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. Get the Retail Money Machine...

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! Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with Carly (House of...

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 Whether you're a seasoned Canva wizard or you're still using outdated programs like Microsoft Publisher (yikes!), you're not going to want to miss the game-changing tips, tricks, and features we're spilling.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. Connect...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere:...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere:...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere:...

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! Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with Carly (House of...

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...

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...

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. Connect...

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. Here are some of the ideas we cover in more detail in this episode: Plan and buy Christmas merchandise early - or at least as early as you still can! Implement holiday sales and promotions, such as: VIP holiday party with 20% off Christmas merchandise "Stocking stuffer" event with 20% off...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with...

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! Introducing our NEW podcast - for pet parents! https://linktr.ee/tipthedish Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere:...

 Join us for the grand finale of our Legendary Leadership series!  In this last episode, we sit down with Angela LaVelle, the visionary behind Retail.pet, the leading online training platform for Pet Retail Associates. Angela will share her expert insights on nurturing and developing your team effectively. From identifying team members' development needs to creating individualized growth plans and celebrating their successes, Angela covers it all. Learn how to assess strengths and areas for...

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. Connect with...

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. Connect with Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-lymer-18289bb?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Connect with the Pet Shop...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with Carly (House of...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with Carly (House of...

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. Connect with Lisa: https://animalhealing.ie/ https://www.instagram.com/animalhealinglisatully/ https://ausflowers.com.au - Grief resource mentioned in the episode https://linktr.ee/animalhealinglisatully Connect with the Pet Shop...

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. Our guest this week is Josh Stewart-Van Dusen, CEO of Tandem X Visuals and Instant Media Hub. Both of these companies are...

🎉🐾 Celebrate with us as we hit a milestone! 🐾🎉 Join Sherry and Carly on the Pet Shop Girls podcast this coming Tuesday for their special 30th episode! They're going big with "30 Events in 30 Minutes" — packed with creative and inspiring event ideas for every Pet Pro. From fun community gatherings to unique in-store promotions, they've got something for everyone. And because they love to overdeliver, they've thrown in a few extra ideas just for you! Yes, they might have run a tad over 30...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls Connect with Carly (House of...

First, meet our special guest this week Blake Jackson from Rogue Pet Science. We met at Global Pet Expo and he won an interview during our podcast launch party! He's sharing about what sets Rogue Pet Science apart. Then, 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,...

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. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere:...