Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey P...

Welcome to The Pet Shop Girls. This show is for independent pet pros who want to learn about cool ideas to help their businesses make more money. Each week, hosts Carly and Sherry are sharing tips about marketing, growing and managing a team, how to avoid common mistakes, up-and-coming trends in the pet industry, and so much more.

Sherry, from Odyssey Pets in Dallas, Texas, has been in the industry for 20 years. She has experience in everything from aquatics, to grooming, to boarding, and even retail and has expanded her business to over 10,000 square feet.

And you may know Carly, of House of Paws in Regina, Saskatchewan, from TikTok, where she's amassed over 50,000 followers marketing her pet boutique. She built her business in the midst of the global pandemic, and has found a ton of creative ways to scale her business and engage with her local community.

Running a pet business can be lonely, but you don't have to do this alone. Join the Pet Shop Girls each week for the podcast that's guaranteed to make you sit, stay, and beg for more.

Pets & Animals
Entrepreneurship
Careers
1
Episode 72 - Positioning Premium Pet Food with ...
We had such an insightful discussion with Billy Hoekman from Green Juju in this episode. He provided so much valuable information about the pet food industry, AAFCO regulations, and how Green Juju is innovating with their whole food approach.
40 min
2
Episode 71 - Things I Wish I Knew When I Was New
Today we are sharing our top tips for new pet business owners. We are here to share what we've learned so that you don't have to make all the same mistakes we made when we first started our businesses, from online sales, to inventory selection, to sales strategy, e-mail strategy, and more.
46 min
3
Episode 70 - Spring Break Y'all! See You in the...
In this episode, we’re reminiscing about our favorite guests, the lessons we’ve learned, and how this podcast has evolved over the past year and a half. We’re also getting real about the challenges of juggling business and podcasting—because let’s be honest, it’s no walk in the (dog) park! 🐶
22 min
4
Episode 69 - Your Guide to Ethical Breeders and...
This episode is all about giving you the knowledge and confidence to steer pet parents in the right direction—whether they’re looking to adopt or buy. Because at the end of the day, the goal is the same: happy, healthy dogs in responsible, loving homes.
36 min
5
Episode 68 - 🎙️ Riding the Waves of Change – A ...
It’s just Carly on the mic for this one, and she’s getting real about what it’s like to run a pet business in the middle of change. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of training new staff, managing a small team, or just trying to keep it all together, this episode is for you.
36 min
6
Episode 67 - Paws, Click, Convert: Email Market...
If you’ve been sleeping on email marketing, this is your wake-up call! Hit play and get ready to level up your email game! 🎧🐶💡
42 min
7
Episode 66 - The Dirty Secrets of Pet Food: Wha...
56 min
8
Episode 65 - Getting Back to Global - Replay fr...
Global Pet Expo 2025 is almost here—March 26-28 in Orlando, Florida—and we’re bringing back one of our most valuable episodes to help you prep like a pro!
35 min
9
Episode 64 - Fur-ever Fans: How to Keep Custome...
In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Carly and Sherry dive into smart strategies to keep customers coming back for more! They chat about the power of unforgettable in-store experiences, understanding shopper behavior, and how your most loyal customers can be the key to boosting profitability.
46 min
10
Episode 63 - Fur Is in the Air: Love Your Pet V...
We're back with all the furry details on how to make your pet store the paw-fect destination for Valentine's Day! From chew-tiful bouquets to a "gamble on puppy love" event, we've got the scoop on irresistible promotions that are sure to have your customers falling head over paws. This episode is packed with so many sweet ideas, you'll be saying "I chew-se you!" all the way to the bank.
33 min
11
Episode 62 - Why Private Labeling Isn't Just Fo...
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 label is a must-try for any indie pet biz.
38 min
12
Episode 61 - What Makes Your Employees Want to ...
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.
39 min
13
Episode 60 - Managing the Generations
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 appealing to their tech-savvy tendencies to tapping into their entrepreneurial spirits.
41 min
14
Episode 59 - SOS for Your POS
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 like a well-oiled machine.
39 min
15
Episode 58 - Hey Brands, Let's get real here
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.
52 min
16
Episode 57 - Reflect, Celebrate, Elevate: Enter...
Get ready to enter the New Year with gratitude, confidence, and a clear focus to build on your pet business success! 🎉
44 min
17
Episode 56 - The Art of Being Copied
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 keep on innovating.
33 min
18
Episode 55 - Think You Know Everything Astro Ha...
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 pros, because this episode is packed with can't-miss info that's sure to have you saying "What? Astro can do that?!" Trust us, you'll be begging Stacey to come back for round two.
53 min
19
Episode 54 - The Value of Staff Feeding Program...
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. It's time to make your staff as passionate about those products as you are!
34 min
20
Episode 53 - Paws, Connect, Thrive: Networking ...
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.
15 min
21
Episode 52 - Pet Shop Girls Rewind - Celebratin...
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 crash course in pet retail gold!
47 min
22
Episode 51 - Proven Formula for Short Form Videos
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 toes in, you're going to walk away with actionable tips to level up your video game and reach more pet parents than ever before. So grab a pen and paper, and let's get started!
38 min
23
Episode 50 - The Successful Mindset of a Retail...
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 roadmap for navigating the holiday hustle with positivity and purpose.
55 min
24
Episode 49 - When Good Promos Go Bad
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!
38 min
25
Episode 48 - Creating with Canva
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 episode, you'll be creating jaw-dropping visuals that'll have your customers begging for more.
42 min