Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros

It's almost time for SUPERZOO, and we want to help you be prepared to make the most out of this incredible show. This week, we are sharing all kinds of tips including where to stay, using the app, navigating all the vendors without getting overwhelmed, what to pack and what to wear, and so much more.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://lin...

🎉🐾 Celebrate with us as we hit a milestone! 🐾🎉  They're going big with "30 Events in 30 Minutes" — packed with creative and inspiring event ideas for every Pet Pro. From fun community gatherings to unique in-store promotions, they've got something for everyone. And because they love to overdeliver, they've thrown in a few extra ideas just for you! Yes, they might have run a tad over 30 minutes...

This week, we're discussing the importance of having customer-friendly policies. From our own personal experiences with unfriendly policies like credit card surcharges, restrictive returns, and hidden fees, to the value of transparent communication, flexible payment options, and an overall positive shopping experience to build customer loyalty, we hope this episode encourages you to eliminate any...

Over the next few weeks, we are excited to introduce our first mini-series of the Pet Shop Girls Podcast, all about Legendary Leadership. In this first episode of the Legendary Leadership Series, Richard Phillips joins us to talk about performance reviews and evaluations, leadership styles, and employee engagement.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

You've heard us talk about how much we love ChatGPT and leveraging AI in our businesses in previous episodes, and we are so excited to dig deeper into these topics in today's episode. Alongside our guest, we are sharing insights about leveraging various AI tools (including ChatGPT) to streamline administrative tasks, generate ideas, and optimize time efficiency.  Our guest this week is Josh Stewar...

Responding to reviews is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation. In today's episode, we are sharing all our best tips and best practices for acknowledging both positive and negative reviews, addressing concerns in a professional manner, and using reviews as an opportunity to improve business practices.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ht...

Planning events for your retail store can be overwhelming, but they are super valuable. When you do it right, events can help you build community and create raving fans. In this week's episode, we are breaking down the ins and outs of planning and executing exceptional events.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today's guest is Bob Negen, a seasoned expert in retail management and customer experience. Bob is the co-founder of Whizbang Retail Training, a company dedicated to helping independent retailers thrive in today's competitive market. If you haven't heard of Whizbang, you need to check it out. In this episode, we are thrilled to discuss several ideas to have a super summer, focusing on strategies f...

Meet Phil Klaassen, CEO of Pan Pacific Pet, and our special guest in this week's episode. We are discussing distribution done differently - from robots, to tablets, to building authentic relationships with partners, and so much more.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet...

This week we are joined by special guest Krysta Fox, holistic certified Vet Tech. We are chatting about all things supplements from selecting high-quality supplements, what supplements support specific pet needs, how to help your employees with training and knowledge about supplements, supplement industry standards and red flags, and so much more.  Meet Krysta Krysta began her pet industry career...

No matter your mindset about social media, you've probably heard and felt the pressure to show up in order to grow your business. In this episode, we are breaking down the importance of social media, the different platforms and how to use them, content strategies, responding to negative comments, consistency, and how to get started with your social media marketing.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls...

This week, join us to pull back the curtain on the challenges indie retailers face when working with brands. From MAP policy nightmares to SKU overload, we're laying it all out there - but don't worry, we've got solutions too! Join us as we give brands a peek behind the scenes and show them how to better support the lifeblood of the pet industry.  Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere...

Today, we are talking about the importance of maintaining a positive team culture and addressing issues or "yellow flags" before they become bigger problems. We can't stress enough how important it is to listen to your gut instincts, have difficult conversations, establish clear expectations for employees, and use disciplinary processes and employee handbooks to protect the business culture. The k...

We are thrilled to have Dr. Conor Brady join us on the podcast today. As a leader in canine nutrition, "Dr. Brilliant" shares invaluable insights into raw feeding, dental health, seaweed supplements and more. From raw meaty bones to homemade dog treats, we enjoyed getting Dr. Brady's opinions on "paws up or paws down" for various topics related to Pet Dental Month. Connect with Dr. Conor Brady and...

It's time to evaluate your pricing strategy going into 2024. In this episode, we cover a lot of different pricing strategies and techniques to help boost your bottom line in the new year, from charm pricing and decoy pricing to bundling add-ons and case discounts. Come find us on social media to let us know which strategies you'll be implementing - we can't wait to hear what you think! Connect wit...

We had such an insightful discussion with Billy Hoekman from Green Juju in this episode. He provided so much valuable information about the pet food industry, AAFCO regulations, and how Green Juju is innovating with their whole food approach. Billy also gave great advice for retailers to educate staff and customers. It was fascinating to learn about his passion for pet nutrition and hear his visio...

Today we are sharing our top tips for new pet business owners. We are here to share what we've learned so that you don't have to make all the same mistakes we made when we first started our businesses, from online sales, to inventory selection, to sales strategy, e-mail strategy, and more. What is one thing you wish you had known when you first started your business? Connect with us on social medi...

Sherry and Carly are taking a much-needed spring break, but before they go, they’re reflecting on the wild ride that’s been The Pet Shop Girls Podcast! 🚀 In this episode, we’re reminiscing about our favorite guests, the lessons we’ve learned, and how this podcast has evolved over the past year and a half. We’re also getting real about the challenges of juggling business and podcasting—because let...

"Where should I get a dog?" If you work in the pet industry, you’ve heard this question more times than you can count. And let’s be honest—it’s not always a simple answer! In this episode, Sherry and special guest Verjean break it all down: 🐾 Ethical breeders vs. puppy mills – How to spot the difference 🐾 What makes a breeder "responsible"? – Health testing, socialization, and transparency matte...

It’s just Carly on the mic for this one, and she’s getting real about what it’s like to run a pet business in the middle of change. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of training new staff, managing a small team, or just trying to keep it all together, this episode is for you.  How to keep your team (and yourself) sane during transitions  Why clear communication is the secret sauce to smooth operati...

📩 Email is NOT Dead – Why Pet Pros Need to Hit Send! If you think email marketing is old news, think again! In this episode, we’re proving that email is one of the most powerful tools in your pet biz toolkit. 🐾💻 Sherry and Carly are breaking down exactly how consistent email marketing can drive serious sales—yep, we’ve seen it firsthand! We’re sharing: 📩 How to build an email list that actuall...

🐾 The Dirty Secrets of Pet Food – What They Don’t Want You to Know! 🛑🍖 Think the pet food industry has your pet’s best interest at heart? Think again. Susan Thixton, founder of Truth About Pet Food, is here to pull back the curtain on the shocking truths hiding in your pet’s bowl. From misleading labels and sneaky marketing tricks to regulatory loopholes that protect big pet food over your pet’...

🎙️ Trade Show Success – A Must-Listen Replay! 🎙️ Global Pet Expo 2025 is almost here—March 26-28 in Orlando, Florida—and we’re bringing back one of our most valuable episodes to help you prep like a pro! This episode is packed with must-know tips to maximize your trade show experience, including: ✔️ How to prep & navigate the show floor ✔️ Essential items to bring ✔️ Networking & making meaningful...

In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Carly and Sherry dive into smart strategies to keep customers coming back for more! They chat about the power of unforgettable in-store experiences, understanding shopper behavior, and how your most loyal customers can be the key to boosting profitability. Most importantly, Carly and Sherry reveal how going the extra mile to surprise and delight your customers ca...

We're back with all the furry details on how to make your pet store the paw-fect destination for Valentine's Day! From chew-tiful bouquets to a "gamble on puppy love" event, we've got the scoop on irresistible promotions that are sure to have your customers falling head over paws. This episode is packed with so many sweet ideas, you'll be saying "I chew-se you!" all the way to the bank. Connect wi...