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...

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 d...

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...

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 ha...

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...

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

🙌...

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...

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...

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...

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.

<...

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 fee...

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

⭐ Su...

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 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 th...

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...

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...

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.

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 Bos...

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:

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 

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

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

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...

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 request...

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...

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 powe...

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 bis...

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...

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 trai...

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 professionals didn't get to attend, so we are bringing it to you for free!With Q4 being a big revenue season for pet businesses, this training covers everything you nee...

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 create multiple marketing assets from ONE interview.

You'll discover:

✅ Why radio works in smaller markets when it might not in large metro areas

✅ How to build relationships with...

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 Nose different: 

💡 Every one of their 24 team members is Fear Free certified - not just groomers, but sales staff too

💡 An open-air kitchen where they make fresh meals, meatballs, and "tur...

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 (hint: genuine enthusiasm beats forced trends)

🙌 How handwritten invitations became more memorable than the actual product

🙌 The 6 questions to ask before planning any event

🙌 Why ge...

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 premium to start conversations, not create barriers

🙌🏻 Education over sales - spend hours sharing knowledge without expecting purchases; word of mouth becomes unstoppable currency

🙌🏻 Community investment - donate to local schools, l...

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 new business.

Tune in to hear:

✨ Real vendor partnership stories - including the brand that sent a thoughtful sample pack and earned a $1,000 order!

...

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 show format where real pet business owners battled it out with their best business advice.

What you'll hear:

✨ Lightning round...

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 were incredible.

This episode is about:

🎯 How Kim pivoted from private venue to public space in jus...

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 labeling makes your customers "sticky" to YOUR brand (not your competitors')

🎯 How Candace ordered 71 SKUs for Dante & Dory's with manageable minimums

🎯 The real difference between working with manufactu...

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 comfort zones to share their experiences on the podcast - many for the very first time. What unfolds is pure magic: authentic conversations about growth, leadership, and the power of finding your tribe.

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 make starting a pet business easier than ever

🎯 Team Buy-In - Why getting your team invested in the vision matters more than perfect...