy holiday gifts for their pets - that's a MASSIVE opportunity. And with millennials and Gen Z as the largest pet-owning demographics, the spending potential is huge!
This extra special episode features part 1 of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation on holiday merchandising - a paid education session that most pet pr
203: Grand Opening Weekend: How Dante and Dory's Leveraged Local Radio for Maximum Impact
Today is an extra special treat! We're sharing the behind-the-scenes process of getting on local radio to announce the grand opening of Dante and Dory's Pet Emporium, plus the complete radio interview from WGIL in Galesburg, Illinois.
This episode is perfect timing as we officially opened our doors during Neighborhood Pet Store Day weekend, and you'll hear exactly how we leveraged local media to
202: From Multiple Stores to a $3M Destination: Fear Free Principles That Transform Pet Businesses
What if the secret to building a thriving pet business isn't about having the most locations, but creating the most welcoming experience? Sheila Spitza of Wet Nose in Geneva, Illinois, proved exactly that when she transformed her business from three locations into one award-winning 8,650 square foot destination generating nearly $3 million in revenue!
Tune in this week to hear what makes Wet N
201: Why Your Events Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them) with PBN Team Member, Maddie Shutts
With Neighborhood Pet Store Day around the corner and Q4 event season in full swing, this episode couldn't come at a better time! Maddie Shutts from the Pet Boss Team and Modern Companion shares her first-ever trade show presentation from SUPERZOO, packed with real-world strategies for creating events that actually drive foot traffic and sales.
She shares:
🙌 Why her Taylor Swift party worked
200: Rodney Habib, Planet Paws Media, Celebrates Our 200th Episode: Wise Tips And Untold Stories For Your Pet Business Success
What better way to celebrate 200 episodes than with the man who revolutionized pet health education?!Rodney Habib, founder of Planet Paws and co-author of The Forever Dog series, shares his incredible journey from a household where pets were forbidden to a global pet health influencer.
He shares his game-changing strategies:
🙌🏻 Meet customers where they are - carry mainstream brands alongside
199: Building a Pet Destination: Products, Platforms, and Partnerships (Behind Closed Doors)
As Dante & Dory's approaches their grand opening, Candace is sharing the behind-the-scenes decisions that are shaping her new pet destination.
This episode dives deep into the practical side of building a modern pet business - you'll get an inside look at the technology stack powering the store, real stories about vendor partnerships, and honest insights about the emotional side of opening a ne
198: Pet Boss Showdown: Live From SUPERZOO Las Vegas
Ever wondered what happens when you put three pet business owners on stage with rapid-fire business scenarios and let a live audience judge their answers?
Pure magic! 🎯
This special episode was recorded LIVE at SUPERZOO in Las Vegas - one of the largest pet industry trade shows with over 22,000 pet professionals and 1,100+ exhibitors. We created the first-ever "Pet Boss Showdown" - a game sh
197: The Dock Diving Weekend That Almost Wasn't (And How It Became Better Than Ever)
What happens when an 8-year partnership suddenly explodes and threatens your biggest community event just months before it's supposed to happen?!
Meet Kim Loper, owner of Harbor Pet and creator of Life is Gruff sustainable dog treats, who faced exactly this nightmare scenario with her beloved North Fork Dock Diving Weekend - now in its 10th year.
She chose to fight back - and the results wer
196: From Generic to Branded: The Private Label Strategy Every Pet Business Needs
Tired of watching customers scan your products and find them cheaper online?
This episode is your game-changer! We're sharing a special recording from one of our exclusive Pet Boss Nation Lunch & Learn sessions featuring Art Nakagawa from Artvark Pet Products, who's revolutionizing private labeling for independent pet businesses.
In this power-packed session, you'll discover:
🎯 Why private
195: Why Pet Business Managers Need Community Too: A Live Retreat Recording
Have you ever wondered what pet business managers really need to succeed? 🧐
In this unprecedented live recording from Pet Boss Nation's first-ever manager retreat, 12 incredible pet business managers from across the country share their stories, challenges, and breakthrough moments in real time.
From a conference room in Galesburg, Illinois, these brave leaders stepped WAY outside their comfo
194: 5 Hard-Won Lessons from 7 Months of Building a Pet Business (Behind Closed Doors)
Ever feel like your business projects are taking FOREVER? 🕐
You're not alone! In this candid Behind Closed Doors update, Candace shares the 5 game-changing lessons that have emerged from 7 months of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium.
The 5 T's you need to know:
🎯 Time - Why everything takes 3x longer than expected (and how to stay sane anyway)
🎯 Technology - How modern business tools ma
193: REPLAY: Candace's Q4 Survival Guide for Pet Business Owners
🎄 Christmas in July Special: Q4 Planning Replay! 🎄
Candace has been there– in the thick of the busiest time of the year, watching the days quickly slip by on the calendar without any promotions or events planned, wondering how she's going to move all that holiday inventory when she can't seem to remove herself from the day to day tasks inside her business…
And guess what?
➡️ Throughout all of
192: How to Add $150,000 in Revenue with Just an 8x10 Space
Ready to unlock a revenue stream that can't be replicated online? 💰
Meet Joe Zuccarello, who's spent 40+ years in the pet industry managing everything from 250-employee luxury pet resorts to coaching hundreds of businesses on explosive growth. His secret? Grooming services aren't just an add-on - they're the competitive advantage that transforms struggling businesses into profit powerhouses.
191: From Solo Pet Sitter to Building the Largest Pet Network in the Midwest
What do you do when you realize you can't help every single dog owner in your city alone? 🤔
You build a network! And that's exactly what Kristin Holzapfel did with Pampered Pupperino and her incredible organization, Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates.
Kristin has cracked the code on something most industries struggle with: turning competitors into genuine collaborators through education, strict s
190: The Messy Truth About Opening a Pet Business (Behind Closed Doors)
Ever wondered what it REALLY takes to open a brick and mortar pet business from scratch?
Spoiler alert: It's messy, magical, and takes about 3x longer than you think it will! 😅😅
In this raw, unfiltered episode of our Behind Closed Doors series, Candace pulls back the curtain on the wild ride of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium. This is the real story of what happens between "great idea"
189: Stop Spinning, Start Wining: Your 3-Step Framework for Q3 and Q4 Domination
Feeling like you're not where you thought you'd be halfway through 2025? 💪
Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and more importantly - you're not behind.
This isn't just another "rah-rah, you got this!" pep talk. This is a strategic reset session designed to help you transform the next six months into the most profitable, purposeful stretch your pet business has ever experienced.
In this
188: From Garage Grooming to 8-Week Waitlist: A Small Town Success Story
Get ready for one of the most emotional and inspiring episodes we've ever recorded! 🥺💪
Paige Thompson's story isn't just about business growth - it's about honoring a mentor's legacy, finding strength in the darkest moments, and proving that sometimes losing everything is exactly what you need to build something extraordinary!
When Paige’s mentor, Terry revealed she was battling terminal can
187: The Event Strategy That Makes This Pet Cafe the “Starbucks for Dogs”
What happens when a seasoned pet sitter loses her business during COVID but refuses to give up on her passion for pets?
Meet Patty Dill, who pivoted from 18 years of pet sitting to building Doggie Sweets - a pet café, food truck empire, and event powerhouse that's become the "Starbucks for dogs" in New Jersey!
In this episode, Patty shares her incredible journey from losing everything in Ma
186: Pet Boss Unhinged: Wild Stories from the Pet Business Trenches
Ever think your pet business experiences are totally unhinged? Think again! 😂😅
In this episode, Candace alongside Amanda from the Pet Boss Nation team dive headfirst into the wildest, most outrageous stories from pet business owners across the country.
We received DOZENS of story submissions from our amazing Pet Boss Nation community, and honestly? They're so good we couldn't keep them to o
185: From Concept to Creation: Dante & Dory's Brand Journey [Behind Closed Doors Series]
Ready to peek behind the curtain of some serious brand magic? 🎨✨
This episode of our Behind Closed Doors series takes you deep into the psychology and strategy behind creating the Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium brand – and trust us, it's SO much more than just picking pretty colors!
I'm joined by the incredible J. Nichole Smith, the brand architect behind iconic pet industry names like Dog Is G
184: 30 Money-Making Ideas in 30 Minutes to Supercharge Your Pet Business Profits
We're almost halfway through 2025... how are your sales looking? 👀
In this episode, Candace delivers 30 powerful money-making ideas in just 30 minutes – the perfect shot of inspiration for any pet business feeling a mid-year slump! Whether you're experiencing decision fatigue, feeling sales stagnation, or just need fresh ideas to supercharge your profits, this rapid-fire session is packed with
183: Brand Brilliance: How a Small-Town Pet Boutique Created Marketing Magic
Want your pet business to stand out from the big box stores? 🏆
In this episode, Candace welcomes Kristen Hawkins, owner of "Pup" (a super neat dog boutique) in Carl Junction, Missouri - and a Pet Boss Nation University scholarship recipient who's crushing it with her “snarky and silly” branding!
In this branding masterclass, you'll discover:
🏠 How intentional branding helped Kristen hit her EN
182: Tariff Impact: What Every Pet Business Owner Needs to Know NOW
The tariff situation is changing rapidly, and it's already affecting your pet business - whether you realize it or not! 📊
In this episode, Candace breaks her silence on this complex topic to give you the straight facts about what's happening with tariffs, how they impact the pet industry specifically, and most importantly - what YOU can do about it right now.
You'll learn:
💼 What tariffs actua
181: Building a Team That Actually CARES About Your Business [Behind Closed Doors Series]
Tired of having to micromanage or do it all yourself because your team "just doesn't get it"? 🙄
In this special "Behind Closed Doors" episode about Dante & Dory's, Candace pulls back the curtain on what it REALLY takes to build a team that's as excited about your business as you are!
In this revealing episode, you'll learn:
👥 Why team development starts BEFORE your business even opens its doors
180: Yes, Good Employees DO Exist: How to Find Them for Your Pet Business
"Where ARE all the good employees?!" 🧐
If you've ever asked yourself this question (especially lately), this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast is exactly what you need! Candace welcomes Joe Latona of Walker Scout, a specialized recruiter who focuses exclusively on the pet industry.
After 11 years of experience in the pet care world (where he grew a team from 5 to 45 employees🙌🏻), Joe has cracked t
179: Mixed Reviews & Big Opportunities: A Veteran's Take on Global Pet Expo 2025
Candace just returned from Global Pet Expo 2025 in Orlando and this episode is a full insider breakdown of the experience! 🌴
After attending over 15 shows over her 22-year career, Candace calls this one of her absolute FAVORITE Global Pet Expos ever - but acknowledges the mixed reviews coming from other attendees.
In this episode, you'll hear:
🔍 Why some attendees felt disappointed about a par
178: Show Me the Money: Funding Your Pet Business Dream
Getting a bank loan for your pet business doesn't have to feel like solving a mystery! 💰
In this episode, Candace brings in Jacqueline Pait, a specialized lender from Live Oak Bank who works with pet care businesses nationwide.
Unlike traditional banks that might put your pet business in the wrong "box," Jacqueline reveals what REALLY happens behind those imposing bank doors and how to position
