A proven track record
Giovanni and his wife, Lisa, began as entrepreneurs in the mortgage industry, running a boutique firm with offices in Chicago and Scottsdale before a profitable exit in 2008. They then moved into pet retail, launching Bentley's Pet Stuff, a natural pet food retailer.
Their ability to scale quickly landed them on CNBC's The Profit with Marcus Lemonis — ultimately becoming the most successful investment in the show's history. With Marcus' backing, Bentley's became Pet Stuff America, growing to 92 corporate stores through organic growth and more than 50 acquisitions.
Giovanni was then named Chief of Staff and Chief Revenue Officer of Marcus Lemonis LLC, overseeing a $100M+ portfolio spanning retail, manufacturing, fast-casual dining and franchising.
Franchising & growth
He led the franchise conversion of Pet Stuff America and its merger with EarthWise Pet, which now operates more than 200 franchise locations nationwide. In 2024, Giovanni partnered with Ron Taylor; together they became multi-unit franchisees of SweatHouz, securing licenses for 10 locations.
How Giovanni can help
- Scaling through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion
- Franchise development, from concept to national expansion
- Real estate selection and negotiation for high-growth brands
- Cash flow management and investment strategy
- Mergers & acquisitions — buying, selling or transitioning
Family first
Beyond business, Giovanni loves mentoring owners and spotting growth opportunities. In his free time he's with Lisa, their two adopted sons Sebastian and Miles, and their six pets.