Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders Sandra Campos, CEO, PetMed Express – Leading the Pack: Driving innovation in pet care through core-value realignment
Summary:
Periods of transition often come with uncertainty, but they also offer a chance for businesses to innovate and refine their direction. Under the right leadership, companies can seize these opportunities to reevaluate objectives and implement fresh strategies, finding new alignment with the core values of their customers. At PetMed Express, that leadership takes the form of CEO Sandra Campos.
Sandra is now a two-time guest on the podcast, and, as of this past April, the president and CEO of PetMed Express (Nasdaq: PETS).
Already a three-time CEO prior to joining PetMeds, Sandra recently served in the role at DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) a global luxury fashion brand. She has held leadership roles at apparel companies Polo Ralph Lauren and Nautica International, and is the former co-president of women's apparel at Global Brands Group Holding Limited, a branded apparel, footwear, and brand management company that included labels like Juicy Couture, Bebe, and BCBG, among others.
Sandra is the founder of Fashion Launchpad, a continuing education platform for retail and fashion professionals, and created Dream Out Loud in partnership with Selena Gomez, the first teen celebrity brand management company. Sandra is a board member for Big Lots, Daniel's Jewelers, Fabric (a modular commerce solution), and advertising services company PureRED since 2023. She has also served on the board of the national non-profit Girls, Inc. and is a Director of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
In this episode, Sandra talks us through the strategic decisions she's made since joining PetMeds Express as CEO, and where she anticipates the company heading.
Highlights:
- How Sandra came to the opportunity at PedMed Express (3:39)
- PedMeds' mission and audience (4:34)
- How Sandra's previous work influences her role and personal goals for the company (6:02)
- Sandra's approach to realigning the business (7:14)
- How Sandra has organized senior management and company structure (8:44)
- What distinguishes PedMeds from their competition (11:10)
- PetMeds' customer base and economic model (12:15)
- How PedMeds balances their subscription service with private product development (13:00)
- Current product lines of focus (14:09)
- How the current macro environment is impacting pet owners and the pet industry (15:12)
- Sandra shares insights on customer retention strategies (16:50)
- PetMeds' approach to innovation and a look inside product development (18:09)
- Sandra discusses PetMeds' advisory board and collaboration with pet healthcare professionals (19:28)
- The role of technology at PedMeds and in the pet industry (21:28)
- Sandra describes the long-term goals for PedMeds (24:02)
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If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.