As Dante & Dory's approaches their grand opening, Candace is sharing the behind-the-scenes decisions that are shaping her new pet destination.

This episode dives deep into the practical side of building a modern pet business - you'll get an inside look at the technology stack powering the store, real stories about vendor partnerships, and honest insights about the emotional side of opening a new business.

Tune in to hear:

✨ Real vendor partnership stories - including the brand that sent a thoughtful sample pack and earned a $1,000 order!

✨ Sourcing strategies for store fixtures, displays, and props 

✨ New product discoveries from SUPERZOO you may want to add to your store

✨ Where to find everything from dog mannequins to custom rugs for YOUR retail space

Plus, Candace shares her honest concerns (and hopes!) about the big opening!

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Ever wondered what happens when you put three pet business owners on stage with rapid-fire business scenarios and let a live audience judge their answers?

Pure magic! 🎯

This special episode was recorded LIVE at SUPERZOO in Las Vegas - one of the largest pet industry trade shows with over 22,000 pet professionals and 1,100+ exhibitors. We created the first-ever "Pet Boss Showdown" - a game show format where real pet business owners battled it out with their best business advice.

What you'll hear:

✨ Lightning round responses to crisis scenarios (angry Yelp reviews, dog bites, supplier price hikes)

✨ Deep-dive business challenges 

✨ Pet Boss vs. Hot Mess judgment calls (emergency funds vs. renovations, closing during holidays)

✨ Expert advice on enrichment activities, competing with big box stores, managing inflation

✨ Real talk about hiring, customer loyalty programs, and first-year business mistakes

This isn't your typical interview - it's unfiltered, unscripted business wisdom from the trenches, with audience participation and real prizes on the line!

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What happens when an 8-year partnership suddenly explodes and threatens your biggest community event just months before it's supposed to happen?!

Meet Kim Loper, owner of Harbor Pet and creator of Life is Gruff sustainable dog treats, who faced exactly this nightmare scenario with her beloved North Fork Dock Diving Weekend - now in its 10th year.

She chose to fight back - and the results were incredible.

This episode is about:

🎯 How Kim pivoted from private venue to public space in just 6 weeks

🎯 The sponsorship strategy that raised $14,000 

🎯 Building a volunteer committee that ACTUALLY works 

🎯 The insurance, logistics, and vendor coordination that makes events successful

But this isn't JUST about event planning - it's about knowing your worth, protecting your interests, and what happens when you let things slide for too long in business partnerships.

Kim's hard-won lessons apply whether you're planning your first community event, dealing with difficult partners, or wondering how to build deeper community connections through your pet business.

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Tired of watching customers scan your products and find them cheaper online?

This episode is your game-changer! We're sharing a special recording from one of our exclusive Pet Boss Nation Lunch & Learn sessions featuring Art Nakagawa from Artvark Pet Products, who's revolutionizing private labeling for independent pet businesses.

In this power-packed session, you'll discover:

🎯 Why private labeling makes your customers "sticky" to YOUR brand (not your competitors')

🎯 How Candace ordered 71 SKUs for Dante & Dory's with manageable minimums

🎯 The real difference between working with manufacturers vs. middlemen

🎯 Product sourcing transparency: where these products actually come from

🎯 Low minimum order quantities (some as low as 50 pieces!)

🎯 How to handle customer questions about quality and sourcing

Plus, get the inside scoop on everything from UPC codes to liability concerns, seasonal holiday labels, and why digital printing beats elastic tags for small businesses! 

Whether you're a retailer looking to differentiate, a groomer wanting lobby products, or any pet business owner tired of competing on price alone, this episode shows you how to build your own branded product line without the traditional barriers.

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Have you ever wondered what pet business managers really need to succeed? 🧐

In this unprecedented live recording from Pet Boss Nation's first-ever manager retreat, 12 incredible pet business managers from across the country share their stories, challenges, and breakthrough moments in real time.

From a conference room in Galesburg, Illinois, these brave leaders stepped WAY outside their comfort zones to share their experiences on the podcast - many for the very first time. What unfolds is pure magic: authentic conversations about growth, leadership, and the power of finding your tribe.

You'll discover:

🐾 Why these managers desperately needed this connection (and maybe your manager does too!)🐾 How DISC assessments revealed their leadership styles 

🐾 The common challenges every pet business faces (spoiler: you're not alone in your struggles!)

This episode proves that investing in your team isn't just nice to have - it's ESSENTIAL for business growth! Whether you're a manager feeling isolated or an owner wondering how to better support your team, this raw, authentic conversation will inspire and encourage you!

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Ever feel like your business projects are taking FOREVER? 🕐

You're not alone! In this candid Behind Closed Doors update, Candace shares the 5 game-changing lessons that have emerged from 7 months of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium.

The 5 T's you need to know:

🎯 Time - Why everything takes 3x longer than expected (and how to stay sane anyway)

🎯 Technology - How modern business tools make starting a pet business easier than ever

🎯 Team Buy-In - Why getting your team invested in the vision matters more than perfect timing

🎯 Talk to Your Reps - The untapped goldmine of knowledge from sales representatives

🎯 Talk About Yourself - Why Candace has been marketing for 7 months before opening (and you should too!)

Plus, get the inside scoop on bank approvals that didn't go as planned, city council meetings, and why Candace is hosting 20 pet business owners for back-to-back retreats right in Galesburg!

This episode is pure gold for anyone planning an expansion, starting a new venture, or wondering if they're "behind" on their business goals.

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🎄 Christmas in July Special: Q4 Planning Replay! 🎄

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 learned EXACTLY what type of support other business owners in the pet industry need right now.

Smart pet business owners know that July is THE time to start prepping for the holidays! While everyone else is scrambling in October, you'll be calm, prepared, and profitable.

In this episode, you will:

🎁 Get the inside scoop of Candace's brain during those overwhelming Q4s 🎁 Learn three key things you need to be thinking about RIGHT NOW

🎁 Discover the exact resources you need to plan out the rest of this year

🎁 And more!

Remember: A calm Q4 starts in July! Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you for listening to this episode today.

✨ Purchase the Holiday Success Kit at Learn.PetBoss.com/HolidayKit

✨ Join us in the Pet Boss University by visiting PetBoss.com/University

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Ready to unlock a revenue stream that can't be replicated online? 💰

Meet Joe Zuccarello, who's spent 40+ years in the pet industry managing everything from 250-employee luxury pet resorts to coaching hundreds of businesses on explosive growth. His secret? Grooming services aren't just an add-on - they're the competitive advantage that transforms struggling businesses into profit powerhouses.

But this isn't your typical "hire a groomer and hope for the best" approach. Joe's strategy flips everything you think you know about staffing upside down.

Get ready to discover:

🚀 The exact space, equipment, and setup requirements to launch grooming operations without breaking the bank

🚀 The biggest setup mistakes that cost new grooming operations thousands

🚀 What "bougie" really means in grooming (hint: it's not nail polish and bedazzling!)

🚀 How to integrate grooming seamlessly with retail to boost attachment rates and customer loyalty

Whether you're a retailer looking to add services, a service provider wanting to increase revenue, or someone planning their dream pet business (like Candace with Dante & Dory's!), this episode breaks down exactly how to build grooming operations that actually work.

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What do you do when you realize you can't help every single dog owner in your city alone? 🤔

You build a network! And that's exactly what Kristin Holzapfel did with Pampered Pupperino and her incredible organization, Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates.

Kristin has cracked the code on something most industries struggle with: turning competitors into genuine collaborators through education, strict standards, and authentic relationship building.

Here's what makes this episode special:

🌟 The exact grassroots strategies Kristin used to find and recruit 70+ professional pet sitters

🌟 How she created a "code of conduct" that prevents client poaching and builds trust

🌟 Her journey from attendee to speaker at the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters conference

🌟 The real challenges of managing both a pet sitting business AND a regional network

If you've ever felt isolated in your pet business or wondered how to build genuine professional relationships in your market, this conversation will give you a roadmap for creating the community you've been searching for.

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Ever wondered what it REALLY takes to open a brick and mortar pet business from scratch? 

Spoiler alert: It's messy, magical, and takes about 3x longer than you think it will! 😅😅

In this raw, unfiltered episode of our Behind Closed Doors series, Candace pulls back the curtain on the wild ride of building Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium. This is the real story of what happens between "great idea" and "grand opening."

What you'll discover in this candid update:

🎯 Why everything takes 3x longer than anyone tells you (and how to stay sane anyway)

🎯 The Facebook Marketplace strategy that's saving THOUSANDS on fixtures and displays

🎯 The art of decision-making when you're trying NOT to be everything to everyone

Plus, you'll get the play-by-play on everything from HVAC nightmares to bakery case finds, and why gold spray paint has become a life saver!

If you're planning your own expansion, considering a brick and mortar move, or just need a reminder that entrepreneurial overwhelm is totally normal, this episode will make you feel less alone and more inspired to keep pushing forward! 

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