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 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
27
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
28
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 Whether you're a seasoned Canva wizard or you're still using outdated programs like Microsoft Publisher (yikes!), you're not going to want to miss the game-changing tips, tricks, and features we're spilling.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
29
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
30
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
31
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
33
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
35
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
36
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
37
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
39
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
40
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
41
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
42
Episode 34 - Addressing Performance - Richard P...
Over the next few weeks, we are excited to introduce our first mini-series of the Pet Shop Girls Podcast, all about Legendary Leadership. In this first episode of the Legendary Leadership Series, Richard Phillips joins us to talk about performance reviews and evaluations, leadership styles, and employee engagement.
42 min
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Episode 33 - SUPERZOO Survival Guide
It's almost time for SUPERZOO, and we want to help you be prepared to make the most out of this incredible show. This week, we are sharing all kinds of tips including where to stay, using the app, navigating all the vendors without getting overwhelmed, what to pack and what to wear, and so much more.
38 min
44
Episode 32 - Holistic Healing with Lisa Tully
Our guest this week is Lisa Tully, and we are talking all about holistic healing for pets and their parents. From animal communication methods, to oils and herbs, to mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healing, we are covering so much ground today.
33 min
45
Episode 31 - Work Smarter Not Harder Leveraging...
You've heard us talk about how much we love ChatGPT and leveraging AI in our businesses in previous episodes, and we are so excited to dig deeper into these topics in today's episode. Alongside our guest, we are sharing insights about leveraging various AI tools (including ChatGPT) to streamline administrative tasks, generate ideas, and optimize time efficiency.
45 min
46
Episode 30 - 30 Events in 30 Minutes
Join Sherry and Carly on the Pet Shop Girls podcast this coming Tuesday for their special 30th episode!
50 min
47
Episode 29 - Honing Your Pet Success
Ready for the secret to success in the pet industry? The reality is, success looks different for everyone. The best way to measure success is through your own growth. In this episode, we are breaking down how to track metrics, learn from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook.
40 min
48
Episode 28 - Capturing Your Customer's Heart
Join us for this week's conversation about how to create the best possible customer experience in your store. We're sharing our favorite tips for building rapport and sharing information with customers, going above and beyond through personalized experiences and follow-up, policies including returns and product guarantees, and so much more.
45 min
49
Episode 27 - The Art of Negotiation
Today's episode is all about strategies and tactics for negotiating with vendors, including creating well-documented proposals, taking control, asking good questions, and understanding the brand. The most important aspects of negotiation, in our opinion, are mutual understanding, clear communication, and standing firm. We're also sharing tips about driving sales, optimizing a visually appealing shopping experience, and more.
33 min
50
Episode 26 - Raving Reviews & Relevant Responses
Responding to reviews is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation. In today's episode, we are sharing all our best tips and best practices for acknowledging both positive and negative reviews, addressing concerns in a professional manner, and using reviews as an opportunity to improve business practices.
37 min