Marketing Tails

Welcome to Marketing Tails—the show where host Mark Bevington talks with founders and execs who are excelling at growth and changing the way we do business. Mark sat down with Nadine Lafeber, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at a multi-generational company that's been pioneering high-quality, specialized pet nutrition since 1973. What began as her grandfather's veterinary pursuit of balanced...

In this episode of Marketing Tails , recorded live at Global Pet Expo 2025 , host Mark Bevington sits down with two powerhouse pet treat brands making waves in the industry: George from Tall Tails (3T Brands) and Kelsey Sora from Polkadog . From heritage-driven storytelling to premium ingredient sourcing, this candid conversation dives into what's driving the next wave of innovation in pet wellnes...

Emily Miethner is Co-founder of Travel Cat, an omni-channel pet product company specializing in premium cat products. A serial entrepreneur with expertise in community building, social media, and digital marketing, she co-founded Travel Cat, formerly known as Your Cat Backpack, in 2018 with her husband. Now the world's leading cat travel brand, Travel Cat serves customers in over 100 countries and...

Tori Mistick is the Founder of Wear Wag Repeat, an award-winning dog mom lifestyle brand and blog, and the host of its popular podcast highlighting inspiring women entrepreneurs in the pet industry. With over 40,000 Instagram followers, Tori has built a vibrant community of pet lovers and is recognized for her expertise in digital marketing, dog care, and entrepreneurship. Beyond her work in the p...

Elli, Kate, Lauren, Emery, and Rylie are the Founders of Luca & The Five Girls, an organic dog treat company. The 17-year-old high school students' entrepreneurial journey began at a sleepover in 2017 — inspired by their love for a dog named Luca, they decided to create healthy, tasty dog treats. The group has successfully expanded their business to 32 states across the US while balancing business...

Melinda Thomas is the Executive Director of Pets in the Classroom, a grant program that supports teachers and enhances students' educational and personal development through pet interaction. Under her leadership, the organization has impacted over 10 million students and 250,000 teachers, providing financial assistance for classroom pets across the US and Canada. Melinda's lifelong passion for ani...

George Barton is the Marketing Director at 3TBrands, a company specializing in dog products such as toys, beds, blankets, and accessories under the brands Tall Tails and Original Territory. 3TBrands leverages its 90-year manufacturing heritage, drawing on its roots in the infant and baby space to create safer and more thoughtful pet products. With impressive initiatives like donating over $1 milli...

Adam Baker is the Founder of SodaPup, a Colorado-based company specializing in innovative, sustainable, and non-toxic rubber dog toys in the USA. With a background in product management at notable companies such as Nike, Under Armour, and Crocs, Adam has successfully transferred his knowledge to the pet industry. Under his leadership, SodaPup has become a leader in the pet enrichment products mark...

Peter Kenseth is the Vice President and Managing Partner at Maia Strategy, a consulting firm leveraging market intelligence and in-depth customized research and analysis to help companies enter new markets, outflank the competition, and win new customers. Since joining the firm in 2013, Peter has helped businesses develop winning strategies by uncovering hard-to-get facts in global markets. With a...

Pukar Pyakurel is the Founder and President of Yak9 Chews, an award-winning pet treat company creating premium organic cheese chews for dogs. Yak9 Chews is recognized as an industry leader in the yak cheese chew industry with its innovative flavors and sustainable product packaging. Founded in 2015 by Pukar and his wife Shristi, the brand stands out with ethically sourced, preservative-free, nutri...

Mark Schaefer is the Executive Director at Schaefer Marketing Solutions, which helps companies stand out in a world of overwhelming information density. He is a TED keynote speaker, marketing strategist, futurist, university educator, and author of 10 books, including KNOWN and Marketing Rebellion . From Fortune 500 companies such as adidas and Johnson & Johnson to start-ups and nonprofits, he has...

Sarah Goldberger is the Founder and CEO of Lord Jameson, an award-winning luxury dog treats company on a mission to kindle the bond between dogs and humans. A seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience, Sarah started her career at ABC Good Morning America, specializing in brand development, business management, and luxury product marketing. She's successfully founded three companies, i...

John Wall is Co-host of Marketing Over Coffee, where he explores the intersection of marketing, sales, and technology with industry experts. A seasoned marketer, John is also a Partner at Trust Insights, where he harnesses the power of data, AI, and marketing technologies to drive growth. With a track record of innovation, his career includes a significant focus on MarTech and customer relationshi...

Kat Donatello is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Austin and Kat, which specializes in natural, holistic pet supplements. Fueled by her dedication to animal health, Kat transitioned from a high-level athlete and race director to a trailblazer in the CBD pet wellness space. Starting in her home kitchen with all-natural remedies to improve her dogs' healthspan, her brand has expanded sig...

Michael Soler is the Founder of Blue Line K-9 Dog Training, a team of highly qualified and experienced dog trainers focused on improving the lives of pet owners and their companions. With over 20 years of experience, Michael is a decorated Marine veteran, an accomplished entrepreneur, a keynote speaker, and a recognized authority in dog training. His career journey spans from radio host to former...

Sara McCarville is the Founder and CEO of MAVRIK equine, a pioneering company dedicated to enhancing horse health and performance through innovative solutions and comprehensive care. Sara is also the CEO of Sterling Essentials, an all-natural essential oil-based leather cleaner and conditioner company. Sara's expertise in equine management has led to the development of cutting-edge products and se...

Mindy Dutka is a visual storyteller, dog advocate, and commercial dog photographer for Dogs I Meet, providing mission-driven photography for brands and animal welfare organizations. Dogs supported her during the most challenging times of her life, inspiring her to rekindle her passion for photography. Now, Mindy partners with brands and mission-driven organizations to create compelling, story-driv...

Sharon Tuggle is the Founder and CEO of 5 Element Food Therapy, an innovative venture dedicated to enhancing pet health through nutrition. Her journey into the pet care industry began with a personal experience involving her dog's health crisis, igniting her passion for the healing power of food rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. This led Sharon to collaboratively launch a line of food topper...

Joshua Honcoop is the Founder and CEO of Honcoop Natural Pet Food, a leading innovator in the high-end pet food industry. Driven by a passion for crafting nourishing meals for dogs, Honcoop prioritizes canine well-being by focusing on natural baked treats and promoting gut health through specialized products. Joshua and his team offer nutrition consultations and personalized services dedicated to...

Melinda Kirk Stenger is the CEO and Founder of PetCakes by Lucky Paws, a complete baking kit for cats and dogs and winner of the Best in Show Award at the Global Pet Expo 2023. A dynamic entrepreneur with over 20 years of canine culinary experience, Melinda spearheaded the development of the first-ever DIY organic microwavable pet treats, revolutionizing the pet snack industry. Armed with a MBA in...

Jordan Sand is Co-founder of Cold Water Technologies, the brand behind Happy Scratch technology, a supplemental formula that supports skin health to relieve pet allergies. As an add-on to pet food, the formula decreases hotspots and itching. Jordan developed Happy Scratch after receiving a post-doctorate degree in molecular and environmental toxicology. He has experience in immunology, animal nutr...

Rianna Young is the Founder and CEO of Happy Hounds, a premium pet treat and tincture company that strives to improve pets' quality of life by reducing anxiety and pain. NY Cannabis Insider has recognized Rianna as one of New York's Women in Cannabis. She previously worked in various local and state government roles in New York, including Chief of Staff of the New York State Assembly and Director...

Gerry Romanelli is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and franchisee of multiple brands including Hounds Town, Units Storage, Fetch!, and Furry Land. His background in transportation and logistics, highlighted by extensive business experience, has helped shape his understanding of the latest products, services, and standards in the market. Gerry's 34-year corporate career included time at UPS,...

David Masulli is the CRM Manager at Pet Food Experts, a leading pet food and supplies distributor partnering with over 6,500 retailers across the US. A RevOps veteran with a background in marketing automation and HubSpot administration, David has a proven track record of optimizing e-commerce revenue and developing compelling marketing campaigns. Leveraging his inbound marketing expertise and prod...

Maya Barkay is Vice President of Marketing at EverC, a cyber intelligence company providing financial institutions, vendors, and merchants with risk management services. With over two decades of marketing and leadership expertise, she is a seasoned professional renowned for her strategic prowess. Throughout her career, Maya has spearheaded impactful product marketing communication initiatives for...