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.
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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
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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
28
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
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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
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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
31
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Episode 47 - Reach for the Sales Goals - Settin...
In this episode, we discuss the importance of setting clear sales goals and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your pet business. We share our own experiences with using detailed spreadsheets and visual tracking systems to stay on top of daily, monthly, and annual sales targets, and break down the value of sharing this data with your team to keep them motivated and engaged.
34 min
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Episode 46 - Finding & Fostering Your Rockstar ...
This episode of the Pet Shop Girls is all about hiring and retaining excellent employees in your independent pet business. We're sharing our top strategies to find and foster 'rock star teams,' from Carly's unique open house hiring format to cultivating a positive workplace culture. We know what you're thinking - and trust us, we have included a bunch of low and no-cost ideas to help you retain top talent.
38 min
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Episode 45 - Employee Exit Stage Left
When a key employee leaves suddenly, it can be a stressful and disruptive situation for a small business. In this episode, we discuss strategies for handling sudden employee departures, including having a backup plan, communicating with the team, and even considering exit interviews to learn from the experience. We're sharing our own stories and advice to help pet pros navigate this common challenge and come out stronger on the other side.
30 min
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Episode 44 - Top 10 things you should know if y...
In this episode, we're sharing our top 10 tips (plus a bonus tip!) for running your independent pet store. We created this list especially with newbies in mind, but even if you have been around for awhile, we think there might be a tip or two in here that you can use - because even we learned from each other while recording this episode!
42 min
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Episode 43 - Based on a True Story: Super Scali...
We are thrilled to introduce you to Nancy and Chris Guinn, the dynamic duo behind the successful pet retail chain Dog Krazy. In this episode, they share their incredible story of growing from a single store to 8 locations across Virginia, and their plans to expand even further through franchising. We know you will be inspired by their passion for enhancing the lives of dogs and their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service and education. Their insights about maintaining consistency, developing strong teams, and navigating the challenges of multi-location growth will be invaluable for any pet pro looking to scale.
40 min
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Episode 42 - When Good Deeds Go Bad: Your Guide...
When it comes to partnering with rescues and charities, it's easy for indie pet pros to find themselves making some of the same common mistakes. In this episode, we're sharing how to set clear boundaries and expectations to ensure that these collaborations are mutually beneficial. From vetting potential partners, creating partnership agreements, to offering creative donation options, we're sharing our own experiences navigating the challenges of "when good deeds go bad" to help you build successful community partnerships.
31 min
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Episode 41 - Unfriendly CX - If Your Policies A...
This week, we're discussing the importance of having customer-friendly policies. From our own personal experiences with unfriendly policies like credit card surcharges, restrictive returns, and hidden fees, to the value of transparent communication, flexible payment options, and an overall positive shopping experience to build customer loyalty, we hope this episode encourages you to eliminate any unfriendly policies and focus on creating a welcoming environment for your customers.
33 min
45
Episode 40 - Christmas Prep
It's Christmas in September! Actually, we just wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that the holiday season is coming fast and it's time to prepare your promotions and marketing plans.
29 min
46
Episode 39 - Level Up Your Advertising Game
Ready to level up your advertising and promotions? This week, the Pet Shop Girls are sharing their real-world experiences - both successes and failures - when it comes to advertising tactics (including TV commercials, social media, SEO, and more). Listen in for actionable advice on affordable, effective ways to attract new customers and keep your business top-of-mind, even during slow periods.
32 min
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Episode 38 - SUPERZOO Recap
This week, we're sharing an episode we recorded LIVE at SUPERZOO at the Pet Product News booth. Were you at SUPERZOO? If not, this episode is your behind-the-scenes look at all the chaos and fun to be had there. We are so glad we got a chance to meet so many of you, and if you weren't there this year, we really hope to see you at a pet industry trade show soon!
35 min
48
Episode 37 - Developing Stars Providing the Rig...
Tune in to transform your approach to team development and lead your team to greater heights!
40 min
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Episode 36 - Having Coaching Conversations - Ta...
In the third episode of our Legendary Leadership Series, we are joined by guest Tammy Bond. Today, we are talking about the differences between coaching and traditional, 'old-school' style management and how it can benefit our teams. From active listening, to asking good questions, and so much more, Tammy has so much to share from her coaching certification background to revolutionize pet business team management.
45 min
50
Episode 35 - Building Loyalty Among Your Team -...
This week we are back with part 2 of our Legendary Leadership Series. Today's guest is Jennifer Lymer, and we are talking all about building loyalty among your team. When we combine trust and safety with good culture, leadership, and recognition opportunities, we can build remarkably loyal teams.
38 min