Sherry Redwine shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sherry, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I’m being called to do now, and something I would’ve been afraid to try five years ago, is stepping into a more public role as a co-host of the Pet Shop Girls podcast. I’ve always been a little on the shy side, so putting myself out there and sharing my thoughts so openly was definitely outside my comfort zone. But I’ve learned that the things that make us nervous are often the ones that help us grow the most.
Through Pet Shop Girls, I get to connect with other independent pet retailers and leaders in our industry. It’s become a space to share experiences, celebrate wins, and talk honestly about the challenges we all face. I not only want to help pet owners take better care of their pets—that’s always been at the heart of what I do—but now I feel called to help other pet store owners avoid the mistakes I made when I was first starting out. If I can make someone else’s journey a little smoother, that’s incredibly rewarding.
Even just five years ago, I never would have imagined myself co-hosting a show or leading conversations like this. Now, I see it as a natural extension of my passion for helping others succeed and continuing to advocate for better pet care and stronger independent businesses. It’s been empowering to step into that role and find my voice in a whole new way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sherry Redwine, co-owner of Odyssey Pets in Dallas. When my family and I opened our doors back in 2006, our goal was to create the kind of pet store we wished existed — a place where pets were cared for like family and where education was at the heart of everything. What makes Odyssey Pets unique is that we see pet care as a partnership. We’re here to help people make better, more informed choices for their animals through holistic nutrition, safe grooming, boarding, daycare, and aquarium services — all under one roof.
My background is actually in marketing, and that experience has been invaluable in helping me build and sustain a business that connects deeply with our community. Over the years, I’ve used that foundation to advocate for better standards in pet care and to help educate pet parents on what truly makes a difference in their pets’ health and happiness.
Now, through Odyssey Pets and my podcast, Pet Shop Girls, I’m stepping into a new chapter. I not only want to help pet parents take the best care of their pets, but I also want to help other pet store owners avoid the same mistakes I made when I was starting out. Odyssey Pets has always been about community — lifting each other up so that together, we can create a healthier, happier world for pets and the people who love them.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I share with my husband, Mike Doan. I met him when I was 19 — back then, I was studying philosophy in college and he already had roots in the pet industry. We bonded quickly over deep conversations, ideas, and a shared sense of purpose. Over time, I’ve come to see him as my rock, my partner in everything — in life, in business, in dreams.
Mike has been in the pet world for decades — he’s worked in nearly every corner of the industry.
Before Odyssey Pets came to be, he had owned a pet store and had hands-on experience with operations, distribution, product selection, and the challenges that come with running an independent pet business.
His deep understanding, humility, and willingness to learn have taught me more than any course ever could.
Together, we’ve built Odyssey Pets as a true partnership. His insight from decades in the industry complements my marketing background, and we challenge each other every day to grow. When I imagine what we can still do — in the store, in the industry, in service to other stores — I know that with Mike beside me, we can move mountains.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was definitely a time I almost gave up — during the pandemic. Like so many small businesses, we were suddenly faced with uncertainty on every front: keeping our staff safe, taking care of our customers and their pets, and trying to stay afloat while everything around us was changing daily. There were moments I truly wondered how we’d make it through.
But what kept me going was our purpose. Pets still needed care, people still needed guidance, and our community still needed connection. We pivoted, adapted, and found new ways to serve. And somehow, through all that challenge, we came out stronger — even better than before. In fact, Odyssey Pets was named Retailer of the Year by Pet Product News in 2020, which was such an incredible honor and affirmation after such a difficult time.
Looking back, I’m grateful for those struggles. They showed me just how resilient our team and our community really are.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie the pet industry tells itself is that “all pet foods are created equal.” That’s just not true. Too many companies still put profits ahead of pets, cutting corners on ingredients and hiding behind marketing buzzwords. Meanwhile, pet parents are left thinking they’re buying something healthy when they’re not. It’s misleading — and it’s time we stop pretending otherwise.
Another big lie? That independent retailers don’t matter. The big-box stores and online giants may dominate in sales, but we’re the ones educating pet parents, reading ingredient labels, and pushing brands to do better. Without independent stores, the industry loses its conscience.
At Odyssey Pets, we’ve always believed in cutting through the noise. If that means asking hard questions or challenging the status quo, so be it. Pets deserve better — and it’s our job to make sure they get it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think our customers would miss the sense of connection and trust that’s grown between us over the years. At Odyssey Pets, it’s never just been about selling products or offering services — it’s about relationships. We’ve watched so many of our customers’ pets grow up, celebrated birthdays and adoptions, and grieved together when they’ve crossed the rainbow bridge. That kind of bond doesn’t happen everywhere, and it’s something I hold close to my heart.
I also think people would miss the team we’ve built. Our staff truly loves what they do — they care deeply, they know their stuff, and they treat every pet as if it were their own. That culture of compassion and education is something we’ve nurtured from day one, and it’s really the soul of Odyssey Pets.
People come to us because they know we’ll always do what’s best for their pets, and that we’ll tell them the truth — even when it’s not the easy answer. That trust, that genuine connection, is what sets us apart. And honestly, I’d miss it too. It’s the community we’ve built together that makes all of this so meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.odysseypets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odysseypets
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryredwine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/odysseypets
- Other: https://linktr.ee/odysseypetsdallas
https://linktr.ee/petshopgirls
