Episode 140: Beyond the Booth—The Real ROI of Trade Shows

Episode 140: Beyond the Booth—The Real ROI of Trade Shows

Author: The Pet Shop Girls August 4, 2026 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 challenge you, and the inspiration that helps your business grow. In this episode, we're kicking off Season 3 from SUPERZOO and sharing why trade shows have become one of the best investments we've made. We talk about making the most of every show, building meaningful industry connections, finding exciting new products, and why getting out of your store might be exactly what your business needs. In this episode: Why trade shows are about more than show specials Building relationships with brands and other retailers Making the most of any show—big or small Budgeting and planning for industry events Working on your business, not just in it If you've been saying, "Maybe next year," consider this your sign to start planning now. Your next great idea could be waiting on the show floor. 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
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Duration: 22:11
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Episode 130: The Great AI Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
In this episode, Carly and Sherry dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence—breaking down what it actually means for small business owners, creative industries, and everyday life. From efficiency an…
Episode 127: 3-Part Recruit & Retain Series Part 2 Retaining Rockstars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
You found your diamond—now how do you keep them? In this episode, we’re talking about the real cost of turnover and what actually makes great retail employees stay. Spoiler: it’s not just money. We cover how to build loy…