Podcast
Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
Hosted by Candace D'Agnolo of Pet Boss Nation® · EN
This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.
30episodes
Episodes
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236: Part 2: How We Leveled Up the Farmer's Market Booth in One Week
4d ago00:35:06Tap to summarizeThis 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 events, managing a team, or trying to get systems out of your head and onto paper, this episode is for you! Listen to hear: 🐾 The booth setup mistake from week one and how she fixed it 🐾The living, breathing SOP guide that the team is living by and why it continues to evolve 🐾 The coaching moment with a shy team member 🐾 The three questions you should be asking yourself before every event Plus she shares why one item is the hottest right now, along with some useful advice on how to safely remove decals and why your food aisle needs more staffing attention! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
Transcribe →235: The 5 Ways Off Location Events Make You Money (Beyond Day-of Sales)
2w ago00:40:00Tap to summarizeWhat 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 Dory's is doing at the Galesburg Farmer's Market this season: the booth setup, the pricing strategy, the leave-behinds that work harder than business cards, and most importantly - the 5 ways events make you money that most people never count. She shares: 🙌 Why your booth needs to be a physical extension of your brand 🙌 The leave-behind strategy that drives future visits 🙌 How to train your team to represent your business at the front line 🙌 The 5 ways events make you money Plus the 4th of July patriotic pet parade idea that came from showing up consistently, the technology that makes checkout seamless, and why you can't be your town's best-kept secret! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
Transcribe →234: The Cash Flow Squeeze (And What to Do About It Right Now)
3w ago00:33:57Tap to summarizeSqueeze, 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 surprising lesson from a 66-transaction day 🚨Why you can't wait for things to get better 🚨 Creative partnership ideas you haven't thought of yet 🚨 The cash flow management habit that keeps you ahead of the squeeze 🚨The mindset shift that stops the spiral Plus insights from the PETS+ Brain Squad survey on what independent pet business owners are prioritizing in Q2 2026. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram
Transcribe →233: What We Learned From 100 Customer Surveys (5 Insights That Changed Everything)
4w ago00:33:19Tap to summarizeCandace 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
Transcribe →232: The Story is Everything: How to Get Free Local News Coverage with Whisker Media's Mary Tan
Apr 1800:36:14Tap to summarizeWant 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
Transcribe →231: Inside SUPERZOO 2026: What Makes It Essential for Pet Retailers and Brands (With WPA's Mike Karsting)
Apr 1100:39:32Tap to summarizeSUPERZOO 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
Transcribe →230: Global 2026 Recap & Candace's Favorite Things Awards
Apr 400:34:46Tap to summarizeCandace 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
Transcribe →229: Strategic Partnerships That Actually Work: The Pet-Inclusive Economy with PetsVivo's Luis Zamora
Mar 2800:31:08Tap to summarizeRecorded 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
Transcribe →228: Trade Show Content Strategy: What to Capture Before, During, and After Global Pet Expo
Mar 2200:26:11Tap to summarizeGlobal 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
Transcribe →227: When a "Customer" Complaint Isn't What It Seems (AI, Scams, and Looking Inward)
Mar 1400:36:38Tap to summarizeA 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
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