597: Building Community, One Pet Store at a Time with Teresa Miller
Release Date: 05/21/2025
608: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Mid-Year Review
Pet Sitter Confessional
How is your year going—really? In this episode, we share why doing a mid-year review is essential for personal and business clarity. We explore common reasons pet business owners avoid this process, from fear and overwhelm to unclear goals, and offer a practical roadmap to reflect, adjust, and move forward with purpose. We also dive into what to track, how to celebrate your progress, and how to simplify or pivot your goals. Mid-year is not just about performance—it’s about direction, clarity, and peace of mind. Main Topics Mid-year business reviews Setting and tracking goals Common...
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607: Sustainability, Stress, and Success with Wendy Mackay
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does building a sustainable pet care business look like? Wendy Mackay, founder and owner of Pet Sitters Nelson, shares her 20-year journey from backpacking traveler to thriving business owner, offering a fresh look at how community involvement and flexibility can drive success. She dives into how she developed her signature services like “doggy day outs,” and the power of group walks in rented paddocks. Wendy also opens up about facing burnout, overcoming serious health challenges, and reimagining her business to prioritize her well-being. Her story is a heartfelt reminder that pet...
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606: The Power of Both/And Thinking
Pet Sitter Confessional
In today’s pet care world, it’s easy to fall into false choices — between daycare and in-home care, solo sitters and teams, enrichment and exercise, and more. But these false dichotomies often lead to confused clients, bad service matches, and needless infighting between pet professionals. In this episode, we explore the most common false dichotomies in pet care, how they show up in client conversations and marketing, and how we as pet sitters and dog walkers can communicate more clearly and provide better care by embracing nuance. Because in pet care, it’s rarely either/or — and...
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605: Innovate & Elevate: Pet Care Synergy with Ines McNeil
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when dog training meets pet sitting? Ines McNeil, APDT Chair, dives into how the pet care industry can benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration. She explores innovative training methods, shared challenges, and evolving client expectations. Her conversation also highlights the impact of emerging regulations on pet care practices. Ultimately, she showcases how working together can transform care for both pets and their owners. Main Topics: Bridging Pet Training and Sitting Navigating Industry Legislation Challenges Innovative Dog Training Techniques Building...
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604: Marketing Pet Sitting in a Modern Experience Economy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How should pet sitters adapt as client expectations shift? Camp Bow Wow is celebrating 25 years as a market leader in daycare and boarding. Their recent brand refresh and national pet parent survey offer valuable clues about where the pet care consumer mindset is heading — and what we, as dog walkers and pet sitters, can learn to better serve clients and compete in an increasingly emotional and experience-driven marketplace. In this episode, we explore insights from the survey, including the rise of the emotional experience economy, the power of community connection, and the growing demand...
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603: The Mission of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates with Kristin Holzapfel
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does local collaboration mean in 2025 and beyond? Why should pet sitters care about it? Kristin Holzapfel, founder of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates, joins us to share her journey of building a thriving community of pet sitters across the Midwest. She talks about the importance of educating both pet sitters and clients, how to move beyond third-party platforms, and why fostering an open-minded, collaborative culture matters for the future of the pet care industry. We cover how local organizations can raise industry standards, support professional growth, and create lasting connections that...
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602: From Pastels to Pet Care: Crafting a Lasting Legacy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How can a centuries-old art supply company teach us about running a pet care business? This episode draws lessons from La Maison du Pastel in Paris, a 300-year-old handcrafted pastel maker, to explore what it means to build a business rooted in quality and culture. It highlights the importance of prioritizing craft over scale, using thoughtful service offerings to meet specific client needs, and collaborating with clients to create personalized care. The conversation also emphasizes the power of storytelling in marketing and preserving company culture through growth and change. You’ll walk...
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601: Not One More Vet with Gigi Tsontos
Pet Sitter Confessional
What is life really like behind the scenes at your vet’s office? Collin sits down with Gigi Tsontos, Executive Director of Not One More Vet, Inc. (NOMV), to discuss the hidden mental health crisis facing veterinary professionals. Gigi shares the mission of NOMV, the complex stressors vets face, and the resources NOMV provides—from peer support to emergency grants. They also explore how pet sitters and pet parents can shift the culture through empathy, gratitude, and everyday check-ins. It’s a call to action to recognize, respect, and support the emotional toll behind every diagnosis....
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600: Knowing When to Take Action
Pet Sitter Confessional
Have you ever found yourself endlessly planning but never actually launching? This episode explores the common trap of over-planning and perfectionism that keeps business owners stuck. Drawing lessons from Thomas Edison’s relentless experimentation, it contrasts “dwelling” with “doing” and emphasizes the power of messy, iterative action. It unpacks how fear of failure and the sunk cost fallacy often prevent entrepreneurs from testing ideas, and why feedback—not perfection—should guide the next move. With practical tools and real-world examples, the episode encourages you to take...
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599: Standing Out in a Saturated Market with Natalie Durack
Pet Sitter Confessional
How do you take a pet sitting business from one city to two, grow a team of 30+, and develop a thriving brand? In this episode, Natalie Durack of Happy Hounds Pet Services shares how she expanded from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, navigating market differences and competition. She discusses the importance of client communication, onboarding team members, and building a recognizable brand. Natalie also explains how she introduced wedding pet attendance and proposal services, creating new ways for pet parents to include their furry friends in big life moments. Tune in to learn how she sets herself...
info_outlineHow important are independent pet stores to our community? In this episode, Teresa Miller, president of IndiePet and owner of Treats Unleashed, discusses the vital role of local pet retailers in building community connections. She shares insights into the challenges these stores face, including e-commerce competition and inflation, while highlighting how they can remain competitive through innovation and customer service. Teresa explains how IndiePet acts as a bridge between retailers and manufacturers to create sustainable industry growth. She also touches on the growing trend of cat ownership and the importance of fostering partnerships between independent pet businesses.
Main Topics:
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The Role of IndiePet – Supporting independent pet stores and their impact on the pet industry.
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Challenges in the Pet Industry – Inflation, e-commerce competition, and shifting consumer trends.
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Community Engagement – How local pet stores foster relationships and support pet parents.
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Retail Trends & Innovations – Exclusive products, pet product rotations, and service expansions.
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Partnerships with Pet Businesses – How pet sitters, trainers, and groomers can collaborate with retailers.
Main takeaway: “Neighborhood pet stores are more than just retailers; they’re gathering places where pet owners connect, learn, and support each other.”
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel disconnected, but independent pet stores, pet sitters, and dog walkers play a vital role in bringing pet lovers together. These businesses aren’t just about products and services—they help foster relationships, educate pet parents, and create a support system for those who want the best for their pets.
As pet sitters and dog walkers, we have a unique opportunity to be connectors in our communities. We’re the trusted professionals who see pet parents daily, hear their concerns, and can introduce them to local pet stores, trainers, and groomers who align with their needs. We can help pet owners find the best products, discover community events, and connect with like-minded pet lovers who share their values.
From breed meet-ups and pet adoption events to sharing tips on the best local pet-friendly spots, we have the power to shape a thriving pet community. By partnering with independent pet stores, we strengthen these essential small businesses and create a network that benefits pets and their families.
About our guest:
Teresa Miller is the owner of Treats Unleashed, a chain of independent pet stores with 19 locations between St. Louis and Kansas City, with more on the way. She began her career in the banking industry before transitioning to a tech startup in New York City. In 2002, she founded Treats Unleashed, which has grown organically into a trusted resource for high-quality pet products, customer education, and community partnerships.
Beyond building her business, Teresa is deeply involved in her local community, volunteering with the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry to help provide pet food to owners in need. She is also a strong advocate for women-led businesses, actively supporting Mastermind programming for early-stage women entrepreneurs.
On a national level, Teresa collaborates with the National Retail Federation (NRF) as an advocate for small retail businesses. Most recently, she worked with NRF to support the Credit Card Competition Act, introduced by Senators Roger Marshall and Dick Durbin in 2022, aimed at increasing competition and reducing swipe fees for businesses. As the president of IndiePet, a trade association dedicated to supporting independent pet retailers, she continues to champion small pet businesses, fostering connections between retailers and manufacturers to ensure industry growth and sustainability.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/IndiePetAssociation
https://www.instagram.com/indiepetassociation/
https://www.neighborhoodpetstoreday.com
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