Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace

Hosted by Candace D'Agnolo of Pet Boss Nation®

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254

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Aug 2026

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About the show

This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.

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60 recent

September 5, 202625 min

252: Biscuit, Tootsie Rolls, and a 17-Year-Old: Inside Our Pet Care Certification Event

What do an animatronic dog, a bag of Tootsie Rolls, and a 17-year-old FFA chapter president have in common? They are the reason Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium just pulled off one of its best pieces of community marketing yet! 🎉 Candace is joined by Dakota, the youngest member of the Dante & Dory's team, to break down the Pet Care Certification event they hosted at Discovery Depot, the local children's museum.   Tune in to hear: ✅ The four-station framework you can rinse and repeat in any community space ✅ How a toy that sat in a box for 12 years became the event's biggest marketing hook ✅ Why the least glamorous station got the biggest laugh and taught the most Plus the PETS pledge they wrote from scratch, why the certificate mattered more than anything they could have sold, and Dakota's advice to any pet business owner thinking about doing this! ABOUT DAKOTA Dakota is the youngest member of the Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium team and joined in May of her junior year, starting at the farmer's market booth before moving into the store. She is her FFA chapter president and competed on the section, state, and national soils judging teams, taking first at state and fifth in the country at Nationals in El Reno, Oklahoma. She has competed in pageants since she was six, holds several titles, and is on the high school dance team coached by PBN team member, Morgan Seabloom. Her thing is teaching younger kids, and it shows!  Transcript Show Notes - Find us on Facebook - Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group - Follow us on Instagram - Read our Blog

August 29, 202628 min

251: Ready vs. Prepared: What Sending My Son to Preschool Taught Me About Business

This week, Candace sent her son Carmine to preschool for the first time. He was ready. She thought she was ready too. And then something happened that surprised her - and opened up a much bigger conversation about business, control, and what it really means to be ready. In this episode, she covers: ❤️ The difference between preparation and feeling ready (and why both matter) ❤️ What the readiness gap actually is and why it shows up ❤️ What you can control in business vs. what you can't ❤️ Why your emotional reaction to a big milestone matters ❤️ How your team's readiness might be ahead of your own ❤️ The real cost of extending your control too far Plus the realization that hit her in the parking lot and how it changes everything about how she's thinking about delegation and leadership at Dante and Dory's. Hear from Candace’s heart this week on what really matters, why big feelings are okay, and how you are probably more ready then you think for that next step in your business. Transcript Show Notes Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram   ⁠Find us on Facebook⁠  Read our Blog 

August 22, 202654 min

250: 16 Winners Revealed: The Pet Boss Trade Show Awards SUPERZOO 2026

It is a double celebration on the Pet Boss Podcast this week!  Episode 250 of the Pet Boss Podcast is also the debut of the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards. 🎉🎉🎉 Candace and Morgan are back from SUPERZOO 2026 in Las Vegas with awards for the booths, brands, products and people that made them stop in the aisle. Tune in to hear: ✅ The booth that took interaction to a whole other level ✅ How packaging borrowed from outside the pet category makes people stop and look ✅ The trend showing up in more booths than ever, and how to start small with it Plus a bonus Best Dressed award, Candace's personal favorite thing from the whole show, and shout-outs to the listeners who tracked us down on the floor!  The 2026 Pet Boss Trade Show Award Winners Crowd Vote Awards Best Booth Experience: Benebone | Social | Website Favorite Founder: Cindy Dunston Quirk of Scout & Zoe’s | Social | Website Best Packaging: Plant Pod by Pisces USA | Social | Website Best New Cat Product: Happy Cakes for Cats by Against the Grain| Social | Website Best New Dog Product: BiomeBone by MuttGut | Social | Website Best New Other Category: Green Barn Brooder by Hatching Time | Social | Website Hidden Gem Award: Focus Treat Pouch by Popper Pets | Social | Website “Wait…What?!” Award: Temora Vision Smart Pet Feeder by Paw Ballet | Social | Website Pet Boss Picks Rookie of the Year: Giddy Kitty | Social | Website Smartest Retail Product: My Family | Social | Website Margin Maker Award: NonStop Stickers | Social | Website Future Bestseller: Lightning Dog | Social | Website Most Innovative Products: Paw Paw by Jeanne | Website Independent Retailer Champion: Fromm Family Foods | Social | Website Biggest Trend Spotter: Private labeling (no single winner, this one is a category to watch) Bonus, Best Dressed: Native Pet | Social | Website Candace’s Favorite Thing: Saint Rocco’s Treats, founded by brothers Kaleb and Kolby Rush | Social | Website Transcript Show Notes Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

August 15, 202631 min

249: From Crazy Decision to One-Year Anniversary: What Opening a Pet Business Taught Me (Part 2)

Last week, Candace shared the first five lessons from Dante and Dory's one-year anniversary. This week, she's revealing the final five and these are the ones that didn't announce themselves until the store was actually open. This is Part 2 of the two-part episode, featuring lessons six through ten. She also shares her bigger vision for Dante and Dory's future - not just for this year, but for decades. And she invites you to think about what legacy you want to build too. Plus a reminder about why you don't have to figure this out alone, and what support systems actually matter when you're building something real. She covers: 🏆 What nobody tells you about inventory management and timing 🏆 Why the relationships you build matter more than you think 🏆 The one thing that would have made everything easier if she'd known it sooner 🏆 How to think about profit when you're trying to build something bigger 🏆 A perspective shift that changes everything about how you approach your vision This episode is about more than just lessons learned. It's about permission - permission to build the business that's actually yours, not the one you think you should be building! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

August 8, 202634 min

248: From Crazy Decision to One-Year Anniversary: What Opening a Pet Business Taught Me (Part 1)

December 16th, 2024. Candace received an email: Pet Supplies Plus in her town was closing in less than 30 days. She rushed to the store, bought what she needed, and saw the sadness on everyone's faces. And she thought: "Should I do this again?" Crazy? Maybe. But on that day, she posted a question on Facebook: "If you had extensive experience in the pet industry, owned a building already, and the PSP is closing - would you open a pet business?" Now, 85 weeks and 3 days later, Dante and Dory's Pet Emporium is approaching its one-year anniversary of being open to the public. And Candace has 10 lessons to share - not about the pets or the products or how to merchandise a shelf, but about who she is as an owner. Which means they're about who you are as an owner too. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode, featuring lessons one through five. She covers: 🎓 The unexpected challenges that hit the hardest in year one 🎓 The role of technology in running a business (and the complications that come with it) 🎓 The hidden burden that most business owners don't talk about 🎓 Why pricing is more complicated than you think (and what actually drives sales) 🎓 A hard truth about what separates businesses that win from businesses that don't This episode is personal. It's honest. And if you're thinking about opening a business, expanding, or wondering why something in your business just isn't working - this is for you! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

August 1, 202623 min

247: Pet Boss Trade Show Awards Are Coming! Here’s What You Need To Know

It started as "Candace's Favorite Things" at the Global Pet Expo. A friend said "You need to make this official.” So we did!  Today, Candace officially launches the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards!  This isn't just a fun list. It's a recognition system built by people who actually run pet businesses, for the brands, booths, and reps who deserve to be seen - not because they have the biggest budget, but because they genuinely stood out!  Tune in to hear:  🏆 Why this award matters and why we want your votes 🏆 The 8 crowd vote categories you can vote on and where you go to vote 🏆 Why brands matter, even the ones with smaller budgets and bigger hearts 🏆 How these awards help YOU shop smarter if you're not at the show 🏆  Timeline: Voting through August 14th, winners announced August 23rd Plus the complete voting instructions, where to find the Facebook group threads, and why your voice as a pet business owner is exactly what this award needs!  🗳️VOTE IN PERSON AT OUR PET BOSS HAPPY HOUR Thursday, August 13, 3:30 PM PT (yumHub Lounge) Whether it's your first SUPERZOO or your twentieth, come reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy an hour with fellow pet retailers, groomers, manufacturers, and industry leaders. Candace D'Agnolo and the Pet Boss Nation team can't wait to welcome you! - Complimentary drinks - Fun giveaways & prizes - Cast your vote in the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards Come by for five minutes or stay the whole hour—we'd love to see you. No speeches. No presentations. Just a lounge full of pet people who believe in community over competition! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram

July 25, 202628 min

246: SUPERZOO 2026 Guide: Sessions, Events, Logistics, and Our Exclusive Pet Boss Party

We're headed to Vegas, baby! 💃 In just two weeks, Candace and Morgan from Dante and Dory's are flying to Las Vegas for SUPERZOO 2026 - one of the pet industry's largest trade shows. And whether you're going, thinking about going, or already panicking about your trip, this episode has you covered. Candace walks through everything from her speaking schedule, to events you won't want to miss, to the exact app features that will save you hours on the show floor. Plus, Morgan shares packing tips, tech essentials, and logistics that nobody thinks about until it's too late. And there's a big announcement about something brand new: the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards!  Tune in to hear about:  🎲 The SUPERZOO app features: download it, favorite exhibitors, use the interactive map, mark sessions 🎲 Events not to miss and Candace’s two speaking sessions 🎲 The huge announcement at 2 PM Thursday on the show floor from WPA/BSM 🎲 Tech tips and what you MUST have to capture content: interviews with vendors, product demos, booth showcases and more 🎲 Tips on getting the most out of those awesome show specials  Plus Morgan shares first-time trade show tips (this is her second show ever), and both talk about why the interactive map feature is a total game-changer. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Pet Boss Trade Show Awards This year, Pet Boss is formally launching the Pet Boss Trade Show Awards - think Oprah's Favorite Things, but for SUPERZOO. Categories are still being finalized, but possibilities include: Best New Product, Best Booth Design, Best Packaging, Best Sales Rep, Best Interactive Booth, and more. Listeners are invited to suggest categories on social media or in the Pet Boss community. Winners will be announced on August 23rd episode (Sunday after the show, once everything is edited and recorded). ABOUT CANDACE'S SUPERZOO SESSIONS Tuesday, 10:00 AM (Islander H)"Modern Pet Retail: Blending Services & Retail for Success"Topics: Adapting to current trends, blending retail and services, multiple revenue streams, modern customer experience, competing with big box and online giants. Tuesday, 1:00 PM (Islander H)"Unwrap Profits: Holiday Merchandising Made Simple"Topics: Discover secrets to captivate customers, boost sales, create eye-catching displays, holiday bundles, product promotions, maximize the busiest shopping season. ABOUT MORGAN SEABLOOM Morgan is a team member at Dante and Dory's Pet Emporium and the marketing team member on this episode. This is her second pet industry trade show (first was Global Pet Expo in early 2026, where she was only two weeks into her job). She brings fresh perspectives as a newcomer to the pet industry but is an avid pet owner herself. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

July 18, 202634 min

245: SEO is Changing. Meet AEO and Why Your Pet Business Should Care

The way your customers search has changed. Not gradually. Dramatically. And most indie pet businesses haven't noticed yet. A year ago, if someone's dog had itchy skin, they'd Google "best dog food for itchy skin" and scroll through 20 links. Now? They're asking ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or Perplexity the same question in a conversation: "My seven-year-old Labrador has itchy skin and keeps licking his paws. I think it's food-related. I want a locally owned pet store near me that actually understands nutrition." That's not a keyword search. That's a conversation. And that's AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). Candace explains why this shift actually favors indie pet businesses and exactly what you need to do to win. She discusses: ⭐️ The difference between SEO and AEO (and why it matters more than you think) ⭐️ How customers are using AI tools instead of Google to find answers ⭐️ Why this isn't about panicking or hiring an expensive agency ⭐️ How AI scans your website differently than Google does ⭐️ Brand pages optimized for both humans and AI bots ⭐️ The one thing Candace would do first if she took over your business tomorrow Plus why the next 20 years are about helping people find trusted experts and not just products!  Transcript Show NotesJoin Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

July 11, 202626 min

244: Sale Secrets: A $3,000+ in Extra Revenue Story And How You Can Replicate It

July has always been known as one of the slower retail months so Candace made a strategic decision: go big or go home. Dante and Dory's threw a patriotic pet sale from Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 6th. The result? $3,000 more in sales than Memorial Day weekend (about a month earlier), driven by 100 additional transactions. This episode is a complete behind-the-scenes walkthrough of how she planned it, executed it, and what she learned - plus strategies you can apply to your own holiday sale. Listen now to hear: 💰 Why slow months are actually your biggest opportunity (not your problem) 💰 Why you should be treating inventory like an ATM  💰 When (and why) to discount aggressively to move old inventory 💰 How to using paid social advertising strategically   💰 How it took a full team effort for big events and how to involve your team in planning Plus hear the importance of not letting merchandise "get dusty," and why Candace has always said you shouldn't be a museum! Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog

July 4, 202627 min

243: 250 Years of Change: Why Adaptation Wins (And What It Means for Your Business)

It's July. America just turned 250. And Candace is pulling a powerful thread through this month's focus in Pet Boss Nation: Work Smarter, Earn More, Adapt Faster. In 250 years, this country has survived wars, depressions, booms, the Industrial Revolution, the rise of the automobile, the telephone, the internet. Entire industries disappeared. Entire industries that didn't exist a generation ago became the backbone of the economy. The pattern? The businesses that lasted weren't the ones who had it all figured out. They were the ones who kept adjusting. Who paid attention. Who weren't afraid to pivot. Candace discusses: 🇺🇸 The Wrigley story (why a soap company built a gum empire by paying attention to what people actually wanted) 🇺🇸 How adaptation is what separates businesses that last from ones that disappear 🇺🇸 How to "work smarter" using the data already inside your point-of-sale system 🇺🇸 Simple strategies to "earn more" 🇺🇸 AI as a tool, not a replacement (just like the telephone or internet was!) Plus hacks on using AI for admin work that frees you up to do the parts of your business that only you can do!Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online Find us on Facebook Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group Follow us on Instagram Read our Blog