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.
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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
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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
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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
4
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
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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
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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
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196: From Generic to Branded: The Private Label...
This episode is your game-changer! We're sharing a special recording from one of our exclusive Pet Boss Nation Lunch & Learn sessions featuring Art Nakagawa from Artvark Pet Products, who's revolutionizing private labeling for independent pet businesses.
34 min
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195: Why Pet Business Managers Need Community T...
In this unprecedented live recording from Pet Boss Nation's first-ever manager retreat, 12 incredible pet business managers from across the country share their stories, challenges, and breakthrough moments in real time.
32 min
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194: 5 Hard-Won Lessons from 7 Months of Buildi...
You're not alone! In this candid Behind Closed Doors update, Candace shares the 5 game-changing lessons that have emerged from 7 months of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium.
25 min
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193: REPLAY: Candace's Q4 Survival Guide for Pe...
Candace has been there– in the thick of the busiest time of the year, watching the days quickly slip by on the calendar without any promotions or events planned, wondering how she's going to move all that holiday inventory when she can't seem to remove herself from the day to day tasks inside her business…
28 min
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192: How to Add $150,000 in Revenue with Just a...
Meet Joe Zuccarello, who's spent 40+ years in the pet industry managing everything from 250-employee luxury pet resorts to coaching hundreds of businesses on explosive growth. His secret? Grooming services aren't just an add-on - they're the competitive advantage that transforms struggling businesses into profit powerhouses.
31 min
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191: From Solo Pet Sitter to Building the Large...
Kristin has cracked the code on something most industries struggle with: turning competitors into genuine collaborators through education, strict standards, and authentic relationship building.
31 min
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190: The Messy Truth About Opening a Pet Busine...
In this raw, unfiltered episode of our Behind Closed Doors series, Candace pulls back the curtain on the wild ride of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium. This is the real story of what happens between "great idea" and "grand opening."
29 min
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189: Stop Spinning, Start Wining: Your 3-Step F...
This isn't just another "rah-rah, you got this!" pep talk. This is a strategic reset session designed to help you transform the next six months into the most profitable, purposeful stretch your pet business has ever experienced.
32 min
15
188: From Garage Grooming to 8-Week Waitlist: A...
Paige Thompson's story isn't just about business growth - it's about honoring a mentor's legacy, finding strength in the darkest moments, and proving that sometimes losing everything is exactly what you need to build something extraordinary!
23 min
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187: The Event Strategy That Makes This Pet Caf...
Meet Patty Dill, who pivoted from 18 years of pet sitting to building Doggie Sweets - a pet café, food truck empire, and event powerhouse that's become the "Starbucks for dogs" in New Jersey!
25 min
17
186: Pet Boss Unhinged: Wild Stories from the P...
In this episode, Candace alongside Amanda from the Pet Boss Nation team dive headfirst into the wildest, most outrageous stories from pet business owners across the country.
32 min
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185: From Concept to Creation: Dante & Dory's B...
This episode of our Behind Closed Doors series takes you deep into the psychology and strategy behind creating the Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium brand – and trust us, it's SO much more than just picking pretty colors!
38 min
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184: 30 Money-Making Ideas in 30 Minutes to Sup...
In this episode, Candace delivers 30 powerful money-making ideas in just 30 minutes – the perfect shot of inspiration for any pet business feeling a mid-year slump! Whether you're experiencing decision fatigue, feeling sales stagnation, or just need fresh ideas to supercharge your profits, this rapid-fire session is packed with actionable strategies you can implement NOW.
33 min
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183: Brand Brilliance: How a Small-Town Pet Bou...
In this episode, Candace welcomes Kristen Hawkins, owner of "Pup" (a super neat dog boutique) in Carl Junction, Missouri - and a Pet Boss Nation University scholarship recipient who's crushing it with her “snarky and silly” branding!
27 min
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182: Tariff Impact: What Every Pet Business Own...
In this episode, Candace breaks her silence on this complex topic to give you the straight facts about what's happening with tariffs, how they impact the pet industry specifically, and most importantly - what YOU can do about it right now.
36 min
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181: Building a Team That Actually CARES About ...
Candace pulls back the curtain on what it REALLY takes to build a team that's as excited about your business as you are!
31 min
23
180: Yes, Good Employees DO Exist: How to Find ...
Great employees ARE out there – you just need the right recruitment strategy to find them!
28 min
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179: Mixed Reviews & Big Opportunities: A Veter...
Whether you attended Global Pet Expo or not, this episode offers valuable perspective on industry trends, relationship building, and how to maximize trade show experiences - even in uncertain economic times!
32 min
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178: Show Me the Money: Funding Your Pet Busine...
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.
32 min