IN “DISCOMFORT ZONE,” OUR Jan-Feb 2025 lead story, we offered advice on how to overcome the obstacles that keep you from doing what you need to do in business. We also asked the PETS+ Brain Squad — our reader survey group of 1,700-plus independent pet retailers and service providers — to share one hard and uncomfortable task that they would publicly commit to completing in 2025. These eight brave indies accepted our challenge! At the end of last year, we checked in to learn how they were doing:
YOU GOT THIS
Keith Henline, Asheville Pet Supply, Asheville, NC
The Challenge: “Learn to ask for help. I have to fight the feeling that I’m bothering someone or putting them on the spot when I do.”
Progress Report: “I just feel like I failed miserably at it due to no fault of my own. I had a lot of employees fall ill this past year, plus continued cleanup from Hurricane Helene has put even more of the store on my shoulders. I’ve actually worked more hours at the store and spent more of my life at home trying to get things handled. The plan is to do better for myself after the first of the year. We will see how that goes.”
MORE MARGIN
Pat Schiek, Lucky Dogs, Skaneateles, NY
The Task: “We need to be more profitable in 2025. We will be better about asking for ISO deals or promotional items.”
Progress Report: “We have definitely gotten better at asking for and taking advantage of favorable terms and deals. Whether it be at Global Pet Expo or when Amy attended PFXEXPO East in September, we absolutely were more aggressive in participating in opportunities for more margin, even if that meant we didn’t have room for it at the store and had to use our basement for back stock and bring it in from home to fill when space opened up at the store.”
TRUST WELL PLACED
Roxane Cann, The Dapper Hound, Mount Airy, NC
The Task: “Let go of control. I feel if I’m not in the shop, then it won’t do well. This is foolish, as I know my staff are well trained. I will commit to working on this for 2025.”
Progress Report: “I’m happy to say I have indeed loosened my grip of control. I’ve welcomed a new staff member and interviewed a second just last week. Business ownership is hard, but made harder when one doesn’t welcome help. I’m glad I listened to myself and let go. I know The Dapper Hound is in good hands. I trust my staff and myself, and that means a lot! I even have a family trip planned, and am so looking forward to time away!”
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SALES BOOSTED
Victor Santucci, Garden State Pet Center, Audubon, NJ
The Task: “It’s time to take a hard look at items that simply aren’t moving. I will implement a more aggressive inventory-review process, where I’ll identify slow-moving items and make the difficult decision to discount, liquidate or discontinue them. This will free up valuable shelf space, reduce storage costs, and allow me to focus on higher-performing products that better meet customer needs. It will be uncomfortable to say goodbye to products I’ve invested in, but I know it’s necessary for long-term business health.”
Progress Report: “I’m happy to share that implementing a stricter inventory review process has made a huge impact. We identified and cleared out dozens of slow-moving SKUs, freeing up both shelf and cash flow space. This allowed us to expand higher-performing brands and introduce new lines that better fit customer demand. It was tough at first, but the results have been worth it — sales, turnover and overall efficiency have all improved.”
NETWORKING FTW!
Kirsten Puhr, The NW Dog, Poulsbo, WA
The Task: “Join the Chamber of Commerce. I’ve avoided joining because I have to host a luncheon and speak in front of a group of people. I avoid doing public speaking like the plague, and this is why I haven’t joined even though it can be really good for business.”
Progress Report: “I still haven’t joined our local Chamber of Commerce, but this year I’ve pushed myself to network in new ways. I attended a Business Network International meeting where I introduced myself and The NW Dog, and I’ve partnered with other women-owned businesses for two community events — both involving a bit of public speaking! It’s been great practice, and I may revisit joining the Chamber in 2026.
PLAN IN PLACE
Erin Paitrick, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, Summerville, SC
The Task: “I have great management in place, but I find it tough to confront them when they’ve missed something or need to make an improvement. I will be better at that so I don’t sit silently in frustration.”
Progress Report: “I haven’t gotten very far on my desire to bring up concerns with my management team. We have regular management meetings, and I personally love them, but it’s still extremely difficult to bring up topics that frustrate me — not topics that generally frustrate me, but topics that are directly related to them and where I want them to improve. I’ve recently started using ChatGPT (old dog, new tricks) so maybe a consultation with my friend ‘Chet’ (easier to say) will be in order soon. We definitely have items to address for the new year.”
CONFIDENCE BOOSTED — AND MORE!
Lisa Kirschner, Sit, Stay, ‘N Play, Stroudsburg, PA
The Task: “I am going to launch an online nosework class. This is brave, as I suffer from imposter syndrome.”
Progress Report: “Launching my online nosework class in June was a leap of faith, and one of the most rewarding challenges I’ve taken on. A small but dedicated group joined, and watching their progress has been incredible. Along the way, I learned about the art of video editing and how to make complex material simple to follow. Most importantly, this experience helped me find my confidence as an instructor and inspired me to keep learning, growing, and helping more teams succeed together.”
GOAL SMASHED
Katherine Ostiguy, Crossbones, Providence, RI
The Task: “Make sure every employee generates revenue beyond the cost of their payroll. Our goal is that every employee reaches this benchmark by the 90-day mark, and with payroll being our largest expense, it’s critical that we dial this in.”
Progress Report: “We were fortunate that 2025 was a slow hiring year. We have only hired three people year-to-date, and one left shortly after, stating she felt it wasn’t a good fit. But of the two new hires, one is on track to be generating revenue by the 30-day mark and the other is also progressing well ahead of that 90-day goal!”
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