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

We're so excited to have Art Nakagawa on the show today. As a 44-year industry veteran, Art's passion for supporting independent pet retailers is truly inspiring. We dive deep into the power of private labeling - how it can boost your brand, improve margins, and keep those customers coming back. Art shares his expertise on simplifying the process, getting creative with packaging, and why private l...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the art of keeping your rock-star employees happy, engaged and part of the family. From biannual check-ins to creative recognition programs, we're spilling all our secrets to make sure your dream team sticks around. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in t...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of generational differences in the workplace on this episode of the Pet Shop Girls podcast. As business owners, we've got a front-row seat to the unique perspectives, work styles, and communication needs of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and the up-and-coming Gen Z. Join us as we share our tips and tricks for managing this diverse crew, from app...

This week, we are diving into the world of POS systems with the one and only Nicholas Cook, president and co-founder of Pinogy. We're talking all things point-of-sale - from must-have features to hidden fees and everything in between. Whether you're a seasoned store owner or just starting out, this episode is packed with insider tips to help you find the perfect POS to keep your business running l...

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 y...

In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, we are guiding you through a refreshing approach to the New Year. Instead of overwhelming yourself with resolutions, we show you how to reflect on your wins, celebrate your momentum, and plan for success with confidence. You’ll discover how to shift your mindset to say, “Look at everything I’ve already done—just watch what I can do!” Plus, we share practical tips...

This week, we're tackling a topic that's near and dear to our hearts: the art of being copied. As fellow indie retailers, we know all too well the sting of seeing your brilliant ideas snatched up by the competition. But you know what they say... imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Join us as we dive into how to handle those copycat critters, turn that frustration into fuel, and kee...

We're so excited to welcome Stacey Bowie from Astro Loyalty to the podcast! We know Astro is a game-changer for indie pet pros, but Stacey is here to blow our minds with all the features we didn't even know existed. From saving time on frequent buyer programs to powerful marketing tools, Stacey is dishing out the inside scoop on how Astro can take your business to the next level. Strap in, pet pro...

In today's episode, we dive into the world of staff feeding programs - the secret sauce that can turn your employees into brand ambassadors and boost your sales. We're spilling all the juicy details, from how to set up a seamless redemption process to keeping those pesky freeloaders in check. Grab a snack (or a free bag of pet food, if you're lucky) and get ready for some serious pet retail magic....

Hey Pet Pros - Sherry here, taking over the mic. In this episode, I'm diving into the transformative power of networking and why it's a game-changer for pet business owners. I share my personal journey from avoiding networking events to embracing them as opportunities for growth. I share actionable tips for making authentic connections, and explain how to overcome the fear of putting yourself out...

We're celebrating a big milestone - one whole year of the Pet Shop Girls podcast! Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, sharing our favorite tips and insights from the past 52 episodes. Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to the show, this special anniversary episode is packed with can't-miss advice to take your pet business to the next level. Grab a seat and get ready for a cra...

Hey Pet Pros, Carly here! I'm flying solo this week to share some insights on a topic that's been a game-changer for my business: short-form video content. As the self-proclaimed "TikTok Princess" of the pet industry, I'm excited to dive into the proven formula I use to create videos that stop the scroll and keep my audience engaged. Whether you're a seasoned social media pro or just dipping your...

We are thrilled to welcome back the one and only Bob Negan, co-founder of WhizBang Retail Training, for our 50th episode! As independent pet pros gearing up for the busy holiday season, we couldn't think of a better expert to have on. In this episode, Bob shares his wealth of experience, offering invaluable tips on staying focused, managing stress, and engaging our teams. He even provides a roadma...

What happens when good promos go bad? In this episode, we're sharing our biggest tips for running smooth and profitable sales and promotions at your store. We have learned some hard lessons and we hope by sharing them here, you can learn from us without having to make those same mistakes yourself! Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://linktr....

Buckle up, pet pros, because we are about to take you on a wild ride through the world of Canva - the design tool that's about to change the game for your business. Whether you're a seasoned Canva wizard or you're still using outdated programs like Microsoft Publisher (yikes!), you're not going to want to miss the game-changing tips, tricks, and features we're spilling. Trust us, after this episod...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of setting clear sales goals and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your pet business. We share our own experiences with using detailed spreadsheets and visual tracking systems to stay on top of daily, monthly, and annual sales targets, and break down the value of sharing this data with your team to keep them motivated an...

This episode of the Pet Shop Girls is all about hiring and retaining excellent employees in your independent pet business. We're sharing our top strategies to find and foster 'rock star teams,' from Carly's unique open house hiring format to cultivating a positive workplace culture. We know what you're thinking - and trust us, we have included a bunch of low and no-cost ideas to help you retain to...

When a key employee leaves suddenly, it can be a stressful and disruptive situation for a small business. In this episode, we discuss strategies for handling sudden employee departures, including having a backup plan, communicating with the team, and even considering exit interviews to learn from the experience. We're sharing our own stories and advice to help pet pros navigate this common challen...

In this episode, we're sharing our top 10 tips (plus a bonus tip!) for running your independent pet store. We created this list especially with newbies in mind, but even if you have been around for awhile, we think there might be a tip or two in here that you can use - because even we learned from each other while recording this episode! Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like t...

We are thrilled to introduce you to Nancy and Chris Guinn, the dynamic duo behind the successful pet retail chain Dog Krazy. In this episode, they share their incredible story of growing from a single store to 8 locations across Virginia, and their plans to expand even further through franchising. We know you will be inspired by their passion for enhancing the lives of dogs and their unwavering co...

When it comes to partnering with rescues and charities, it's easy for indie pet pros to find themselves making some of the same common mistakes. In this episode, we're sharing how to set clear boundaries and expectations to ensure that these collaborations are mutually beneficial. From vetting potential partners, creating partnership agreements, to offering creative donation options, we're sharing...

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...

It's Christmas in September! Actually, we just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the holiday season is coming fast and it's time to prepare your promotions and marketing plans. Here are some of the ideas we cover in more detail in this episode: Plan and buy Christmas merchandise early - or at least as early as you still can! Implement holiday sales and promotions, such as: VIP hol...

Ready to level up your advertising and promotions? This week, the Pet Shop Girls are sharing their real-world experiences - both successes and failures - when it comes to advertising tactics (including TV commercials, social media, SEO, and more). Listen in for actionable advice on affordable, effective ways to attract new customers and keep your business top-of-mind, even during slow periods. Con...

This week, we're sharing an episode we recorded LIVE at SUPERZOO at the Pet Product News booth. Were you at SUPERZOO? If not, this episode is your behind-the-scenes look at all the chaos and fun to be had there. We are so glad we got a chance to meet so many of you, and if you weren't there this year, we really hope to see you at a pet industry trade show soon! Introducing our NEW podcast - for pe...