An Inspired Chat with Tori Mistick of Pittsburgh, PA

Tori Mistick shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Tori , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
There’s so much information at our fingertips. If you want to, you can always learn more. You can also boost your energy with the right food, movement, and mindset. But integrity feels different to me. It’s something that comes from within.

I value doing what you say you’re going to do and being where you say you’ll be. That’s one part of integrity. The other is being honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ll tell you if I think something is unhealthy for your dog, unsafe, or just a bad idea. And I’ll also shout from the rooftops about the things that align with my values—putting pets’ wellbeing first, using smart enrichment, skipping added sugar in treat recipes, supporting women-owned businesses, and choosing cruelty-free products… to name a few!

Integrity is the foundation of everything I do. It builds trust, and that’s what my whole brand is based on.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tori Mistick, a certified canine enrichment specialist, content creator, and lifelong Labrador lover. I’ve been blogging about how to make the most of life with your dog since 2013 on my site Wear Wag Repeat, which has grown into a trusted resource for dog parents around the world.

These days, my focus is on helping people understand the science of canine enrichment in simple, joyful ways. After 8 years of podcasting about the pet industry, this Fall I launched Dog Enrichment with Tori Mistick, a new limited-series podcast that brings the science of enrichment to life through fun, practical ideas anyone can try. You don’t need fancy equipment or endless free time—just curiosity and a love for your dog!

I’m also a national TV spokesperson for enrichment-forward pet brands like NomNom, sharing expert guidance on how to create happier, healthier lives for dogs. And for the entrepreneurs in the pet world, I still run the Wear Wag Repeat Society, my membership that helps petpreneurs grow their businesses through smart, heart-centered marketing.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My family. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so I grew up watching everyone work hard to build something of their own. One of the biggest lessons I learned from them is the power of grace under pressure. I saw time and again that true professionalism isn’t about being right all the time, it’s about listening, staying composed, and treating people with respect, even when things get tough.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
This past summer. Losing my beloved dog Lucy in June completely changed how I see my work. I started Wear Wag Repeat with Lucy over 13 years ago to share all the fun, creative things you could do with your dog. Along the way, my business evolved and I spent many years teaching digital marketing to petpreneurs. I even had a stint as an adjunct professor of multimedia.

But saying goodbye to Lucy made me reassess everything. It reminded me why I started my business in the first place. I needed to feel connected to dogs again, not just the business side of the pet world. That’s what inspired my new limited-series podcast, Dog Enrichment with Tori Mistick. Each episode is a deep dive into one category of canine enrichment, grounded in research and practical ideas that help people make every day more meaningful for their dogs.

So, I changed my mind about how I spend my time. I still support petpreneurs, but my heart is now focused on serving pet parents because I’ve experienced first-hand how life-changing it is to have a deep bond with your dog.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the pet industry is that dog enrichment has to be complicated, expensive, or all about food. You don’t need a mountain of puzzles or a freezer full of stuffed toys to make your dog happy. The truth is, the most powerful form of enrichment is connection.

Spending intentional time with your dog—playing, exploring, and paying attention to what makes them light up—stimulates their brain in ways that no product ever could. Studies in canine cognition show that shared activities between dogs and their people activate the same reward centers that social bonding does in humans. That means when you play with your dog, both of you get a boost of oxytocin, the “love hormone.” It’s science confirming that playing with yoru dog build trust, affection and love.

So don’t fall for every IG ad that promises to “fix” your dog with a new toy or treat. Just go play! The connection you build is something you can’t buy, and it’s the foundation of every truly happy, healthy dog.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think they’d miss the smiles. That’s my most treasured kind of feedback – when someone tells me that something I shared made them smile, brightened their day, reminded them of their dog, or inspired them to try something fun. That’s really what drives everything I create. So if I ever retired, I think people would miss that spark of joy I try to put into the world every day.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Shari Mocheit Put God first and trust the process. See God in everyone and everything.

Highlighter Series
Highlighting Local Gems

Sabina Bower I’m actually at that point right now. I wake up genuinely excited to

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Del Kary Definitely what I was born to do. Since I can remember, movies have