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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We are back this week with Part 2 of our Unwrapping Holiday Profits masterclass! 🙌🏻

This is the continuation of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation that dives deep into execution, avoiding critical mistakes, and your complete action plan for Q4 success.While Part 1 covered inventory strategy and display magic, Part 2 focuses on the customer experience that keeps them coming back, the biggest pitfalls that cost pet businesses thousands in lost revenue, and your roadmap to make this your best holiday season yet! 

You'll discover:

🎁 How to manage the holiday rush with staff training, express checkout, and queue management strategies

🎁 Gift wrapping services and when to charge for convenience

🎁 The 5 biggest holiday pitfalls and how to avoid them

🎁 Why connection, learning, and community are the real secrets to holiday success

And so much more! 

This episode wraps up with powerful client success stories including a $200,000 growth year, $1,000-$1,500 weekly cashflow increases from simple pricing changes, and 57% sales increases! 

The difference between good and great holiday sales? Having a plan. Here's yours!

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Can you believe it? Christmas is less than 100 days away! 😅😅

55% of pet owners buy holiday gifts for their pets - that's a MASSIVE opportunity. And with millennials and Gen Z as the largest pet-owning demographics, the spending potential is huge! 

This extra special episode features part 1 of Candace's SUPERZOO presentation on holiday merchandising - a paid education session that most pet professionals didn't get to attend, so we are bringing it to you for free!With Q4 being a big revenue season for pet businesses, this training covers everything you need to know to make this your best holiday season yet.

You'll hear:

🎁 The complete inventory matrix - how inventory, displays, experience, and positioning all work together

🎁 The 80/20 rule for holiday products 

🎁 The Pet Boss Nation display formula 

🎁 Bundle strategies that boost average sale without discounting

And so much more! 

Whether you're a retailer, groomer, pet sitter, or any pet service provider, this episode gives you the strategic roadmap to capture every dollar possible this holiday season. Because action takers are money makers, and there's still time to make Q4 count! 

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Today is an extra special treat! We're sharing the behind-the-scenes process of getting on local radio to announce the grand opening of Dante and Dory's Pet Emporium, plus the complete radio interview from WGIL in Galesburg, Illinois.

This episode is perfect timing as we officially opened our doors during Neighborhood Pet Store Day weekend, and you'll hear exactly how we leveraged local media to create multiple marketing assets from ONE interview.

You'll discover:

✅ Why radio works in smaller markets when it might not in large metro areas

✅ How to build relationships with local reporters and media personalities

✅ The preparation strategy - including creating outlines and suggested questions for hosts

✅ How one radio interview creates multiple marketing assets  

✅ The complete grand opening weekend strategy with ribbon cutting, special deals, and themed events

Plus, hear the full radio interview where we announced our three-day grand opening celebration, featuring everything from confetti cannons to dog beer tastings, custom local merchandise, and so much more! 

Whether you're planning a grand opening, looking to get media coverage, or wanting to understand how local marketing works in smaller communities, this episode shows you the complete process from relationship building to execution! 

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What if the secret to building a thriving pet business isn't about having the most locations, but creating the most welcoming experience? Sheila Spitza of Wet Nose in Geneva, Illinois, proved exactly that when she transformed her business from three locations into one award-winning 8,650 square foot destination generating nearly $3 million in revenue! 

Tune in this week to hear what makes Wet Nose different: 

💡 Every one of their 24 team members is Fear Free certified - not just groomers, but sales staff too

💡 An open-air kitchen where they make fresh meals, meatballs, and "turkey toppers" that look good enough for humans to eat

💡 1,200 square foot bark room for private playtime and events

💡 Three private self-wash suites with happy hoodies and lick mats included

💡 Full-service Fear Free grooming (currently booked three months out)

And so much more! 

Plus, hear about their legendary annual "Lily's Day" client appreciation event with $400+ swag bags, and why Sheila believes every pet comes into our lives to teach us something monumental! 

ABOUT SHEILA SPITZA

Co-Owner of Wet Nose

Sheila Spitza co-owns Wet Nose, an award winning pet boutique in Geneva, Illinois, which she has operated with her husband, Joe, for over 23 years. Their 8,650 sq ft flagship location blends retail, grooming, fresh-made pet food, and unique experiences into one vibrant “pet destination.” Every member of the Wet Nose team is a Fear Free Certified Professional, and Sheila has integrated Fear Free principles into every aspect of the business — from store design to daily operations — creating a stress-free, joyful environment for pets and their people. This commitment has not only enhanced client loyalty but also driven revenue growth to nearly $3 million annually, proving that Fear Free is as smart for business as it is for animal well-being. Passionate about inspiring other pet business owners, Sheila loves sharing how intentional design, strong company culture, and customer experience can work together to fuel long-term success.

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With Neighborhood Pet Store Day around the corner and Q4 event season in full swing, this episode couldn't come at a better time! Maddie Shutts from the Pet Boss Team and Modern Companion shares her first-ever trade show presentation from SUPERZOO, packed with real-world strategies for creating events that actually drive foot traffic and sales.

She shares: 

🙌 Why her Taylor Swift party worked (hint: genuine enthusiasm beats forced trends)

🙌 How handwritten invitations became more memorable than the actual product

🙌 The 6 questions to ask before planning any event

🙌 Why generic dog meetups failed and how partnering with local clubs fixed everything

🙌 Her team member who went from saying yes to everything to helping filter which events are actually worth pursuing

Plus, behind-the-scenes insights into building a team that supports your event vision, including how Maddie’s team evolved from executing every idea to helping filter which events are ACTUALLY worth pursuing.

ABOUT MADDIE SHUTTSFounder of Modern Companion and Pet Boss Nation Team Member 

Maddie Shutts is the founder of Modern Companion, a pet lifestyle brand she launched in 2019 at age 23 while working as a UX designer and pursuing her MBA. What started as a quest to find stylish accessories for her Dalmatian has evolved into a thriving business featuring handcrafted pet products, a brick-and-mortar store in Chapin, South Carolina, and partnerships with major retailers including Nordstrom.

In 2022, Modern Companion was named one of "America's Coolest" by PETS+ Magazine. The brand operates from a 1,400 square foot retail space that doubles as a community hub, carrying 150+ curated brands and hosting innovative events that drive both foot traffic and customer loyalty. Maddie also hosts The Modern Companion Podcast and has built a social media following of over 44,000.

As a Pet Boss Nation team member and long-time Club member, Maddie contributes expertise in modern retail strategies, event planning, and systems management. Her first trade show presentation at SUPERZOO 2025 showcased her unique approach to creating customer experiences that generate genuine connections and measurable results.

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What better way to celebrate 200 episodes than with the man who revolutionized pet health education?!Rodney Habib, founder of Planet Paws and co-author of The Forever Dog series, shares his incredible journey from a household where pets were forbidden to a global pet health influencer.

He shares his game-changing strategies: 

🙌🏻 Meet customers where they are - carry mainstream brands alongside premium to start conversations, not create barriers

🙌🏻 Education over sales - spend hours sharing knowledge without expecting purchases; word of mouth becomes unstoppable currency

🙌🏻 Community investment - donate to local schools, libraries, and parks; volunteer at events; support local farmers who then support you

🙌🏻 Staff education - train every team member to be walking encyclopedias so the business doesn't depend on just you

🙌🏻 Separate content from commerce - create unbiased educational content that other retailers can share without promoting your specific store

Plus, hear the exclusive announcement that he hasn’t shared anywhere else! 👀

Whether you're struggling with slow sales days or looking to differentiate your established business, Rodney proves that when you change a pet's life through education, success becomes inevitable! 

ABOUT RODNEY HABIBAuthor and CEO, Planet Paw Media, LLC

Rodney Habib, is one of the most influential pet health leaders in the world. His first book, The Forever 

Dog was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller that has been deemed a must-read contemporary classic, recognizing its impact on pet food & health culture. Rodney is also a filmmaker and founder of Planet Paws - the world’s largest pet health page on Facebook with 4.5 million followers and growing. His honest and no-nonsense take on pet health has gained him worldwide recognition through viral videos and content, capturing more than 530 million views. And his 2017 documentary on the canine cancer epidemic, The Dog Cancer Series, continues to bring awareness and empower pet parents across the globe.

Rodney has given two TEDx Talks, and he has made numerous TV, movie, and radio/podcast appearances including ABC National News, BBC London, CBC, Global National News, and most recently was featured on The History Channel’s hit documentary The Food That Built America. Most importantly, Rodney is a pet parent with a dream to inspire others in hopes that every pet parent can have their dog or cat with them, forever.
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