Episodes

  • 178: Show Me the Money: Funding Your Pet Business Dream

    178: Show Me the Money: Funding Your Pet Business Dream
    Apr 6 2025
    Getting a bank loan for your pet business doesn't have to feel like solving a mystery! 💰 In this episode, Candace brings in Jacqueline Pait, a specialized lender from Live Oak Bank who works with pet care businesses nationwide. Unlike traditional banks that might put your pet business in the wrong "box," Jacqueline reveals what REALLY happens behind those imposing bank doors and how to position yourself for funding success. You'll discover: 💵 The crucial differences between SBA loans and conventional financing (and why one might give you much better terms for your situation) 💵 The documentation and preparation you need before even stepping into a bank 💵 Why your personal credit history matters (but isn't the only factor banks consider!) 💵 How industry-specific lenders can be game-changers for your pet business's financial future 💵 Current pet industry lending trends showing a return to acquisitions and expansions in 2025 💵 Why "good debt" that generates more revenue is a smart business strategy Whether you're a startup dreaming big, an established business ready to expand, or considering acquiring another location, this episode strips away the mystery of financing and gives you a clear roadmap to funding your pet business vision. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    34 mins
  • 177: The Survival Guide for Uncertain Economic Times

    177: The Survival Guide for Uncertain Economic Times
    Mar 30 2025
    Candace welcomes a retail LEGEND on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast! 🙌 Bob Negen of WhizBang! Retail Training has decades of experience helping thousands of retailers succeed. Today, he's sharing the exact formula for not just surviving but THRIVING (and growing your business strength!) when customers seem scarce. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode: 🌟 The four P's mindset framework that will change how you respond to business challenges 🌟 Why focusing obsessively on sales numbers can sabotage your emotional well-being (and what to keep an eye on instead) 🌟 How to make the most of every customer interaction when traffic is down 🌟 The "Piña Colada Principle" for creating irresistible reasons for customers to visit your store 🌟 Why responding to stress with action always beats sitting in worry 🌟 How to approach vendor relationships during challenging times to create win-win partnerships 🌟 The key difference maker between retailers who will grow stronger through challenges versus those who won't make it Whether you're worrying about tariff impacts, changing consumer behaviors, or anything that feels a little rocky at the moment, this episode delivers a mindset reset and practical action steps to help your pet business weather any storm. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    44 mins
  • 176: Writing a Pet Business Plan [Behind Closed Doors Series]

    176: Writing a Pet Business Plan [Behind Closed Doors Series]
    Mar 23 2025
    What’s a business plan, and do you need one?! No matter what stage of business you’re in, if you don’t have a concrete business plan mapped out, let’s get to work! 💪 Candace recently got back into business planning mode to secure funding for her newest venture– Dante & Dory’s, a pet retail destination opening soon in Galesburg, IL! This podcast series, Behind Closed Doors: Building a Pet Destination, takes you behind the scenes of EVERY step of Candace’s journey. In this update, she’s spilling the tea on how she crafted a 20 page business plan to wow the banks and get REAL about what her business goals are. You’ll hear more about: ✔️ Candace’s secret AI weapon that helped her both dig deep to create her business plan AND do it a lot faster than she did 20 years ago ✔️ Why it's a better idea to go to the bank with a business plan rather than some notes on a napkin ✔️ Details on the sections you should include in your business plan, like financial projections, for example (and what these look like in Candace's plan!) ✔️ How Candace is already building a customer list and buzz WITHOUT having her branding finalized ✔️ How Candace is prepping her Dante & Dory's team before their doors are even open ✔️ And so much more! Whether you're just starting out, planning to expand, or considering a business refresh, you'll want to take notes from this one! Your business plan will serve as the foundational document for all your future business decisions. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    38 mins
  • 175: How Astro Loyalty is Making Pet Retail Easier & More Profitable.

    175: How Astro Loyalty is Making Pet Retail Easier & More Profitable.
    Mar 16 2025
    Ever wonder how successful pet stores manage all those loyalty programs and manufacturer deals without completely losing their minds? This episode will show you how! Astro Loyalty offers a tech solution that's transforming this process for retailers and getting better and stronger with each passing year! Candace sat down to chat with Kat Carbonaro, Marketing Director at Astro Loyalty, and got a full insider's look at the platform that's helping independent pet retailers compete with the big boxes (and generating over $1.5 BILLION in sales in 2024 alone! Yes, you read that right! 🤯) In this episode, you'll hear more about: 🐾 Why Candace is 100% making Astro Loyalty one of her first commitments for her new store Dante and Dory's 🐾 The shocking amount of time pet retailers waste managing paper coupons and loyalty programs manually (Kat has direct experience with 2 AM nights doing this!) 🐾 How the Share the Love Adoption Program is creating incredible customer acquisition opportunities for retailers while also supporting new pet parents 🐾 Game-changing marketing automation features that bring customers back through your door without you lifting a finger 🐾 Real success stories from retailers who are using Astro Loyalty to create memorable experiences and build lasting customer relationships If you are on the fence about using Astro Loyalty, you WON'T be after hearing this (and the good thing is, it's crazily affordable, especially given the ROI!) Listen in to learn MORE about this tool if you're already using it, and exactly what you're missing if you're not. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    41 mins
  • 174: How to Confidently Charge Premium Prices for Pet Services

    174: How to Confidently Charge Premium Prices for Pet Services
    Mar 9 2025
    Imagine showing up to your grooming job one day only to be met by the landlord of the building telling you to get out... That’s what happened to our guest on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast. But don’t worry! Karissa Surprenant, owner of Dtails Pet Grooming and Nutrition, took an uncertain moment and turned it into a BIG opportunity for herself! And now? She's the powerhouse entrepreneur who turned one single grooming salon into a multi-location operation with grooming, retail, AND mobile grooming vans. 💪 Karissa's story and the way she runs her business will leave your jaw on the floor in the BEST ways! She unapologetically offers (and charges for!) PREMIUM services, and she has built a swoon-worthy company culture! In this episode, you'll hear more about: 🐶 The shocking way Karissa launched D'Tails after her old boss left her and her coworkers high and dry 🐶 How she rebuilt from scratch after the previous owner ripped out everything (even the baseboards and floor tiles!) 🐶 Why her salon charges $90+ when competitors charge much less... and why her clients happily pay it 🐶 Her brilliant client consultation process that keeps her books filled year-round 🐶 Why she has a waitlist of groomers who want to work for her 🐶 The reason Karissa attends nearly one trade show EVERY MONTH 🐶 How being involved in the Pet Boss community helped fuel her incredible growth Whether you're a groomer looking to raise your prices or any pet professional wanting to understand the power of positioning your business for premium clients, this episode is definitely for you! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    33 mins
  • 173: How to Make Every Minute Count at Global Pet Expo (or Any Tradeshow!)

    173: How to Make Every Minute Count at Global Pet Expo (or Any Tradeshow!)
    Mar 2 2025
    Who's escaping to sunny Orlando in a few weeks?! ☀️ Yup, the pet industry's biggest party is just around the corner, and Candace and the team can't wait to hang with you at Global Pet Expo 2025 (March 26-28!) This episode is dedicated to all things Global! From making the most of your experience to where to find CANDACE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY on the show floor! 🥳 You'll learn: 🐾 Why going to a pet industry trade show is a MUST for your growth and inspiration 🐾 Where to find the Pet Boss Nation team at the show (hint: mimosas are involved!) 🐾 How to prepare strategically instead of wandering aimlessly among 1,000+ exhibitors 🐾 The truth about trade show expenses from both retailer and vendor perspectives 🐾 Candace's personal story of something that happened to her at a trade show and how to avoid it 🐾 Smart strategies for bringing your team to maximize the investment, and why Candace is bringing her new management team for Dante and Dory's 🐾 AND MORE! Are you a Global Pet Expo veteran? Or a newbie? Either way, you'll want to listen to this episode to make the most of it or plan for a trade show to come in your future! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    43 mins
  • 172: Live Listener Taping: Fall In Love With Your Business

    172: Live Listener Taping: Fall In Love With Your Business
    Feb 23 2025
    The Pet Boss Podcast's first-ever live virtual audience recording?! Yes, please! In this milestone celebration of 100,000 downloads, Candace brought together a room full of passionate pet professionals to reflect on our latest podcast series, "Fall in Love with Your Pet Business." Retailers, groomers, pet sitters, daycare owners... there was a whole mix of pet business owners in the room to participate and rekindle their spark with their business! In this fun, special episode, you'll hear: 🎙️How to identify and nurture your business's unique "love language" 🎙️Real, vulnerable conversations about money mindset and financial habits that need changing 🎙️Powerful mindset shifts from pet pros who have overcome real-life challenges 🎙️Our real-time celebrations of both small and significant wins from our live audience 🎙️Our $100 cash prize giveaways to two lucky live attendees! Whether 2024 left your business relationship on thin ice or stronger than ever, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that you're not alone in your entrepreneurial journey. 🫶 Download the free companion guide at Learn.PetBoss.com/Love and join Candace and her live studio audience for an unforgettable podcast session of connection, reflection, and renewed passion for your pet business! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    39 mins
  • 171: Why You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Ignore AI for Your Pet Business

    171: Why You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Ignore AI for Your Pet Business
    Feb 16 2025
    Are you ready for the AI revolution? Spoiler: IT'S HERE! The reality is if you're ignoring AI completely, you can get really behind in a world that is changing FAST. In this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast, special guest and Pet Boss team member, Jolanta Smulski, breaks down how artificial intelligence is transforming the pet industry and why business owners can't afford to ignore this technology any more! You'll learn: 🤖How AI can help you save time and money on marketing, content creation, and business operations in your pet business. 🤖 Which tools to use! These are Jolanta's top suggestions for pet pros. 🤖More about ethical considerations, data privacy, and transparency when using AI in your pet business. 🤖Very practical ways to start implementing AI in your pet business today, and so much more! Whether you're AI-curious or AI-anxious, this episode will get you more excited about its potential and more confident to use it if you're not already! Jolanta is the go-to guru on this topic, so if you've been feeling behind in the AI race, she's about to get you all caught up! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog
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    46 mins