I love tough customers and the CEO of Hollywood Feed has been my toughest interview yet. Probably as it should be. Between vertically integrating a nationwide pet business, ensuring suppliers consistently provide quality products, and training and inspiring a workforce for the future, Shawn doesn't have much time for yapping.
And although it took Yer Big Dog some persistent pawing, Shawn opens up intimately and extensively about the challenges of taking a startup from a pitch sheet to 180 locations in a decade and a half, supply chain problems, the future of pet retail, and why Hollywood Feed was ranked #1 in pet care by Newsweek.
Success starts at the bottom, which for a business means its founder. And after finally speaking with the man I've known about for years, I've reduced it down to this: Shawn cares. About pet parents and the products they depend on for their care. And the support system needed to deliver them without fail in this increasingly dysfunctional economy.
He may not be the fuzziest of our guests on Fuzzybutts & Friends so far but that's because Shawn is solving problems for pet parents at high levels. Kind of like someone else we all know. Who is hosting a podcast. That has two Great Pyrenees that start with the lett...
The future for our fuzzybutts is a direct function of the strength, determination, and clarity of the vision of today's leaders. Without that, there isn't any institutional trust and for pet parents, trust is the thing.
For Yer Big Dog's fuzzybutts, Hollywood Feed is 100% and if you're in the Memphis area, check out their awesome Bakery on Union Ave. Hudson absolutely loved the cinammon rolls and they were made egg free just for him (or that's what I told Hudsy).
They deliver to pet parents now and you can order at www.HollywoodFeed.com
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Show Notes: Yer Big Dog has been too busy to figure out how to make money off this podcast business yet so even if this sounds like a promo, it ain't. I don't think I get paid for anything. In the spirit and letter of disclosure though, Hollywood Feed has been a generous supporter of The Puppy Up Foundation throughout the years. Over that time, I've become a believer in their brand and an equal supporter and after speaking with Shawn, my confidence was confirmed.
However, Shawn, if you're reading this, if you could kick in a bag or two of the Fromm purple for Grayson for Walk 3 we're doing for canine cancer treatment, much gratitude! Also, my apologies to Jean as I mistakenly referred to her as Jane in the podcast.
#FuzzybuttsAndFriends #YerBigDog #LukeRobinson #GingerMorgan #CanineCancer #HollywoodFeed #ShawnMcGhee #PetRetail #PuppyUp
