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

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

Author: The Pet Shop Girls March 31, 2026 Duration: 42:04
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.

Running a small business in the pet industry is a unique blend of passion and hustle. Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws)-A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros gets right into the heart of that daily reality. Sherry brings two decades of experience from her own shop, Odyssey Pets in Dallas, covering everything from inventory to customer quirks. Carly, from House of Paws, adds her own frontline perspective. Together, they ditch the generic advice for conversations that actually sound like the ones you’d have with a trusted colleague. You’ll hear them work through the real stuff: practical marketing that doesn’t require a huge budget, the nuances of hiring and training a team that cares as much as you do, and how to sidestep pitfalls that can trip up even seasoned pros. They also keep an ear to the ground for the trends and ideas that matter to independent shops, not just the big chains. This podcast feels like a regular check-in with friends who understand exactly what you’re building, offering a mix of hard-won wisdom and fresh thinking to help your business thrive. Tune in for honest talk about making a living while doing what you love for animals and their families.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros
Podcast Episodes
Episode 65 - Getting Back to Global - Replay from 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:55
🎙️ Trade Show Success – A Must-Listen Replay! 🎙️ Global Pet Expo 2025 is almost here—March 26-28 in Orlando, Florida—and we’re bringing back one of our most valuable episodes to help you prep like a pro! This episode is…
Episode 64 - Fur-ever Fans: How to Keep Customers Coming Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:00
In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Carly and Sherry dive into smart strategies to keep customers coming back for more! They chat about the power of unforgettable in-store experiences, understanding shopper behavior, and…
Episode 63 - Fur Is in the Air: Love Your Pet Valentine’s Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
We're back with all the furry details on how to make your pet store the paw-fect destination for Valentine's Day! From chew-tiful bouquets to a "gamble on puppy love" event, we've got the scoop on irresistible promotions…
Episode 62 - Why Private Labeling Isn't Just For the Big Dogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:20
We're so excited to have Art Nakagawa on the show today. As a 44-year industry veteran, Art's passion for supporting independent pet retailers is truly inspiring. We dive deep into the power of private labeling - how it…
Episode 60 - Managing the Generations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:36
In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of generational differences in the workplace on this episode of the Pet Shop Girls podcast. As business owners, we've got a front-row seat to the unique perspectives, wor…
Episode 59 - SOS for Your POS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
This week, we are diving into the world of POS systems with the one and only Nicholas Cook, president and co-founder of Pinogy. We're talking all things point-of-sale - from must-have features to hidden fees and everythi…
Episode 58 - Hey Brands, Let's get real here [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
This week, join us to pull back the curtain on the challenges indie retailers face when working with brands. From MAP policy nightmares to SKU overload, we're laying it all out there - but don't worry, we've got solution…
Episode 56 - The Art of Being Copied [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:39
This week, we're tackling a topic that's near and dear to our hearts: the art of being copied. As fellow indie retailers, we know all too well the sting of seeing your brilliant ideas snatched up by the competition. But…