Who’s Toni?

Pet Retail Veteran.
Raw Food Advocate.
No-BS Truth Teller.

I believe the pet industry is nearly a decade behind human wellness and it’s time to change that. Back when I was running my Pittsburgh pet stores, pet parents constantly asked me questions about food, ingredients, and overall pet health. (How much water should my cat drink? Why is my dog scratching so much? How do you feed raw chicken to dogs? Why are dogs better than cats? JUST kidding on the last question!!)

It was clear: there’s no handbook for this stuff. That’s why I started my podcast, Toni Unleashed. I dive deep into what we’re really feeding our pets (and so much more), breaking it all down so you don’t have to. I read the labels, research the ingredients, and stay on top of the latest science so you can make smarter, healthier choices for your beloved cats and dogs.

  • Sold 3 Indie Pet Retail Stores

    Exited in 2023 after 16 years building Pittsburgh’s most trusted pet stores.

  • Pocast Creator & Host

    Creator + host of the Toni Unleashed Podcast, one of the fastest-growing shows in pet wellness.

  • Pet Industry Leader

    Board Member of IndiePet, advocating for transparency and independent pet retailers.

  • Advisory Board Member

    Providing leadership and direction to The Izzie Fund to support dogs and dog owners in need.

The Toni Story

I spent nearly two decades in the trenches of independent pet retail. From managing inventory to educating pet parents, I built trust the old-fashioned way: by doing the work.

My stores helped define Pittsburgh’s raw food movement. I trained dozens of team members. I researched every product we brought in. I didn’t just run stores… I ran a mission.

In 2023, I made the decision to sell my three stores and focus on a bigger platform: education, advocacy, and pushing for better industry standards. That’s where Toni Unleashed comes in.

always repping PITTSBURGH

Building a brand of plush, squeaky, and totally Pittsburgh toys inspired by the Steel City’s favorite foods, landmarks, and traditions.

Why I Do This:

After 16 years on the floor, I knew there were things the industry wasn’t saying out loud, and pet parents deserve better. Toni Unleashed is about lifting the curtain and telling the truth. That’s it.

want to work with me?

For podcast appearances, interviews, collaborations, or consulting, drop me a message. Let’s do better, together.