Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace

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

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 and increases buying intent 💰 Why selling feels icky (and how to reframe it!) 💰 The two-option close that stops you from talking your way out of the sale 💰 The 4 A's framework: Turn every "no" into your next step 💰 How to make selling a game your team actually wants to play (with practical examples) 💰 Ready-to-use sales phrases you can implement TODAY And so much more! Whether you run a retail store, grooming salon, or any pet business, these principles will help you and your team sell with confidence - without feeling pushy or salesy! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

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" reality- why your brain is at full capacity 🙌 Directive vs. collaborative delegation - and when to use each one 🙌 The 4 levels of delegation (and why most of us get stuck at level 1 or 2) 🙌 The CEO Power Hour framework that clears the clog and gets your business back on track 🙌 5 questions that help your team (and you) make better, faster decisions Plus the truth about why being overwhelmed isn't a sign you're doing something wrong - it's a sign your business is ready to scale if you'll just stop being the bottleneck. Because here's the truth: You don't need MORE time. You need LESS inside your brain! Transcript Show Notes

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 grounded in purpose instead of overwhelm ❤️ How the Pet Boss Nation team stepped up to help her start a whole new business while still running the first one ❤️ Why encouraging words matter more than we realize—and how they fuel us through exhausted moments ❤️ Thought-provoking questions to help you find your own gratitude practice Plus, a heartfelt thank you to every listener, client, and community member who shows up, does the work, and believes in this mission of elevating pet businesses everywhere. This episode isn't about tactics or strategies. It's about remembering WHY you do what you do, WHO you're doing it for, and how far you've already come. Transcript Show Notes

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 implement immediately. She covers: 🙌 What to do now that pennies are no longer being made 🙌 Four critical strategies for responding to employee raise requests when you can't just give more money 🙌 Creative ways to add value for struggling employees beyond paychecks 🙌 Complete lead magnet strategy: from website popups to social media posts to physical postcards at local businesses Whether you're feeling the squeeze of inflation, dealing with team money stress, or ready to finally build that email list, this episode proves that running a business means solving problems together - not alone! Transcript Show Notes

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 Tails Parlor and Pantry. In this episode, we are diving into midlife career pivots, working with difficult and anxious dogs, and how sometimes life's biggest disruptions lead to our most fulfilling chapters. You’ll hear about: ✅ Starting over at 50+ - why age can be your greatest asset ✅ Fear Free certification and less restraint approach ✅ Reading dog energy and adapting routines - doing what the dog allows, not forcing a checklist! ✅ Communicating wins to pet parents and how that has changed everything Whether you're considering a midlife career change or looking to improve your approach with challenging dogs, Stacy proves that it's never too late to find your true calling - and that sometimes the most rewarding work requires patience, experience, and the willingness to do things differently. ABOUT STACY MALY-RODGERSLead Groomer & Services Manager at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry Stacy Maly-Rodgers discovered her true calling at age 50+ when she made the bold decision to leave her 20+ year career in nonprofit management and pursue pet grooming - something that had been on her bucket list for years. After COVID gave her the reflection time she needed, she started as a bather at PetSmart and worked her way through their academy program to become a certified groomer. Now serving as Lead Groomer and Services Manager at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry in Collinsville, Illinois, Stacy has found her specialty working with difficult and anxious dogs that other groomers struggle to handle. Her Fear Free certification and patient, low-restraint approach has transformed the grooming experience for dogs who previously required heavy sedation or couldn't be groomed at all. With four dogs at home and a lifelong love of animals, Stacy combines her management experience from her nonprofit career with her natural patience and intuitive understanding of canine behavior. Her approach focuses on building trust with both the dogs and their pet parents, celebrating small wins and progress rather than dwelling on challenges. Stacy's story proves that career changes at any age are possible, and that sometimes life's biggest disruptions lead to our most fulfilling chapters. She brings a unique perspective to the grooming industry, showing that maturity, patience, and life experience can be tremendous assets in working with animals. Transcript Show Notes

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 in Galesburg are more willing to switch foods and try new products than at big box stores 🙌 The surprising feedback about pricing and the power of understanding the "why" 🙌 How weekly team training sessions beat hours of confusion and discounting 🙌 How leading with curiosity (not expertise) opens up better conversations with customers Plus, the honest reality of running a startup alongside coaching thousands of pet business owners - and why team support is the only way forward! Whether you're in retail, services, or just starting out, this episode proves that when you teach first and sell second, you build a business customers actually want to come back to over and over again! Transcript Show Notes

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 diving into how she turned her veterinary background into a competitive advantage, her creative ideas like surf and turf barkuterie boards and barkday bash biscuits, and how she built something truly big in a small space. She shares her game-changing strategies: 🙌🏻 Start simple - selling through social media with just Venmo and cash payments from her apartment 🙌🏻 Leverage your background - using vet tech knowledge to build customer trust and product credibility 🙌🏻 Follow trends creatively - asking "how can we include the dog?" when human trends emerge 🙌🏻 Structure EVERYTHING - keeping detailed annual event records to track what works and what doesn't Plus, hear how she expanded her space in June and the exciting plans for a second location! Whether you're stuck in a job that doesn't value your ideas or looking to turn a hobby into a thriving business, McKenna proves that when you combine passion, education, and creative thinking, you can transform from employee to award-winning entrepreneur. ABOUT McKenna BurzimatiOwner and Founder of Roxie’s Barkery McKenna Burzimati is the proud owner and founder of Roxie's Barkery & Boutique, a dog boutique in North Adams, Massachusetts, known for handmade treats, custom cakes, local goods, holistic pet products, and engaging events. What began as a small home-based pet treat business inspired by her rescue dog Roxie has evolved into a community hub where dogs and their humans feel at home. Drawing from her past work experiences in various businesses, McKenna learned what kind of leader she wanted to become - valuing structure, creativity, and employee input over the frustrating environments she previously encountered where good ideas weren't welcomed. Her business philosophy centers on building a place where great ideas are welcomed, structure and creativity coexist, and people love showing up, because she understands firsthand what it's like when that's not the case. Transcript Show Notes

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 connection beats big budgets every time! Tune in to hear: 🙌🏻 The exact grassroots marketing strategies that drove 1,200 people to her first Artisan Alley event and raised $4,000 for the Humane Society 🙌🏻 Why she moved her setup from the registration area to the finish line at dog sporting events and how this simple adjustment dramatically increased her pop-up sales 🙌🏻 The customer service phrase that replaced "How can I help you?" and makes customers' faces light up every single time 🙌🏻 How the Pet Boss Nation planner became her daily communication tool for the entire team and the specific ways she uses it to track everything from weather patterns to sales goals Anita's story proves that when you combine industry knowledge with genuine passion for pets, you create unstoppable momentum - even when starting with a "yucky old gas station." ABOUT ANITA FREUND Owner, BowWow Meow Boutique Anita Freund is the owner of BowWow Meow Boutique, an award-winning premium pet supply store serving Stevens Point, Wisconsin and the surrounding community of sixty thousand. A licensed real estate professional with EXIT Realty CW, Anita brings diverse experience from residential and commercial real estate sales, marketing, hospitality, and tourism to her entrepreneurial venture. In 2022, she identified the need for a pet store focused on exceptional customer experience and successfully transformed a former Shell gas station into a thriving retail destination that was voted Best Pet Store in Portage County within just two years. Through grassroots marketing, community partnerships, and unforgettable customer experiences including photo ops, paint-your-pet parties, and unique services, Anita has built strong community trust while growing sales by sixty-seven percent year-over-year. Her commitment to creating memorable experiences and supporting local pet services has established BowWow Meow Boutique as a beloved community hub for pet owners throughout central Wisconsin. Transcript Show Notes

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 pitfalls that cost pet businesses thousands in lost revenue, and your roadmap to make this your best holiday season yet! You'll discover: 🎁 How to manage the holiday rush with staff training, express checkout, and queue management strategies 🎁 Gift wrapping services and when to charge for convenience 🎁 The 5 biggest holiday pitfalls and how to avoid them 🎁 Why connection, learning, and community are the real secrets to holiday success And so much more! This episode wraps up with powerful client success stories including a $200,000 growth year, $1,000-$1,500 weekly cashflow increases from simple pricing changes, and 57% sales increases! The difference between good and great holiday sales? Having a plan. Here's yours! Transcript Show Notes