In today's episode, Clayton interviews Greg West, the owner of Cornell's World and the promoter for the WCRE (West Canadian Reptile Expo). Greg shares insights into his journey in the reptile industry, from his early experiences with reptiles to his involvement in TV shows like "Scaled." He delves into the importance of reptile expos in the industry, highlighting their sense of community and the opportunity they provide for education and networking. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Greg West, the owner of Cornell's World, emphasizes the importance of entertainment and community at reptile expos.

• Reptile shows foster a sense of camaraderie among participants, creating a unique and enjoyable experience.

• Greg's journey into the reptile industry started with a passion for reptiles and evolved into a successful business venture.

• The success of Greg's business is attributed to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

• The future of Greg's business involves adapting to changing market conditions and continuing to provide high-quality products and services to customers.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the worst part about doing that pitch was the fact that I realized that people actually believed my business was worth what I was asking."

"The nice thing about the reptile shows is the diversity. Pet stores are geared towards selling popular reptiles, but at expos, you see a variety of species that you wouldn't see elsewhere."

"Whenever the economy is bad, it's always bad for everyone, but there's winners and losers. I think it's always a thinning-out process."

HOST BIO

Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. 

Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica).

As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals.
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