191: From Solo Pet Sitter to Building the Largest Pet Network in the Midwest

191: From Solo Pet Sitter to Building the Largest Pet Network in the Midwest

Author: Candace D'Agnolo of Pet Boss Nation® July 6, 2025 Duration: 31:30
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. Transcript Show Notes Join Us Online ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find us on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Free Pet Industry Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Read our Blog⁠

Running a local pet business is a unique blend of passion and hard-nosed strategy, and the Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace speaks directly to that reality. Hosted by Candace D'Agnolo of Pet Boss Nation®, these conversations move beyond generic advice to tackle the actual challenges faced by shop owners and service providers on Main Street. You'll hear from fellow pet supply store operators, groomers, dog daycare managers, trainers, and sitters who are navigating the same daily realities you are. The discussions blend foundational business principles with actionable secrets that are proving effective right now, all within the specific context of the animal care industry. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about what works when the bell on your door jingles and a client walks in with their pup. Each episode aims to provide honest, peer-driven insights because, as any pet professional knows, a dog business is indeed big business. Tune in for a candid look at building resilience and success from the ground up, designed specifically for the dedicated local entrepreneur in the vibrant world of pets.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
Podcast Episodes
178: Show Me the Money: Funding Your Pet Business Dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Getting a bank loan for your pet business doesn't have to feel like solving a mystery! 💰 In this episode, Candace brings in Jacqueline Pait, a specialized lender from Live Oak Bank who works with pet care businesses nati…
177: The Survival Guide for Uncertain Economic Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:47
Candace welcomes a retail LEGEND on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast! 🙌 Bob Negen of WhizBang! Retail Training has decades of experience helping thousands of retailers succeed. Today, he's sharing the exact formula f…
176: Writing a Pet Business Plan [Behind Closed Doors Series] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:43
What’s a business plan, and do you need one?! No matter what stage of business you’re in, if you don’t have a concrete business plan mapped out, let’s get to work! 💪 Candace recently got back into business planning mode…
175: How Astro Loyalty is Making Pet Retail Easier & More Profitable. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:21
Ever wonder how successful pet stores manage all those loyalty programs and manufacturer deals without completely losing their minds? This episode will show you how! Astro Loyalty offers a tech solution that's transformi…
174: How to Confidently Charge Premium Prices for Pet Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:24
Imagine showing up to your grooming job one day only to be met by the landlord of the building telling you to get out... That’s what happened to our guest on this episode of the Pet Boss Podcast. But don’t worry! Karissa…
172: Live Listener Taping: Fall In Love With Your Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:04
The Pet Boss Podcast's first-ever live virtual audience recording?! Yes, please! In this milestone celebration of 100,000 downloads, Candace brought together a room full of passionate pet professionals to reflect on our…