Pet Business Disruptors

Clayton sits down with John Hewitt, owner of Northbound Consultancy and Training and former Marketing Director of G.A. Goldenacres, one of Europe's largest white label dog food companies. They delve into the fascinating world of pet food marketing, discussing the unique strategies employed by Goldenacres to empower independent pet shops with their own branded products. John shares insights on the...

Host Clayton, Sam Muelas, and Caroline Griffiths dive deep into the complexities of the pet food industry, particularly focusing on raw and processed pet foods. They discuss the disparities in nutritional guidelines, the challenges consumers face in understanding pet food labels, and the implications of marketing strategies employed by large corporations. The conversation highlights the importance...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton engages in a deep conversation with Mike, the Director of Business Development and Operations at Brands Best Friend, an e-commerce agency specializing in the pet industry. They explore the complexities of navigating the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape, particularly on platforms like Amazon, Chewy, and Walmart. Mike shares insights on the chall...

Clayton welcomes Caroline Griffith, a seasoned pet nutritionist and former consultant at Nature's Menu. Caroline shares her extensive journey in the pet nutrition field, beginning with her early experiences in a kennel cattery and her passion for canine nutrition. The conversation delves into the evolution of pet food, particularly the resurgence of raw feeding, and the importance of understanding...

Clayton engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kevin Spurgeon, the owner of Dignity Pet Crematorium in Hampshire. They explore the emotional complexities surrounding pet loss and the often-overlooked realities of pet cremation services. Kevin shares the origins of his family-run business, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and transparency in an industry that can sometimes mislead g...

Clayton sits down with Sam Muelas, owner of The Pet Quarter and a prominent figure in pet nutrition on YouTube. The conversation dives into Sam's journey from a failed entrepreneur in finance to a passionate advocate for pet health and nutrition. They discuss the challenges faced by independent pet stores in a market increasingly dominated by private equity and subscription models, emphasizing the...

Clayton sits down with David Brown, the CEO and founder of By Teddy, a premium dog lifestyle brand. David shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a clothing business at 15 to launching an alcohol-free cocktail brand and eventually transitioning into the pet industry. He discusses the saturated market of dog accessories and how By Teddy aims to fill a gap by offering products that resonat...

Clayton interviews Rachel Spencer, a seasoned pet business coach and journalist with a rich background in media. Rachel shares her journey from journalism to the pet industry, sparked by her unexpected adoption of a lively dog named Daisy. She discusses the evolution of her career, highlighting her passion for helping pet businesses gain visibility through effective publicity strategies. The conve...

Clayton engages in a lively conversation with Chris and Peter Maxted, the founders of Dog G8, a company specializing in innovative safety gates for pet owners. The discussion delves into the origins of their unique product, which was born out of necessity when Chris's wife ran a pet care business and faced challenges with dogs escaping through open doors. The Maxteds share their journey from conce...

Clayton interviews Mark Condon, the founder and owner of iPuppy, a groundbreaking dog training enhancement device. Mark shares the journey of developing iPuppy over the past two years, highlighting its unique features, including a large paw button that sends push notifications and video calls to pet owners when pressed by their dogs. The conversation delves into the training process for dogs, the...

Clayton interviews Rory Hanna, co-founder of PAWD Drinks, a London-based company pioneering the pet health drink market. Rory shares the inspiration behind their functional liquid supplements, stemming from personal experiences with his family dog, Scrumpy, who faced health challenges in his later years. The conversation delves into the unique benefits of liquid supplements over traditional pills,...

Clayton interviews Neil Taylor, the founder of Baker and Bray, a premium dog bed company that has garnered accolades for its quality and sustainability. Neil shares his extensive background in the pet industry, detailing his journey from printing for Pets at Home to launching his own brand focused on creating durable, eco-friendly products. The conversation delves into the challenges of competing...

Clayton interviews Harry Chapman, the CEO and founder of Dot Dot Pet, a start up that has made significant strides in the eco-friendly pet care market. With a focus on innovative products like biodegradable eco towels, uniquely formulated shampoos, and nutritional supplements for cats and dogs, Harry shares insights into the challenges and successes of launching a new brand in a competitive indust...

Clayton interviews Jennifer Murray, a seasoned consultant in the pet industry with over 21 years of experience. Jennifer shares her journey from owning retail pet stores to founding Murray Pet Sales and Consulting, where she specialises in business development, sales, and market research for pet-related businesses. The discussion delves into the intricacies of white labeling, demystifying the proc...

Clayton sits down with Ben McIntyre, the CEO and founder of Mersey Raw, one of the UK's fastest-growing raw food companies. They delve into the evolution of the raw pet food industry, discussing Ben's journey from feeding his own dogs a raw diet to establishing a successful business that prioritises quality and innovation. The conversation covers the challenges of scaling a rapidly growing company...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, host Clayton interviews Yka Maijonen, CEO of Manor Insect, a Finnish company specializing in black soldier fly (BSF) breeding. Yka shares the journey of Manor Insect, highlighting their mission to make insect farming accessible and affordable for everyone. The discussion delves into the challenges and misconceptions within the BSF industry, particularly...

Clayton interviews Ben Penrose, a seasoned expert in the pet industry with extensive experience in both supply and buying roles. Ben shares insights from his time as the General Manager and Head of Buying at Fetch.co.uk, discussing the complexities of navigating the corporate buying process. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding unique selling points (USPs), and the dynamics o...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors,  Beverly Cuddy, the esteemed editor of Dogs Today, shares her extensive experience in the dog world, discussing her journey from working at the Kennel Club to advocating for animal welfare. The conversation delves into the complexities of dog breeding, the challenges faced by responsible breeders, and the impact of legislation like the Dangerous Dogs Act...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton interviews Kate Hendry, the owner and founder of Finbo Studios, a pet brand marketing company. Kate shares her insights on the importance of branding for pet-related businesses, emphasising that a strong brand goes beyond just a logo; it encompasses strategy, design, and messaging that resonate with the target audience. She discusses the signific...

In this episode, Shirley Yap, founder and owner of Arowana, shares her journey into the pet product distribution market in Hong Kong and Singapore. Transitioning from a background in finance and legal work, Shirley discusses her passion for animals and the inspiration behind starting her business during the SARS outbreak in 2003. She highlights her initial challenges, including language barriers a...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton and Marina sit down with Claire Harris, the founder of Pets to Places, the world's first pet taxi franchise. Claire shares her journey and the mission behind her business, which addresses the critical need for pet transportation services, especially for those who do not drive. The conversation delves into the challenges pet owners face when tryin...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton interviews Marina Jennings, the manager of Wallace & Sons Pet Supplies, a unique pet store located within a petrol station in Cambridge. With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Marina shares her insights on effectively selling pet products and the advantages of operating in a high-traffic location. The conversation delves into th...

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton interviews Sam Hanbury, co-founder of Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, a unique ice cream brand designed specifically for dogs. Sam shares the fascinating journey of how their human ice cream company transitioned into the pet food industry after noticing dog owners purchasing ice cream for their pets. He discusses the importance of using high-quality, dairy-...

In this episode of the Pet Business Disruptors podcast, Clayton engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Casey Bradley, president of the Sun Swine Group and a PhD animal nutritionist. They delve into the nuances of animal nutrition, discussing the differences between PhD nutritionists and board-certified veterinarians, and the importance of understanding dietary needs for various dog breeds....

In this episode, Clayton welcomes Jon Patch, the legendary host of "Talkin Pets," a radio show that has been captivating audiences for over 34 years. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working with both domestic pets and wildlife, touching on topics such as animal rescue, the impact of captivity on wild animals, and the significance of zoos in conservation efforts. Jon shares personal anec...