Jan. 14, 2025

Building Community and Connection in Business with Chris Rowland

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Join us on The Bliss Business Podcast as we welcome Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash Natural Pet Food & Grooming, for an inspiring conversation about the power of Building Community and Connection in Business.

📅 Tuesday, January 14, 2025

🕚 11:00 AM PST

As the leader of one of the nation’s largest franchise brands and its emerging sister brand, Chris Rowland has built more than just a successful business—he’s cultivated a sense of belonging and connection among customers, franchisees, and team members.

In this live episode, we’ll explore:

+ How to foster meaningful connections that extend beyond transactions

+ The role of community in creating a thriving brand and loyal following

+ Lessons from the pet industry on building trust and driving customer engagement

Chris’s leadership at Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash demonstrates that success is rooted in more than just growth—it’s about making people (and pets!) feel at home.

Whether you’re in retail or any other industry, this conversation will offer actionable insights on how to strengthen your community and foster authentic connections.

💬 What role does community play in your business? Share your thoughts and join us live for this conversation that’s sure to inspire!

Chris Rowland

CEO of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash

Chris Rowland has led Pet Supplies Plus and its team members to record growth since his appointment to Chief Executive Officer in October 2014, and his strategy is a simple one: deliver a dazzling experience, outstanding value and incredible convenience to every neighbor who walks into our stores.

Chris is a seasoned pet industry veteran, having pawed his way up the corporate ladder at PetSmart from 1996 to 2011 and making a name for himself in retail operation. Starting as a store manager in Toronto, he worked his way up to Vice President, US Operations and, ultimately, President of PetSmart Canada, where he and his turnaround team transformed the struggling retail chain into the largest and most profitable pet specialty retailer in Canada.

Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. He has a human daughter and son, and two furry children, Tibetan Spaniel, Lillie, and Pekingese, Lexie. Most notably to team members at Pet Supplies Plus, Chris is “Dad” to white umbrella Cockatoo, Phoebe, the company’s attention-loving, sweet-talking “Chief Bird Officer.”