Pet Business Disruptors

In this episode, Clayton welcomes Sarah and Matt from 'My Anxious Dog' to the podcast, to discuss their journey in raising awareness about anxious dogs and the importance of giving them space. They discuss the personal experiences that led them to create a range of products designed to help owners communicate their dog's needs, including the significance of the colour yellow as a warning signal. S...

Today, Clayton interviews Wendy, the founder of Waita Pets, a burgeoning pet food company specializing in freeze-dried treats. Wendy shares her journey into the pet industry, sparked by her desire to find quality food for her own pets. She discusses the unique products offered by Waita Pets, including quail egg balls and duck blood cubes, which are inspired by Asian pet food trends. As the episode...

In this episode, Clayton welcomes back Sam Hanbury, the founder of Baboo Gelato and Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, to discuss the growth and evolution of his dog ice cream business. Sam shares insights into the unique challenges and successes of selling dog ice cream alongside human ice cream, highlighting the importance of quality ingredients and the shift towards non-traditional retail channels like pubs...

Today, Claytons sits down with Stephen Hu, the founder of Lit Pet, the first traditional Chinese medicine company for dogs in the UK. Stephen shares his personal journey into the pet wellness industry, sparked by the loss of his beloved cat and his realisation of the need for a more holistic approach to pet health. He discusses the unique blend of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern vete...

Today, Clayton interviews Nikki French, a renowned dog trainer and author of the provocative book "Stop Walking Your Dog." Nikki shares her inspiring journey from a 30-year corporate career in property sales and marketing to becoming a passionate dog trainer. After a life-changing bike accident, she discovered her true calling in the pet industry, focusing on helping dogs that struggle with tradit...

Today, Clayton engages in a dynamic conversation with Gerard O'Mahony from Petfellas, exploring their extensive backgrounds in the pet industry. Gerard shares insights from his seven and a half years in the sector, including his experience as the managing director at Pedigree. They discuss the complexities of wholesale operations, the challenges faced by independent pet shops, and the importance o...

In this episode, Clayton interviews Matt Cayless, founder of Bubblegum Search, who specialises in helping challenger DTC brands, particularly in the pet wellness sector, scale their businesses through an integrated approach to SEO and digital PR. Matt discusses the importance of niching down in a competitive market, the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI, and the need to align marketing st...

In this episode, Clayton invites Carolina de Almeida to delve into the ethical considerations within the pet industry, particularly focusing on dog training, nutrition, and daycare services. Carolina, a dog trainer and nutrition consultant, shares her journey and the importance of ethical practices in her work. They discuss the need for better education and transparency among pet professionals, in...

Today, Clayton interviews Mike Abruscato and Allie Johnson from Brands Best Friend, an e-commerce agency specialising in helping pet brands navigate the complexities of online sales. They delve into the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, emphasising the shift from macro to micro creators and the importance of authenticity in content. They explore the impact of social media and AI on consu...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Krysta and Jeff, the owners of Pug and Hound Apothecary, a unique pet store in Geneva, Illinois. They delve into their journey from various jobs to establishing a business focused on holistic pet care, emphasising the importance of quality supplements and nutrition for pets. Krysta shares her background as a vet tech and how her experiences with her dog Bruc...

Clayton interviews Lee Bridges, co-founder of Play9 and creator of the innovative Roolo activity ball. Lee shares his journey from being a musician and running an entertainment agency to launching a successful pet product that has garnered significant traction in the market. They move to discuss the challenges of bootstrapping a business, the importance of community in the pet industry, and the un...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Helen Wainwright and Lee Hobbs from the Dog Trainer School. They discuss the challenges faced by dog trainers, including the lack of resources and support after certification, and how they aim to fill that gap through their membership program. The episode also touches on the importance of community, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of dog training,...

Today, Clayton interviews Lindsey John Taylor (Co-Founder) and Karla Pearson, Director of OxyPet, a company specialising in oxygenated spring water for pets. Lindsey shares his personal health journey that inspired the creation of OxyPet, detailing his experiences with severe blood clots and the transformative effects of breathwork and hydration. They also explore the unique properties of OxyPet's...

Today, Clayton sits down with Billy Bosco from Pet King Brands, the family-owned company behind the well-known Zymox product line. Billy shares the inspiring story of how his mother started the business 26 years ago, driven by a personal need to find a solution for their German shepherd's recurring ear infections. They also take a look at the unique enzymatic technology behind Zymox, its journey f...

In this episode, Clayton engages in a lively conversation with Sherry and Carly, known as the Pet Shop Girls, who share their unique experiences as independent pet store owners in the U.S. and Canada. Sherry, owner of Odyssey Pets in Dallas, Texas, and Carly, who runs a holistic pet store in Regina, Saskatchewan, discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating the pet industry, especially in the...

In this episode, Clayton interviews Karla Pearson, the founder of the No Bull Facebook group, which has grown to over 100,000 members in just six years. Karla shares her journey of becoming a passionate advocate for dog health after her own experiences with her dog, Betty. She discusses the challenges of managing a large online community focused on holistic pet care, emphasising the importance of...

Today, Clayton sits down with Emily Mugford, the new CEO of the Company of Animals, to discuss her unique journey from being a small animal veterinarian to leading a well-established pet product company founded by her father, Roger Mugford. Emily shares insights into the challenges and rewards of transitioning into her new role, the evolution of the Company of Animals over the past 45 years, and t...

In this episode, Clayton interviews Kristen Morrison, founder of the Six Figure Business Academy and host of the Prosperous Pet Business podcast. Kristen shares her journey from starting a pet sitting and dog walking business in 1995 to coaching over 3,500 pet business owners. She discusses the challenges she faced in building her business, the importance of creating a work-life balance, and the e...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with John and Lisa Bryson, the president and vice president of Tranquil Tails, at SuperZoo 2025. They share their unique journey from diverse backgrounds - John's transition from law to small business and Lisa's experience in neonatal intensive care and retail—to create a product aimed at alleviating pet anxiety through a non-toxic pheromone diffuser. They also d...

Today, Clayton interviews Peter Reid, the president of Marshall's Petcare, the leading ferret company in America. Peter shares the fascinating history of the family-owned business, which began in 1939 with the breeding of ferrets for hunting. He discusses the evolution of ferret care, including the introduction of early neutering techniques and the development of specialised products tailored to f...

Clayton talks to Al Sherrington, the founder of Bandaby, a company dedicated to revolutionising hamster care. Al shares his journey from working in big tech to recognising the dire need for better hamster welfare products after a visit to a pet store revealed the poor quality of cages and accessories still being sold. He discusses the importance of creating a home for hamsters that prioritises the...

In this episode, Clayton engages in a heartfelt conversation with Rachel Sheppard, the director of ventures at Mars Petcare, and Shea Cox, a veterinarian and co-founder of Honor Pet, a startup focused on end-of-life care for pets. They delve into the often-overlooked topic of pet end-of-life care, discussing the complexities and emotional challenges faced by pet parents during this difficult time....

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Jo Boughton-White, the managing director of Dorwest Herbs, a long-established brand in the pet supplement industry. Jo shares the fascinating history of Dorwest, which began in 1948 with her grandfather's quest for herbal alternatives for his ill wife. They delve into the evolution of the supplement market, the importance of quality and compliance in product...

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Scott Kirby, co-founder of Compare Funding, to explore the evolving landscape of funding in the pet industry. Scott shares his journey from being a chartered accountant to focusing on providing transparent access to funding for businesses of all sizes. The discussion delves into the challenges faced by start-ups in securing investment, particularly in the wa...

In this episode, Clayton interviews Hanna Mandelbaum, founder of Evermore Pet Foods, one of the pioneering companies in the fresh frozen dog food market in the United States. Hanna shares her unique journey from being a dog walker in New York City to launching a successful pet food brand in 2009, driven by a personal story of a client whose dog battled cancer. They delve into the challenges of sca...