Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.
1
221: When Sales Feel Uncertain, Margin Matters ...
Right now, some pet businesses are booming. Some are holding steady. And many are feeling like sales have slowed down and they need to make a change.
35 min
2
220: Feedback Is A Gift: Mastering Communicatio...
How many times have you corrected the same mistake this month? What if a 3-minute coaching conversation could stop it from happening again and actually make your team stronger?
34 min
3
219: From Wearing All The Hats to Staying In He...
Why does hiring feel impossibly broken right now? And why are some pet businesses thriving with amazing teams while others can't keep anyone for more than a few months?
40 min
4
218: Before You Market Your Business, Build Thi...
If hiring feels scary or too expensive, if training lives in your head instead of being documented, if growth feels stressful instead of exciting - it's not because you're doing anything wrong.
29 min
5
217: The Future of Pet Business Starts Now (Sea...
If you've been in the pet industry for any amount of time, you know last year felt HARD. There was a lot of retracting, pulling back, and retreating. Costs got higher. Hiring felt heavier. Customers became more cautious. And the energy it takes to run a pet business right now? Intense.
27 min
6
216: Season 4 Finale: A New Year’s Toast to You
Before we rush into 2026, Candace is raising a glass to honor what was. Behind every pet business is a human who showed up when it would've been easier to coast, quit, or stay quiet. And that alone is worth celebrating.
17 min
7
215: 12 Days of Deals: What's Working, What's N...
In this real-time episode, she's sharing on how it's going so far, what she's learned, and what she'd do differently with this promotion at Dante & Dory’s.
34 min
8
214: Parades, Blizzards, and Breakthrough Momen...
In this Behind Closed Doors episode, Candace takes you through November's slow sales anxiety, December's sudden surge, and all the visibility wins that finally made Dante and Dory's impossible to miss.
32 min
9
213: From Icky to Easy: 5 Steps to Selling with...
The next few weeks are when pet businesses see their biggest boom so what if increasing your revenue has nothing to do with fancy marketing, new customers, or spending another dollar - and everything to do with simple conversations you're already having?
26 min
10
212: You Don't Need More Time - You Need Less i...
Whether you're drowning in holiday chaos, forgetting things because your brain is full, or catching yourself saying "I'll just do it myself" one more time, this episode will help you get your time, energy, and brain back.
29 min
11
211: Gratitude as a Superpower: How Thankfulnes...
Before sprinting into the holiday rush, Candace is pausing to share a different kind of episode: a love letter to the people, moments, and lessons that have shaped this incredible year.
24 min
12
210: Pennies, Paychecks, and Lead Magnets: A Pe...
In this special Q&A episode, Candace shares real conversations from a recent Pet Boss Nation coaching session- tackling the topics keeping pet business owners up at night.
28 min
13
209: Midlife Career Change: From Nonprofit Mana...
Meet Stacy Maly-Rodgers, who spent 20+ years in nonprofit management in St. Louis until COVID gave her the push she needed to tackle her bucket list - and on that list was becoming a pet groomer.
35 min
14
208: Six Weeks In: How Education Became Our Sec...
Six weeks into opening Dante and Dory's, and we have realized something unexpected: it's not the products, prices, or location driving success - it's how we are teaching!
28 min
15
207: How a Frustrated Employee Became the Berks...
Meet McKenna Burzimati, who went from being the frustrated employee with great ideas that weren't valued to building the Berkshires' first and only barkery and boutique - Roxie’s - a business so beloved by the community that it's been voted best pet store multiple times!
29 min
16
206: From Abandoned Gas Station to Award-Winnin...
What happens when a real estate professional spots a gap in the market and decides to fill it herself? Meet Anita Freund, who transformed an abandoned Shell gas station into Portage County's award-winning pet boutique in just two years.
37 min
17
205: [Part 2] Unwrapping Holiday Profits: Creat...
This is the continuation of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation that dives deep into execution, avoiding critical mistakes, and your complete action plan for Q4 success.While Part 1 covered inventory strategy and display magic, Part 2 focuses on the customer experience that keeps them coming back, the biggest pitfalls that cost pet businesses thousands in lost revenue, and your roadmap to make this your best holiday season yet!
21 min
18
204: [Part 1] Unwrapping Holiday Profits: Stra...
This extra special episode features part 1 of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation on holiday merchandising - a paid education session that most pet professionals didn't get to attend, so we are bringing it to you for free!With Q4 being a big revenue season for pet businesses, this training covers everything you need to know to make this your best holiday season yet.
43 min
19
203: Grand Opening Weekend: How Dante and Dory'...
25 min
20
202: From Multiple Stores to a $3M Destination:...
What if the secret to building a thriving pet business isn't about having the most locations, but creating the most welcoming experience? Sheila Spitza of Wet Nose in Geneva, Illinois, proved exactly that when she transformed her business from three locations into one award-winning 8,650 square foot destination generating nearly $3 million in revenue!
38 min
21
201: Why Your Events Aren’t Working (And How to...
With Neighborhood Pet Store Day around the corner and Q4 event season in full swing, this episode couldn't come at a better time! Maddie Shutts from the Pet Boss Team and Modern Companion shares her first-ever trade show presentation from SUPERZOO, packed with real-world strategies for creating events that actually drive foot traffic and sales.
40 min
22
200: Rodney Habib, Planet Paws Media, Celebrate...
What better way to celebrate 200 episodes than with the man who revolutionized pet health education?!Rodney Habib, founder of Planet Paws and co-author of The Forever Dog series, shares his incredible journey from a household where pets were forbidden to a global pet health influencer.
49 min
23
199: Building a Pet Destination: Products, Plat...
This episode dives deep into the practical side of building a modern pet business - you'll get an inside look at the technology stack powering the store, real stories about vendor partnerships, and honest insights about the emotional side of opening a new business.
43 min
24
198: Pet Boss Showdown: Live From SUPERZOO Las ...
Ever wondered what happens when you put three pet business owners on stage with rapid-fire business scenarios and let a live audience judge their answers?
36 min
25
197: The Dock Diving Weekend That Almost Wasn't...
Meet Kim Loper, owner of Harbor Pet and creator of Life is Gruff sustainable dog treats, who faced exactly this nightmare scenario with her beloved North Fork Dock Diving Weekend - now in its 10th year.
35 min