Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace

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 surprised her and will reshape how Dante and Dory's markets, merchandises, and operates moving forward. She shares: ✍🏼 Why assuming you know your customer is costing you revenue ✍🏼 The 3 purposes of a customer survey ✍🏼 The exact process they used (tool, timeline, promotion strategy, giveaway structure - all replicable!) ✍🏼 What to do with survey data once you have it Plus the Pet Boss University Customer Survey Playbook - the guide that walks you through the entire process with templates, video trainings, and live feedback sessions. Transcript Show NotesJoin Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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's revealing exactly how she secured $40,000-$50,000 worth of free advertising for one pet retailer - and how you can do it yourself! They discuss: 🙌 What makes a story newsworthy and what the newsjacking technique is 🙌 The biggest mistake pet businesses make when pitching to news outlets 🙌 How to position yourself as the pet expert to local media 🙌 Why hyper-local media matters 🙌 Press release vs. email pitch - which is better?! Plus why Mary went from crime reporter to the "dark side" of PR, why news stations love animal stories and why small businesses get priority over big box stores. ABOUT MARY M TAN Chief Storyteller, Whisker Media LLC Mary Tan is the chief storyteller of Whisker Media, a boutique strategic communications agency where she focuses on strategic communications for pet-related businesses and animal welfare nonprofits. The mission of her agency is to donate profits back to homeless animal organizations, especially cat rescue groups. Before Whisker Media, Mary worked in animal shelter public relations and was a public information officer in city government. For many years she was also an award-winning reporter and anchor in cities like Atlanta, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and numerous other television markets. She reported on major stories for most of the major networks including Fox News, CNN, CBS News and NBC News. When not doing pet public relations work, the Wisconsin native is also a freelance writer for several pet publications including Pet Age, PetVet, Boarding and Daycare and Groomer to Groomer Magazines. Being an animal welfare advocate, Mary believes in adopting rescues. She has a nine-year-old kitty named Farley Waddlesworth, three two-year-old cats named Franklin and Fleur and a Schnoodle named Freddie. She lives in Buffalo, Minnesota. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 independent pet retailers, emerging brands, and anyone on the product side of the business. They discuss: 🐾 Why SUPERZOO is "the melting pot of the pet industry" (if you touch pet in any way, there's something here for you) 🐾 The New Product Showcase strategy and how Candace found a $25k client through the showcase 🐾 Education passes, grooming demos, networking meetups, and the Beach Party (there's something for everyone) 🐾The Groomer's Innovation Stage and new on-floor classroom you won’t want to miss Plus the Pets+ SUPERZOO sample box, why vetting attendees protects exhibitors, and Mike's advice for juggling education, shopping, networking, and parties! ABOUT MIKE KARSTING Senior Vice President, World Pet Association / SUPERZOO Mike Karsting has served as Senior Vice President of World Pet Association for the past five years, bringing more than 30 years of experience in event marketing, production, and management across both trade and consumer platforms. Prior to stepping into the SVP role, Karsting spent 18 years with TEN: The Enthusiast Network, including the last decade as Vice President of Events. There, he led the planning, production, and execution of major properties such as the EnduroCross series, Motor Trend International Auto Show events, as well as numerous custom car shows and live concerts. Karsting later produced multiple X Games throughout the world and served as Marketing Director at MotoAmerica and previously held a leadership role at Professional Bull Riders. As SVP, Karsting leads the strategic development and execution of the company's live B2B portfolio, driving growth through innovative event strategy, partnership development, and operational excellence. Leveraging on his extensive background in motorsports, automotive culture, and live entertainment, he is committed to delivering impactful experiences that elevate exhibitors, sponsors, partners, and industry attendees. Transcript Show NotesJoin Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 🙌 Unique product discoveries that are eye-catching, space-efficient, and conversation-starting 🙌 Product trends worth watching for 2026 and beyond Plus the challenge of walking the entire show floor (Candace still missed entire sections!, the deals that happened on Friday, and why having a consumer mindset on your team matters. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 platform (PetsVivo), it was packed with actionable strategies for small businesses to build partnerships that actually work. Because most pet businesses are stuck doing casual referrals - handing out business cards, hoping for the best, never tracking success - instead of building intentional, mutually beneficial partnerships. They discuss: 🙌 What PetsVivo does and how they are helping businesses attract the most in-demand demographic: pet parents 🙌 The difference between casual referrals and strategic partnerships 🙌 Creative partnership ideas you probably haven’t even thought about yet 🙌 Why Luis started PetsVivo inspired by his two dogs, Tuck and Banzo Plus resources from the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI) and why cat parents are getting the short end of the stick on pet fees! ABOUT LUIS ZAMORA Founder, PetsVivo Luis is the Co-Founder of PetsVivo, the pet operating system for housing and hotel properties. Before PetsVivo, he spent 6+ years in the investment world across film finance, real estate, and early-stage tech, giving him a strong perspective on how capital and consumer behavior are shaping the rapidly growing pet economy. He lives in Austin, TX with his partner and two rescue dogs, Tuck and Banzo (short for Garbanzo). When he’s not working in the pet space, you can find him playing soccer or volleyball, hiking with his pups, or out by the lake. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 just about placing orders. They're content creation gold. They share: 🙌 How to prep your phone before the show and the camera settings to turn on NOW 🙌 Why you should schedule a Facebook Live ahead of time 🙌 The 5 content buckets every pet business should be using 🙌 And Morgan's special tip around what to do with “bad footage” Plus an invitation to Candace's birthday bash at ArtVark Pet Products booth #1462 on Thursday at 3pm Eastern (cake cutting at 4pm - mimosas, goodie bags, and spoiling included)! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 deep dive into what it could be (competitor? phishing probe? mass AI blasting? real person hiding?). And more importantly, she shares what Dante and Dory's is doing differently because of it. She shares: 🙌 The message itself and the 4 possibilities of what this could be (and why it matters) 🙌 How each complaint - pricing, value of shopping local, construction timeline, employee compensation - became an opportunity to look inward 🙌 What Dante and Dory's is fixing because of this message 🙌 Why even fake complaints can sharpen you if you let them Plus the reminder: you're doing something hard. You're building something real. And the fact that someone - even an AI - needed to come at you sideways says more about them than it ever will about you! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 marketing - starting right now. Spring is here. The clocks just sprang forward. Q2 is days away. And this is your biggest marketing opportunity of the year! She shares: ✅ The difference between reacting and executing (and why it's not about talent, budget, or time) ✅ Why Q2 is genuinely the most opportunity-rich season in the pet industry ✅ What a real marketing plan actually looks like ✅ The monthly themes, key dates, promotions, content plan, and team alignment you need 🙌 PLUS A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Pet Boss Nation's Monthly Marketing Planner is now available as a standalone subscription for $59/month! For the first time ever, you can get the exact monthly marketing roadmap that Pet Boss coaching clients have used for 4+ years - without joining the full program. This is the tool that clients say is one of the best reasons they stay. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 aren't charity decisions? What if they're marketing decisions? In this episode, Candace shares how to stop resenting them and start leveraging them. Listen to hear: ✅ Why donation requests feel SO draining ✅ How to attach lead generation to every donation ✅ The exact system Dante and Dory's built to track donations ✅ How to create an intentional donation strategy (not an emotional reaction to every request) You know those businesses in your community that are everywhere? That's not an accident. That's a strategy. And you get to decide if you want to play that game - and how. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 an average ROI of $36-$42 for every $1 invested. And 60% of consumers say email influences their purchasing decisions. So it's time to stop treating it like it's dead. In this episode, Candace shares the exact 5-email framework she's implementing at Dante and Dory's - so you can take action too! She shares: 🙌 Why email marketing is NOT dead (it's just neglected and underutilized) 🙌 The 2025 stats that prove email is still the #1 customer retention tool 🙌 Why you OWN your email list (but you don't own Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok) 🙌 The KPIs she'll be tracking Plus the reframe you need: If you're already collecting emails, already paying for software, and already working hard to get traffic - NOT using email consistently is leaving money on the table. This is a slow season. There's no risk. Candace is taking it. Will you? Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

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 it out. She shares: 🙌 Why slow sales aren't a story - they're feedback (and what to do with them) 🙌 The real numbers from Dante and Dory's and what that difference means over a month 🙌 The self-wash room investment decision she is making this month 🙌 Three questions to ask yourself when you're frozen or in a slow period Plus an honest conversation about communication - with your team, your partner, and yourself - and why clarity is what turns fear into action. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 (and celebrate!) with PBN ⭐ New keynote booking - she's speaking at the ODD Ball (Owners of Dog Daycares Conference) in January 2027 in Albuquerque, New Mexico ⭐ SuperZoo talks and in-person events at Dante and Dory's in Galesburg The real message: Your brain doesn't clock out as a small business owner, and that's okay. Don't feel guilty if it's not perfect - just get it done. Whether you're listening to this early in the morning or late at night or in between everything else you're carrying, you're not behind. You can get ahead whenever you can. Sometimes building a business starts before the coffee even kicks in. And P.S. She was able to go back to sleep after this recording and a few Slack responses to the team, lol. Transcript Show NotesJoin Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 more aggressive with money doesn't mean being reckless! She shares: 🔥 Why passive money management (not reckless spending) is the real problem 🔥 How to be more aggressive with money the right way 🔥 Real examples from Dante and Dory's including negotiating billboard advertising, managing slow-moving inventory, and deciding where to invest vs where to cut 🔥 Why businesses don't fail because sales dip (and what they actually do fail from) Plus, hear the REAL-TIME update at the end where Candace shares her negotiation win right after recording - you just never know until you ask!Transcript Show Notes

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 the right words can cut the drama, stop the misunderstandings, and make your standards stick. She shares: ⭐ How a 3-minute conversation now prevents the same mistake from happening 12 more times this month ⭐ You can't coach what isn't clear - and how to limit misunderstandings with your team ⭐ How the correct feedback is a gift, not a punishment ⭐ The way coaching helps you keep good people Plus, hear Amy's personal journey from Air Force public relations officer to discovering her love for coaching communication and teams! Whether you've employed 300+ people like Candace or you're managing your first team member, this episode proves that becoming a better communicator transforms EVERYTHING in your pet business. ABOUT AMY CASTRO President, Triad Communication, LLC Amy Castro is a communication and leadership expert who helps pet business owners lead teams that actually listen, communicate with customers without the constant back-and-forth, and run calmer, more profitable operations. She's a regular education presenter at Global Pet Expo, and she's all about practical tools that cut the drama, stop the misunderstandings, and make your standards stick, without burning out the people doing the work. Amy is also the host of The Pet Parent Hotline and a longtime rescue leader, so she brings a real pet industry lens and a zero-fluff approach to everything she teaches. Her background includes serving as an Air Force officer in public relations and earning a master's degree in human communication theory, where she had a lightbulb moment realizing that communication skills are like a toolbox full of tools - the more tools you have, the more choices you have in the moment. A carpenter can't build a house with just a hammer, and you can't handle every conversation with the same default style either. She took that lesson forward into everything she did next, leading as an Air Force officer, then spending 20+ years training leaders and teams, and working in the pet world where emotions run high and conversations can go sideways fast. The more tools you have, the calmer you stay, the clearer you get, and the better your outcomes are, at work and in every relationship. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 actually stay - with a thriving culture where people want to work. In this episode, she shares exactly how she made that turnaround and helps you navigate the shrinking workforce, culture over compensation, and what smart businesses are doing differently. She shares: ⭐️ Her "recovering Chief Everything Officer" mindset shift ⭐️ How to identify what you're good at vs. what your business needs ⭐️ How to hire for personality traits that match your business reality Plus the truth you need to hear: Hard work doesn't equal success. If it did, we'd all be bajillionaires. You don't need to work harder - you need to work differently and shift where your effort is happening. ABOUT MORGAN WEBER Owner of Lucky Pup Adventures & Woofs and Waves Pet Supplies Morgan Weber is a serial entrepreneur, business coach, and recovering Chief Everything Officer. She helps business owners step out of the weeds to think, plan, and lead like a CEO, building businesses that thrive while supporting their own full and happy life. With over 13 years running Lucky Pup Adventures (a pet sitting company) and now also scaling Woofs and Waves Pet Supplies (a 10-year-old pet supply store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Morgan loves to blend real-world experience and actionable frameworks to help pet business owners define success on their own terms. She also runs Memory Flame Candle Company (a passion project honoring pet loss) and coaches pet business owners through the challenges of hiring, leadership, and building businesses they actually enjoy. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 Boss Nation is teaching clients in 2026 to build their team and systems FIRST - before running ads, doing marketing, or increasing customer volume. Because momentum needs something solid to stick to! She shares: ✍🏻 Why you need to build the foundation before you build the momentum ✍🏻 The 9-week Dream Team framework breakdown (one week at a time) ✍🏻 Why reactive hiring keeps you stuck (and how to hire with purpose instead) ✍🏻 The Train the Trainer in-person workshop at Dante and Dory's (February 25th!) This isn't about doing more. It's about building what lasts - systems that don't fall apart when you step away, teams that feel supported, and training that's repeatable. If you're trying to grow without this foundation, you're building on sand. And when the momentum hits, everything crumbles. Join Pet Boss University before January 20th to be part of the Dream Team cohort - a live 9-week program where you'll build this foundation alongside other pet business owners (and Candace, who's building it for Dante and Dory's at the same time)!

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 became more cautious. And the energy it takes to run a pet business right now? Intense. But here's the thing: the pet industry is still growing. Pet spending in the US is now well over $140 billion annually. People aren't walking away from their pets - they're just becoming more selective about how, where, and with whom they spend. So we as business owners have to become more strategic, more intentional, and better at running the actual business side of things. She shares: 🙌 Why last year felt so hard (no, you're not imagining it) 🙌 The 5 biggest challenges pet business owners face in 2026 🙌 The "Build What Lasts" framework: systems that don't fall apart when you step away, teams that feel supported, margins that protect your energy 🙌 What's coming this season Plus the truth you need to hear: You are not behind. You are not failing. You do not have to have it all figured out. And you are not going on this journey alone. This season isn't about doing everything. It's about building foundations that hold you up - one decision at a time. Whether you're listening to the podcast or joining in-person workshops at Dante and Dory's (yes, that's coming!), this is about building WITH you, not talking AT you this season! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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. And that alone is worth celebrating. She shares: 🥂 Four years of the Pet Boss Podcast: 216 episodes, nearly 150K downloads, streamed in 83 countries 🥂 Top episodes of 2025 (hint there's a theme) 🥂 Behind-the-scenes at Pet Boss Nation 🥂 Plus exciting news: Someone’s having a baby! This year stretched you. Tested your patience, leadership, confidence, and creativity. And yet you're still here - still showing up for customers, caring deeply about your team, and choosing this work even on hard days. So here's the toast: To the owners who kept going even when it was messy. To the leaders learning as they lead. To the businesses that didn't just survive but evolved. May you remember that progress counts even when it's quiet. Thank you for listening, for being part of this community, and for doing the important, meaningful work of running a pet business that truly makes a difference. Happy New Year. See you in 2026 with Season 5 of the Pet Boss Podcast! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 she's learned, and what she'd do differently with this promotion at Dante & Dory’s. She shares: 💰 Why her past 12 Days promotions failed 💰 Day-by-day breakdown of what sold, what flopped, and why 💰 Email strategy and how to avoid opt-out fatigue Plus the biggest lesson: get crystal clear on WHY you're running the promotion before you plan anything else. Is it to drive foot traffic? Move overstock? Feature slow-selling products? When you know the why, every other decision becomes easier! Whether you're planning promotions for 2026 or trying to roll something out before year-end, this episode proves that the most successful promotions aren't about having the flashiest ideas- they're about having clear goals and significant-enough deals to actually motivate people to show up! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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 the visibility wins that finally made Dante and Dory's impossible to miss. She shares: 🙌 The moment signage changed everything 🙌 Why she was hesitant to hire (sound familiar?) and what changed when she did 🙌 How opening an hour earlier accidentally turned into a brilliant move (thanks to the sign guys!) 🙌 The surprise visit from podcast listener who came across the country just to see the store This month's theme? Visibility isn't optional - it's oxygen for your business. From exterior signs to website updates to in-store pricing to social media storytelling, every touchpoint matters. Because if people are talking about you in a positive way, you're unstoppable! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog