Growing a Career, One “Yes” at a Time: Sam’s 17-Year Journey at PetSmart

Some careers start with a plan. Others begin with a summer job that turns into a 17-year adventure. Sam’s story falls squarely into the second category—and it proves that growth in #LifeAtPetSmart often comes from being open, curious, and willing to take the next step forward.

From Teen Cashier to Sr. Associate Relations Manager

“I started as a cashier at my local PetSmart as a teenager,” Sam shares, “and now I work as a Sr. Associate Relations Manager.” What began as a way to earn enough money to buy her first car eventually became the foundation for a long, people-centered career. “PetSmart is where I learned how to be a grown-up,” she says. “Quite a few life skills took shape behind the register, in the aisles, and alongside teams who believed in my potential."

A Full House of Pets

Oh hey, Buddha!

Sam’s home is as lively as her work life. “I have three pups, a cat, and a million reptiles — including an African Spurred Tortoise named Buddha.” With a household like that, her career in pet retail fits her life perfectly.

Moments That Matter

With nearly two decades of memories, one stands out above the rest: “Organizing and setting up a pride event for all the Sacramento CA area stores and making it a yearly tradition.”

Seeing associates, customers, and the wider community share the space meant everything. “It was so cool to see the community and be a part of something bigger.”

Advice That Sticks

Sam still carries one memorable piece of advice from a PetSmart leader:

“If you like what you do, you never work a day in your life — so just keep following what you like and don’t worry about where you’re going.”

That mindset shaped her approach to new locations, stretch assignments, and unexpected opportunities—most of which started with a simple “yes.”

Behind the Scenes of Associate Relations

People often think Associate Relations is only about solving problems, but Sam explains it differently: “We don’t just deal with helping stores with problem associates! We help with the good ones that need some extra TLC, leaders who want to be better leaders, support in all things human-related, and take feedback on how we can make our teams the best team in retail.”

When asked to pick a meme that describes her job, she chose this one:

— fitting for a role built on listening, collaborating, and helping teams find solutions together. 😊

Living PetSmart Values

The value that resonates most for Sam is Excellence in All We Do.“It’s not about the big things,” she says. “It’s all of the little things we do each day that incrementally add up and make us who we are. Excellence is in the small things.”

Career Growth Tip: Say Yes

Her top advice for new associates:

“Be open to saying yes to things when they come your way. Worst case scenario: you have a fun story. Best case scenario: you find something you love to do!”

That openness helped her move stores, take on challenging roles, build relationships with PHO partners, and learn from teams across the company. “Emails to ask for a Teams meet-and-greet go a long way!”

Staying Inspired & Finding Balance

“Talking to associates and sharing experiences in the store keeps me inspired,” Sam says. “Retail is never boring.” For balance, her approach is grounded and realistic:

“We all can only do 100%. It’s not about 50/50 all the time — sometimes it’s 40/60, sometimes 75/25. Just never commit to more than your max.”

When reflecting on her first day, Sam jokes, “Don’t tell all your friends you’re only going to work here for the summer,” she says. “Because 17 years later, they still tease you mercilessly for it.”

“Snacks!” keep her desk stocked, but the real fuel behind her journey is the mindset she’s carried from day one: say yes, stay curious, and build excellence one small step at a time. It’s the kind of perspective that turns a summer job into a career filled with purpose, impact, and a whole lot of growth.