Pet Business Disruptors

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Chef Scot Hill, founder of Woof Creek, to explore his unexpected transition from the restaurant industry into the pet wellness space. Scot shares how the COVID-19 pandemic and a new puppy with allergies inspired him to apply his culinary philosophy to pet supplements, detailing how Woof Creek's grassroots beginnings at farmers markets and his relentless comm...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Craig Wallace, Managing Director of Wilsons Pet Food, to explore the journey of reviving a historic Scottish pet food brand and navigating the modern pet nutrition landscape. Craig shares his transition from human food manufacturing into pet food, detailing how Wilsons evolved from traditional mixers and cold-pressed lines to dropping raw production entirely...

Clayton sits down with Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, to discuss the evolution of the pet wellness and hemp sectors. Drawing on his extensive background in pet food manufacturing and distribution, Zyer breaks down the journey of building a clean, science-backed pet CBD brand from a commercial kitchen to independent pet retailers across the United States. The conversation dives deep into the re...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Pamela Keniston, founder and CEO of Big Paws Marketing, to explore the rapidly evolving dynamics of the pet industry. They dive deep into the challenges pet supplement brands face regarding FTC/FDA compliance and label claims, the realities of high-cost clinical studies, and why standing out in a flooded market requires more than generic branding.  KEY...

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton interviews Cat Henstridge, widely known as "Cat the Vet," a UK-based small animal veterinarian and vocal advocate for evidence-based medicine. They tackle the rapid spread of online misinformation, the extreme polarization of pet diets, and the lack of regulation in the pet supplement market. Key Takeaways Reclaiming "Holistic" Care: Cat a...

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton speaks with Ben Penrose, the founder of STRIQE and an expert in high-level sales and distribution strategy. Ben breaks down the often-misunderstood "theory of selling," moving past generic advice to reveal exactly how independent pet businesses can scale, secure distribution, and maximize the lifetime value of their customers. KEY TAKEAWAY...

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton speaks with Kaz Kelly, an experienced entrepreneur in the pet industry with a rich background as a detector dog handler and RSPCA investigator. Kaz shares her journey of founding a successful doggy daycare business in Brisbane, Australia, and the lessons learned during her exit process. They discuss the importance of preparing a business f...

Clayton sits down with Claire Hamblion-Jennings, Marketing Director at Supreme Petfoods, to explore the evolution and business dynamics of the small animal sector. Claire breaks down Supreme’s journey from pioneering species-specific brands like Gerty Guinea Pig and Russell Rabbit to establishing the premium Science Selective line and the mass-market Tiny Friends Farm umbrella. The discussion exam...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Tara, the creator of Only Rescues, a mobile app often described as "Tinder for rescue pets." Inspired by the sudden loss of her beloved rescue dog, Max, Tara channeled her grief into building a user-friendly platform that connects over 200 UK animal shelters with prospective pet parents.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Lifestyle Pre-Matching Saves Time: Only Rescues pre...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Debbie Hendrix, founder of Swell Gelato. Debbie shares her inspiring pivot from an 18-year corporate career as a fashion buyer for Nordstrom to building a thriving, self-funded pet treat company. Debbie breaks down the philosophy behind her simple, clean-ingredient gelatos and pupcakes, explaining why she avoids unnecessary additives and over-functionalized...

In this episode, Clayton catches up with John and Lisa Bryson, the founders behind Tranquil Tails, one year after launching their pheromone-based pet calming line. Together, they dive into the realities of scaling a young pet brand from introducing their new Silver Tails line for senior pets to navigating the financial realities of Amazon PPC, Chewy, and grassroots pop-up events.  KEY TAKEAWA...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Daniel and Andre, the founders of The Paws Lab, to discuss their journey from a decade in corporate London to building an innovative, science-backed pet care and hygiene brand. Designed to bridge the gap between professional grooming sessions and everyday home care, The Paws Lab offers targeted, gentle solutions powered by their advanced formulation blending...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Tatum Brown, founder of the Social Dog Company, to unpack the often chaotic, highly emotional "Wild West" of the pet service industry. Sharing her raw and inspiring journey from beauty therapy and corporate marketing to navigating personal rock bottom on a blow-up mattress, Tatum details how her deep love for dogs sparked a thriving coaching business in Bali...

There's no such thing as a fussy dog — only a symptom nobody has bothered to investigate. Sally Barker, The Canine Dietician, joins Clayton to dismantle the fear-driven marketing pulling dog owners apart from both sides of the feeding debate. Sally shares her journey from "kibble-bashing warrior" to a deliberately middle-ground consultant who refuses affiliate codes and product launches. The conve...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, host Clayton sits down with Phivo, founder of Augustine Approved and creator of the Canine Masters natural pet health event in Melbourne, Australia. Fivos shares how he stumbled into the pet industry after his own dog fell ill, and how that led him to become the first in the world to certify a dog food/supplement range to human organic standards — a proc...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, host Clayton interviews Billy Hoekman, the master formulator at Green Juju and a renowned expert in fermentation within the pet food industry.  Billy shares his unique journey into the world of pet nutrition, which began with his own experiences as a dog owner and his quest to understand the best diet for pets. He discusses the importance of microbial di...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Mike Karsting, Senior Vice President at the World Pet Association (WPA), to dive deep into the world of SuperZoo. Mike shares the rich 76-year history of the event, explaining how it evolved from its humble beginnings in 1950 into the premier pet retail trade show in North America.  KEY TAKEAWAYS A Mission-Driven Event: SuperZoo is organized by the World Pet...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Jennifer Blaese, the Big Chief behind Green Line Pet Supplies. Jennifer shares her fascinating 14-year journey from designing a modern poop bag holder in her basement to uncovering the harsh realities of biodegradable plastics in anaerobic landfills. Dubbed the "poop bag girl" by her loyal customers, she discusses the challenges of prioritizing ethics and su...

What if the person you trust most with your pet's health knows the least about what's on their plate? Jessica Fisher, host of The Pet Parenting Reset, joins Clayton to challenge the comfortable assumptions baked into the pet industry. This wide-ranging conversation digs into the nuance the industry often skips: the real risk-versus-reward debate around HPP, why "complete and balanced" was always a...

When the traditional system tries to box you in, sometimes the only option is to forge your own path. This conversation dives deep into what happens behind the closed doors of modern veterinary clinics, exploring the intense regulatory pressures that force practitioners down a strict pharmaceutical route long before alternative options can even be considered. From leading a small-town dog protest...

When a traditional remedy defies standard pharmaceutical paradigms, it turns heads—and when it works wonders on pets, it changes lives forever. We sit down to explore the incredible journey of a transdermal extract derived from traditional Cook Island remedies. Originally developed for human bone and soft tissue repair, this unique blend of hibiscus and coconut oil has created an entirely new cate...

Ever wondered why every bag of cat litter now says "senior" or why "human grade" meat is often just industrial hamburger? Jordan Tyler joins the show to strip away the glossy marketing and get real about the science of pet food. We explore the "Me Too" mimicry of global pet expos and the frustrating lack of transparency regarding processing aids like carrageenan that never make it onto the label....

It isn’t every day you meet an insurance agent who decides to trade the office for a goat farm, only to end up building his own freeze-drying machinery from the ground up. Ashton Hood of Shepherd Boy Farms joins the show to share how a chance encounter with raw goat milk transformed his family’s agricultural roots into a high-tech pet food powerhouse. We explore the grit required to dismantle and...

In this episode, Clayton interviews Shane Bartlett, Head of Sales and Senior VP at Teutonics. They explore Shane's unconventional career path, from a New Zealand carpet factory to teaching English in 1990s Poland, and how it shaped his sales philosophy. Shane shares his entry into the pet industry after discovering raw feeding for his Border Collie, Enzo, in 2009. KEY TAKEAWAYS Distributors provid...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Christian Greninger, the founder of Undique.us and QuailOS.com. Christian shares his fascinating transition from working as an IT engineer in Ireland to building a nationwide network of 14 quail farms across 10 US states. He discusses how neighborhood restrictions on chickens led him to raise quails, which eventually blossomed into a thriving business creati...