In this episode, Clayton engages in a lively conversation with Sherry and Carly, known as the Pet Shop Girls, who share their unique experiences as independent pet store owners in the U.S. and Canada. Sherry, owner of Odyssey Pets in Dallas, Texas, and Carly, who runs a holistic pet store in Regina, Saskatchewan, discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating the pet industry, especially in the wake of COVID-19. They delve into topics such as the importance of customer service, the impact of social media on business, and the differences in pet food regulations between North America and Europe. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sherry operates a large pet store in Dallas, Texas, offering a wide range of services including grooming and daycare, while Carly runs a smaller, holistic pet store in Regina, Saskatchewan, focusing on retail and consultations. This highlights the different approaches independent pet retailers can take based on their market and size. Both Sherry and Carly emphasise the value of community among independent pet professionals. They have created a Facebook group, Indie Insider, to share knowledge and support each other, which helps them stay informed about industry trends and innovations. Carly discusses her commitment to educating pet parents about pet nutrition, using tools like a grading chart for kibble. This approach not only helps customers make informed choices but also positions her store as a trusted resource in the community. Sherry shares strategies for competing against larger pet retailers, such as focusing on customer service, knowledge, and agility in adapting to market changes. This adaptability allows independent stores to respond quickly to consumer needs, unlike larger corporations. Both retailers maintain a strong stance on the quality of products they carry. Sherry avoids mid-grade kibble to ensure her customers trust the healthiness of her offerings, while Carly has seen success with raw food sales, indicating a growing trend towards healthier pet diets among consumers. BEST MOMENTS "I started studying nutrition and I certified in pet nutrition and I certified in raw nutrition and then advanced canine nutrition." "I want people to walk in and trust that the products that I have are healthy." "If you don't keep up with the times, you're going to find out eventually that what you're doing isn't working." "We are the ones that are steering the industry and making it interesting." "I can't sell a mid-grade kibble. I need to be able to sleep at night." HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/