Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace

🎄 Christmas in July Special: Q4 Planning Replay! 🎄 Candace has been there– in the thick of the busiest time of the year, watching the days quickly slip by on the calendar without any promotions or events planned, wondering how she's going to move all that holiday inventory when she can't seem to remove herself from the day to day tasks inside her business… And guess what?  ➡️ Throughout all of h...

Ready to unlock a revenue stream that can't be replicated online? 💰 Meet Joe Zuccarello, who's spent 40+ years in the pet industry managing everything from 250-employee luxury pet resorts to coaching hundreds of businesses on explosive growth. His secret? Grooming services aren't just an add-on - they're the competitive advantage that transforms struggling businesses into profit powerhouses. But...

What do you do when you realize you can't help every single dog owner in your city alone? 🤔 You build a network! And that's exactly what Kristin Holzapfel did with Pampered Pupperino and her incredible organization, Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates. Kristin has cracked the code on something most industries struggle with: turning competitors into genuine collaborators through education, strict standa...

Ever wondered what it REALLY takes to open a brick and mortar pet business from scratch?  Spoiler alert: It's messy, magical, and takes about 3x longer than you think it will! 😅😅 In this raw, unfiltered episode of our Behind Closed Doors series, Candace pulls back the curtain on the wild ride of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium. This is the real story of what happens between "great idea" and...

Feeling like you're not where you thought you'd be halfway through 2025? 💪 Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and more importantly - you're not behind. This isn't just another "rah-rah, you got this!" pep talk. This is a strategic reset session designed to help you transform the next six months into the most profitable, purposeful stretch your pet business has ever experienced. In this power-p...

Get ready for one of the most emotional and inspiring episodes we've ever recorded! 🥺💪 Paige Thompson's story isn't just about business growth - it's about honoring a mentor's legacy, finding strength in the darkest moments, and proving that sometimes losing everything is exactly what you need to build something extraordinary! When Paige’s mentor, Terry revealed she was battling terminal cancer,...

What happens when a seasoned pet sitter loses her business during COVID but refuses to give up on her passion for pets?  Meet Patty Dill, who pivoted from 18 years of pet sitting to building Doggie Sweets - a pet café, food truck empire, and event powerhouse that's become the "Starbucks for dogs" in New Jersey! In this episode, Patty shares her incredible journey from losing everything in March 20...

Ever think your pet business experiences are totally unhinged? Think again! 😂😅 In this episode, Candace alongside Amanda from the Pet Boss Nation team dive headfirst into the wildest, most outrageous stories from pet business owners across the country.  We received DOZENS of story submissions from our amazing Pet Boss Nation community, and honestly? They're so good we couldn't keep them to ourse...

Ready to peek behind the curtain of some serious brand magic? 🎨✨ This episode of our Behind Closed Doors series takes you deep into the psychology and strategy behind creating the Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium brand – and trust us, it's SO much more than just picking pretty colors! I'm joined by the incredible J. Nichole Smith, the brand architect behind iconic pet industry names like Dog Is Good,...

We're almost halfway through 2025... how are your sales looking? 👀 In this episode, Candace delivers 30 powerful money-making ideas in just 30 minutes – the perfect shot of inspiration for any pet business feeling a mid-year slump! Whether you're experiencing decision fatigue, feeling sales stagnation, or just need fresh ideas to supercharge your profits, this rapid-fire session is packed with ac...

Want your pet business to stand out from the big box stores? 🏆 In this episode, Candace welcomes Kristen Hawkins, owner of "Pup" (a super neat dog boutique) in Carl Junction, Missouri - and a Pet Boss Nation University scholarship recipient who's crushing it with her “snarky and silly” branding! In this branding masterclass, you'll discover:  🏠 How intentional branding helped Kristen hit her ENT...

The tariff situation is changing rapidly, and it's already affecting your pet business - whether you realize it or not! 📊 In this episode, Candace breaks her silence on this complex topic to give you the straight facts about what's happening with tariffs, how they impact the pet industry specifically, and most importantly - what YOU can do about it right now. You'll learn:  💼 What tariffs actual...

Tired of having to micromanage or do it all yourself because your team "just doesn't get it"? 🙄 In this special "Behind Closed Doors" episode about Dante & Dory's, Candace pulls back the curtain on what it REALLY takes to build a team that's as excited about your business as you are! In this revealing episode, you'll learn:  👥 Why team development starts BEFORE your business even opens its doors...

"Where ARE all the good employees?!" 🧐 If you've ever asked yourself this question (especially lately), this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast is exactly what you need! Candace welcomes Joe Latona of Walker Scout, a specialized recruiter who focuses exclusively on the pet industry. After 11 years of experience in the pet care world (where he grew a team from 5 to 45 employees🙌🏻), Joe has cracked...

Candace just returned from Global Pet Expo 2025 in Orlando and this episode is a full insider breakdown of the experience! 🌴 After attending over 15 shows over her 22-year career, Candace calls this one of her absolute FAVORITE Global Pet Expos ever - but acknowledges the mixed reviews coming from other attendees.  In this episode, you'll hear:  🔍 Why some attendees felt disappointed about a par...

Getting a bank loan for your pet business doesn't have to feel like solving a mystery! 💰 In this episode, Candace brings in Jacqueline Pait, a specialized lender from Live Oak Bank who works with pet care businesses nationwide. Unlike traditional banks that might put your pet business in the wrong "box," Jacqueline reveals what REALLY happens behind those imposing bank doors and how to position y...

Candace welcomes a retail LEGEND on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast! 🙌 Bob Negen of WhizBang! Retail Training has decades of experience helping thousands of retailers succeed. Today, he's sharing the exact formula for not just surviving but THRIVING (and growing your business strength!) when customers seem scarce.  Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode: 🌟 The four P's mindset fra...

What’s a business plan, and do you need one?!  No matter what stage of business you’re in, if you don’t have a concrete business plan mapped out, let’s get to work! 💪 Candace recently got back into business planning mode to secure funding for her newest venture– Dante & Dory’s, a pet retail destination opening soon in Galesburg, IL! This podcast series, Behind Closed Doors: Building a Pet Destina...

Ever wonder how successful pet stores manage all those loyalty programs and manufacturer deals without completely losing their minds?  This episode will show you how! Astro Loyalty offers a tech solution that's transforming this process for retailers and getting better and stronger with each passing year!  Candace sat down to chat with Kat Carbonaro, Marketing Director at Astro Loyalty, and got a...

Imagine showing up to your grooming job one day only to be met by the landlord of the building telling you to get out...  That’s what happened to our guest on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast. But don’t worry! Karissa Surprenant, owner of Dtails Pet Grooming and Nutrition, took an uncertain moment and turned it into a BIG opportunity for herself!  And now?  She's the powerhouse entrepreneur wh...

Who's escaping to sunny Orlando in a few weeks?! ☀️ Yup, the pet industry's biggest party is just around the corner, and Candace and the team can't wait to hang with you at Global Pet Expo 2025 (March 26-28!) This episode is dedicated to all things Global! From making the most of your experience to where to find CANDACE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY on the show floor! 🥳 You'll learn: 🐾 Why going to a pet ind...

The Pet Boss Podcast's first-ever live virtual audience recording?! Yes, please! In this milestone celebration of 100,000 downloads, Candace brought together a room full of passionate pet professionals to reflect on our latest podcast series, "Fall in Love with Your Pet Business." Retailers, groomers, pet sitters, daycare owners... there was a whole mix of pet business owners in the room to partic...

Are you ready for the AI revolution?  Spoiler: IT'S HERE!  The reality is if you're ignoring AI completely, you can get really behind in a world that is changing FAST. In this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast, special guest and Pet Boss team member, Jolanta Smulski, breaks down how artificial intelligence is transforming the pet industry and why business owners can't afford to ignore this technolog...

Ready for the comeback of the YEAR?! We're talking about Candace's comeback to the pet industry RETAIL WORLD! Yup, but this isn't just another pet store opening–  it's SO much more, and we have all the juicy details ready to share!  In this brand new monthly series, Candace will be dropping episode updates to take you behind the scenes of her building a dreamy pet destination from the ground UP. ...

Happy LOVE month! 💖 This February, join Candace for a special 5-part series designed to help you rekindle your spark with your pet business!  Whether you're feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or just need a fresh perspective, this series will help you see your business in a whole new light. Episodes will be released daily from February 2-6, 2025: Episode 1 on February 2: What's Your Business's Love...