This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.
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This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.
201: Why Your Events Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them) with PBN Team Member, Maddie Shutts
Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
40 minutes
2 months ago
201: Why Your Events Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them) with PBN Team Member, Maddie Shutts
With Neighborhood Pet Store Day around the corner and Q4 event season in full swing, this episode couldn't come at a better time! Maddie Shutts from the Pet Boss Team and Modern Companion shares her first-ever trade show presentation from SUPERZOO, packed with real-world strategies for creating events that actually drive foot traffic and sales.
She shares:
🙌 Why her Taylor Swift party worked (hint: genuine enthusiasm beats forced trends)
🙌 How handwritten invitations became more memorable than the actual product
🙌 The 6 questions to ask before planning any event
🙌 Why generic dog meetups failed and how partnering with local clubs fixed everything
🙌 Her team member who went from saying yes to everything to helping filter which events are actually worth pursuing
Plus, behind-the-scenes insights into building a team that supports your event vision, including how Maddie’s team evolved from executing every idea to helping filter which events are ACTUALLY worth pursuing.
ABOUT MADDIE SHUTTSFounder of Modern Companion and Pet Boss Nation Team Member
Maddie Shutts is the founder of Modern Companion, a pet lifestyle brand she launched in 2019 at age 23 while working as a UX designer and pursuing her MBA. What started as a quest to find stylish accessories for her Dalmatian has evolved into a thriving business featuring handcrafted pet products, a brick-and-mortar store in Chapin, South Carolina, and partnerships with major retailers including Nordstrom.
In 2022, Modern Companion was named one of "America's Coolest" by PETS+ Magazine. The brand operates from a 1,400 square foot retail space that doubles as a community hub, carrying 150+ curated brands and hosting innovative events that drive both foot traffic and customer loyalty. Maddie also hosts The Modern Companion Podcast and has built a social media following of over 44,000.
As a Pet Boss Nation team member and long-time Club member, Maddie contributes expertise in modern retail strategies, event planning, and systems management. Her first trade show presentation at SUPERZOO 2025 showcased her unique approach to creating customer experiences that generate genuine connections and measurable results.
Transcript
Show Notes
Pet Boss® Podcast with Candace
This is a podcast for the local pet business owner. Get foundational business tips mixed with the latest secrets of what’s working now, especially in this challenging world. Hear honest conversations from industry peers working the streets of Main Street, where dog business is BIG business. So, if you’re a pet supply store, grooming salon, dog daycare, boarding facility, pet sitter or dog trainer - we welcome you! What really sets this show apart from others in this space is that your show host, Candace D’Agnolo, the CEO & Founder of Pet Boss Nation® - has started, scaled and sold successful pet businesses in almost every niche of the pet industry. Not only that, but her business had multiple locations, a team of 30 people, and annual revenue hitting multiple 7 figures. What this means for you is that you’ll get a holistic approach from someone who’s been on your biz journey from start to finish. Intrigued? Press play.
