Pet Business Disruptors

Clayton sits down with Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, to discuss the evolution of the pet wellness and hemp sectors. Drawing on his extensive background in pet food manufacturing and distribution, Zyer breaks down the journey of building a clean, science-backed pet CBD brand from a commercial kitchen to independent pet retailers across the United States. The conversation dives deep into the realities of manufacturing, the shifting distribution landscape, the science of full-spectrum versus CBD isolates, and the pressing legislative hurdles currently threatening the hemp market. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Origin of Earth Buddy Was Born from Personal Need: Sean entered the pet CBD space after seeking natural interventions for his own dog, who was experiencing neurological issues and severe appetite loss due to heavy anticonvulsant medications. Distribution Models Are Shifting Rapidly: While traditional distribution networks were historically vital for building brand scale in independent pet retail, high fees, shifting sales dynamics, and direct-to-consumer digital channels have pushed more emerging brands toward direct retailer relationships. CBD Brands Face Unique Operational Hurdles: Operating in the hemp and CBD space brings challenges beyond typical CPG manufacturing, including strict payment processing limitations, volatile banking relationships, and higher-risk liability insurance requirements. Full-Spectrum and Isolate Extracts Serve Different Purposes: While isolates offer cheap, concentrated doses of single molecules, full-spectrum extracts retain the complete plant matrix—requiring gentle, expensive extraction methods to preserve efficacy and safety profiles without harsh residual chemicals. Impending Federal and State Legislation Poses Industry Risks: Proposed limits capping THC at 0.4 mg per container threaten to eliminate genuine full-spectrum pet products from retail shelves, largely as an unintended consequence of regulatory crackdowns on synthetic retail cannabinoids like Delta-8. BEST MOMENTS "It's kind of like a breeding ground for a lot of these unique kind of concepts in terms of food and treats and supplements. So, I knew Colorado was a great place or incubator of new brands."  "There's only like two industries that are like recession-proof or economical-proof... is pet, and fishing and hunting." "You could either be a marketing company... or you could be a manufacturer... but he's like, it's really hard to do both. And that was the biggest statement I took away when he said that, and I said, 'I'm too late. I've already been doing both.'"  "I don't think there's that same level of reverence in the pet space... I think people can see gaps where they can push in."  "We don't take that pharmaceutical drug approach and think... 'Oh, if they took this amount, that worked really well, what if I give them more?'... The idea is less is more, and we're trying to get the minimal effective dose to get the desired response without side effects." 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. HOST BIO 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/⁠ 

In this episode, Clayton sits down with Pamela Keniston, founder and CEO of Big Paws Marketing, to explore the rapidly evolving dynamics of the pet industry. They dive deep into the challenges pet supplement brands face regarding FTC/FDA compliance and label claims, the realities of high-cost clinical studies, and why standing out in a flooded market requires more than generic branding.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Compliance and Label Claims Carry Real Risk: Supplement and pet food brands frequently push boundary lines with exaggerated health claims, risking regulatory enforcement from the FDA and FTC or costly lawsuits. Pet Tech is in Its "Flip Phone Era": While high-tech pet gadgets like GPS collars and automated litter boxes are growing, high costs, battery limitations, and bulky designs mean the sector has not yet achieved mass everyday adoption. Marketing Must Go Beyond Generic Clichés: With countless brands claiming "made in USA," "no fillers," and "great taste," companies must establish true product differentiators or lean into tight niche messaging to build a defensive moat. UGC Outperforms Traditional Influencers: User-Generated Content (UGC) from everyday pet owners often provides more authentic, cost-effective, and versatile marketing assets with full usage rights compared to high-cost macro-influencers. The Cultural Shift Toward Pets as Family: Legislative bans on pet rent and a surge in fresh or pre-mix home diets reflect a growing societal move toward viewing pets as true family members rather than mere commodities. BEST MOMENTS "If you can't come up with some sort of feature or tagline that three other brands couldn't also put on their label, then what really is your differentiator? What's your moat?" "The supplement category is in real danger of becoming almost like an enormous 'don't touch it' bag because there are so many people coming into it with substandard products, ineffective products, and bad claims." "I think we're at the flip phone era of pet tech... It's developed to where we're not quite there yet." "The problem with the pet industry is it's 90% marketing, 10% product. It always has been." "Influencer marketing is PR. If you want to do influencer marketing, let me make sure the expectation is set that you're not going to provide an influencer with a product and then expect they're going to sell X number of units because of that video." 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/ 

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton interviews Cat Henstridge, widely known as "Cat the Vet," a UK-based small animal veterinarian and vocal advocate for evidence-based medicine. They tackle the rapid spread of online misinformation, the extreme polarization of pet diets, and the lack of regulation in the pet supplement market. Key Takeaways Reclaiming "Holistic" Care: Cat argues that conventional vets inherently practice holistic medicine because they evaluate and treat the entire animal. She strongly opposes how alternative medicine advocates have co-opted the term to push treatments that lack scientific backing. Combating Online Misinformation: The loudest voices in the online pet space are often the least educated. Cat attributes this to the Dunning-Kruger effect, noting that these loud, unverified opinions actively push consumers away from safe, effective veterinary treatments. Strict Rules on Homeopathy: The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) regulates the UK veterinary profession. Cat highlights a rule introduced around 2017 that prevents UK vets from prescribing homeopathy without also providing conventional medicine to ensure the animal's welfare. Navigating Pet Food Polarization: The debate around pet diets is highly toxic and often driven by aggressive, misleading marketing rather than science. Cat advocates for feeding balanced diets, noting that she has no issue with traditional kibble and has sold more dry food than fresh food in her career. The Wild West of Supplements: The pet supplement market is poorly regulated and saturated with unsubstantiated claims. Cat stresses that veterinarians cannot easily verify the efficacy of many over-the-counter supplements, advising owners to rely only on trusted, science-backed brands that can prove their clinical value. Best Moments "Holistic means whole. It doesn't mean alternative, it means whole." "The loudest voices are quite frankly the least educated because as per the Dunning-Kruger effect... they don't know what they don't know." "I do not agree with anyone who dispenses homeopathics as a one and only solution." Guest Bio Cat Henstridge is a first-opinion small animal vet working in the UK, where she recently opened an independent clinic alongside her husband. Under her online moniker "Cat the Vet," she has built a substantial platform dedicated to animal welfare, correcting industry misinformation, and providing a grounded, science-based perspective for everyday pet owners. Follow Cat on linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cat-henstridge-a5a3a434/ HOST BIO 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/ 

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton speaks with Ben Penrose, the founder of STRIQE and an expert in high-level sales and distribution strategy. Ben breaks down the often-misunderstood "theory of selling," moving past generic advice to reveal exactly how independent pet businesses can scale, secure distribution, and maximize the lifetime value of their customers. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Theory of Selling: Success in the pet industry requires more than just a great product; it demands a deep understanding of sales mechanics. Ben emphasizes that many founders fail because they do not grasp how to effectively price, position, and pitch their products to both retailers and end consumers. The "SMILE P" Framework: Ben introduces his six-step "growth compass" for scaling a business: Selling price, More margin, Increased penetration, Loyalty, and Experience. This framework helps founders systematically analyze and improve every aspect of their sales process. Creating Mutual Value: Stop just asking for higher prices. To successfully negotiate with retailers, brands must provide tangible value in return—whether through growth initiatives, marketing support, or localized advertising campaigns. Building Genuine Loyalty: True customer loyalty is a built habit, not a given. Ben discusses practical strategies for fostering habitual purchasing, such as incentivizing multi-buys, creating subscription models, and offering functional products that require consistent, daily use (like bedtime treats or supplements). BEST MOMENTS "As much as we all don't like to admit it, I think sales is 90% of the game when it comes to any business." "You can have a great product, great ethics, right price point, but you can't sell, you don't understand the mechanisms of selling... your whole business will live and die by that metric." "The more uncertain I am whether or not that product will fit my needs, the lower the price I am going to pay for it." "If you're looking to create a brand, you're never going to beat the white labeling aspect of any kind of pet retailer. Your only option... is to be a multi-channel brand." HOST BIO 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/@petbusinessdisruptorshttps://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media .⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of "Pet Business Disruptors," host Clayton speaks with Kaz Kelly, an experienced entrepreneur in the pet industry with a rich background as a detector dog handler and RSPCA investigator. Kaz shares her journey of founding a successful doggy daycare business in Brisbane, Australia, and the lessons learned during her exit process. They discuss the importance of preparing a business for sale, the emotional challenges of transitioning ownership, and the common pitfalls that many business owners face when selling. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Preparation for Exit: Many business owners, especially in the pet industry, are unprepared for the exit process. It's crucial to set up a business with the intention to sell, including having proper documentation and systems in place well before considering a sale. Value of Support During Sale: Having an advocate or consultant during the sale process can significantly ease the emotional burden and help navigate negotiations. Many owners feel isolated and pressured, which can lead to poor decision-making. Understanding Business Valuation: Business owners often have unrealistic expectations about their business's worth. It's essential to understand the factors that contribute to valuation, such as profitability, scalability, and the ability to operate independently of the owner. BEST MOMENTS "I think we have massive education gaps about what the end, so to speak, should look like." "I felt very pressured by my broker to negotiate basically at the 12th hour over a significant amount of money." "It's not in a business plan. Most coaches and mentors aren't talking about it." HOST BIO 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/⁠⁠