There's a promotion that happens around the holidays that's hit or miss for most businesses: the 12 Days of Deals.

Candace tried this years ago in Chicago and it NEVER worked. But after learning from thousands of successful retailers, she decided to give it another shot at Dante and Dory's - with a few strategic spins.

In this real-time episode, she's sharing on how it's going so far, what she's learned, and what she'd do differently with this promotion at Dante & Dory’s.

She shares:

💰 Why her past 12 Days promotions failed  

💰  Day-by-day breakdown of what sold, what flopped, and why  

💰 Email strategy and how to avoid opt-out fatigue

Plus the biggest lesson: get crystal clear on WHY you're running the promotion before you plan anything else. Is it to drive foot traffic? Move overstock? Feature slow-selling products? When you know the why, every other decision becomes easier! 

Whether you're planning promotions for 2026 or trying to roll something out before year-end, this episode proves that the most successful promotions aren't about having the flashiest ideas- they're about having clear goals and significant-enough deals to actually motivate people to show up! 

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It's been a month of momentum, mayhem, and massive visibility at Dante and Dory's.

Have you ever had a month where you're marching confidently toward progress while also dragging chaos behind you like a determined toddler on a leash? Welcome to small business life.

In this Behind Closed Doors episode, Candace takes you through November's slow sales anxiety, December's sudden surge, and all the visibility wins that finally made Dante and Dory's impossible to miss.

She shares:

🙌 The moment signage changed everything 

🙌 Why she was hesitant to hire (sound familiar?) and what changed when she did

🙌 How opening an hour earlier accidentally turned into a brilliant move (thanks to the sign guys!)

🙌 The surprise visit from podcast listener who came across the country just to see the store

This month's theme? Visibility isn't optional - it's oxygen for your business. From exterior signs to website updates to in-store pricing to social media storytelling, every touchpoint matters. Because if people are talking about you in a positive way, you're unstoppable! 

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It’s officially prime selling season! 🎄

The next few weeks are when pet businesses see their biggest boom so what if increasing your revenue has nothing to do with fancy marketing, new customers, or spending another dollar - and everything to do with simple conversations you're already having?

This week on the podcast, Candace is sharing: 

💰 The Show, Tell, Ask method that engages all senses and increases buying intent

💰 Why selling feels icky (and how to reframe it!)

💰 The two-option close that stops you from talking your way out of the sale

💰 The 4 A's framework: Turn every "no" into your next step

💰 How to make selling a game your team actually wants to play (with practical examples)

💰 Ready-to-use sales phrases you can implement TODAY

And so much more! 

Whether you run a retail store, grooming salon, or any pet business, these principles will help you and your team sell with confidence - without feeling pushy or salesy!

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In this brutally honest episode, Candace calls herself (and probably you) out for being the bottleneck in your own business. 

Whether you're drowning in holiday chaos, forgetting things because your brain is full, or catching yourself saying "I'll just do it myself" one more time, this episode will help you get your time, energy, and brain back.

She shares:

🙌 The "holiday pressure cooker" reality-  why your brain is at full capacity

🙌 Directive vs. collaborative delegation - and when to use each one

🙌 The 4 levels of delegation (and why most of us get stuck at level 1 or 2)

🙌 The CEO Power Hour framework that clears the clog and gets your business back on track

🙌 5 questions that help your team (and you) make better, faster decisions

Plus the truth about why being overwhelmed isn't a sign you're doing something wrong - it's a sign your business is ready to scale if you'll just stop being the bottleneck.

Because here's the truth: You don't need MORE time. You need LESS inside your brain!

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Before sprinting into the holiday rush, Candace is pausing to share a different kind of episode: a love letter to the people, moments, and lessons that have shaped this incredible year. 

From the Pet Boss Nation team to her family, clients, and YOU—this gratitude episode is an invitation to reflect on what truly matters.

She shares:

❤️ Why gratitude is a form of leadership that keeps you grounded in purpose instead of overwhelm

❤️ How the Pet Boss Nation team stepped up to help her start a whole new business while still running the first one

❤️ Why encouraging words matter more than we realize—and how they fuel us through exhausted moments

❤️ Thought-provoking questions to help you find your own gratitude practice

Plus, a heartfelt thank you to every listener, client, and community member who shows up, does the work, and believes in this mission of elevating pet businesses everywhere.

This episode isn't about tactics or strategies. It's about remembering WHY you do what you do, WHO you're doing it for, and how far you've already come.

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In this special Q&A episode, Candace shares real conversations from a recent Pet Boss Nation coaching session- tackling the topics keeping pet business owners up at night.

From the literal end of U.S. penny production to navigating employee raise requests when budgets are tight, to creating lead magnets that actually grow your business, this episode delivers practical solutions you can implement immediately.

She covers:

🙌 What to do now that pennies are no longer being made 

🙌 Four critical strategies for responding to employee raise requests when you can't just give more money

🙌 Creative ways to add value for struggling employees beyond paychecks 

🙌 Complete lead magnet strategy: from website popups to social media posts to physical postcards at local businesses

Whether you're feeling the squeeze of inflation, dealing with team money stress, or ready to finally build that email list, this episode proves that running a business means solving problems together - not alone!

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What do you do when you're over 50, comfortable in your career, and suddenly the world turns upside down?

Meet Stacy Maly-Rodgers, who spent 20+ years in nonprofit management in St. Louis until COVID gave her the push she needed to tackle her bucket list - and on that list was becoming a pet groomer.

Now she's found her calling as the go-to groomer for the dogs others won't touch at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry. In this episode, we are diving into midlife career pivots, working with difficult and anxious dogs, and how sometimes life's biggest disruptions lead to our most fulfilling chapters.

You’ll hear about: 

✅ Starting over at 50+ - why age can be your greatest asset 

✅ Fear Free certification and less restraint approach 

✅ Reading dog energy and adapting routines - doing what the dog allows, not forcing a checklist! 

✅ Communicating wins to pet parents and how that has changed everything

Whether you're considering a midlife career change or looking to improve your approach with challenging dogs, Stacy proves that it's never too late to find your true calling - and that sometimes the most rewarding work requires patience, experience, and the willingness to do things differently.

ABOUT STACY MALY-RODGERSLead Groomer & Services Manager at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry

Stacy Maly-Rodgers discovered her true calling at age 50+ when she made the bold decision to leave her 20+ year career in nonprofit management and pursue pet grooming - something that had been on her bucket list for years. After COVID gave her the reflection time she needed, she started as a bather at PetSmart and worked her way through their academy program to become a certified groomer.

Now serving as Lead Groomer and Services Manager at Three Tails Parlor and Pantry in Collinsville, Illinois, Stacy has found her specialty working with difficult and anxious dogs that other groomers struggle to handle. Her Fear Free certification and patient, low-restraint approach has transformed the grooming experience for dogs who previously required heavy sedation or couldn't be groomed at all.

With four dogs at home and a lifelong love of animals, Stacy combines her management experience from her nonprofit career with her natural patience and intuitive understanding of canine behavior. Her approach focuses on building trust with both the dogs and their pet parents, celebrating small wins and progress rather than dwelling on challenges.

Stacy's story proves that career changes at any age are possible, and that sometimes life's biggest disruptions lead to our most fulfilling chapters. She brings a unique perspective to the grooming industry, showing that maturity, patience, and life experience can be tremendous assets in working with animals.

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Six weeks into opening Dante and Dory's, and we have realized something unexpected: it's not the products, prices, or location driving success - it's how we are teaching! 

In this Behind Closed Doors episode, Candace shares what's really happening on the floor and how building a culture of education has transformed both customer behavior and sales results.

Listen to hear: 

🙌 Why customers in Galesburg are more willing to switch foods and try new products than at big box stores

🙌 The surprising feedback about pricing and the power of understanding the "why"

🙌 How weekly team training sessions beat hours of confusion and discounting

🙌 How leading with curiosity (not expertise) opens up better conversations with customers

Plus, the honest reality of running a startup alongside coaching thousands of pet business owners - and why team support is the only way forward! 

Whether you're in retail, services, or just starting out, this episode proves that when you teach first and sell second, you build a business customers actually want to come back to over and over again!

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What happens when you're tired of following someone else's playbook and decide to create your own?

Meet McKenna Burzimati, who went from being the frustrated employee with great ideas that weren't valued to building the Berkshires' first and only barkery and boutique - Roxie’s - a business so beloved by the community that it's been voted best pet store multiple times!

In this episode, we're diving into how she turned her veterinary background into a competitive advantage, her creative ideas like surf and turf barkuterie boards and barkday bash biscuits, and how she built something truly big in a small space.

She shares her game-changing strategies:

🙌🏻 Start simple - selling through social media with just Venmo and cash payments from her apartment

🙌🏻 Leverage your background - using vet tech knowledge to build customer trust and product credibility

🙌🏻 Follow trends creatively - asking "how can we include the dog?" when human trends emerge

🙌🏻 Structure EVERYTHING - keeping detailed annual event records to track what works and what doesn't

Plus, hear how she expanded her space in June and the exciting plans for a second location!

Whether you're stuck in a job that doesn't value your ideas or looking to turn a hobby into a thriving business, McKenna proves that when you combine passion, education, and creative thinking, you can transform from employee to award-winning entrepreneur.

ABOUT McKenna BurzimatiOwner and Founder of Roxie’s Barkery

McKenna Burzimati is the proud owner and founder of Roxie's Barkery & Boutique, a dog boutique in North Adams, Massachusetts, known for handmade treats, custom cakes, local goods, holistic pet products, and engaging events. What began as a small home-based pet treat business inspired by her rescue dog Roxie has evolved into a community hub where dogs and their humans feel at home. Drawing from her past work experiences in various businesses, McKenna learned what kind of leader she wanted to become - valuing structure, creativity, and employee input over the frustrating environments she previously encountered where good ideas weren't welcomed. Her business philosophy centers on building a place where great ideas are welcomed, structure and creativity coexist, and people love showing up, because she understands firsthand what it's like when that's not the case.

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What happens when a real estate professional spots a gap in the market and decides to fill it herself? Meet Anita Freund, who transformed an abandoned Shell gas station into Portage County's award-winning pet boutique in just two years. 

From self-funding her startup to achieving 67% sales growth and recently purchasing her building, Anita's grassroots marketing mastery proves that community connection beats big budgets every time!

Tune in to hear:

🙌🏻 The exact grassroots marketing strategies that drove 1,200 people to her first Artisan Alley event and raised $4,000 for the Humane Society 

🙌🏻 Why she moved her setup from the registration area to the finish line at dog sporting events and how this simple adjustment dramatically increased her pop-up sales

🙌🏻 The customer service phrase that replaced "How can I help you?" and makes customers' faces light up every single time

🙌🏻 How the Pet Boss Nation planner became her daily communication tool for the entire team and the specific ways she uses it to track everything from weather patterns to sales goals

Anita's story proves that when you combine industry knowledge with genuine passion for pets, you create unstoppable momentum - even when starting with a "yucky old gas station."

ABOUT ANITA FREUND

Owner, BowWow Meow Boutique

Anita Freund is the owner of BowWow Meow Boutique, an award-winning premium pet supply store serving Stevens Point, Wisconsin and the surrounding community of sixty thousand. A licensed real estate professional with EXIT Realty CW, Anita brings diverse experience from residential and commercial real estate sales, marketing, hospitality, and tourism to her entrepreneurial venture. In 2022, she identified the need for a pet store focused on exceptional customer experience and successfully transformed a former Shell gas station into a thriving retail destination that was voted Best Pet Store in Portage County within just two years. Through grassroots marketing, community partnerships, and unforgettable customer experiences including photo ops, paint-your-pet parties, and unique services, Anita has built strong community trust while growing sales by sixty-seven percent year-over-year. Her commitment to creating memorable experiences and supporting local pet services has established BowWow Meow Boutique as a beloved community hub for pet owners throughout central Wisconsin.

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