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
227: When a "Customer" Complaint Isn't What It ...
A message came through Dante and Dory's website contact form. It was detailed, critical, and specific- complaining about pricing, construction timelines, employee compensation, and the value of shopping local.
36 min
2
226: Q2 Is Your Biggest Marketing Opportunity: ...
Be honest: when was the last time you looked at your calendar and knew exactly what you were promoting, posting, and doing in your business three months from now?
32 min
3
225: Donation Requests: Burden or Business Stra...
How many donation requests have landed in your inbox lately? Today? This week? This month? It's easy to feel frustrated. One-sided. Used. Like people only remember you when they need something.
28 min
4
224: 2,000 emails: Zero Campaigns. Here’s What ...
Well, Candace sure hopes not - because she's been sitting on over 2,000 customer emails from Dante and Dory's for the last 5 months and has done absolutely nothing with them.
32 min
5
223: What Slow Sales Are Really Telling You & H...
Candace is coming to you fresh off 10+ days sick with the flu - three of them completely in bed - and using this slower winter stretch at Dante and Dory's to get honest about what the numbers are really saying.
33 min
6
222: When Your Toddler Wakes You at 3am and You...
It's 4am and Candace's toddler just woke her up. So instead of lying in bed hoping to fall back asleep, she's recording this episode.
9 min
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
203: Grand Opening Weekend: How Dante and Dory'...
25 min