From Pet Shop Manager to Late-Night Talk Show Host: How Thinking Bigger Changed Everything

Why would I, an overweight, scraggly-bearded Pet Shop manager, ever think I had the qualifications to compete as a late-night talk show host against legends like David Letterman and Johnny Carson?

The answer is simple: I believed no dream was too far away. What if I started thinking bigger? Here’s how thinking outside the box and embracing unexpected opportunities transformed my life, from managing a stereo and pet shop in Puyallup, Washington, to landing my own talk show.

The Pet Shop that Changed Everything

Right out of college, I teamed up with a friend and opened Sounds OK—America’s only stereo and pet shop, located in the quirky little town of Puyallup, Washington.

What started as a creative attempt to blend high-end audio equipment with adorable puppies turned into a crash course in business, chaos, and resilience. The “Pet Fashion Shows” and “Hamster Drag Races” were fun. The daily poop scooping? Not so much.

Between the parrot that murdered a cockatiel and the boa constrictor who ate seven parakeets in front of children, I realized this wasn’t sustainable—or fulfilling. I had bigger dreams.

The Mount St. Helens Moment

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, and so did I.

Everyone stood on the roofs of our homes and witnessed a gigantic mushroom cloud fill the sky. Exactly like the ones you’ve seen in movies. We were convinced that we were going to be victims of a full-on nuclear holocaust. (We learned later that day that Mt. St Helens had blown her stack.) Watching the ash fall like radioactive snow, I thought, “Is this it? I’ve peaked managing a pet store?”

That surreal moment was my turning point. I vowed to do something bigger with my life. No more excuses. No more settling. Just action fueled by a crazy dream.

From Lazy Boy to Late Night

The highlight of my weeknights was collapsing into my garage-sale-Lazy Boy recliner to watch Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. I’d forget my day, marvel at the celebrities he’d interview, and howl when he did impressions in funny costumes. In my mind, Johnny Carson had the coolest job in the world.  One night, after another long day managing the pet store, I watched Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. He had the coolest job in the world, and I wanted it.

Fast forward six years later, I was in direct competition with Johnny Carson as the host of the FOX Late Show. I even received a handwritten note from him: “I heard Rupert Murdoch (who owned FOX) may buy NBC. If that’s the case I’ll see you at the Christmas party.”

Thinking Bigger Changes Everything

That leap—from fish tanks to fame—was only possible because I stopped playing small.

What about you?

• Do you feel stuck in a job you’ve outgrown?

• Are you afraid to chase your dream because it seems too far-fetched?

• Have you convinced yourself it’s too late to start over?

Here’s the truth: It’s not.

You don’t need everything figured out. Just the courage to start. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take that first step—no matter how small—and challenge yourself to think bigger. If an overweight, scraggly-bearded pet shop manager can become a national talk show host, what’s stopping you?

Bring Ross Shafer to Your Next Event
Inspire your audience with a keynote speaker who went from pet shop manager to national talk show host. Ross Shafer delivers high-energy, humorous, and life-changing talks on leadership, reinvention, and thinking bigger.
👉 Book Ross Shafer Today and show your team what’s possible when you stop playing small.