Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros

Welcome to The Pet Shop Girls. This show is for independent pet pros who want to learn about cool ideas to help their businesses make more money. Each week, hosts Carly and Sherry are sharing tips about marketing, growing and managing a team, how to avoid common mistakes, up-and-coming trends in the pet industry, and so much more. Sherry, from Odyssey Pets in Dallas, Texas, has been in the industry for 20 years. She has experience in everything from aquatics, to grooming, to boarding, and even retail and has expanded her business to over 10,000 square feet. And you may know Carly, of House of Paws in Regina, Saskatchewan, from TikTok, where she's amassed over 150,000 followers marketing her pet boutique. She built her business in the midst of the global pandemic, and has found a ton of creative ways to scale her business and engage with her local community. Running a pet business can be lonely, but you don't have to do this alone. Join the Pet Shop Girls each week for the podcast that's guaranteed to make you sit, stay, and beg for more.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Episode 127: 3-Part Recruit & Retain Series Part 2 Retaining Rockstars

    You found your diamond—now how do you keep them? In this episode, we’re talking about the real cost of turnover and what actually makes great retail employees stay. Spoiler: it’s not just money. We cover how to build loyalty from day one, why the first 90 days matter, how to make your team feel seen, and why education, recognition, and honest communication are key to keeping your rockstars engaged. In this episode: Why good employees really leave How to use Employee Checkpoints Easy ways to recognize your team Why learning keeps employees engaged Perks that actually matter Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    57 min
  2. 28 APR

    Episode 126: 3-Part Recruit & Retain Series Part 1 Recruiting Rockstars

    Hiring the right people can make or break your pet business. In this episode, Carly and Sherry dive into what it really takes to recruit and retain rock star employees in the pet industry. From writing better job posts to spotting red flags early, they share the systems and strategies that help take the guesswork out of hiring. They walk through why standards matter more than urgency, how to structure interviews for better results, and why culture fit should never be an afterthought. They also discuss how strong communication, accountability, and coaching play a major role in keeping great employees once you find them. Whether you run a grooming salon, retail store, boarding facility, or daycare, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can put into action right away. Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    57 min
  3. 21 APR

    Episode 125: Pawfee Talk: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud with Sam Albright

    In this episode, Carly and Sherry sit down with Samm Albright of Whisker and Bone for a real, funny, and refreshingly honest conversation about what it takes to build a pet business with personality, conviction, and community at the center. Samm shares her journey from working in a pet store to owning one of her own, and how she built a strong online presence by leaning into authenticity, humor, and the kind of content that actually makes people pay attention. Together, Carly, Sherry, and Samm dig into some of the more complicated realities of independent pet retail — from exclusivity and brand restrictions to staff management, pricing pressure, and the challenge of staying true to yourself while growing a business. https://www.whiskerandbone.com/ Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    51 min
  4. 14 APR

    Episode 124: Mobile Grooming: Smart Expansion or Risky Trend?

    The mobile grooming industry is booming. Vans are multiplying, waitlists are growing, and premium pricing seems to be sticking — even in a shifting economy. But as more mobile units hit the road, an important question emerges: Is mobile grooming a smart long-term expansion strategy… or are we heading toward saturation? In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, we sit down with Anthony Pastrick, Vice President of Marketing, and Chaz Bellman, Director of Customer Success at Wag’n Tails, to unpack the business behind the buzz. We move beyond the surface-level excitement and dive into sustainability, operational realities, and what independent retailers and groomers need to consider before investing in a mobile unit. If you’re exploring adding grooming to your store — or wondering whether mobile could be the right move — this episode delivers clarity, not just hype. sales@wagntails.com 800-513-0304 www.wagntails.com Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    57 min
  5. 7 APR

    Episode 123: Your Brand is Not Your Logo

    In this episode, Carly and Sherry talk about what branding really means — and why it goes so much deeper than your logo. Your brand is not just a graphic or a color palette. It is the feeling people get when they walk into your store, visit your website, see your social media, or interact with your team. Carly and Sherry break down the difference between a logo and a true brand identity, and why creating a consistent customer experience matters just as much as your visual style. They share practical ways to think about branding through the lens of trust, recognition, and connection, especially for independent pet retailers who want their business to feel polished, memorable, and aligned across every touchpoint. Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    57 min
  6. 31 MAR

    Episode 122: Live Global Pet Expo 2026 Recap — Sherry's in Orlando, Carly's in Her Pajamas, and We Have Thoughts

    Sherry survived the hotel chaos, walked approximately one million steps, and lived to tell the tale. Carly participated from the comfort of home in what we are calling a very strategic division of labor. Together they unpack everything from the slower-than-expected show floor (spoiler: the best conversations happened anyway) to the packaging trends making people stop mid-aisle and actually pick things up. There are new supplements, innovative pet food, and toys that genuinely earned the excitement. The goodie bags were next level and the brands who showed up for them deserve a shoutout. They also get into the elephant in the room — what rising costs and the current political climate are doing to international attendance — and share some real talk about the growing influencer presence at trade shows and whether it belongs there. Plus Sherry takes us behind the scenes at the Artvark Pet Products booth because of course she does. It is part recap, part industry commentary, part Sherry filing a formal complaint about her feet. Tune in. Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: ⁠https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a⁠

    42 min
  7. 24 MAR

    Episode 121: The Senior Shift: Smarter Support for Aging Pets

    Senior pets represent one of the biggest opportunities in independent pet retail — but only if you understand how to support them properly. In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Carly and Sherry sit down with Carter Easler of MycoDog to discuss cognitive decline in aging dogs and the groundbreaking Senior Dog Study examining how medicinal mushrooms impact brain health. For retailers and pet professionals, this conversation goes far beyond theory. The study followed senior dogs experiencing cognitive decline and found that 81% either stabilized or improved in cognitive scoring. Sleep quality improved significantly, and overall vitality increased — powerful data points you can confidently share with customers. The episode breaks down: • How to recognize early signs of cognitive decline • How inflammation affects brain health in aging pets • Why medicinal mushrooms are gaining traction in integrative veterinary medicine • How to educate pet parents without overstepping clinical boundaries • How peer-reviewed research strengthens in-store recommendations Senior pets aren’t just a demographic — they’re an opportunity to lead with education and elevate your retail strategy. seniordogstudy.com carter@mycodog.com mycodog.com  Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising. Get Megaphone AI here: https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a

    59 min
  8. 17 MAR

    Episode 120: The Best Buyers Do These 5 Things: An Interview with Dan Jablons

    Buying isn’t shopping — it’s strategy. In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Carly and Sherry sit down with Dan Jablons, President of Retail Smart Guys, to break down what separates average buyers from highly profitable ones. With decades of experience advising independent retailers, Dan shares practical, no-fluff insights that help pet store owners optimize inventory, increase cash flow, and strengthen vendor partnerships. This conversation is especially timely for retailers heading into trade show season. From walking the floor with intention to avoiding “shiny object syndrome,” Dan explains how the best buyers prepare before they buy — and how that preparation directly impacts margins and market share. Whether you’re managing open-to-buy, trying to increase inventory turns, or simply looking to buy smarter, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can implement immediately. www.retailsmartguys.com dan@retailsmartguys.com Join the Indie Insider Group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14Z5WsKrMgN/⁠⁠ Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us everywhere: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us in the Indie Insider Pet Professional Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18XEvTjxMj/⁠⁠⁠ Join The Pet Shop Girls: Off The Record Substack Community: ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@psgofftherecord?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠⁠⁠  The Pet Shop Girls Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by our hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any sponsors or partners. Any business, marketing, or pet care advice shared on this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. The Pet Shop Girls Podcast and its hosts are not liable for any outcomes related to the use of the information discussed. This episode includes paid advertising.

    1hr 10min

About

Welcome to The Pet Shop Girls. This show is for independent pet pros who want to learn about cool ideas to help their businesses make more money. Each week, hosts Carly and Sherry are sharing tips about marketing, growing and managing a team, how to avoid common mistakes, up-and-coming trends in the pet industry, and so much more. Sherry, from Odyssey Pets in Dallas, Texas, has been in the industry for 20 years. She has experience in everything from aquatics, to grooming, to boarding, and even retail and has expanded her business to over 10,000 square feet. And you may know Carly, of House of Paws in Regina, Saskatchewan, from TikTok, where she's amassed over 150,000 followers marketing her pet boutique. She built her business in the midst of the global pandemic, and has found a ton of creative ways to scale her business and engage with her local community. Running a pet business can be lonely, but you don't have to do this alone. Join the Pet Shop Girls each week for the podcast that's guaranteed to make you sit, stay, and beg for more.

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