Episode 129: Winning at SUPERZOO: An Interview with Mike Karsting of the WPA

Episode 129: Winning at SUPERZOO: An Interview with Mike Karsting of the WPA

Author: The Pet Shop Girls May 19, 2026 Duration: 56:19
In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, we sit down with Mike Karsting, Senior Vice President of the World Pet Association (WPA), to talk about how independent pet retailers can make the most of their time at SUPERZOO. Mike shares insight into how the show has evolved, what current trends retailers should be paying attention to, and how to approach SUPERZOO with a strategy so you can get the most value out of attending. We also talk about the educational opportunities available at the show, the importance of networking and relationship-building, and what retailers can do to turn a few busy days at SUPERZOO into long-term growth for their business. Whether you’re attending for the first time or you’re a seasoned SUPERZOO veteran, this conversation is full of practical advice to help you plan ahead, learn more, and come home with ideas and connections that matter. Connect with the Pet Shop Girls! Find us anywhere you like to connect! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠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 Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.2petshopgirls.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get the Ultimate Video Making Tool Megaphone AI here: https://gmm.one/0b0b4fd8-bfd8-4247-b46d-791cd813f28a Check out our Partnership Programs for exclusive savings for Pet Pros: ⁠https://2petshopgirls.com/#03-1⁠ Get Carly’s Pet Nutrition Foundation Course: ⁠https://app.retailbrilliance.com/courses/269?tab=about&destination=%2Fcourses%2Fbrowse%3Fsearch%3Dpet%2520nutrition%26destination%3D%252Fcourses%252Fbrowse%253F_gl%253D1*176foeq*_gcl_au*MTg4MjkwMjc1NS4xNzc4Nzg1MzA3*FPAU*MTg4MjkwMjc1NS4xNzc4Nzg1MzA3⁠ 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: 50

Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros
Podcast Episodes
Episode 144: Stop Treating Neighborhood Pet Store Day Like a Sale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
Neighborhood Pet Store Day is coming September 26—but is your store treating it like another sale or turning it into something customers will actually remember? In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, Sherry and Carly talk ab…
Episode 142: Pet Shop Girls on Tour: Live at SUPERZOO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:03
The Pet Shop Girls are taking the podcast on the road—and this time, we’re coming to you live from SUPERZOO! In this episode, Sherry and Carly recorded live from the ArtVark Pet Products booth right on the show floor, ta…
Episode 141: If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:06
Every business owner wants better results—but better results require a better business owner. In this episode, Sherry and Carly discuss why growth isn't about finding more information. It's about taking action on what yo…
Episode 140: Beyond the Booth—The Real ROI of Trade Shows [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:36
Most independent retailers think the value of a trade show is measured by the deals they bring home. We disagree. The biggest return on investment isn't the discounts—it's the relationships you build, the ideas that chal…
Episode 139: Summer Mini Marathon - Giphy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
Running a business can feel overwhelming. Too many ideas, too many tools, and not enough time to make it all work. This summer, we’re breaking down the tools that actually help us run and grow our business without burnin…
Episode 138: Summer Mini Marathon -  Megaphone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:37
Running a business can feel overwhelming. Too many ideas, too many tools, and not enough time to make it all work. This summer, we’re breaking down the tools that actually help us run and grow our business without burnin…
Episode 137: Summer Mini Marathon - Arvin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:13
Running a business can feel overwhelming. Too many ideas, too many tools, and not enough time to make it all work. This summer, we’re breaking down the tools that actually help us run and grow our business without burnin…
Episode 136: Summer Mini Marathon - Claude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:08
Running a business can feel overwhelming. Too many ideas, too many tools, and not enough time to make it all work. This summer, we’re breaking down the tools that actually help us run and grow our business without burnin…