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 124: Mobile Grooming: Smart Expansion or Risky Trend? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
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 em…
Episode 123: Your Brand is Not Your Logo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:37
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 in…
Episode 121: The Senior Shift: Smarter Support for Aging Pets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
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…
Episode 119: The Step Most Groomers Skip — And Pay for Later [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
Mastering the Art of Grooming Intake & Check-In Most grooming problems don’t start on the table. They start at check-in. In this episode of Pet Shop Girls, we break down the structured intake and check-in script that pro…
Episode 118: Gettin' Ready for Global [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Global Pet Expo is almost here — and in this episode, Sherry and Carly are breaking down exactly how to prepare, what to prioritize, and how to avoid common trade show mistakes. From strategic planning to self-care, this…
Episode 117: How to Build a Revenue Engine With Weekly Emails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
In this episode, the Pet Shop Girls dive into email marketing as a powerful tool for revenue generation and customer engagement. From busting myths about unsubscribes to sharing real-world strategies, this conversation i…
Welcome to the Pet Shop Girls Podcast (New to the pod? Start here!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:55
If you work in the pet industry and have ever thought "there has to be a better way," here's your sign. Sherry Redwine and Carly Patryluk are two independent pet shop owners who have spent decades behind the counter, and…