201: Why Your Events Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them) with PBN Team Member, Maddie Shutts

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. Transcript Show Notes