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Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't just about slapping on a discount. In this episode, Jim Huffman breaks down the offer-led strategies and conversion playbooks top DTC brands use to turn Q4 into their most profitable months - without relying on bloated budgets or ad spend.Originally aired as a guest appearance on the Ecwid eCommerce Show, Jim reveals the full GrowthHit playbook for building winning Black Friday/Cyber Monday campaigns. He dives deep into offer-led growth, conversion rate hacks, retention strategies, email tricks that actually work, and how to survive the Q1 hangover. Whether you're a scrappy DTC founder or scaling a 7-figure Shopify brand, this is your tactical guide to owning Q4 without burning out or discounting your business into the ground.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEOffer-led growth: the underrated strategy for converting in Q4The best bundles, BOGOs, and bonus offers that increase AOVTactical email patterns: “Oops” sends, internal leaks, and reminders that convertHow to turn customers into marketers for sustainable growthLanding page and ad setup that avoids performance burnoutWhy Q4 success starts with one hero productReal examples from fashion, consumables, and niche DTC brandsIf you're planning to “wing it” this Black Friday… don't. This episode gives you the framework to build offers, emails, and experiences that drive real growth in any year. Subscribe for more.Resources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth School Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
If you've been craving a more soulful connection to your body, your intuition, and the way you lead your life—this episode is a breath of fresh air. It's not just about horses. It's about coming home to you. I'm so delighted to bring you today's deeply moving conversation with transformational coach and equine guide, Sue Willoughby, founder of Willoughby Coaching and host of the Midlife Strategies for Badass Women podcast. This episode explores something I've been fascinated by for years: the intuitive, spiritual, and healing power of horses—and how they reflect back to us the truth of who we are. My closest friends are horse women. I love the whole intuitive aspect of horses and how they teach us the importance of being grounded, authentic, and transparent. From my early mentor Kendall Summerhawk's teachings in her book Brilliance Unbridled, to Sue's equine-assisted coaching practice, I've witnessed again and again how horses become sacred mirrors of our inner lives. They teach us about leadership, presence, boundaries, and the wisdom of being in a "herd"—a community where everyone matters and connection is everything. Sue brings her lived wisdom, humor, resilience, and story to this episode in a way that's both grounding and inspiring. She shares candidly about her path: · Growing up in hardship and learning to self-soothe through her bond with horses · Coming out gay as a young woman and navigating her identity through decades of growth and reinvention · Saying yes to risk, creativity, and change—leaving behind a 6-figure job to follow her calling · How skydiving became the metaphor (and literal leap!) into her next career And at the heart of her message is this powerful truth: Horses are intuitive, present, and emotionally honest. When we partner with them, they help us become the same. You'll also learn: What equine-assisted coaching actually looks like in practice Why Sue believes working with horses is not just healing—but life-changing for many women in midlife How horses sense and reflect back our incongruence, helping us re-align with our intuition The power of somatic awareness in decision-making Her involvement in the documentary film Rescued Hearts and what it revealed to her about communal healing Sue's work guides women from feeling burned out and boxed in to becoming resilient, radiant, and unshakable. Sue's secondary focus and passion is real estate and podcasting. She teaches real estate investors and realtors how to build a podcast platform for their brand. She's offering you a robust free workbook and download to begin that journey for yourself. Links below. Tune in now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, YouTube or iHeart Radio. Let this be your invitation to reinvent your success metrics through presence, community, and intuitive trust. Resources + Links: FB: willoughbycoaching Instagram: sue_willoughby LinkedIn: suewilloughby -Sue's newsletter, tips: https://willoughbycoaching.com -Download Sue's free gift in our Portal of Joy: Podcasting for Real Estate Pros” Series + Companion Workbook. Access in the Portal of Joy https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal Exclusive access to all 21 episodes of Podcasting for Real Estate Pros: Attract Clients, Build Trust, and Stand Out in a Crowded Market—along with the official Companion Workbook to guide your journey. The lessons apply to any entrepreneur ready to add podcasting to their marketing arsenal. Loved this episode? Unlock all the tools, downloads, and featured guest resources at the Portal of Joy: https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal Book your Soul-Led Next Chapter call with Marla: https://tinyurl.com/soul-led-call
How do you stand out as an author when thousands of books are published every day? What's the difference between having a logo and having a real brand that sells books? Is it possible to maintain your authentic voice while appealing to genre readers who seem more loyal to categories than authors? With Steve Brock […] The post Brand Something Beautiful: How Authors Can Stand Out In A Crowded Market with Steve Brock first appeared on The Creative Penn.
A scrappy Flemish speech recognition company tries to put its hometown on the global tech map.SponsorsRoutable - http://ohmyfraud.promo/routableBluebook - https://getbluebook.com/(00:00) - A Pie to the Face (01:00) - Welcome to Oh My Fraud (06:00) - Welcome to Flanders, Belgium (07:30) - Meet the Founders: Jo Lernout and Pol Hauspie (09:30) - The Dream of Voice Recognition (15:12) - Going Public in a Crowded Market (17:42) - Creating the Flanders Language Valley (21:42) - Gaston Bastiaens and His Wine Cellar Wager (26:23) - Microsoft's $45 Million Investment (29:23) - The Philosophy of Pie Throwing (30:53) - Explosive Growth and Suspicious Numbers (32:53) - Dragon Systems and Dictaphone Acquisitions (35:23) - The Korean Revenue Mystery (38:23) - Wall Street Journal Starts Digging (42:17) - "I Lied About Everything" (43:47) - The Resignation and Bankruptcy (47:47) - The SEC Reveals the Fraud (49:47) - Criminal Convictions and Symbolic Justice (50:47) - Lessons Learned: Fake It Till You Make It (52:17) - What Happened to the Technology (53:47) - Closing Thoughts HOW TO EARN FREE CPEIn less than 10 minutes, you can earn NASBA-approved accounting CPE after listening to this episode. Download our mobile app, sign up, and look for the Oh My Fraud channel. Register for the course, complete a short quiz, and get your CPE certificate.https://www.earmark.app/Download the app:Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appCONNECT WITH CALEBLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/Email us at ohmyfraud@earmarkcpe.comSources:How Hype Hurt Lernout & Hauspie [Bloomberg via Wayback Machine]How High-Tech Dream Shattered In Scandal at Lernout & Hauspie [WSJ]Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products: Financing From Start-up through IPO [INSEAD, Herwig Langohr, Benoit Leleux, Danny Lein, July 2000, accessed on Sept. 16, 2025]Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products: The Question [INSEAD, Arnoud De Meyer, Bart Pycke, January 1998, accessed on Sept. 16, 2025]Quarterdeck Office Systems [Wikipedia]Patent Is Won By Quarterdeck [NYT]Internet Hype Gives New Life to Quarterdeck Stock [LAT]Gaston Bastiaens [Apple.Fandom]Today in Apple history: Apple exec bets his wine cellar on Newton [CultofMac]Will Microsoft's Stake in Lernout & Hauspie Drive Growth in Speech? [Speech Technology Magazine]In Brussels, Gates Takes a Pie in the Face [Reuters via Wayback Machine]Bill Gates Being Hit in the Face With a Pie (1998) [YouTube]Noël Godin [Wikipedia]He Plasters Paris' Elite With Cream Pies [LAT]Bernard-Henri Levy Pied again in Belgium [YouTube]FM Interviews: Noël Godin [First Monday]Lernout & Hauspie Shares Drop Amid Puzzling Revenue Results [WSJ]Lernout & Hauspie Surges In Korea, Raising Questions [WSJ]Lernout's Bastiaens Will Step Down From CEO Post at Software Concern [WSJ]Lernout to Refile Financial Reports; Co-Founders Resign as Chairmen [WSJ]Lernout Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Says Cash at South Korean Unit Is Missing [WSJ]The Talk of Flanders Has Most Speechless [AP]Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products, N.V., Litigation Release No. 17782, Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Release No. 1648, October 10, 2002 [Securities and Exchange Commission]Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products, N.V., Litigation Release No. 18014, March 4, 2003 [Securities and Exchange Commission]Lernout & Hauspie Founders Guilty in Fraud [WSJ]Goldman Sachs and the $580 Million Black Hole [NYT]
This week on Swimming with Allocators, Michael Downing, serial entrepreneur and venture investor, shares his journey from founding startups to building MDSV Capital, while diving into the essential role of emerging manager funds in today's venture landscape. The discussion covers the evolution of venture capital, key strategies for both LPs and GPs, the importance of innovative sourcing and community-building, and how the Promontory platform fosters stronger connections and investment outcomes. Listeners will take away insights on industry shifts, the value of supporting innovative early-stage funds, practical guidance for thriving amid changing venture dynamics, and so much more.Highlights from this week's conversation include:Michael's Entrepreneurial Journey & Early Startups (1:20)Transition from Founder to Investor and Early Micro VC Experience (5:23)Power Law, Missed Opportunities, and Emerging Manager Alpha (9:57)Capital Extension Structure & Alignment with Managers (14:13)Filtering and Assessing Emerging Managers in a Crowded Market (16:52)Common LP Misunderstandings and Venture Capital Dynamics (19:22)Insider Segment: Trends in LP Activity and Fund Composition (22:20)Direct Investment vs. Fund Commitment by LPs (25:14)Trends Managers Are Missing & Seed Funding Explosion (25:54)Sourcing Methodology and the Platform Approach Advantage (28:48)Criteria for Managers to Engage with Michael Downing (29:05)Deep Tech/Defense Tech Priority & Generalist Outperformance (33:41)Best Practices for Building Relationships with LPs via Promontory (35:33)Future Vision: Programmatic LP Allocation and Software Approach (38:28)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (40:30)MDSV Capital is a Palo Alto-based investment firm led by Silicon Valley veterans with over two decades of entrepreneurial and venture experience. The firm has built a premier ecosystem of top-tier emerging manager funds (EMFs) and LPs through its invitation-only community, The Promontory, and its Emerging Horizons event series. MDSV's Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale strategy targets the top 1% of emerging managers while investing directly in early-growth outliers from their portfolios. Learn more at www.mdsvcapital.com.Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What happens when you build an 8-figure business in one of the most taboo industries - without a team, funding, or traditional ad channels? Brian Sloan did exactly that. And in this episode, he reveals the unfiltered story behind his wild entrepreneurial path. Jim sits down with Brian Sloan, founder of AutoBlow, to unpack how he built a global DTC sex toy brand that now generates 8 figures annually - with a team of just two. From eBay auctions to viral PR stunts, Brian shares how his unconventional path, deep product focus, and scrappy tactics helped him thrive in a space where Facebook ads and mainstream visibility were off-limits. This conversation pulls back the curtain on manufacturing, media manipulation, brand building, and what it really takes to scale when the rules don't apply to your category.Key Topics Covered:How Brian went from selling antiques to latex fetishwear to inventing AutoBlowThe viral crowdfunding stunt that made him internet-famous overnightWhy he ditched Amazon - even after major salesHow to get on GQ, Playboy, Howard Stern, and more without a PR teamThe power of press-worthy product ideasWhy focus (on just 2 SKUs) was his biggest growth unlockBuilding a lean team using a global network of niche freelancersIf you're building in DTC and feel like you're drowning in overhead or noise, this episode is a masterclass in focus, edge, and unconventional growth.Resources:AutoblowJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
#613 What happens when a side project in your garage turns into a multi-million dollar business? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel sits down with Mike Yarbrough, co-founder of Rustic & Main, to share how he and his wife turned handmade wooden wedding bands into a fast-growing jewelry brand with nearly 40 employees and a retail storefront in the childhood home of country star Luke Combs. Mike opens up about walking away from his six-figure IT job, scaling production beyond the garage, and how they've built a company culture that still feels like family while continuing to expand. He also talks about standing out in a crowded industry, navigating major marketing shifts, and why storytelling and sentimentality are the keys to creating products people truly cherish. Whether you're a maker, dreamer, or entrepreneur ready to grow, this episode is packed with lessons on scaling a handmade product business the right way! What we discuss with Mike: + Garage project to full business + Handmade wooden wedding bands + Quit six-figure IT job + Scaling from Etsy to Shopify + Storytelling in marketing + Pivot after ad platform changes + Building strong company culture + Opening retail in Luke Combs' home + Expanding beyond rings + Vision for long-term growth Thank you, Mike! Check out Rustic & Main at RusticandMain.com. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's episode, I sit down with Seymour Segnit, entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of MAGFAST. He shares how building products that feel as good as they perform can transform something as ordinary as a charging cable into a product customers love. Seymour explains why every pixel, every word, and every detail matters in creating an experience that keeps people coming back. From USB-C cables built to last a decade to a charging stand designed for real household use, we discuss the mix of design, performance, and culture that sets MAGFAST apart in a crowded industry.
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred broadcasts from the 2025 Florida Brewers Guild Conference in downtown Tampa. Joining the show are Cody Faig and Isaac Arthur, co-founders of CODO Design—a brand strategy firm with deep expertise in the craft brewing industry. The conversation dives into the crucial role of branding and positioning in the success of small businesses, especially in a competitive space like craft beer. Cody and Isaac share their journey from art and design students to becoming national leaders in brewery brand development. They explain the process behind building and refreshing a brand, from research and market analysis to visual identity and storytelling. Listeners will gain insight into how brand architecture and strategic differentiation can help businesses connect with customers, stand out in a saturated market, and grow sustainably. Whether you're launching a new brewery or refreshing an existing brand, this episode offers expert advice on how to approach branding with purpose and precision. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2025 Florida Brewers Guild Conference hosted at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: https://cododesign.com
What do you do when wholesale feels like success but starts killing your brand? For the founders of Mestiza, it meant rewriting the playbook. In this episode, they share how they survived COVID, pivoted to DTC, and built a multi 7-figure fashion business - while raising kids and refusing VC money.Jim is joined by Luisa Takas and Alessandra Perez-Rubio, the powerhouse duo behind Mestiza - a New York-based fashion brand worn by celebrities and loved by loyal customers. The two dive into how they broke into Neiman Marcus early on but quickly realized wholesale wasn't sustainable. From there, they detail how COVID forced a DTC pivot, how their hero product (“The Shimmy Dress”) became a game-changer, and how they've grown profitably while bootstrapping. This is a behind-the-scenes look at resilience, customer obsession, and building a brand with values. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEWhy wholesale nearly derailed their brand visionHow COVID forced a DTC rebirth that changed everythingThe power of flagship products like the Shimmy DressTactical tips for customer feedback, crowdfunding, and growthHow they raised a friends-and-family round and used SBA loansWhy being moms made them better foundersThe co-founder dynamic that's lasted longer than most marriagesIf you're building a brand and wondering whether to go DTC, how to grow without VC money, or how to survive the messy middle - this episode is pure gold.Resources:MestizaJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Angelo Ponzi, a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience, discusses the challenges of brand differentiation in the crowded managed services provider (MSP) and IT services market. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from company-centric messaging, which often leads to a homogenized market where all providers sound the same. Instead, he advocates for a customer-centric approach that focuses on solving specific problems and addressing pain points, thereby creating a unique value proposition that resonates with potential clients.Ponzi introduces the VRIO framework, which assesses whether a service is valuable, rare, and difficult to imitate. This framework helps businesses identify their competitive advantages and differentiate themselves from competitors. He also highlights the significance of understanding the market and conducting research, which can be as simple as interviewing current customers to gain insights into how they perceive the brand and its offerings. This understanding is crucial for crafting relevant messaging that can effectively attract new clients.The conversation also touches on the balance between long-term brand building and immediate revenue generation. Ponzi suggests that companies should have a clear and consistent message that aligns with their brand pillars. This consistency helps build a strong reputation over time, which is essential for attracting and retaining customers. He stresses the need for businesses to understand their identity and the problems they solve, rather than just focusing on their history or longevity in the market.Finally, Ponzi addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on marketing strategies. He notes that while AI is transforming the industry, many businesses are still grappling with how to effectively utilize it. The conversation concludes with Ponzi encouraging companies to leverage their unique strengths and relationships to stand out in a competitive landscape, ultimately driving growth and success. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For the last 30 years, email security has been stuck in the past, focusing almost entirely on stopping bad things from getting into the inbox. In this episode, Rajan Kapoor, Field CISO at Material Security and former Director of Security at Dropbox, argues that this pre-breach mindset is dangerously outdated. The real challenge today is post-breach: protecting the sensitive data that already lives inside your mailboxes.The conversation explores why we must evolve from "email security" to the broader concept of "workspace security" . Rajan explains how interconnected productivity suites like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have turned the inbox into a gateway to everything else Drive, accounts, and sensitive company data. We also discuss how the rise of AI co-pilots will create new risks, as they can instantly find and surface over-shared data that was previously hidden in plain sight .Guest Socials - Rajan's LinkedinPodcast Twitter - @CloudSecPod If you want to watch videos of this LIVE STREAMED episode and past episodes - Check out our other Cloud Security Social Channels:-Cloud Security Podcast- Youtube- Cloud Security Newsletter - Cloud Security BootCampIf you are interested in AI Cybersecurity, you can check out our sister podcast - AI Security PodcastQuestions asked:(00:00) Introduction(02:00) Who is Rajan Kapoor? Field CISO at Material Security(02:38) What is Email Security in 2025? The 30-Year-Old Problem(03:20) The Critical Shift: From Pre-Breach to Post-Breach Protection(04:20) The Rise of Workspace Security: Beyond the Inbox(06:00) Why Focusing on Email is "Not Even Half" The Problem(06:50) Are Microsoft 365 Security Challenges Different from Google's?(09:30) Rethinking the Approach to Email Security(11:40) How AI Co-Pilots Will Exploit Your Over-Shared Data(13:30) A Real-World Attack: From Email to Malicious OAuth App(17:00) How Should CISOs Structure Their Teams for Workspace Security?(19:25) The Role of CASB vs. API-Based Security for Data at Rest(23:10) How CISOs Can Separate Signal From Noise in a Crowded Market(24:45) Final Questions: Home Automation, Career Risks, and Ethiopian Food
This week on Glow Up, Gyrl, Kyra welcomes Prerna Sharma, founder of STEP ZERO, a beauty tools brand redefining no-makeup beauty. With a background in consulting and marketing, Prerna is passionate about blending product quality, clear messaging, and powerful storytelling to build brands that stand out. In this episode, Prerna shares: Why clear messaging is the key to brand growth How storytelling helps entrepreneurs connect with their audience Practical steps for refining your brand message What it takes to stand out in a crowded, competitive industry The journey of launching STEP ZERO and what's next for her brand ✨ Connect with Prerna Website: www.shop-stepzero.com Instagram: @shopstepzero LinkedIn: Prerna Sharma If you are looking for clarity, inspiration, and tools to make your business shine, this conversation is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if you could turn BBQ ribs into a $250K/month Shopify business? That's exactly what Andrew Buehler did and it started with crowdfunding, cold emails, and serious sales hustle.Jim sits down with Andrew Buehler to unpack one of the most unexpected eCommerce growth stories out there how he launched a premium BBQ brand and scaled it to $250K+ per month without outside investors. Andrew shares his step-by-step process for using crowdfunding to launch, how he activated his network to get early traction, and the exact sales skills that helped him scale. It's scrappy, smart, and full of lessons for any founder.Key Topics Covered:How to successfully launch with crowdfundingWhy activating your personal network is the ultimate unfair advantageWhat actually matters when you're launching on ShopifyCold email and sales tactics that drive real customer acquisitionDesign insights that helped build brand credibility fastWhy resilience is more important than fundingIf you're looking for a launch playbook rooted in hustle - this episode delivers the goods (literally and figuratively).Resources:Urban SmokehouseJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
You don't need to be the first—or even the best—to succeed. You just need to be authentically you. Show Notes: In this episode of Shark Theory, Baylor breaks down one of the most common excuses he hears: “The market's too saturated.” Through the lens of banana bread, secret recipes, and speaking, Baylor shows why oversaturation is never the real problem—lack of authenticity is. Learn how to study what works, add your unique twist, and stop chasing “best” in favor of becoming someone's favorite. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, it's your secret ingredient—your authenticity—that sets you apart. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why “oversaturation” is just an excuse that holds people back How to use existing blueprints as a launchpad for your own success Why “being the best” is subjective—but being someone's favorite is undeniable The importance of identifying and owning your unique “secret sauce” How authenticity leads to joy, longevity, and influence in any field Featured Quote: "Being the best is subjective. Being someone's favorite is undeniable."
Spiros Xanthos is the CEO of Resolve AI, a platform to put AI on-call for humans. He previously started Log Insight that was acquired by VMware. And started Omnition that was acquired by Splunk. He also helped start OpenTelemetry. They've raised $35M from amazing investors such as Greylock.Spiros's favorite books: - Zero to One (Author: Peter Thiel)- Build (Author: Tony Fadell)(00:01) Introduction & Setting the Stage(00:42) AI's Impact on Software Engineering(02:55) What Reliability Means in Software(04:34) Resolve AI Explained in Plain English(06:33) Real-World Example of Resolve in Action(08:28) Early Customers & Lessons from Company Building(11:40) OpenTelemetry & The Open Source Journey(16:55) Positioning a Developer Tool in a Crowded Market(18:58) Philosophy of Product Building(21:06) Cultural Norms: What to Keep and What to Change(24:33) Radical Transparency & Team Dynamics(26:50) Recruiting for Resilience in Early Team Members(28:59) Future of AI in Software Engineering(31:25) Resolve AI Roadmap & Expansion Plans(33:28) Exciting AI Advancements on the Horizon(35:17) Rapid Fire Round--------Where to find Spiros Xanthos: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spiros/--------Where to find Prateek Joshi: Newsletter: https://prateekjoshi.substack.com Website: https://prateekj.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-infiniteX: https://x.com/prateekvjoshi
In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson sits down with Brinn Miracle, owner of Architangent, to explore the intersection of branding, architecture, and design. Brinn shares how the “Why of Design” helps business owners and design professionals uncover their deeper purpose, clarify their niche, and create spaces that tell authentic stories. From connecting emotionally with clients to building long-term brand equity, this conversation is packed with insights for builders, architects, and designers looking to differentiate themselves and attract the right clients. Discover why branding must come before design.
This episode takes me back to the early days of Neat Apparel, when Claudio and I were just getting started. For those who don't know, Claudio is my business partner on Neat - our sweat-proof Shopify brand and he has one of the most fascinating backgrounds of anyone I've ever worked with.He graduated from Stanford at 20. Climbed to the top of Wall Street. Then pivoted into entrepreneurship—first with a soccer brand, and now with me in performance apparel. In this conversation, we talked through the moment we decided to go all in on Neat.We broke down the actual negotiations that brought us together, why we decided to buy IP before launching, and how we thought about scaling the brand through content, storytelling, and founder alignment. Looking back, it's wild to see how much of that conversation still shapes how we run Neat today.
➡️Like this episode? Leave a review here: RateThisPodcast.com/commondenominator➡️ Subscribe to my #POSITIVITY newsletter: https://moshepopack.com/newsletter/Think you've mastered success in business, creativity, or life? You might be overlooking the one trait that changes everything. Russ Ruffino, a business coach, high-ticket strategist, and transformational leader who's helped over 5,000 coaches and experts generate more than $100 million, reveals why empathy is the ultimate entrepreneurial edge.On this episode of Common Denominator, I explore how empathy transforms marketing, drives better client results, reframes challenges into opportunities, and fuels lasting growth through gratitude and abundance.➡️Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:35 The Impact of AI on Film and Acting 05:36 Lessons from Bartending: Understanding Human Behavior 08:24 Empathy in Marketing: Connecting with Your Audience 12:03 The Importance of Life Experience in Coaching 15:21 The Moral Obligation of Coaches 18:48 Strategies for Attracting Clients to Live Events 21:05 Capturing Attention in a Crowded Market 25:58 Gratitude and Success in Business➡️Show Links:Website: https://russruffino.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russruffino/?hl=en Website: https://moshepopack.com/podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mpopack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpopack Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshePopack X: https://www.twitter.com/MPopack
Send us a textCarlos Corrador shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to founding Condor Agency, a specialized marketing firm for B2B tech services companies. We explore how deep specialization, personal branding, and adapting to AI are critical for survival in today's rapidly changing business landscape.• Started as a sports journalist in Venezuela before discovering digital marketing through website building• Moved to Chicago for a master's in digital marketing before founding Condor Agency• Specializing in a niche is crucial - "the riches are in the niches"• Marketing effectively requires understanding who your ideal customer is before investing in campaigns• Personal branding requires focusing on an industry or specific topic where you can provide unique insights• Content should provide deeper value than what people can get from ChatGPT• The "crawl, walk, run" approach ensures businesses build proper foundations before scaling marketing efforts• Paid promotion of specialized content can put you in front of decision-makers who would never find you organically• With AI disrupting traditional roles, specialists will survive while generalists may struggle• Focusing on what AI cannot yet do well positions you to thrive during technological disruptionFind Carlos at condoragency.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.Support the showFollow the Podcast on Social Media! Tesla Referral Code: https://ts.la/joseph675128 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@securityunfilteredpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secunfpodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SecUnfPodcast
In 2025's hyper-competitive staffing landscape, staffing firm branding is no longer optional—it's the deciding factor between being ignored and being the go-to choice for clients and candidates. In this in-depth conversation, Brad Bialy and Becca Searns from Haley Marketing reveal how staffing companies can differentiate themselves in a commoditized market by building a brand that is authentic, consistent, and memorable across every touchpoint. If your staffing firm still thinks “brand” means a logo and some colors, this episode will change your perspective. Expect to Learn: 1. Why branding in staffing is more important now than ever before 2. How to move beyond visual identity into voice, tone, and value proposition 3. What the best staffing firms do differently to create trust and loyalty 4. How to integrate brand into every medium—from your website to sales collateral 5. The role AI can play in personalization, content creation, and CRO (without losing your brand voice) 6. Proven website strategies that improve conversions while reinforcing your brand identity This episode should inspire you to explore staffing marketing strategies and recruiting firm differentiation so you can rise above generic, AI-generated content and stand out from competitors. You'll also hear why companies like top-ranking Haley Marketing clients consistently show up on page 1 for staffing firm branding searches—and how you can adopt similar strategies.
Would you turn down funding after being featured on Shark Tank? Eric Bandholz did. In this episode, he breaks down how Beardbrand became one of the most iconic DTC companies 0 built on freedom, grit, and a wild Reddit strategy.Jim talks with Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand, about the raw, real story of building a DTC cult brand from scratch. Eric shares how he turned a niche grooming obsession into a 7-figure business - without funding, with help from Reddit, and by staying fiercely true to his values. It's a founder story that throws out the rulebook.Key Topics Covered:Why school nearly derailed his founder pathThe power of community-led growthHow Reddit became his early traction channelGetting featured on Shark Tank (and what happened next)Bootstrapping lessons and the real gift of staying leanProduct expansion done rightWhy building a network is your secret growth weaponIf you believe in the power of community, conviction, and scrappy marketing - you'll love this episode.Resources:Ecommerce ConversationsBeardBrandJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth ShowAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
What if you could build a $25M+ business without raising a single dime?Jesse Pujji has done it - multiple times. From bootstrapping his first agency to launching Gateway X and scaling productized services in the DTC world, Jesse has a blueprint for founders who want to build big without giving away equity. In this episode, he shares how you can do the same. In this episode, Jim sits down with Jesse Pujji (Founder of Gateway X, Co-Founder of Ampush) to break down how he's built, scaled, and exited businesses without venture capital. Jesse reveals his “Bootstrap Advantage” framework, why he believes most founders overcomplicate their growth strategy, and the exact levers he focuses on to grow companies from zero to eight figures.This isn't a theory session - it's a behind-the-scenes look at the systems, mindset, and tactics Jesse uses to build bootstrapped giants.Key Topics Covered:The Bootstrap Advantage: Why it's the best path for most foundersHow Jesse validates new business ideas (quickly and cheaply)The difference between “Productized Services” and traditional agenciesGrowth levers bootstrapped founders must focus onThe psychology of staying lean while scaling bigJesse's personal workflow for launching multiple businesses at once If you're a Shopify founder, DTC marketer, or just someone tired of the VC hamster wheel, this episode is your blueprint.Resources:Jesse Pujji Twitter / XBootstrapped GiantsGatewayXJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth School Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
In this episode of High Velocity Radio, Lee Kantor interviews Nicky Billou, author and founder of eCircle Academy. Nicky shares strategies for entrepreneurs--especially coaches and consultants--to overcome mental blocks, niche down, and sell authentically. He also discusses using multiple marketing channels, the importance of clear messaging, and leveraging podcasting and AI. The episode highlights how […]
They didn't just launch a wine brand - they created a whole new category. In this episode, Kendra Kawala shares how Maker Wines went from cold outreach to category leader.Jim talks with Kendra Kawala, co-founder of Maker Wines, about how she turned B2B sales grit into DTC scale. From walking into wine shops cold to managing complex supply chains with 15 wineries, Kendra reveals the realities of launching a new product category — and why going B2B-first gave them an edge most DTC brands miss.TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEWhy Maker Wines isn't your typical DTC brandThe early grind of B2B-style salesManaging logistics across 15 partner wineriesWhat business school got right and wrongChoosing the right co-founder for scaleOrder economics and conviction at launchApplying B2B thinking to consumer marketingIf you're launching something new — or want to scale smart — this is the episode you'll come back to twice.Resources:https://www.makerwine.com/Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth School Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
John Pasmore, thinks the answer is yes — but not if we keep doing things the old way. In this episode, the CEO and founder of Latimer AI lays out the company's strategy for inclusive AI: replace scraped social content with vetted academic material, digitize underrepresented history, and build guardrails with purpose.Charna and John also explore the implications for enterprise, healthcare, and education — sectors where small biases can cause serious harm. TIMESTAMPS[00:00:00] — Intro [00:02:00] — John's Journey into AI[00:04:00] — Data Sources & Historical Archives[00:06:00] — Underrepresented Digital Histories[00:08:00] — Flawed Training Sets in LLMs[00:10:00] — Measuring & Detecting Bias[00:12:00] — Algorithmic Bias in Hiring[00:14:00] — Copyright & Ethical Data Use[00:16:00] — Multimodal Platform Rollout[00:18:00] — Enterprise Privacy & LLM Hosting[00:20:00] — Optimism & Intergenerational Impact[00:22:00] — Founding in a Crowded Market[00:26:00] — Charna's Takeaways on Systemic Bias[00:28:00] — Guardrails vs Structural Solutions[00:30:00] — Training Data vs Output Behavior[00:32:00] — Algorithmic vs Contextual Bias[00:34:00] — Providing Cultural Context to LLMs[00:36:00] — Community-Based Data Labeling[00:38:00] — The Yard Tour & HBCU Partnerships[00:40:00] — Wrapping up the Season & What's Next QUOTESJohn Pasmore “If a company is using AI to look at resumes, what is it? How is it classifying people's names or, we're surprised that sometimes it's using the name and coming to some conclusion about the desirability of a candidate just based on their name, where maybe that wasn't the intent."Charna Parkey “Instead of modifying the model itself, we can say, okay, here's a historical context, here's a new cultural insight, and here's the situation. Now tell me about the outcome, right?"
It started with a nickname. Then became a joke. And somehow… a 6-figure DTC brand. In this episode, Ryan Rock shares how Fatboy was born and how he turned culture, community, and UGC into a real business.Jim sits down with Ryan Rock to tell the unconventional story behind Fatboy - a brand that started as a laugh between friends and ended up hitting six figures. From pop-up marketing to micro-influencer strategy, Ryan breaks down what it really takes to turn momentum into money (without VC money or fancy tactics).Key Topics Covered:How Fatboy started from an inside jokeThe early wins and major milestonesUGC-first growth and creative content playsPop-ups, local events, and offline hustleBuilding clubs and communities around the brandMicro-influencer and word-of-mouth strategyIf you're thinking about launching a DTC brand — or want to grow without paid ads — this episode is packed with scrappy tactics and founder truths.Resources:Fat Boy Surf ClubJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth School Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
One of the most-listened and shared episodes of 2024 - an episode that multiple people reached out months later to say "this single episode helped me launch my business." So, that's cool. It's on standing out in a crowded market, and it's on mice. Specifically, the guy who got rid of ours. There are four lessons, a framework, Customer Journey Mapping and the Feature Fold. TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotSugar (but it stinks)00:30 Intro02:00 We've Got Mice05:15 The Mouse Man's Funnel07:50 Smooth Jazz08:21 One - Build Your Funnel to Match Customer Emotion11:45 Good Questions For Your Funnel12:30 Two - Contrast from the Feature Fold14:30 Saving your Customers a Decision15:53 Three - Take Yourself Seriously19:14 Four - The Things Other People Stink At22:14 The End22:50 Recap of the Four Lessons
In today's fast-evolving digital marketplace, attention is scarce, and trust even more so. In an era of remote work, AI-driven marketing, and constant digital noise, storytelling has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to cut through the clutter. In fact, research shows that people who used storytelling techniques to remember information recalled 7 times more than those who used standard study methods—demonstrating how narrative structure significantly boosts retention and impact.So, what makes storytelling such a crucial business strategy now? And how can leaders and organizations harness it not just to sell, but to inspire, differentiate, and build lasting relationships?In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski welcomes longtime colleague and friend Daniel Sieger, founder of Stories for Good, to explore why storytelling isn't just helpful anymore—it's essential. Together, they discuss how the modern communications landscape has transformed, what makes a story resonate, and how authenticity can be a competitive advantage.Key takeaways from the episode:Storytelling builds trust and breaks through noise. In a world where 56% of salespeople say their biggest challenge is getting a client's attention, a compelling personal narrative can be the difference-maker.Authenticity and passion are key. People instinctively recognize when a story feels fake. Sieger emphasizes that practiced, real storytelling creates human connection, even over Zoom.Leaders must take an “outside-in” approach. Organizations often underestimate their own impact. By listening to customer stories, companies can uncover their real value and build better narratives.Daniel Sieger is a veteran brand strategist and storytelling expert with over 30 years of experience leading communications for top companies including Toyota, McGraw-Hill Education, and Cengage. He specializes in crafting compelling brand narratives that drive engagement, leading successful rebranding efforts and launching high-impact content strategies such as Cengage Unlimited and Today's Learner. As founder of Stories for Good, Sieger now helps mission-driven organizations develop authentic, memorable storytelling across media, marketing, and leadership platforms.
What would make someone spend a small fortune on the domain Couch.com? In this episode, Alex Back reveals the real reasons and how it helped him build and sell a 7-figure business.Jim sits down with Alex Back, founder of Couch.com and Apt2b, to unpack the journey of bootstrapping an eCommerce brand and exiting with impact. From domain strategy to traffic growth and earnouts, this is a masterclass in building smart and selling well. Alex doesn't hold back on what worked, what flopped, and what he'd do differently.Key Topics Covered:Why “couches” was the niche of choiceThe surprising ROI of a premium domainBuilding sustainable traffic through SEOStructuring a strong co-founder relationshipWhat makes the right time to sellSmart growth hacks that moved the needleWhy earnouts might be underratedIf you're building, buying, or selling an eCom brand — this episode is packed with real talk and hard-won insights. Subscribe for more tactical founder convos like this.Resources:Couch.comJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookThe Shopify Growth ShowAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Tired of being seen as “just another” agent, coach, or service provider? Today, Coach Micheal Burt breaks down a step-by-step framework to explain your value in a way that gets attention and gets paid. Whether you're in insurance, real estate, sales, or coaching... This strategy will show you how to position yourself as a specialist, not a commodity.If you're struggling to stand out, this is your playbook for differentiation, persuasion, and bold articulation.___________________Events:https://www.coachburt.com/eventsMasterclass:https://offer.coachburt.com/preydrivemasterclassregisterHire Me To Speak:https://www.coachburt.com/hirecoachCheck out my Books:https://www.coachburt.com/resources
It's brutal out there. You can build something amazing—beautiful design, flawless code, real value—and still watch it disappear into the crowd. There's this hard truth: building the app is only half the battle. The ones that make it usually combine sharp timing, smart distribution, and a deep understanding of what real users actually need. And in a world where algorithms, privacy rules, and AI keep shifting the ground, staying seen takes more than just a good idea—it takes relentless adaptability. Lior Eldan is the COO and co-founder of Moburst, a global digital marketing agency known for its mobile-first expertise. He's helped brands like Google, Reddit, and Pfizer scale through smart digital strategies. Today, he breaks down the real challenges behind app growth—stressing that building a solid product isn't enough. Eldan highlights the need for sharp user acquisition tactics, app store optimization, and keeping pace with fast-moving tech like AI. His focus: strategy, adaptability, and results-driven marketing. Stay tuned! Resources: Ready to experience hypergrowth? Let's talk! Follow Lior Eldan on Facebook Connect with Lior Eldan on LinkedIn
Most brands start online. Robert Nelson did the opposite and it changed everything. He used real-world feedback, military discipline, and pop-up precision to launch a thriving DTC brand.In this episode, Robert Nelson of Just Mystic shares the unconventional path his brand took to gain traction - starting offline with brick-and-mortar and pop-up activations before ever building a Shopify store. With a Marine mindset and data-driven instincts, Robert explains why starting on the ground gave him an edge online.Whether you're validating a product or scaling DTC, this episode shows why doing it the “wrong” way might be exactly right.Key Topics Covered:Why starting with a physical location validated the product fasterHow in-person pop-ups revealed customer behavior and pain pointsThe move from offline to Shopify — and what changedMilitary leadership lessons applied to brand-buildingUsing basic retail economics to unlock higher marginsFollow The Shopify Growth Show for more real founder playbooks - from brick-and-mortar rebels to AI-native operators.Resources:Just MysticJim Huffman websiteGrowthHitAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Iris Saar Isaacs is the Designer and Creative Director at inSync Design. inSync Design is an award-winning jewellery brand creating high-quality Australian-made, contemporary jewellery that is unique, timeless and affordable from their studio in Melbourne. In this episode, Iris gets candid about her journey of founding and growing her business and how she makes inSync Design stand out in the market. She discusses how she pivoted from wholesale to online retail during the pandemic, how she scaled her business internationally, and the importance of pricing, marketing, and exclusivity for fellow creatives and aspiring business owners. Resources and links: inSync Design website Iris Saar Isaacs on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.
We've all done it (hopefully). You take a job in a market where you aren't the biggest fish in the pond...or even the 4th biggest.But we still have a property that brings value. So, how do we convince brands when there are bigger entities they can invest in?This week, we dive into a listener question about selling sponsorships in a crowded market and how creativity can take you over the top.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.
We bought a DTC brand. Now we're putting it through the GrowthHit wringer. This is the actual strategy we're using to scale Neat Apparel — and yes, we're sharing everything.In this solo episode, Jim Huffman shares the full behind-the-scenes growth plan for Neat Apparel — a sweat-proof clothing brand recently acquired by GrowthHit. You'll hear the exact tactics he's using to revamp the site, increase AOV, build email flows, and tackle paid ads — all with a bootstrapped budget and a sharp eye on product-market fit.If you want a real-time blueprint for scaling a Shopify brand in a red-ocean category, this is it.Key Topics Covered:Why “shut up and listen” was step one post-acquisitionAOV > ROAS: The case for bundling and upsellsHow they're balancing paid media and scrappy growthTheir ad creative testing process (30+ angles)SEO, seasonality, and what they're betting on long-termFollow The Shopify Growth Show for more build-in-public breakdowns like this. Real playbooks, no fluff. Resources:The Shopify Growth SchoolNeat WebsiteJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's PlaybookAdditional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
In the latest episode of Founded & Funded, Madrona Partner Vivek Ramaswami sits down with Harley Sugarman, founder and CEO of Anagram, to unpack how one pivot, a flood of cold outreach, and relentless focus on behavior change transformed a niche tool into an enterprise platform serving companies like Disney and Pfizer. From landing enterprise logos off of nothing but wireframes, to outmaneuvering the 800-lb gorilla in a legacy industry — Harley's tactics are a masterclass for any founder trying to stand out in a crowded market. Transcript: https://www.madrona.com/how-anagram-landed-disney-with-cold-outbound-security-awareness-training Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:53) Harley Sugarman's Background and Journey (03:24) Founding Anagram (04:21) Initial Vision and Pivot (05:50) Challenges and Market Realities (06:54) Customer Feedback and New Direction (09:25) Executing a Startup Pivot (11:31) Cold Outreach Success (14:20) Security Awareness Training that works (18:52) Competing in a Crowded Market (24:48) Enterprise Sales Strategy (27:04) Fundraising Journey (28:54) Choosing the Right Investors (33:32) Advice for Founders (36:33) Future of Security Training
Robert Friedman is a prominent branding expert known for his ability to help businesses articulate their unique identities and connect meaningfully with their audiences. His journey began in large advertising agencies, where he developed a deep understanding of consumer behavior and marketing strategies. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, he founded Fearless Branding, driven by his passion for helping companies differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Friedman emphasizes that successful branding is built on a singular, meaningful idea that transcends products or services, focusing on storytelling and emotional connections. Robert advocates for a structured approach to branding, encouraging businesses to answer fundamental questions about their identity, purpose, and audience. By clarifying these elements, companies can create compelling narratives that resonate with their target markets. His transformative work has led to remarkable success stories, such as a personal injury law firm that significantly increased its case sizes after redefining its brand narrative. He believes that fearlessness in branding is essential, urging businesses to embrace their unique identities and take bold risks to foster authentic connections with their audiences. To learn more about Robert Friedman's insights and strategies for effective branding, visit his website Fearless Branding. Access valuable resources, including a downloadable PDF and an opportunity to attend an informative webinar that will help you elevate your brand and connect with your audience more effectively. Don't miss the chance to transform your branding approach and achieve greater success! For the accessible version of the podcast, go to our Ziotag gallery.We're happy you're here! Like the pod?Support the podcast and receive discounts from our sponsors: https://yourbrandamplified.codeadx.me/Leave a rating and review on your favorite platformFollow @yourbrandamplified on the socialsTalk to my digital avatar
In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Ellis Hammond, VP of Capital at Aspen Funds, fresh off our co-hosted mastermind in Austin. Ellis shares his unconventional journey from college pastor to raising $250M+ in equity and reveals why Aspen's oil and gas fund raised $60M in just 60 days while their industrial fund struggles at $4M.His key insight for fund managers: "The lifeblood of your business is 100% correlated to the cash flow you generate" - which is why smart sponsors are adding private credit funds paying 10-12% to create recurring revenue while building long-term wealth. Learn more about Lone Star Capital at www.lscre.com Apply to attend the LSC Summit 2025: www.lscsummit.com Get a FREE copy of the Passive Investor Guide:https://www.lscre.com/content/passive-investor-guide Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our FREE underwriting model package:https://www.lscre.com/resource/fof-underwriting-toolkit Follow Rob Beardsley:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-beardsley/Read Rob's articles:https://www.lscre.com/blog
Mastering Product Marketing: Insights from Gal Ko, Founder of BoldPMMIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge interviews Gal Ko, Founder and CEO of BoldPMM. Gal shares his journey from surfing adventures to leading BoldPMM, a product marketing firm focused on helping businesses create compelling stories and scale through strategic marketing. The episode provides valuable insights into overcoming market saturation, using podcasts for strategic marketing, and the importance of storytelling for CEOs and marketers looking to stand out in competitive markets.The Importance of Storytelling and Strategic Marketing in Today's MarketGal Ko emphasizes that effective product marketing is built on one key principle: storytelling. Product marketers must craft a narrative that resonates with their target audience, aligning with their needs, desires, and pain points. This narrative forms the foundation for a company's go-to-market strategy, ensuring that messaging is consistent and engaging across all channels. By focusing on values and the problems a product solves, marketers can differentiate their brand and build stronger connections with potential customers.However, Gal highlights a critical challenge—market saturation. With the overwhelming amount of content and ads online, it's harder than ever for startups and established companies to stand out. Traditional marketing tactics often fail to break through the noise, especially for startups in competitive markets like Israel. Gal recommends diversifying content channels, shifting focus from paid ads to value-driven content, and leveraging niche communities to engage with potential customers directly. This approach not only cuts through the noise but also fosters organic, lasting relationships with customers.One of the most powerful tools Gal advocates for is podcasting. As an effective marketing tool, podcasts allow for deeper, long-form storytelling that resonates with a targeted audience, including executives and decision-makers. Gal shares that podcast appearances allow business leaders to showcase their expertise, offer valuable insights, and establish authority in their industry. By using podcasts strategically, businesses can amplify their reach, build credibility, and position themselves as thought leaders—especially in competitive markets where breaking through the noise can be particularly challenging.About Gal KoGal Ko is the Founder and CEO of BoldPMM, a product marketing firm dedicated to helping businesses create impactful stories and market their products effectively. With extensive experience in marketing and a passion for innovation, Gal works with businesses to differentiate their brands and drive success through strategic marketing efforts.About BoldPMMBoldPMM is a product marketing firm that specializes in storytelling and go-to-market strategy for businesses looking to make a lasting impact in their industries. They help companies build compelling narratives, connect with their target audience, and navigate market saturation to achieve meaningful business growth.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeBoldPMM WebsiteGal Ko on LinkedInEpisode HighlightsStorytelling for Product...
Software-as-a-service business acquisitions are in trouble. What is responsible for a downward trend in multiples and acquisition dollar amounts? It has a lot to do with AI, but it may not be what you think.I recently recorded an in-depth session for Rob Walling's SaaS Launchpad. This module is called AI in SaaS, and I share over a dozen pitfalls, unobvious risks, and hard-earned insights from my own AI SaaS building journey. The course was already great, but... you know... ;) Use the code ARVID150 to get $150 off until June 8th.The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/ai-is-a-threat-to-saas-multiples/ The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/393-ai-is-a-threat-to-saas-multiplesCheck out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
Let me ask you something: When your clients talk about what you do—do they repeat your language, or do they describe you the same way they describe everyone else in your space? Because here is what I see happening with a lot of high-achieving women entrepreneurs: They are amazing at what they do… but their ideas sound generic. Their offers sound like everyone else's. And that is exactly why they are getting overlooked—or underpaid. The fix? It is all about turning your ideas into branded intellectual property.
Think the land business is too crowded to break in? Think again. In this episode of The Land Academy Show, Steven Jack Butala and Jill DeWit tackle one of the biggest myths in real estate: that the market is too saturated to succeed. They dive into why that's simply not true—and how the real winners are thriving not despite the competition, but because they know exactly where and how to play. You'll also hear a real-life question from the Land Academy community about what to do when your land photos fall flat—and why setting clear expectations (and knowing when to push back) is key to running a top-tier operation. From drone photos to apex predators (yes, really), this episode is your permission slip to stop making excuses and start standing out in a so-called "crowded" market.
Your traffic isn't the problem. Your ads aren't broken. Your positioning is off. And that's why you're stuck.In this solo episode, Jim Huffman shares a live coaching session that breaks down how to actually fix brand positioning — using case studies from Neat Apparel, GrowthHit, and breakout brands like Rocket Money, Warby Parker, and Figma. You'll learn how better positioning unlocks conversion rate gains, improves messaging, and becomes the foundation for scalable growth.This is the episode for Shopify founders ready to get serious about messaging, differentiation, and the real reasons customers buy.Key Topics Covered:Why your brand pitch likely isn't working (and how to fix it)Two frameworks to improve your positioning todaySpeaking to 3 customer types: informed, afflicted, and obliviousCase studies: Spanx, Truvani, Adam Shoes, Rocket Money & moreReal examples from GrowthHit and Neat Apparel's positioning playbookLearn live from Shopify experts. Join our biweekly AI-powered growth sessions - free for founders and marketers - https://shopifygrowthschool.com/ Resources:Shopify Growth SchoolGrowth Marketing OS (Operating System) GrowthHitJim Huffman websiteJim's LinkedinJim's Twitter Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Your personal brand is the one thing you carry with you—through every pivot, job, or business evolution. In this kickoff episode of the Personal Branding Series, I'm sharing why now is the time to take your personal brand seriously—and how to begin aligning how you show up with how you want to be seen.Whether you're starting fresh, evolving your niche, or just feeling disconnected from how you show up online, this episode will help you take the first step toward more confident, consistent visibility. Key Takeaways:Why your personal brand is your most powerful business assetHow the online space has changed—and what that means for your visibilityWhy “just working hard” isn't enough anymore to get noticedThe simple first step to start aligning your brand: Google yourselfHow I help coaching clients build intentional, trust-building personal brands Mentioned in This Episode:Join my email community to get weekly brand-building resources https://shellyniehaus.com/tips Resources:Client Attraction Clarity Call: https://shellyniehaus.com/connectPodcast Listeners Resource Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/guideList Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecardMarketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeoverThe Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercallEmail Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguideProfitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofileKit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehausEquipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75 Connect with Shelly Niehaus:Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/
In this episode of the Your Dream Business Podcast, I had a great chat with thought leader Sara Connell. We talked about what it really means to be a thought leader these days, and how being authentic and thinking outside the box are key. Sara busts the myth that everything's already been said, and encourages people to lead with their own voice and ideas. We also got into why being visible matters now more than ever, touching on things like the “trust recession” and Google's “zero moment of truth.” She shared super practical tips on how to stand out—even in crowded spaces—and make sure your audience is actually paying attention. Plus, we talked about writing books, and Sara gave some smart frameworks to make the process less overwhelming. If you're a coach, course creator, or membership owner wanting to boost your influence, this episode is full of helpful insights. KEY TAKEAWAYS COVERED IN THE PODCAST Your voice is still needed—even in a crowded space. Sara debunks the idea that everything's already been said. She encourages you to lead with your own thoughts and trust that your unique perspective can make an impact. Visibility builds trust—if done right –We explored how being seen isn't just about showing up, but about showing up with intention. Concepts like the “trust recession” and Google's “zero moment of truth” show why strategic visibility matters more than ever. Writing a book doesn't have to be overwhelming – Sara shares simple frameworks to help you structure and write a book efficiently, turning what feels like a massive project into a doable, powerful tool for influence. If you enjoyed this episode then please feel free to go and share it on your social media or head over to Apple podcasts or Spotify and give me a review, I would be so very grateful. LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE Connect with Sara on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Website Connect with Teresa on Website, (Grow, Launch, Sell), Sign up to Teresa's email list, Instagram, LinkedIn, or
What if the polished ads you spent thousands on were actually hurting your brand?In this episode, we explore how real, imperfect content is outperforming big-budget campaigns — and why most Shopify founders are still getting it wrong.Jim Huffman sits down with William Gasner, co-founder of Stack Influence, to unpack the real power behind UGC (user-generated content) and why it's become a secret weapon for smart eCommerce brands. From influencer seeding to ad fatigue, they get brutally honest about what actually drives conversions in 2025 — and how founders can stop wasting money and start scaling with authenticity.Key Topics CoveredWhy UGC outperforms professional ads in today's marketThe overlooked value of product seeding (and how to do it right)How to build a content machine that fuels both ads and organic growthWhy creative freedom often leads to better results than tight scriptsThe truth about influencers, follower counts, and what really matters Resources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
Liz Long, co-founder of Nearshore.ai, shares her extensive knowledge on transforming innovative ideas into actual products. Liz discusses the critical steps in product design, manufacturing, and supply chain management, offering invaluable tips for startups and established businesses alike. With a background in launching successful brands and an accelerator, Liz provides a wealth of practical advice, from navigating production phases to leveraging global supply chains. She also explores current trends, the importance of specialized products, and effective inventory management strategies. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in the e-commerce and manufacturing spaces. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S EPISODEStarting a Brand: The Initial StepsDesigning Your Product: Key ConsiderationsFinding the Right Factory and Supply ChainBudgeting and Cost ManagementNavigating Production and Quality ControlChoosing Manufacturing LocationsManaging Inventory and Cash FlowFinal Mile: Shipping and FulfillmentExploring Current Trends in Fashion and Product SpecializationThe Rise of the Drop Model and Its ChallengesLiz's Journey: From Reusable Shopping Bags to Product AcceleratorThe Transition to Nearshore and Its ImpactBalancing Work and Family: Liz's Personal InsightsConclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Jim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
What if your hardest season became your biggest breakthrough?Ming Zhao built a $24M skincare brand in just 2 years—while pregnant and going through Y Combinator. This isn't just a startup story. It's a story of pressure, clarity, and purpose colliding at once.In this raw and revealing episode, Ming Zhao, CEO and co-founder of PROVEN Skincare, shares how she transformed corporate burnout into one of the fastest-growing beauty startups—scaling to $24 million in just 24 months. She opens up about building a data-driven business during one of the most demanding periods of her life, and how AI, science, and personal insight helped reshape the future of skincare.Key Topics Covered:How AI and data are transforming skincareThe Skin Genome Project explainedNavigating Y Combinator while pregnantBuilding a business model rooted in scienceLiving the “Love your job, live your life” mindsetResources:ProvenJim Huffman websiteJim's TwitterGrowthHitThe Growth Marketer's Playbook Additional episodes you might enjoy:Startup Ideas by Paul Graham (#45)Nathan Barry: How to Bootstrap a Company to $30M in a Crowded Market (#41)How I Met My Biz Partner and Less Learned Hitting $2M ARR (#44)Ryan Hamilton on his Netflix special, touring with Jerry Seinfeld, & how to write a joke (#10)How We're Validating Startup Ideas (#51)
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