Practical Pet Business - Episode 38 - The Pet Business Business - Review and Look Ahead

On this episode of Practical Pet Business, Lorin and Rob take pet business owners through a comprehensive and practical year-end review designed to turn reflection into forward momentum. As the year comes to a close, they break down what to look at across your business—from timelines and key events to sales performance, seasonal trends, and the initiatives that delivered results (or didn’t). They explore the changes that happened over the past year and the changes that still need to happen, helping owners assess what evolved organically and what requires intentional adjustment. The conversation covers vendor relationships, product assortments, pricing, and partnerships, with insight into what to keep, what to refine, and what to reconsider as you plan ahead. A central focus of the episode is your customers: how their needs, expectations, buying behaviors, and feedback shifted throughout the year, what they communicated directly or indirectly, and how those insights should influence your decisions going forward. Lorin and Rob also discuss how external factors—market conditions, industry trends, and operational realities—play into your planning process. The episode wraps with a clear, actionable “quick-start” path for 2026, offering guidance on setting priorities, creating realistic timelines, and aligning your business goals with customer success. It’s a practical, thoughtful roadmap to help pet business owners close the year with clarity, confidence, and a strong foundation for the year ahead.