Can you believe we're wrapping up another year? 🤯 In this special end-of-year episode, Candace is getting real with you about what 2024 looked like for Pet Boss Nation. There were wins, there were challenges, and yes– there were even moments where we had to pivot. Because let's face it– whether you're eight years in like us or just getting started in business, some years are building years, and that's exactly what they need to be! In this episode, you'll hear: 🍾 The honest scoop about our 2024...
Dec 29, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 160
Is your marketing tank running on empty? 🚙 Marketing is the fuel that keeps your business engine running, and this episode is alllll about discovering strategies to fill up your customer's tank! In this episode, Fernando Camacho, CEO of OverDog Digital, shares his well-earned expertise on marketing strategies specifically tailored for pet businesses. With over 15 years of experience in the pet industry, including roles as a dog trainer, dog daycare employee, and marketing consultant, Fern knows...
Dec 22, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 159
Ever caught yourself saying, "This isn't for me..." when looking into business growth opportunities? In this myth-busting episode, Candace tackles the most common misconception about Pet Boss Nation-- that it's "just for retailers." Drawing from her experience running six different types of pet businesses, she reveals why this mindset might be a psychological "excuse" that's masking deeper fears holding you back from success! In this episode, you'll learn: 🐾 Why Pet Boss Nation serves ALL pet b...
Dec 15, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 158
Great collaborations lead to powerful conversations! 🧠 In this special episode, we're sharing Candace's appearance on the Big Brave Business podcast with our very own podcast producer, Sarah Heeter! Candace opened up to Sarah about her 25-year entrepreneurial journey in ways she hasn't before on the Pet Boss Podcast, so we thought it was especially important to share this conversation with our Pet Boss Podcast listeners! Join Candace and Sarah as they discuss what it truly means to be "big and ...
Dec 08, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 157
Did you know that your pet business could be missing out on thousands in tax benefits while also giving back to your community or your favorite cause?! (A win-win!) This episode is a game changer and might open your eyes to a non-profit venture that makes sense for your pet business! Candace sits down with Dr. Orazie Cook, founder of Paws on Purpose, a business that helps pet businesses transform their charitable giving into structured nonprofit arms. From pet food pantries to domestic violence ...
Dec 01, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 156
Want to know how your pet business compares to others in the industry? 🤔 Let's get data-driven thanks to Pets+ Magazine! In this episode, Candace looks at the results of the Pets+ 2024 Big Survey, where over 500 independent pet retailers and service providers shared their answers to 75 questions that help set benchmarks within the industry. Plus, you'll discover the eight key factors that separate "thrivers" from "strugglers" in today's pet industry! In this episode, you'll learn: 📈 The perfor...
Nov 24, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 155
60% of students who experience pets in their classroom go on to have pets in their homes within the first year. The first year! 🤯 This statistic (and more you need to hear!) is brought to you by Melinda Thomas, Executive Director of Pets in the Classroom, an innovative program that is transforming education while cultivating the next generation of pet parents. Melinda joined Candace on the Pet Boss Podcast to chat about how far the impact of pets can truly go when we introduce them to children ...
Nov 17, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 154
You can make a bigger impact in your community while also growing your pet business (because success and service go hand in paw! 🐾) In this episode, Candace shares powerful stories of how giving back can transform both your business and your community. From her own personal stories of donating $50,000 to Leader Dogs For The Blind, to innovative giving programs from your fellow pet businesses across the country, you’ll easily see how small acts of kindness can create huge ripples of change. In t...
Nov 10, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 153
Did you know that Gen Z is increasingly turning to social media over Google for brand research?! So, how do we reach those potential customers successfully? 🤔 Enter: UGC, or User Generated Content! In this episode, Candace chats with Pamela Keniston, founder of Big Paws Marketing, to explore the game-changing potential of User Generated Content (UGC). And with the growing statistic of social media research that's happening daily, understanding UGC isn't just trendy—it's essential for pet busine...
Nov 03, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 152
⚠️Warning: This episode may cause unexpected laughter and the sudden urge to double-check your security cameras! What happens when Candace gathers some of the Pet Boss Mastermind members for an October retreat at her home in Galesburg, Illinois? Well, they gather 'round the campfire (or in her living room, but just for recording purposes!) and share spine-tingling tales of pet business mishaps, mayhem, and misadventures. From FBI investigations to creepy crawlies in the dog food, these real-life...
Oct 27, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 151
Wondering how Candace was feeling during Q4 when she owned her pet businesses? You’re about to find out! 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… And guess what?➡️ Throughout all of her successes (and a few failures!) during Q4, she ...
Oct 20, 2024•27 min
Ready for a raw and honest conversation about pet business ownership? That's exactly what this episode is, as Candace sat down with Taylor Gonzalez, owner of Three Tails Parlor and Pantry, and a valued member of multiple Pet Boss Nation programs. Taylor shows us the emotional rollercoaster that being a pet business owner is, and the crossover between personal life and business. She went from facing personal tragedy to building a thriving pet business, and her story is a testament to the power of...
Oct 13, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 150
Ever wonder what it really takes to launch a pet brand in today's competitive market? You're in for a treat with this podcast episode where Candace sits down with Jess Berger, founder of Bundle x Joy! Jess and Candace unpack the hidden challenges (and triumphs!) of building a pet brand from the ground up... especially one so different from what's out there! In this episode, you'll learn: 🌈 The unexpected hurdles new pet brands face when trying to partner with distributors and retailers. 🌈 The ...
Oct 06, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 149
Now that you’re in the right Pet Boss Nation University mindset, it’s time to tie it all together and paint a picture of what a typical semester is going to look like for you! You can take every course available on your own, but something magical happens when you lean on your “fur”-ternity members. Candace is grabbing the gavel and showing you the power of that community and how it perfectly intersects with the education aspect of PBU! In part three of orientation, you'll learn: 🐾 The power of ...
Sep 29, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 148
The announcement has been made… so now what?! Like we said before, PBU is here to STAY📣, so class is back in session! Professor Candace (who loves a good theme) is here to do a DEEPER dive into what you can expect from Pet Boss University and teach a little Growth Mindset 101. In part two of orientation, you’ll learn: 📝 The power of a growth mindset and how it can revolutionize your business approach 📝 Real-world success stories from Pet Boss University members 📝 How PBU's core curriculum an...
Sep 22, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 147
Are you ready for the BIG announcement?! Let’s hear a CHEER if you are! In this game-changing episode, Candace unveils Pet Boss University, a transformative educational program for pet business owners designed with YOU in mind… That’s right, Pet Boss Nation is in the middle of an evolution led by a missing piece we see in the pet industry! You will learn everything you need to know about that evolution, including how this innovative platform combines core curriculum, elective tracks, and a suppo...
Sep 15, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 146
We WISH words alone could convey the experience we just had at Camp Pet Boss, and while this episode does a wonderful job of conveying what happened there… Some of the experience belongs to our Campers. If you know… you know. 😉 If you took our expectations for Camp Pet Boss and multiplied their impact by 100… THAT would be a more accurate depiction. While it was fresh on her mind, Candace just had to share a behind the scenes of this powerful, unique event! In this episode, you'll learn: 🔥 How...
Sep 08, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 145
September is Self Care Awareness Month, and we’ve been talking about it– in our emails, on our social accounts, in conversations with one another. And honestly, the topic is resonating. Why? Because self care is SO important for you as a business owner, but the term itself is so broad and it looks different for everyone, which makes navigating it tricky. We’re all in different stages of our lives, have different resources, and enjoy different things– so how can we determine the magic self care c...
Sep 01, 2024•32 min
How is IndiePet helping independent pet stores THRIVE in a market dominated by big box retailers?💪 In this episode, Candace sits down with Todd Dittman, Executive Director of the Independent & Neighborhood Pet Retail Association, to explore how this amazing nonprofit trade association is leveling the playing field for neighborhood pet stores! With the power of unity, innovative tools, and organizations helping indies compete, we KNOW indie pet businesses can make a lasting mark and take a B...
Aug 25, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 144
Ever wonder how a simple change could increase your pet business sales by 7% or more?! In this behind-the-scenes episode, Candace shares a peek inside a live Q&A session featuring Pet Boss Club member Matt McCord from DogiZone. In her response to Matt’s question, she reveals practical strategies for maximizing impulse buys and refreshing your checkout area. Whether you run a doggy daycare, grooming salon, or pet retail store, these simple tips could significantly boost your average transacti...
Aug 18, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 143
Ever wonder how a broken poop bag could lead to a thriving pet product empire? 💩 In this episode, Candace D'Agnolo sits down with Megan Bolton, founder and chief creative officer of Metro Paws (a Camp Pet Boss sponsor!), to discuss her journey from the fashion industry to creating colorful, eco-friendly pet products. She’ll tell you all about how a simple frustration sparked a 15-year adventure in pet product innovation! In this episode, you'll learn: 🐾 How Metro Paws transformed from a single...
Aug 11, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 142
What does it take to build an award-winning pet business empire? The winners of the PETS+ America's Coolest Contest could tell you! 😉 In this episode, Candace shines a spotlight on three Pet Boss Nation clients who clinched the prestigious title of America's Coolest pet businesses in the 2024 PETS+ contest. Their inspiring stories prove that with the right strategies and support, your pet business can achieve remarkable success… and get noticed for it! In this episode, you'll get inspired by th...
Aug 04, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 141
Ever wonder how a pet business owner who was $400K in debt turned it all around and sold multiple businesses for millions? It’s Pet Boss Nation’s CEO and founder, hi, it’s Candace D’Agnolo, she’s the one who did that, it’s her. (Did we get that Swiftie reference right?!) In this eye-opening episode, Candace shares her personal journey of exiting three pet businesses and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. No matter what stage of business you’re in, an exit strategy is relevant to y...
Jul 28, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 140
Ready for franchising, funding, and emotional intelligence? 🤯 We’re bringing you the best of the best on all three of those topics! This episode features Adrian Archie, founder of petNmind, the first Black franchisor in the pet industry, AND a Camp Pet Boss speaker. Candace and Adrian discuss his journey from pet lover to innovative business owner, and how emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in entrepreneurial success. They covered all of this and more: 🐾 Adrian's journey from athlete ...
Jul 21, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 139
What's the wildest, biggest thing that you could make possible for your pet business and your life? What's important to you? How do you want to spend your time? THOSE are the end goals we’re pursuing inside the Pet Boss Mastermind, and after a year since launching, we can’t wait to pull back the curtain and show you the progress our members have made (and will continue to make, since many of them are STAYING for the next cohort!) As applications open for the next round, Candace offers a behind-t...
Jul 14, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 138
From a single store ➡️ to a 20-location pet business empire.🤯 Could this be your future? In this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast, Candaces sits down with Teresa Miller, the visionary founder of Treats Unleashed, President of IndiePet, and Camp Pet Boss featured speaker! Teresa reveals her journey of building a pet business powerhouse across Missouri, offering a treasure trove of insights for pet entrepreneurs at every stage. In this episode, you'll learn: 🦴 How Teresa grew Treats Unleashed fro...
Jul 07, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 137
We just wrapped up an 8-week Money Marathon in the Pet Boss Club®, which is something Candace has been wanting to do for a while because– Money talk is DAUNTING! 🤑 But it’s necessary! You have to face your money problems head-on if you want to address them, and as suspected, the Money Marathon was a HUGE success with so many big wins. In this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast, Candace shares some of the biggest takeaways from that recent 8-week money marathon with our Pet Boss Club members. She e...
Jun 30, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 136
How does one go from a 6-year-old’s dream to a thriving business with products in over 300 retail locations, including Target? Well, this dynamic mother-daughter duo can tell you! In this episode, Candace got to chat with Ava and Ina Dorsey, ⅔ of the team behind Ava’s Pet Palace, the company Ava started when she was just 8 years old! In this episode, you’ll learn: 👑 How Ava's Pet Palace grew from 6-year-old Ava’s drawing to a successful pet treat company. 👑 The behind-the-scenes of running a b...
Jun 23, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 135
There are FIVE Saturdays in June… but what does that mean to you?! That’s one extra Saturday opportunity to run a successful promotion in your pet business, and today you’re going to learn exactly how to do that! 🙌 In this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast, Candace opens the door to the world of promotions, specifically focusing on the powerful "Fifth Saturday Sale" concept (which many of our Pet Boss Club members have seen great success with!) You’ll learn: 🌟 The importance of having a robust p...
Jun 16, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 134
Ready to meet Candace’s GLOBAL pet biz friends? 🌍 In this episode, Candace went from fangirling these business owners on social media to connecting with them and finally got to sit down and interview her now friends, Charly and Larry Pruden, the powerhouse couple behind Pawdega – the first international online pet wellness store that's taking the world by storm. Charly and Larry, currently located in Dubai, share their incredible journey from concerned pet parents to influential voices in the h...
Jun 09, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 133
