Podcast appearances and mentions of andy ruben

Join us as we explore the creation of a circular economy through sustainability, technology, and business innovation with Andy Ruben, the visionary behind Trove. Discover how Trove is revolutionizing the retail industry by extending the product lifecycle and fostering brand loyalty through technology.   In This Episode Introduction to Trove: Andy Ruben discusses his journey from Walmart to founding Trove, a company that's reshaping the retail landscape by managing the lifecycle of products beyond the primary market. The Role of Technology: Learn how Trove partners with brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and REI to track sold items, assess their condition, and facilitate resale, thus promoting a sustainable approach to consumerism. Leadership and Business Values: Andy shares his insights on aligning business incentives with impactful change and the importance of creativity and challenging the status quo in business. The B Corp Movement: Discover how Trove's status as one of the first B Corps influences its business practices, investor relations, and commitment to long-term strategic decision-making. Profitability and the Future of Retail: Andy addresses the financial landscape of retail, emphasizing the need for brands to consider customer acquisition costs and the longevity of their items in the world. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of retail and sustainability. Listen now and join the conversation on how technology and innovation can lead to a more sustainable world. Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability cultivate leaders who break through existing systems, innovating solutions to critical social, environmental and economic challenges. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class from M.S. in Environmental Policy degree at Bard CEP and the 10th graduating class from the Bard MBA in Sustainability program. The 2023 graduating MS EP, MS CSP, MEd and MBA classes will bring the Bard GPS alumni community to over 500!

Behind the Threads: The Interplay of Tech and Circularity in Fashion Re-commerceWelcome to the first episode of a brand-new mini-series on HappyPorch Radio-"Exploring Circular Tech: Re-commerce in Fashion". We delve deep into the transformative effect of re-commerce within the fashion industry, focusing on the role of software and technology, the digital enablers for circularity, in this sustainable solution. Join hosts Emily Swaddle and Barry O'Kane as they probe into the potential of re-commerce in the circular economy. From reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption to its impact on the excesses of the fashion industry.The episode features insights from industry experts: Cynthia Power, founder of Molte Volte; Andy Ruben, founder of Trove; Gerrard Fisher and Kristina Bull from QSA Partners; and J.R Siegel of Worldly. Together, we discuss and debate the sustainability of re-commerce and its impact on reducing waste. We don't just want you just to listen; we want you to be part of the story. Your thoughts and experiences are crucial to this narrative. Reach out with your perspectives, questions, or feedback (hosts@happyporchradio.com), and we will include them in the final 3rd episode (in May).

As we look ahead to 2024, we're reflecting on some of our favorite moments shared on the podcast over the past year. Our guests brought an incredible mix of hiring insights and experience to the show. Highlights from this episode include:Noto Group's team of executive recruiters:Why openness is necessary in finding the right candidate (1:13)Why it's important to attract talent with different perspectives or lived experiences (1:55)What candidates are looking for in a potential leader or company (2:42)The necessity of having a strong talent strategy (3:56)John Vlastelica, Founder and CEO of Recruiting Toolbox:How to avoid costly hiring mistakes (4:39)Katherine Melchior Ray, Global CMOThe importance of adaptability in prospective talent (7:02)Jean Batthany, CCOWhy passion is essential to both sides of the hiring process (8:05)Andy Ruben, Founder of TroveThe essential role of clarity in interviewing (9:23)Darcy Winslow, Co-Founder of the Academy for Systems Change (fmr. Nike)The value of curiosity and learning in recruitment and hiring (10:34)Seth Ellison (fmr. Nike, Quiksilver, Levi Strauss & Co.)How candidates' experiences in previous roles can provide major insights into the value they might bring to a new position (11:24)Amani Duncan, Music and Entertainment ExecutiveThe importance of looking beyond “perfect” to add to your team (12:40)Visit HowIHire.com to hear all of these conversations in full, and to access transcripts and more about this episode.Follow Roy Notowitz and Noto Group Executive Search on LinkedIn for updates and featured career opportunities.Subscribe to How I Hire:AppleSpotifyAmazonGoogle

Join host Andy Ruben, founder of Trove, in a groundbreaking episode where the intersection of business and sustainability takes center stage. Uncover the strategies and insights that redefine sustainability as not only essential but smart business. In this candid conversation, Andy and industry experts Asha Agrawal Head of Corporate Dev at Patagonia, Chris Riley, former strategic planning director Wieden+Kennedy, and J.R. Siegel Sr. Director of Product Innovation at Wordly, explore the evolution of circular business models, the imperative of integrating sustainability, and why it's not just a choice but a necessity for successful companies. Buckle up for a journey where innovation isn't an option—it's the key to thriving in a business landscape where sustainability is the new standard.

Following a report outlining the potential benefits for fashion brands looking to integrate resale into their business model, Ecotextile Talks hears from Andy Ruben, founder of recommerce specialist Trove, who shares his insights on where the greatest opportunities lie. In a conversation dominated by statistics rather than rhetoric, Ruben speaks to Ecotextile News editor John Mowbray at an industry event in Boston to discuss how Trove worked with sustainable tech platform Worldly to identify the fields in which second-hand apparel can directly improve the economic and environmental outputs of brands. Rather than casting apparel resale as a solve-all solution, Ruben shares data suggesting successful approaches will always need to be tailored according to variables such as retail price points and will likely prove far more effective for certain market segments. “When you make items that have value beyond the first sale – which tend to be higher price point items because people can't access them on the first go around – they [consumers] covet those brands, they're strong brands, they want them on the second go around,” Ruben states, referring to the resale suitability of premium, luxury and outdoor apparel. The episode also dives into how the research, published in Where Are Circular Models Effective Sustainability Strategies for Fashion Brands?, was devised and conducted.

In this conversation, Christine Russo interviews Andy Rubin, the executive chairman and founder of Trove, discussing the growth of the resale market and its impact on brands. Trove is a pioneering player in the resale space, helping brands create and manage their resale programs. Andy Rubin highlights that the resale market is gaining momentum, with more brands recognizing the value of retaining control over their secondary market and sustainability efforts. Andy emphasizes the importance of brands being involved in the resale of their products, especially those known for high-quality craftsmanship. Brands like Patagonia and Lululemon have successfully integrated resale into their strategies, reaping benefits in terms of customer loyalty, brand equity, and sustainability. Andy also discusses Trove's role in providing technology and tools for brands to manage their resale programs effectively. They talk about the challenges of grading and authenticating items, and how Trove's technology supports this process. Andy acknowledges the increasing competition in the resale space, highlighting the positive impact it has on the industry's growth and innovation. He mentions Trove's position as a forerunner in the industry, having gained a significant head start and considerable scale. Andy also addresses the shift in consumer behavior towards valuing pre-owned items, driven by the demand for sustainable and unique products. He talks about the evolution of branding through storytelling and customer experience in the resale market, providing brands with more opportunities to shape their narratives. Overall, the conversation explores the rapid growth and potential of the resale market, as well as Trove's role in supporting brands' efforts to navigate this evolving landscape and maintain control over their brand equity.

The resale industry is witnessing significant growth. According to thredUP's annual resale report, the global secondhand market is projected to nearly double and reach a value of $350 billion by 2027, outpacing the global apparel industry by threefold. As consumers increasingly seek more responsible ways to engage with fashion, resale platforms and secondhand marketplaces have gained momentum, prompting fashion brands and retailers to launch their own resale initiatives to attract new customers, enhance their brand image, create an additional revenue stream, and boost their sustainability credentials all while catering to evolving consumer preferences and demands. As a result, various resale options have emerged, from resale-specific websites to plug-and-play solutions like Trove, enabling brands and retailers to seamlessly integrate resale into their operations. However, the soaring success of the secondhand market does not guarantee automatic success for brands and retailers that simply adopt a resale model. While some have seamlessly integrated resale into their business models and thrived, others have struggled to find the right formula for success. In today's episode of the Crash Course Fashion podcast, host Brittany Sierra chats with Trove's Founder and Executive Chairman, Andy Ruben. Together, they delve into key strategies for success in the secondhand market, exploring how companies can make resale a profitable part of their business model while navigating the industry's nascency. Additional Resources: Check out Trove Read Trove's Brand Resale Index Read thredUP's 2023 Annual Resale Report Make your next career move with the SFF Job Board Follow SFF on Instagram ⁠@thesustainablefashionforum⁠ Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn

Trove Founder and Executive Chairman Andy Ruben joins Roy to discuss his journey to entrepreneurship, how his business's needs and culture have evolved over the years, and why he values thoughtful talent strategy.Andy has spent the better part of the past three decades working in brand strategy, retail, consumer products, and sustainability. In 2004, he became Walmart's inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer, where he led change across the business and its suppliers before serving as a VP with the retailer. While Andy hadn't always planned to pursue sustainability, he discovered a passion for the work and went on to found Trove, one of the most innovative companies in the space. Over the years, Andy and his team have helped drive the growing re-commerce market. Through their trade-in and branded resale services, Trove has teamed up with world-class brands like Lululemon, Patagonia, Levi's, REI and others to keep their products in circulation and reduce waste.Highlights from our conversation include:Andy's unexpected path to sustainability work (3:24)How he brought sustainability into Walmart's boardroom (6:09)Taking the leap from Walmart to Trove (9:44)How Trove's hiring needs changed as the brand scaled (15:13)The role vision and mission plays in recruiting prospective talent (17:43)Andy's approach to building success profiles (20:23)Lessons learned from past hiring mistakes (26:16)Understanding cultural elements that attract or repel talent (30:25)How Trove is navigating in-office, remote, hybrid, and flexible arrangements (39:02)Visit HowIHire.com for transcripts and more on this episode.Follow Roy Notowitz and Noto Group Executive Search on LinkedIn for updates and featured career opportunities.Subscribe to How I Hire:AppleSpotifyAmazonGoogle

Sustainability and environmental impact have become top-of-mind issues to consumers when they decide where to shop. Andy Ruben, Founder and Executive Chairman of Trove, saw an opportunity to help top consumer brands create a circular shopping experience. Trove enables brands to scale their re-commerce channels, but maintain their data and customer relationships. In this episode, Andy talks with Orrick partner J.T. Ho about his startup journey and how tech is enabling some of the biggest brands to sell, and resell, at scale.

Branded recommerce is gaining momentum in retail. Could it be the key to success for your company? To find out, you'll have to do some deep strategic work to ensure your brand, your products and your customer align. During this episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito talks with Andy Ruben, Founder & Executive Chairman at  Trove. They discuss how Andy has seen the recommerce space grow and evolve, and the unique approaches brands have taken to use ecommerce to drive acquisition, engagement and loyalty. Check out this episode to learn:  How Trove has changed the way resale is done; What is stopping some brands from embracing recommerce; How to make a profit in the secondary market; and Practical advice for venturing into the resale space. RELATED LINKS Learn more about Trove Check out how other brands are using recommerce strategies Subscribe to the Trove newsletter on LinkedIn Follow Andy on LinkedIn and Twitter Get more Recommerce coverage on Retail TouchPoints Want to learn more about the apparel recommerce market and its impact on the industry? Register for the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, which is taking place June 13-15, 2023, in Chicago and will be laser-focused on what's new and what's next in connected commerce. Register before April 6 to get Super Early Bird savings, and use the code RRPODD225p to get an extra 25% off all pass types.

Andy Ruben, founder and executive chairman of recommerce enabler Troves, chats about purchasing habits and how brands hope to control the recommerce process.

Don't Buy This Jacket - A Story with Former Patagonia's Nellie Cohen and Trove's Founder Andy RubenThe birth and evolution of Patagonia's Worn Wear is a story of confronting the hard truths about our linear business models that overproduction is ultimately unsustainable. It is a story of innovation through iteration baked with intentionality, failing forward and trying again. As Nellie and Andy recount these early years, the audience will take away more general value that can be applied to their business, including:Confront the hard questions. Our current linear fashion model puts us toward ecological bankruptcy, which requires system change. The work required here is not straightforward or quick. It involves confronting uncomfortable truths, risk, and experimentation. Bring in others.Circular models require business model change. Checking a box that you “do resale” is just that -- checking a box. Transformational business models allow a brand or business to grow in a new manner that doesn't require production growth in emissions. These require a north star and intention at the highest levels of a company.Business model innovation aligns with the core brand. Innovation needs to be tied to the brand ethosLearn more about Trove and Anthesis. Connect with Andy Ruben and Nellie Cohen.

Martin is joined by his regular team of panelists who continue to share their update on the impact of the economic and energy situation on their lives and purchasing decisions. In addition Martin is delighted to welcome on to the podcast as a special guest, Andy Ruben. Andy was Walmart's first and founding Chief Sustainability Officer as well leading their global eCommerce strategy. More recently, Andy founded Trove helping brands deliver sustainable and profitable growth at scale. This is a fascinating conversation covering everything from EV cars, the growth of the second hand and buy back market, climate change and sustainability as well as a host of customer centric topics with the panel sharing their real life insights alongside Andy and Martin's strategic view of the global consumer marketplace.

The Resale Edit: Fast Fashion, Is (Sadly) Doing Just Fine“As inflation rises, fast fashion proves more tempting” was Glossy's headline for an insight article this past week. It highlights a new Shein competitor, the Chinese ultra-fast fashion company Pinduoduo, which allows customers to buy thousands of dirt-cheap styles released every week. It's already been downloaded more than 400,000 times.I like that this article points out economic incentives that drive our choices. We are living in inflationary times and I would expect these will continue given the significant geopolitical, resource, and limits of global production. This backdrop along with less disposable income for the middle class will favor resale as well as fast fashion. We have seen again and again these economic wins out over social stigmas, even around climate change. The growth of resale will favor premium products and fast fashion will (sadly) continue to grow. It will therefore be the middle of the market that faces the greatest headwind.GAP is a poster child for pressure which can be seen in Retail Touchpoints headline, “Athleta Moves Further into Resale, Off-Price.” These are actually two announcements in one headline including Athleta's expansion of a resale program with ThredUP and partnership with Simon's Outlet business to bring outlet shopping online.Athleta is expanding the Clean Out program with ThredUP to now include a preloved section on the Athleta website. While I have concerns about the long-term impact of these moves on the Athleta brand, I expect both of these programs will generate near-term traffic and they are certainly another proof point for customers to expect brands to buy back and sell pre-owned items.Balenciaga also announced an expansion of their co-branded Reflaunt trade-in program. There is no commerce element to the program which makes it appear less risky for a brand to see this as simply a traffic driver with sustainability bonafide. However, as resale becomes a more significant portion of luxury, flooding eBay with thousands of Balenciaga items priced for the lowest bidder is not a fantastic outcome for an incredible brand. In addition to longer-term brand equity concerns, there is sustainability consideration for this model. Balenciaga is touting the program as part of the house's broader sustainability mission. A program based on brands only making money when customers use gift cards on new items does not incentivize a new circular business model. While these programs can keep items in use longer, the incentives are ultimately misaligned with brand sustainability business goals.Finally, Retail Brew published a piece on Aura's Blockchain Consortium, a nonprofit organization that operates a private blockchain and creates “digital twins”—virtual representations of a physical good—for luxury brands. As stated in the article, I am bullish on the need for luxury brands to up their technology game in preventing counterfeits. These solutions should use digital cryptography and will benefit from incorporating elements of the physical item. While there are certainly ways to do this using blockchain technology, we see other solutions as more practical in the near term. It will be exciting to see this industry take shape and will be essential for luxury brands to participate.The So WhatRetail is facing long-term inflationary pressures. Addressing these will require business model innovation including brand-enhancing resale channelsBrands should be cautious in touting the sustainability benefits of resale programs where the economics are solely based on awarding gift cards. These programs are misaligned with brands moving to more circular modelsUntil Next Week,Andy Ruben, Founder and Executive Chairman of TroveWeek of October 3:Athleta Moves Further Into Resale, Off PriceRetail TouchPointsAthleta has teamed up with ThredUP and Shop Premium Outlets to pilot a new resale program called Always Athleta. This will be a learning opportunity for Athleta to attract new customers and understand consumer purchasing behavior better by allowing a select group of customers to shop a pre-loved section that will have products up to 90% off.Luxury Brands like Balenciaga and Valentino Jump on the Resale Fashion BandwagonFEMALEWith the luxury resale market is expected to reach $51 billion in 2026. Five luxury brands are killing the resale game; Gucci, Valentino, Burberry, and Alexander McQueen. Balenciaga has partnered with Reflaunt to introduce Balenciaga Re-Sell and Valentino has Valentino Vintage. Gucci launched Gucci Vault, an online concept store with ‘virtual shelves' holding pre-owned Gucci. Burberry joined forces with The RealReal and introduced the ReBurberry Fabric program. Lastly, Vestiaire Collective launched its Brand Approved program a buy-back initiative with Alexander McQueen.Secondhand start-up Gently raises two million dollars in fundingFashion UnitedThe future looks bright when you have raised two million in funding and have created the “Amazon for secondhand purchases.” Gently, allows users to shop from multiple resale platforms in one place and enables shoppers to search, filter, and get alerts from recommerce sites. Gently has 10,000 daily users and is aiming to expand to one million shoppers by 2024.Weekend Briefing: As inflation rises, fast fashion proves more temptingGlossyThe wealthy may not care that handbag prices are increasing exponentially but the more conscious spenders are paying close attention and brands outside of the high end of luxury will need to find a way to prove their value to cash-strapped customers. Even with the ethical and environmental concerns fast fashion still has a great appeal to many. A new Shein competitor, a Chinese fast fashion company, Pinduoduo came out with an app for the U.S. demographic and it's already been downloaded more than 400,000 times. Luxury resale on the blockchain may be closer than you thinkRetail BrewIs blockchain the future of luxury and Web3? LVMH, Prada, and Cartier formed the Aura Blockchain Consortium, a nonprofit organization that operates a private blockchain and creates virtual representations of a physical good for luxury brands. The idea behind the blockchain is that it is a digital certificate of ownership that can be transferred and help build trust between buyers and brands. BRC publishes guidelines on secondhand and pre-loved itemsFashion UnitedThe British Retail Consortium's (BRC) goal is to limit items going to landfill by keeping them in circulation longer. With that thought in mind, BRC created a report with input and feedback from retailers, resale platforms, industry exports, and charity retailers dedicated to secondhand and pre-loved items to help the industry work towards a circular economy.Balenciaga Presses Go On Resale Following Successful PilotVogueLuxury brands want to have more ownership of secondhand sales so what do they do? They partner with a resale platform, and after much success, Balenciaga has formally launched a partnership with the resale platform Reflaunt. Reflaunt's technology allows customers to sell their pre-owned Balenciaga in exchange for store credit. Reflaunt white label resale has been adopted by brands and retailers including Net-a-Porter, Ganni, and Axel Arigato.

Don't miss our live episode of Climavores in New York City on October 20! Sign up here for a night of live audio and networking with top voices in climate journalism.  It's Secondhand September, and we're here to dive in. All this month we're talking with experts and offering up some of our own insights into how the resale market is evolving. This week, we talk with Andy Ruben, founder of Trove, a re-commerce platform for brands to enter the resale market on their own terms. Trove is one of a number of companies that work with brands to create white-label resale solutions that let them take back their used clothing, clean it, prepare it for resale, and sell it again as a “pre-loved.” Trove's latest partner is On sportswear in a bold move into athletic shoe resale. We also cast a cold eye on Pretty Little Thing's new resale marketplace, Kourtney Kardashian's “sustainable fashion journey” with Boohoo, and applaud Rachel Comey's breakup with Uline packaging. And it's New York Fashion Week, so there are stories, and Christina has some good ones. Have a question for Christina, Rachel and Shilla? Give us a call at (508) 622-5361.‬ We might feature your voicemail on an upcoming episode of the show. Resources:   The Guardian is having none of Kourtney Kardashian's partnership with Boohoo New York Magazine on Rachel Comey breaking up with Uline Bloomberg describes Trove's resale partnership with On Glamour on the ascendant resale market Hot Buttons is a production of Post Script Media. The show is hosted by Christina Binkley, Rachel Kibbe, and Shilla Kim-Parker. Follow the show on Twitter.

From a consumer commitment to sustainability, to the supply chain crisis, there are tailwinds behind new models of commerce. Andy Ruben, who served as Walmart's first Chief Sustainability Officer, believes recommerce is the future. His company, Trove, powers circular shopping for leading brands from Patagonia to Levi's. We cover why consumer consumption is becoming less sustainable at an alarming pace, how tech enables the best brands to sell their items multiple times, and why he's bullish on web3's future as an authentication tool in resale markets.

Learn more about the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative by visiting our website at https://walton.uark.edu/business-integrity (https://walton.uark.edu/business-integrity)   Links from episode: Trove: https://trove.co/ (https://trove.co/)   Paul Hawken's The Ecology of Commerce: https://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Commerce-Revised-Declaration-Sustainability/dp/0061252794 (https://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Commerce-Revised-Declaration-Sustainability/dp/0061252794)   BlackRock's letter: https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/investor-relations/larry-fink-ceo-letter (https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/investor-relations/larry-fink-ceo-letter  )  

In the Season 4 finale of The Room Podcast, Madison and Claudia sit down with Andy Ruben, Founder and CEO of Trove, an end-to-end technology and supply chain platform, unlocking second-hand shopping for your favorite brands. Before founding Trove, Andy served on the senior leadership team at Walmart, including the role of Chief Sustainability Officer. A big congratulations to Trove who recently announced their $77.5M Series D funding. With the resale and e-commerce space expected to hit $64B in annual sales by 2028, Trove is at the forefront of enabling top-tier brands like Patagonia, REI, and Lululemon to capture this rapidly growing market. This week’s episode covers key themes such as how we empower sustainable consumption, the art of the reframe, and building a business in a supply-constrained market. Let’s open the door. Season 4 is sponsored by our friends at Silicon Valley Bank and Cooley. …

As shopping for secondhand goods becomes increasingly popular, the resale market continues to grow quickly, and more and more retailers are leaning into the trend. Our guest today is Andy Ruben, Founder and CEO of Trove, which enables retailers such as REI, Lululemon, Patagonia, and Levi's to offer what they call “circular shopping.” We'll talk to Andy about the resale market and about how organizations like his are making the retail industry more sustainable. Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

The world of retail is shifting, influenced by the desire for more value and sustainability. Brands are answering this change with re-commerce and circular shopping. To discuss this new avenue of commerce, Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez spoke with Andy Ruben, Founder and CEO of Trove. Trove is the backend engine for circular shopping, working with brands allowing them to own this channel. Ruben has over two decades of retail leadership experience, holding various senior roles at Walmart.“Getting more use out of products isn't rock science; it just makes sense. The doing of it is complex, and that's why I founded Trove,” Ruben said.This entry into the market comes at a time when resale is growing 25 times faster than the rest of the industry. Ruben noted the reason why is three-fold—value, sustainability, and a more enjoyable shopping experience.The re-commerce market is good business for brands in many ways. “It enables new customer acquisition and provides revenue that would otherwise go to third parties. It also builds greater loyalty,” Ruben added.Ruben explained that brands should own these channels and partner with technology experts, which means they can be in the space in a few months and avoid millions in capital expenditures. With a robust infrastructure, brands can also analyze data and continue to optimize this new slice of business.“Brands that engage in this macro shift are making equal or better margins on used business, and it's an important sustainability move,” Ruben said.Circular shopping is also good for in-store business. Customers can bring back items for resale and receive a gift card. It can be a draw to get consumers in stores so they can ensure someone else benefits from their goods and get what they need right now in the same shopping experience.

Recorded on 12-18-20 Cowen's Retail, New Platform, & Luxury Analyst Oliver Chen speaks with CEO & Founder of CaaStle, Christine Hunsicker, and CEO & Founder of Trove, Andy Ruben on the state of the re-commerce market and its growing importance to brands and consumers. We discuss the explosive growth ahead for resale and rental markets and how brands are navigating new marketplaces in order to adapt to the consumer revolution. For Disclosures, click here bit.ly/3cPHkNW

Recommerce is growing as more consumers look to “shop their values” and buy fewer, better things in order to lessen their consumption footprint. For brands, taking control of their own resale operations is one key to not being left behind. In this episode, host Matt Rubel interviews Andy Ruben, CEO of Trove—a company that powers circular shopping for Levi’s, Patagonia, REI, Eileen Fisher and others—to find out how branded resale will figure into holiday shopping this year and in the future. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ruben Gamez is a specialist in Bootstrapping, marketing, User Experience, and software development, he is the founder of Bidsketch, a professional web app focused on designing, tracking, and customizing proposals in no time. In the past, Ruben owned 9thSign, a small business specialized in web development and consulting, after that Ruben worked In Oasis Outsourcing as a Web development Manager, the largest privately-held PEO at the time, then Ruben decided to quit his job and founded Bidsketch where he's been growing and improving since 2009. During this interview we cover: Shifting from part-time gig to running a full time startup Clearly identifying your startup idea & problem you're solving VC vs. Bootstrapping your company Growth Strategies that worked well for Bidsketch Failures & how to use them as experience Key differences when comparing winning or losing business proposals Conceiving other ideas to integrate with your StartUp (Docsketch) Proposals for closing SMB's vs. Enterprise leads Trends in e-Signature Market during COVID-19 Making Docsketch Competitive Considering Merger or Acquisition as a way to grow Links and mentions: Bidsketch Docsketch Get in touch with Andy: Ruben's LinkedIn Profile Personal Blog More about Akeel:

The global resales industry has grown 21 times faster than the retail apparel market over the past three years, and brands are starting to take notice. Christian Ward talks to Andy Ruben, CEO of resales business Yerdle and Rebecca Hobbs, Stylus’ Retail editor about the drivers behind this paradigm shift in ownership and its potential to solve the crisis in fast fashion.

What is consciousness? Consciousness is simply, caring – and in this episode, you'll hear from two business owners who have built thriving companies based on this gift: Nicolette Richer and Andy Ruben. Inspired by her grandmother from Malawi, Nicolette is on a mission to help people reconnect with the wisdom and awareness of their ancestors to heal disease. Andy, the founder of Yerdle, belives that a circular sharing economy allows us to experience life more fully, while protecting our environment – and that it's even good for business. Learn more about the gift of consciousness at www.tonyrobbins.com/gifts.

We're in an age where retail is constantly evolving - new retail formats, new business models and a new segment of customers are constantly evolving. Andy Ruben, founder of Yerdle Recommerce - a retail company that's making it easy for brands to buy back and resell their used items. Before he founded Yerdle seven years ago, Andy was the Vice President of Walmart's Global Ecommerce strategy and was also their first and founding Chief Sustainability officer. He's also a recipient of the Sam M. Walton Entrepreneur Award, Walmart's highest annual honor and was recognized as 40 Under 40 business leader. Listen to the The Vue Podcast to hear Ruben talk about why sustainability and re-commerce are the core values at Yerdle and how the company has led by example when it comes to these retail models. He also talks about Yerdle's partnership with brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, REI, Taylor Stitch and Arc'teryx to launch their used product online storefronts and their commitment to building a circular economy. Here's the transcript, to make your experience easier: https://vue.ai/blog/podcast/the-vue-podcast-leaders-in-retail-andy-ruben/

Andy’s Wild Idea: To reduce the amount of new items we purchase every year by 25% through his company, Yerdle. Andy Ruben has had a unique career path. He never thought he would end up in the business world, but ended up working as the Chief Sustainability Officer for Walmart. After seeing just how many products are bought and never used or thrown out, he decided to do something about it. In 2012, he co-founded Yerdle, a company that focuses on buying back and reselling products that might otherwise end up in a landfill, a process Andy calls “re-commerce.” Companies like REI, Patagonia, and Eileen Fisher all have their own buy-back programs where they will give you credit for your old gear or clothes, and then resell those items for a fraction of the price.  Andy is a forward-thinker with an untraditional path whose focus is to make a positive impact on our environment. While he’s aware that there’s still a need for new gear, he supports sustainable production practices. Through Yerdle, customers can get the most out of gear that already exists and keep it out of landfills. On this episode, Andy offers unconventional ideas about how to make a difference and how you can get a job working in sustainability. We also talk about how he ended up at Walmart, how he works with companies like REI and Patagonia (and how that work affects us as customers), and what we can do overall to take better care of our planet.  Listen to this episode if:  You care about our environment and want to help save the planet. You love awesome gear. You want to have a career that makes an impact on the world. You are an entrepreneur and like carving your own path in life. You want to ask the right questions. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/84

Joshua Vergara, Joe Hindy, Jonathan Feist and David Imel are joined by an all new personality on the show, from our very own SoundGuys.com, Adam Molina. With a SoundGuys presence, it should be no surprise the crew talk about audio gear for a bit, sharing their headphones of choice and more. In addition, talk about apps and gaming gets surprised laughs that a prominent pop star is now a character in Final Fantasy, and we learn that Andy Rubin, one of the fathers of Android, is off working on a new phone project. Stay tuned for a brand new show format coming soon, we want to get you, our faithful listeners, readers and viewers more involved in the show, and we think we have a solution. The Android Authority Podcast - discussing topics in Android every week.   Rough Timecodes: Check in with our new guest and some weather. 32:00 - Ariana Grande in Final Fantasy BRAVE EXVIUS 38:00 - New Android Nintendo games! 43:00 - Google Allo 5.0 60:00 - OnePlus Bullets Headphones 71:00 - Andy Rubin, founder of Android, making a new phone/OS? Relevant Links Android Authority Forums - Podcast discussionCES Extravaganza2016 recap: Games drive app marketNew Nintendo games coming this year Andy Ruben working on a new phone SoundGuys.com

Today’s model of consumerism does not prioritize the efficient use of resources throughout the supply chain. Consumers just don’t use the full lifetime of a product. In this talk, e-commerce social entrepreneur and former Walmart sustainability executive Andy Ruben emphasizes opportunities for efficient design, production, and reuse of consumer products, from the perspective of corporations and consumers. Speaking at the 2012 Global Supply Chain Management Forum, Ruben details ways to improve supply chain efficiency. He explains why he hopes this new model for product exchange will revolutionize the way we think about what we buy, and what we throw away.   https://ssir.org/podcasts/entry/redefining_consumerism_innovations_in_product_sustainability

“The distribution centers of the future are our closets and garages,” says Andy Ruben, co-founder of sharing start-up Yerdle. Entrepreneurs like Ruben are tapping into social media circles as a way to connect members to a wealth of sharing options. “Data, in many ways, is the gateway drug to the sharing economy,” says Lisa Gansky, Author of “The Mesh”. Other entrepreneurs like Billy Parish, Co-Founder and President of Solar Mosaic, are “unlocking the ability of individuals to participate in the investment process.” Crowdfunding seems to be the next wave of the sharing economy with opportunities ranging from peer-to-peer investment and Solar Mosaic’s own solar investment projects. A conversation on the exciting possibilities of a growing sharing economy. This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on March 5, 2013