Podcasts about Product innovation

This week, I'm joined by Kat Schoewe, VP of Design and Product Innovation at Outdoor Research.She can casually mention shaping product at Under Armour, L.L. Bean, Pearl Izumi, and Land's End—but she'd much rather talk about her vintage collection.We get into how she got started in design, the wild rise of GORP-core, what it means to be a fashion brand without really calling yourself one, and her deep love of thrifting. We also talk about why Outdoor Research has such a huge following in Japan.It's a fun ride—full of gear talk, cultural crossover, and a few solid parenting hacks thrown in for good measure.*Sponsored by Bezel - the trusted marketplace for buying and selling your next luxury watch 

What if being the first in your category made you the Kleenex of your market? And how do you turn that into a lasting advantage? In this episode, we talk to Dean McIntyre, president of Ayrsonics and CEO of the McIntyre Group, about building a brand that stands out in the competitive world of acoustic products. Dean shares why they diversified, how they pivoted during economic downturns, and how they're bringing manufacturing back to North America to build a more resilient business.

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode is with the CIO of an insurance company responsible for more than $300B in assets and a major focus on private markets.Lincoln Financial EVP and CIO Jayson Bronchetti and I sat down recently at Lincon Financial's headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania to discuss the increasing involvement of insurance companies in private markets.Jayson, who is a member of Lincoln Financial's Senior Management Committee and serves as the primary investment officer to Lincoln's Board of Directors on all investment-related matters, is responsible for more than $300B in assets across the general account portfolio and the separate account mutual fund complex. He's also chairman of the board of directors of the Lincoln Variable Insurance Product Trust family of over 100 mutual funds. He's also on the board of the Lincoln Financial Foundation.Fresh off recent partnerships with Bain Capital and Partners Group on private markets investment products and Bain Capital taking a stake in Lincoln's business, Jayson and I had a fascinating conversation about how insurance companies can approach private markets and how they can build unique and differentiated partnerships with asset managers.We discussed:The evolving role of insurance companies as LPs in private markets.Why asset and liability matching is a critical framework to allocating to private markets.How the general account of an insurance company creates interesting opportunities for strategic relationships and partnerships with alternative asset managers.The benefit of having a business that works with financial advisors and individuals.The importance of educating wholesalers about private markets – and why insurance wholesalers might have an advantage in educating advisors and clients about private markets products and strategies.Thanks Jayson for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise about private markets and insurance.Subscribe to Alt Goes Mainstream to receive the weekly newsletter every Sunday and all of AGM's podcasts.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:40 Introduction to Jayson Bronchetti02:20 Sponsor Message: Ultimus Fund Solutions03:37 Welcome to the Podcast04:03 Jayson's Background in Private Markets04:57 Evolution of Insurance Companies in Private Markets06:37 Symbiotic Relationship Between GPs and Insurers08:40 Understanding Liquidity and Illiquidity11:19 Diligencing Private Markets Managers13:25 Balancing Scale and Performance14:09 Boots on the Ground: Sourcing Edge14:42 Evolution of Alternative Asset Managers14:53 Lincoln's Unique Position in the Market19:32 Strategic Partnerships with Bain and Partners Group20:03 The Value of Distribution Relationships22:14 The Democratization of Alternative Investments22:49 The Intersection of Private Markets, Wealth, and Insurance23:10 Approaching Private Markets with the General Account24:18 Launching Strategies with Bain and Partners Group24:50 Incubating New Strategies for Retail Consumers25:16 Building a Customized Investment Strategy25:45 Designing Purposeful Investment Funds26:00 Ensuring Accessibility and Proper Wrappers26:08 Liquidity and Product Matching26:15 Seeding Strategies with the General Account26:58 One Lincoln Approach27:12 Finding Opportunities in the Seams27:46 Balancing General Account and Distribution Needs28:07 Product Innovation in the Wealth Channel28:53 Healthy Tension in Product Design31:51 Importance of Asset Liability Management33:05 Educating the Distribution Team34:47 Training Modules for Wholesalers36:28 Boots on the Ground: The Power of Relationships37:45 Simplifying Complex Products40:44 Democratizing Alternative Investments41:10 Straddling Institutional and Individual Mindsets41:35 Integrating Private Markets into Retirement Products43:13 Future of Private Markets in Retirement Portfolios43:57 Product Innovation and Technology45:15 Private Markets in Insurance Products47:16 Focus on Private Credit49:38 Risks in Private Credit50:29 Excitement for the Future of Private Markets51:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Disclosure from Lincoln Financial Registration statements for each of the evergreen funds have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available from the EDGAR database on the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). The information in the registration statements is not complete and may be changed. The securities of neither fund may be sold until its registration statement is effective. An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of each fund carefully before investing. This and other information about each fund will be contained in the fund's final prospectus, which investors should read carefully when available from t...

Fred started Cosmetic Solutions.com online store in 1996 and was one of the first third party sellers in Beauty on Amazon starting in 2003. Cosmetic Solutions is on the gorilla list of Biggest All Time Amazon Sellers in the top 260. Cosmetic Solutions' first 10 years were dedicated to selling everything at one time boasting over 100,000 sku's and offering everything from professional beauty and what you would find at your local drugstores.  Now as the business on Amazon has evolved Cosmetic Solutions is dedicated to selling its Brands as the authorized reseller and brands rights holder like skin care brand Dermactin and hair care brand Difeel and nail care brand Barielle.> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Challenges of counterfeiting on Amazon and brand protection strategies.The evolution of selling on Amazon and adapting to marketplace changes.Importance of innovation and product development for competitiveness.Strategies for maintaining healthy profit margins amidst rising costs.Role of customer service in identifying product issues and enhancing satisfaction.Necessity of monitoring key performance metrics for business success.Building strong customer relationships to inform product offerings.Importance of delegation and team building for business growth.Navigating unexpected challenges in the e-commerce landscape.The significance of having a clear vision for business direction and growth.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Fred Adler, founder of Cosmetic Solutions and a seasoned Amazon seller with over two decades of experience. Fred shares invaluable insights on tackling counterfeiting, maintaining competitiveness, and leveraging customer service for product development. He emphasizes the importance of a robust distribution strategy, constant innovation, and attentive customer service to stay ahead in Amazon's dynamic marketplace. The episode concludes with actionable takeaways on protecting profit margins, optimizing operations, and engaging with customer feedback to drive business growth.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:1. Proactively Monitor and Protect Your Listings from CounterfeitsRegularly check your product listings for inaccuracies, such as image swaps or unauthorized changes, to prevent sales loss.Implement unique SKUs for different sales channels (Amazon, retail, DTC) to help distinguish your authentic products from counterfeit ones.Consider working with legal experts to safeguard your brand against counterfeiters and unauthorized resellers.2. Optimize Operational Costs to Protect Profit MarginsTrack daily metrics, including FBA fees, cost of goods sold (COGS), and overhead costs, to identify areas for optimization.Work directly with shipping carriers and explore alternative fulfillment strategies to reduce logistics expenses.Conduct regular audits of product classifications and Amazon's warehousing fees to avoid unexpected financial losses3. Leverage Customer Insights for Product Innovation and Service ImprovementActively engage with customer feedback to identify pain points and improve product offerings before issues escalate.Use customer input to develop new product variations or features that competitors may overlook.Advocate for better direct communication tools on Amazon to enhance customer service and build brand loyalty.Resources mentioned in this episode:Ecomm BreakthroughAmazon TransparencyProject ZeroEdison IPAmazonShopifyMeta AdsAmazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)Snow CrashMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleL'OrealAlex Ramos's PodcastChatGPTSpecial Mention(s):Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedInKevin King on LinkedInMichael E. Gerber on LinkedInRelated Episode(s):“Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist's Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Kevin King's Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough PodcastEpisode SponsorSponsor for this episode...This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.If you've hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that's Ecomm with two M's) to learn more.Transcript AreaJosh Hadley 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interview the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Aaron Cordovez, and Michael E Gerber, author of the E-myth. Today I am speaking with Fred Adler, and we're going to be talking about the three biggest lessons that he has learned after selling on Amazon...

What are the secrets of transformative product leadership? In this episode of the CPO Rising Series hosted by Products That Count Resident CPO Renee Niemi, Checkr Chief Product Officer Ilan Frank will be speaking on driving customer value through innovative product strategies. Ilan shares his 28-year journey from engineer to product leader, revealing how companies can balance rapid innovation with meaningful customer solutions.

We're talking about either the terrifying or totally mundane new world of "vibe coding" - using AI to generate code without deep technical expertise. Joining Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel for this podcast, we're happy to welcome back to the podcast Lenar Mukhamadiev, CEO of iDelsoft (https://idelsoft.com)!Listen as we discuss how this trend is changing product development, software engineering careers, and business innovation. Stick around while we argue over resistance, how vibe coding enables faster market testing and many more points, including:Accelerating time-to-market for new ideasEvolving role of professional developersUnderstanding business problems is more valuable than codingEmergence of "product engineers," or notA future where everyone is a software creator#AIinTech #ProductDevelopment #FutureOfWork= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTubeSubscribe on YouTubeAppleSpotify= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode is with a private equity pioneer who has seen the industry evolve in the forty plus years he's spent in private markets.We sat down with Steve Klinsky, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Mountain Capital, which he started in 1999, and has grown to over $55B AUM with an investment platform that spans strategies across Private Equity, Credit, and Net Lease Real Estate.Steve was the Co-Founder of the Leverage Buyout Group at Goldman Sachs from 1981-1984, where he helped execute over $3B of transactions for Goldman and its clients. He then joined Forstmann Little and Co. as an Associate Partner and General Partner, helping to oversee seven private equity and debt partnerships totaling over $10B in capital.He has since built New Mountain Capital into a leading alternative asset manager that has charted a growth path. Yet the firm has remained true to its roots and mindset of its “family business background,” which has informed how New Mountain has partnered with both GPs and LPs, and it's a DNA that is central to their recent rollout of a wealth solutions business.Steve and I had a fascinating discussion about the evolution of private markets and how to build a leading alternative asset manager that helps build businesses. We covered:How private markets have changed since Steve began in the industry.What it means to build “great businesses.”How the mindset of the “family business background” has helped inform investment strategy and deepening LP relationships.How Steve and New Mountain have navigated scaling the firm while focusing on generating returns for LPs.How New Mountain has approached launching new strategies.The why and how behind launching a wealth solutions business.Thanks Steve for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise on private markets.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Message from our sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions01:23 Podcast Theme and Opening02:03 Guest Introduction: Steve Klinsky04:00 Steve's Early Career in Private Equity05:39 The Evolution of Private Equity06:55 Forstmann Little and Co. Experience07:36 Founding New Mountain Capital08:08 New Mountain's Investment Philosophy08:25 Family Business Influences08:56 New Mountain's Cultural Values09:13 Working with Entrepreneurs and Management Teams10:15 Scaling New Mountain Capital13:35 Investment Strategies and Talent14:45 Opportunities and Challenges in Private Equity15:03 Mid-Market Focus and Growth Opportunities16:10 Impact of Industry Growth on Mid-Market Firms16:50 Product Innovation in Private Markets18:40 Synergy Between Investment Strategies20:20 Growth and Future of New Mountain Capital21:10 Engaging the Wealth Channel21:40 Building the New Mountain Brand23:07 New Mountain's Edge and Performance24:20 Engaging the Wealth Channel25:50 Customization and Differentiation in Wealth Management27:17 Strategies for Wealth Channel Engagement27:39 Productization for the Wealth Channel28:05 Industry Evolution and Consolidation28:40 Wealth Channel vs Institutional Channel29:44 Institutional Side of Private Markets29:59 Historical Perspective on Institutional Changes30:47 Challenges and Investment Strategies for the Wealth Channel32:03 Investment Lessons34:48 Common Threads in Successful Investments35:53 Leveraging AI and Technology in Investments37:56 Value Creation in Services Businesses38:42 Effective Value Creation Levers39:38 Growth and Team Building at New Mountain41:04 Starting New Mountain in 199943:00 Navigating Market Turbulence44:57 Private Markets vs Public Markets45:53 Lessons from Private Markets for Public Investors47:47 Importance of Price in Investing49:24 Building a Strong Team50:05 Global Investment Strategies50:47 Future Investment Excitement51:58 Focus on Wealth Channel52:13 Growth in Secondaries and Continuation Vehicles52:42 Industry Evolution and Firm Growth53:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Women in Chemical's interviews, Rashda Khan, Senior Director of Product Innovation at Barentz for Woman of the Week 5/26/2025.

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta interviews e-commerce expert Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Holdings. Neil shares his journey from corporate life at IBM to building Amazon FBA brands, generating over $100 million in sales. He discusses the power of product innovation over invention, how to find high-margin opportunities, and why premium pricing is essential for long-term success. Listeners will gain actionable insights into building scalable e-commerce brands and navigating Amazon's competitive marketplace.

Product innovation in banking faces significant challenges, including legacy systems, regulatory constraints, risk aversion, and the need to balance digital transformation with traditional services. In this episode of Banking Transformed, we explore the dynamic landscape of banking product management with Puneet Chhahira, VP and Head of Product Management and Marketing at Infosys Finacle. Our conversation reveals how financial products are evolving beyond traditional services to meet changing customer expectations and technological possibilities. Puneet shares valuable insights on how banks can foster innovation cultures, accelerate digital transformation, and effectively implement AI technologies to enhance both product development and customer experiences. We also discuss the critical role leadership plays in driving these changes and how banks can balance technological advancement with human-centered design principles.

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today we sit down with a technology and fund services veteran who has worked with many of the industry's largest asset managers.Cesar Estrada is Private Markets Head at Arcesium, a global financial technology company delivering pre- and post-investment operations and enterprise data management solutions designed to systematize the most complex workflows.Arcesium was built from a platform developed and tested by investment and technology development firm, the D. E. Shaw Group, and launched as a joint venture with Blackstone Alternative Asset Management. J.P. Morgan, another large client, later made a strategic investment in the company, helping Arcesium further its mission: to power the entire investment lifecycle.Cesar is responsible for Arcesium's data management and investment operations technology and services offered to private markets fund managers and investors. Previously, he served as Senior Managing Director and Alternatives Business Head for North America at State Street — a role in which he drove the growth agenda for a business with approximately $1 trillion in Assets Under Administration by leading new product launches, expansion into new client segments, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. He served on the board of State Street Fund Services Inc. Prior to that, as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan, Cesar led the Private Equity & Real Estate Funds Services business from launch to $350B AUA.Cesar and I had a fascinating conversation about the impact of technology and automation on private markets. We discussed:What private markets going mainstream means for pre- and post-investment operations.Why alternative asset managers need to have technology solutions to manage, track, and analyze data and workflows if they want to scale.The biggest challenges that alternative asset managers face as they handle the increase in data management, more funds, and more investors.What technology or workflow solutions are still missing.How much AI will impact technology workflows in private markets.Why ABF has become such an important part of the private credit ecosystem.Thanks Cesar for coming on the show to share your wisdom and experience in private markets.Subscribe to Alt Goes Mainstream to receive the weekly newsletter every Sunday and all of AGM's podcasts.You can also see a recent Q&A with Cesar on AGM here.If you want to learn how Arcesium is delivering the technological infrastructure required to manage the complexities of asset-based financing, you can download their white paper here and read thoughts on the asset-based finance space from Arcesium's Private Markets Head and industry veteran Cesar Estrada.Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast00:39 Guest Introduction: Cesar Estrada02:37 Cesar's Background02:57 Cesar's Career Path03:35 Evolution of Fund Services Industry04:49 Arcesium's Core Competencies05:06 Technology in Private Markets05:27 Arcesium's Joint Venture Origins06:12 Technology Architecture07:11 Client-Centric Ownership Model07:18 Building for the Biggest07:46 Solving Complex Problems08:44 Challenges and Solutions in Data Management10:28 Data Silos in Asset Management10:53 Roadblocks to Technology Adoption11:41 Operations and Technology Bottlenecks12:31 Strategic Imperatives for Growth14:20 Hiring and Strategy in Asset Management15:55 Point Solutions vs. End-to-End Solutions17:27 Role of the CTO18:21 Build vs. Buy Decision19:22 Investment Team's Understanding of Technology19:22 The Impact of AI and Future Innovations20:07 Technology's Leverage for Smaller Firms21:36 Consolidation in Private Markets22:22 Technology for Scaling Firms22:40 Flexibility in Private Markets23:05 Technology in Private Credit and ABF25:35 Volume Problem in ABF25:55 Data Ecosystem in ABF27:10 Wealth Channel and Evergreen Products28:04 Product Innovation in Private Markets28:45 Future of Private Markets30:05 Technology Selection Process30:51 User Experience in Technology31:40 Consumer Experience in Private Markets33:06 Hands-On Technology Evaluation33:42 Reducing Operational Headcount34:02 Gen AI in Asset Management35:33 Future Impact of Gen AI36:20 Marrying People and Technology37:01 Next Phase in Asset Management Technology39:16 Cesar's Personal Investment Views40:40 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant. 

MIT says that due to concerns about the “integrity” of a high-profile paper on the effects of artificial intelligence on the productivity of a materials science lab, the paper should be “withdrawn from public discourse.” The paper in question, “Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Discovery, and Product Innovation,” was written by a doctoral student Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Lex chats with Avlok Kohli - the CEO of AngelList, about the company's significant evolution. Initially a platform for startups to connect with venture capitalists, AngelList has transformed into a comprehensive fintech entity encompassing private equity and cryptocurrency. Avlok discusses the strategic pivots, including the introduction of syndicates and rolling funds, that have redefined the company's business model. The episode also explores the broader implications of crowdfunding and the unique challenges in the crypto space, offering a deep dive into AngelList's impact on the financial services industry. Notable discussion points: 1. AngelList's Second Founding: Reinvention as a Fintech Platform: Since 2019, AngelList has transformed from a mixed-use startup platform into a focused fintech infrastructure business for fund managers. Avlok Kohli spun out the syndicates arm and built a scalable product offering that includes SPVs, venture funds, and innovative structures like Rolling Funds and Roll Up Vehicles. This pivot catalyzed explosive growth—from ~$1B in AUM in 2019 to $171B+ today—by enabling fund creation and deployment at scale. 2. Product Innovation as a Strategic Advantage: Instead of competing with well-capitalized incumbents like Carta on sales and marketing, AngelList focused on building category-defining products. The launch of Rolling Funds—allowing fund managers to raise publicly and continuously—was a breakout moment. It created viral word-of-mouth growth and redefined how emerging fund managers could access capital, illustrating the principle: “You can't win by playing someone else's game.” 3. AI and the Future of Private Markets Infrastructure: AngelList is embedding AI across three strategic layers: (1) Back-office automation, replacing manual workflows, (2) Customer service enhancement, enabling agents to respond to LPs with real-time data, and (3) Data reasoning products, like Fin, which analyzes anonymized fund and secondary data to deliver actionable private market insightsThis positions AngelList not only as an admin platform but as a data intelligence layer over the private capital markets. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Topics: Fintech, Web3, Venture, VC, Venture capital, private markets, fundraising, crowdfunding, crypto, web3, AI, Angellist, Coinlist, Carta, Gumroad ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 

What happens when your personal mission becomes the foundation of your business strategy and legacy?   In this episode of Million Dollar Relationships, Kevin sits down with entrepreneur and visionary Sam Vandervalk to explore how mission, personal growth, and relationships shape business success. Sam shares his evolution from fishing guide to multi-business founder, revealing how SEO, hospitality, and systems thinking propelled his ventures forward. The conversation dives deep into the purpose behind Sam's newest project—an AI-driven adventure booking platform—and his passion for experiential mastermind retreats that help entrepreneurs clarify their purpose and legacy. Through his journey, Sam underscores the importance of meaningful relationships and staying grounded in a larger mission.     [00:01 - 05:14] A Solid Start and the Power of Relationships Why relationship-building platforms like Interview Valet create opportunities The importance of being introduced by people who understand your mission How Kevin identifies guests aligned with his podcast values   [05:15 - 10:37] From Salmon to SEO: Building a Business the Hard Way What drove Sam to launch a fishing business while still in college How early SEO wins helped scale his company The significance of testing bold guarantees in client service   [10:38 - 15:57] Product Innovation and Vertical Integration Why offering full-package fishing experiences changed the game How controlling accommodations helped optimize customer flow The importance of leveraging digital tools for long-term growth   [15:58 - 20:00] | Adventure Mastermind and Defining Your Mission What makes experiential masterminds different from typical retreats How Sam ties legacy into his business vision The need for entrepreneurs to define a mission others can carry forward   [20:21 - 26:15] | Legacy, Systems, and Growth Through Relationships Why personal development is crucial for leadership The role of Sam's brother Ray in shaping his business thinking How relationship-driven decisions can lead to long-term impact       Connect with Sam:   Website: https://www.SamVandervalk.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samvandervalk  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.vandervalk.5      Honoring: His brother Ray     Key Quotes:   “If I passed away today, someone else has to carry my mission.” - Sam Vandervalk   “When you have a mission and a vision, and you convey that to the right people, they will run with it.” - Kevin Thompson       Thanks for tuning in!   If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!    Find me on the following streaming platforms:   Apple Spotify Google Podcasts IHeart Radio Stitcher

Can you truly create breakthrough innovations with a systematic approach? In this podcast hosted by VNS Health Product Director Mark Bailes, Strategyn Founder & CEO Tony Ulwick speaks on making product innovation predictable. Tony shares his groundbreaking Jobs to Be Done theory and reveals how companies can increase their innovation success rate by understanding customer needs at a deeper level.

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode is with someone responsible for growing the footprint of one of the largest private markets businesses in the industry.We sat down at Goldman Sachs' 200 West office with Kyle Kniffen to discuss the evolution of the firm's work with the wealth channel and how an intensified focus on private markets is helping to drive the firm's strategic imperatives in asset and wealth management.Kyle is a Managing Director, Global Head of Alternatives, Third Party Wealth, at Goldman Sachs, which has over $500B of AUM in private markets. He's responsible for the distribution of both Goldman Sachs private markets products and third party products to the wealth channel.Kyle and I had a fascinating conversation about the most pressing trends and questions in private markets. We discussed:How lessons learned from traditional asset management have helped Goldman with its private markets business.The benefits of a broad platform when it comes to helping the wealth channel navigate private markets.Why advisors should integrate private markets solutions.How to build a wealth channel business.How to think about evergreen funds versus closed end funds.The next innovation in productization.Why co-investments are becoming more popular with the wealth channel.Are evergreen funds here to stay?Thanks Kyle for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise.Subscribe to Alt Goes Mainstream to receive the weekly newsletter every Sunday and all of AGM's podcasts.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:42 Introduction to the Podcast and our Guest02:00 A message from our Sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions04:06 Kyle's Background and Journey04:18 Wealth Channel Strategies and Insights05:06 Goldman's Heritage in Private Markets05:28 Client Demand for Thought Partnership06:13 Public Markets Perspective07:07 Consultative Sales Approach07:21 Lessons from Institutional Segment09:05 Quality of Investment Flow10:51 Serving the Third Party Wealth Channel12:53 Client Segmentation and Customization15:16 Global Reach and Relationship Building22:43 Product Innovation and Future Trends27:12 Balancing Client Needs in Alternative Investments27:47 Who Should Invest in Alternatives?28:36 Asset Liability and Liquidity in Investment Strategies29:28 Technology Innovations in Private Markets30:00 Exciting Progress in Alternative Strategies30:46 Transparency and Communication in Investments31:14 The Puzzle of Private Market Structures31:54 Post-Sale Transparency and Investor Experience33:27 Engaging Clients Through Brand and Marketing35:37 Customization in Wealth Management37:24 Educating Advisors on Private Markets37:47 Delivering Unique Insights and Education39:01 Goldman Sachs Investment University41:09 Lessons from ETFs and Mutual Funds41:54 The Importance of Performance and Education43:11 Tools for Advisors and Real-Life Applications44:06 Understanding Private Markets' Impact on Portfolios47:19 Excitement Around Private Equity Secondaries49:02 Advisors' Interests in Tax-Advantaged Strategies49:47 The Role of Liquidity in Private Markets50:35 The Importance of Scale in Private Markets51:38 Future of Private Equity Secondaries52:14 The Permanency of Secondary Markets52:52 Conclusion: The Benefits of a Global Platform Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

We talk to Meghan Klee about the importance of forecasting in risk mitigation and utility resourcing, the challenges of gender and generational barriers in the workplace, and the importance of balancing soft and technical skills.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode is with a wealth channel veteran who has an innate and developed view of working with wealth.We sat down in the studio with Adam Bobker. Adam joined Fortress Investment Group in 2022 to build out their wealth business as Managing Director, Global Co-Head of Private Wealth Solutions. He oversees strategy, distribution, marketing, product development, and client management activities across Fortress' investment programs.Prior to joining Fortress, Adam was a MD and Head of the Private Wealth Advisory Group at BlackRock, where he spent 22 years. He led a team focusing on private wealth management and institutional consultant channels, as well as business development for BlackRock's hedge fund, private equity, private credit, and real asset platforms.Adam and I had a fascinating conversation about how to build a wealth solutions business. We discussed:The entrepreneurial nature of building a business for the wealth channel.Lessons that can be learned from other industries.Why selling into the wealth channel is like being a doctor.Why understanding the DNA of an asset management firm matters when building a wealth solutions business.What Adam looks for in a successful distribution professional and when building a distribution team.How to create scalability and leverage with a distribution team.How to structure products for the wealth channel.How to get into model portfolios.Thanks Adam for coming on the show to share your wisdom and expertise in private markets and wealth management.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Subscribe to Alt Goes Mainstream to receive the weekly newsletter every Sunday and all of AGM's podcasts.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to our Sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions01:23 Podcast Theme Song02:01 Introduction to Today's Guest: Adam Bobker02:40 Building a Wealth Solutions Business03:40 The Importance of Client Relationships04:09 Understanding Client Needs05:10 Evolution of Wealth Management07:04 The Role of Education in Wealth Management07:14 Innovative Investment Structures08:22 Model Portfolios and Custom Solutions13:05 Strategic Partnerships in Wealth Management17:30 The Importance of Technology in Wealth Management18:18 Adam's Transition to Fortress18:36 Building a Wealth Business at Fortress19:00 Innovative Strategies at Fortress20:13 Focus Areas for Fortress Wealth Business21:22 Evergreen Structures in Wealth Management22:08 Advisor Psychology and Evergreen Structures23:57 Suitability of Strategies for Evergreen Funds25:14 Managing Evergreen Funds27:12 Opportunities in Real Estate Credit27:55 Investor Hesitation and Education28:03 Immediate Exposure with Semi-Liquid Funds28:33 Are Evergreen Structures Better for Investors?28:39 The Future of Investment Strategies28:57 Industry Flows and Semi-Liquid Funds29:20 Impact on Alternative Asset Management29:29 Consolidation and Strategy Expansion29:58 Focus on Whole Portfolio Delivery30:31 Building a Strong Team31:17 Consultative Sales Approach31:56 Effective Communication in Wealth Management32:58 Importance of Brand in Asset Management33:38 Client Experience and Technology Providers34:03 In-House vs. Third-Party Services36:34 Mainstreaming Private Markets37:24 Commitment to Wealth Channel39:11 Transforming Investment Strategies39:50 Art and Science of Portfolio Construction42:08 Transparency and Liquidity in Private Markets43:05 Product Innovation and Asset Liability Mismatch45:45 Evergreen vs. Closed-End Funds47:27 Evolution of Fund of Funds Business48:22 Wealth Platforms and Private Markets49:51 Convergence of Institutional and Wealth Management51:10 Future of Alternative Asset Management51:54 Fee Compression in the Industry53:07 Raising Allocation to Alternatives55:14 Innovative and Pioneering Strategies Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

In this episode of The Elusive Consumer, host Ellie Tehrani sits down with Akash Sharma, Director of Product Innovation at Enverus, to explore how AI is transforming the traditionally conservative energy sector. From implementing generative AI in high-stakes environments to uncovering unstated customer needs, Akash shares insights on product development strategies that balance innovation with human expertise, revealing how energy companies are leveraging vast amounts of untapped data to turn hindsight into foresight.

In this conversation, Jen Brush, VP of Innovation and Product at Guayaki, discusses the origins and benefits of Yerba Mate, the evolution of Guayaki's product offerings, and the brand's commitment to sustainability and community. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating the beverage market, building brand loyalty, and the exciting transition to the new brand name, Yerba Madre, which reflects the company's mission and heritage. We touch on the brand's commitment to shade-grown Yerba Mate, which takes more time and money but yields a better product and is better for the environment than sun-grown Yerba Mate. Jen also shares her personal journey with Lupus and how it influences her perspective on innovation and the food industry. We then wrap up by talking about the growing tea movement and the importance of a people-centric business model in creating a better world. Takeaways:Yerba Mate is a unique, naturally caffeinated leaf with health benefits.Guayaki, now Yerba Madre, prioritizes sustainability and community relationships.The brand aims to make Yerba Mate accessible to all consumers.Product innovation is guided by consumer preferences and market trends.Building brand loyalty is essential for success in a competitive market.The convenience store channel presents new opportunities for growth.Guayaki's, now Yerba Madre's, bright yellow branding helps it stand out on shelves.The company has a strong community of brand ambassadors.The transition to Yerba Madre reflects the brand's evolution and heritage, and aims to enhance brand recognition.Focus on product quality is key to retaining customers.Shade-grown Yerba Mate is better for the environment and flavor.A people-first approach leads to positive business outcomes.The tea industry is experiencing significant growth and innovation.Personal health experiences can shape professional perspectives.Collaboration and partnerships are key to impact initiatives.Continuous improvement is essential in business practices.Community engagement is vital for a better world.Kindness and empathy can create a positive impact. Sound Bites:"Yerba Mate is a naturally caffeinated leaf.""It has both caffeine and theobromine (found in chocolate), and offers a more smooth form of energy with less jitters and less crash. So it's a magical leaf and tree."“My goal is to create products that have a little bit for everyone. If we're going to drive awareness about our brand, our mission – the devotion we have to our people and our Yerba Mate – we want to meet people where they are, right?”“Our Ambassadors are brand loyalties. They'll tell you that Guayaki has changed their life. Not just the products, but the brand and what we've done and where've we've been.”"Yerba Madre means mother herb in Spanish.""The more the merrier in the Yerba Mate category. We want to build a category and we want more people to know about the magic of Yerba Mate.”"She told me to always lead with yes. And she would say, yes is the answer.”"I think a better world really puts people at the center of what you do and how you think. Be kind and empathetic. I think that that trickles down organically.” Links:Jennifer Brush on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-brush-05a8444/Guayaki, now Yerba Madre - https://yerbamadre.com/Yerba Madre on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yerbamadre/Yerba Madre on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialyerbamadreYerba Madre on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@drinkyerbamadreYerba Madre on Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/OfficialYerbaMadre/Yerba Madre on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/yerba-madre/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters:03:00 - Introduction to Yerba Mate and Guayaki, now Yerba Madre06:05 - The Unique Flavor and Health Benefits of Yerba Mate08:55 - Guayaki's, now Yerba Madre's, Product Evolution and Innovation Strategy12:05 - Navigating the Beverage Market and Retail Challenges15:12 - Building Brand Loyalty and Community Engagement18:02 - The Future of Guayaki: New Branding (Yerba Madre) and Product Launches35:05 - Rebranding and Heritage in Yerba Mate38:31 - Sustainability and Impact Initiatives42:07 - Regenerative Practices and Biodiversity45:09 - People-Centric Business Models52:25 - Personal Insights and Industry Trends60:23 - Advice and Personal Favorites

The following is my conversation with Steve Smith. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, he's among the most accomplished and interesting people that I've met in the cycling business. In addition to being a hardworking and genuine guy.Steve started his career at Nike in Oregon.His dream job was working for Nike, and after 10 years with the swoosh, he decided to pull up roots and move himself and his wife to Europe. I asked him why he did this. He said, he just wanted a new adventure, to discover something new. And where he landed was at Manifattura Valcismon in Veneto, where he went on to help the Cremonese family to reacquire the Castelli brand.From bankruptcy, they took it literally to the moon because it's become among the top brands in the cycling clothing business. I'm really fortunate to know Steve throughout my career, and I'm really, really excited to share his story with all of you in the cycling world.00:00 - 02:30: IntroductionBrief overview of Steve's career trajectoryIntroduction to the podcast02:30 - 07:45: Early Life and Cycling BeginningsGrowing up in Boring, OregonEarly cycling experiencesFirst race bike and Campagnolo componentsEducation and interest in French07:45 - 15:30: Nike YearsStarting at Nike in 1990Working in sales operationsEuropean assignment in AmsterdamProduct line management for cycling footwear and sandals15:30 - 21:15: The Big Move to ItalyDecision to leave Nike and move to EuropeThe conversation with his wife about relocatingLearning Italian and preparing for the moveConnection with Tim Maloney leading to Manifattura Valcismon21:15 - 28:00: Early Days at Manifattura ValcismonInitial role with SportfulThe challenges of working in a small Italian family companyLearning the cycling market and Italian business culture28:00 - 35:45: The Castelli AcquisitionThe 2004 purchase of CastelliInitial strategy and involvement with the US marketRepositioning the brand back to its performance rootsHistory of Castelli and Maurizio Castelli's innovations35:45 - 42:30: Product Innovation at CastelliDeveloping aerodynamic cycling clothingThe creation of the GABA jacketWorking with team Cervelo Test TeamThe importance of the product development team42:30 - 48:15: Distribution and Marketing EvolutionInternational distribution strategyDealing with online retail and discountingChanging landscape of cycling apparel distributionImpact of COVID on inventory and the supply chain48:15 - 54:00: Marketing and Communication StrategyEvolution from print to digital marketingSponsoring professional teamsHow pro cycling's influence has changedApplying Nike marketing experience to Castelli54:00 - 60:00: Life in Italy and Final ThoughtsBecoming integrated into Italian cultureReflections on 20+ years in ItalyFamily company dynamicsLooking toward the future

In this conversation, Vilma Livas, Chief Marketing Officer at Nature's Bakery, discusses the brand's purpose of providing healthier snack options for families and the importance of convenience, taste, and value in their product development process. We touch on the impact of the company's acquisition by Mars and how it has allowed for growth and innovation, particularly with new products like the Oatmeal Crumble and Hearty Bar. Vilma shares insights into her consumer-centric approach to product development and the importance of both consumer insights and retail partnerships in launching new products in the CPG industry. She shares the background behind the development of Nature's Bakery's newest innovation — the Hearty Bar. Then we wrap up by discussing Vilma's involvement with Women on Boards, advocating for greater representation of women in leadership roles, and her vision of a better world which includes democratizing access to healthy food options for all consumers. Takeaways:Nature's Bakery aims to nourish families and make healthy snacking accessible.The brand focuses on convenience, offering products that are easy to consume on the go.Consumer research revealed a full family audience for their snack bars, from toddlers to grandparents.The product design emphasizes great taste and better-for-you attributes.The acquisition by Mars has provided resources for scaling and innovation.Nature's Bakery maintains a commitment to its brand purpose despite ownership changes.The product development process starts with identifying consumer needs and iterating ideas.Collaboration with diverse teams enhances creativity in product development.The Oatmeal Crumble was developed to address the need for convenient breakfast options.A consumer-centric approach is crucial for successful product innovation. It's crucial to put personal bias aside for better outcomes.Retailers have their own goals that must be understood.Empathy in business relationships leads to better partnerships.Involving retailers early in product development increases success.Healthy snacks must appeal to both parents and children.Women are underrepresented in board positions despite their influence.Accessibility to healthy food is a significant issue.Consumer demand drives the need for better food options. Sound Bites:“Everything we do is this balance of three things that we hold dear: 1 - great taste; 2 - better-for-you; and 3 - accessibility.”“Start with the consumer. What's the job to be done? What is the problem we're trying to solve here?”“Being owned by a much larger organization has allowed us to accelerate the rate at which we can scale.”“Stay focused on the goal, not the path that we're taking to get there.”"Retailers are gatekeepers to the shelf.""Be empathic, show up and learn.""Kids are very discerning about their snacks."“If you think about the purchasing power of women, you would expect to see that they also influence the direction and course of companies, but they're not at the table.”“A better world is one where we've democratized better for you food, by making it available and accessible to all.” Links:Vilma Livas on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdlivas/Nature's Bakery - https://naturesbakery.com/Nature's Bakery on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/naturesbakery/Nature's Bakery on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/naturesbakery/Nature's Bakery on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@naturesbakeryNature's Bakery on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@naturesbakery1316Nature's Bakery on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nature-s-bakery/…Women on Boards - https://www.wobproject.com/Women on Boards on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wob-project/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters:03:00 - Introduction to Nature's Bakery and Brand Purpose06:03 - Understanding the Family Focus in Healthy Snacking08:58 - The Importance of Convenience and Product Design12:12 - Balancing Taste, Value, and Health in Product Development14:55 - Navigating Brand Growth and Acquisition Challenges18:07 - Leveraging Resources from Larger Corporations21:08 - Innovations: Oatmeal Crumble and Hearty Bar23:51 - The Product Development Process Explained26:56 - Iterating Ideas and Consumer-Centric Design32:30 - Consumer Insights and Retail Partnerships38:12 - Innovating with the Hearty Bar43:28 - Empowering Women on Boards48:38 - Personal Favorites and Future Trends53:47 - A Better World Through Accessible Food

Brian Garofalow Chief Executive Officer at SkullcandyOn this episode of Group Y Live, join host Oli Russell-Cowan as he sits down with Brian Garofalow, the CEO of Skullcandy and a legend in the action sports industry.In this episode, Brian shares his incredible journey from the early days of the action sports scene to leading a prominent audio brand. He discusses the challenges of reviving Skullcandy, the importance of understanding their core audience, and the need for adaptation in a rapidly changing market.Discover how Skullcandy is engaging with communities through sponsorships, events, and collaborations, and learn about their innovative internal processes and strategic focus. Brian also reveals an exciting new product launch and partnership with Bose that aims to bring premium audio to the masses at an accessible price point.Key topics covered in this episode:Brian's background in the action sports industryThe evolution of Skullcandy and its brand strategyEngaging with core audiences: active consumers, content creators, gamersThe significance of community engagement and eventsInsights into product innovation and market adaptationSneak peek at the Method 360 ANC headphones & the partnership with BoseYou can follow what Brian Garofalow is up to on LinkedInLike what you hear?  Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a short review. It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference.The Group Y Live Podcast come out across all podcast players with a new episode every two weeks on Thursday. Past guests on The Rad Season Show include Truls Brataas, Stacy Peralta, Wim Hof, Mike Cessario, Nick Tran, Gerry Lopez and more.Contact Oli Russell-Cowan On Instagram olirussellcowan On LinkedIn at olirussellcowan Thanks for listening & keep it rad!

#updateai #customersuccess #saas #businessJon Johnson and Josh Schachter sit down with Brett Queener, Managing Director at Bonfire Ventures, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of software companies in the age of AI. Brett shares his thoughts on the future of SaaS, the importance of speed and innovation, and the critical role of product marketing.They dive into founders' challenges and anxieties in today's "change economy," where software evolves at warp speed, and discuss what it takes to build a defensible business amidst ever-growing competition.Join us as Brett provides insights on how startups can thrive by truly solving customer problems and staying ahead in the AI-driven tech landscape.Timestamps:0:00 – Preview, Intros & BS2:22 – Bonfire & Brett's Blog: Tales from The Bonfire6:55 – Predictions & Observations: AI's Influence on SaaS13:07 – Running a Software Company Amid Rapid Change16:33 – Applying Jobs-to-be-Done Framework17:50 – Innovation Pace vs. Continual Adaptation24:45 – Product Innovation, Value, and Market Differentiation28:45 – Investor Perspective and Guidance for Startups36:38 – Evaluating Startups___________________________

Dal Perio is a Senior Manager of Sensory & Product Insights at Starbucks, with 30 years of experience in Sensory Science, Consumer Research, and Marketing Research across seven Fortune 500 companies including Johnson & Johnson, Diageo, and Unilever.   His expertise spans Product Innovation, Consumer Research, Quality Assurance, and Product Testing. At Starbucks, he focuses on Sensory & Product Insights for various channels, ensuring optimal research solutions. He's actively involved in numerous professional sensory organizations and was mentored by Rose Marie Pangborn.   To be put in touch with Dal, please contact Aigora. To learn more about Aigora, please visit www.aigora.com

Are you curious about how top product leaders drive innovation across different industries? In this podcast hosted by Justin Leibow, Shopify Fmr Head of Product Vaarrun Bimbhat will be speaking on scaling product development through deep customer understanding. Vaarrun shares insights from his journey across insurance, e-commerce, and tech, revealing how curiosity and customer empathy can transform product strategy.

Join us on this episode of the Maffeo Drinks podcast, where Chris Maffeo chats with drinks industry legend David Gluckman about the fascinating world of drink innovation and product development. David shares insights from his recent book (That Sh*t Will Never Sell), offering a look back at the history and evolution of the drinks industry.The conversation covers iconic brands he created like Bailey's, Ciroc, and Tanqueray Ten, product ownership's importance, and consumer research's often flawed nature.David also discusses how great brands can be built without conventional testing and the critical role of liquid excellence. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends business acumen with the art of drink creation.The discussion provides insights into the importance of ownership, consumer behavior, and the significance of product distinction in brand building. David also emphasizes the value of real-world testing over consumer research, reflecting on his approach to developing iconic spirits.Aspiring brand builders and drink enthusiasts will find valuable lessons in this engaging conversation.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Guest Introduction: David's Journey01:19 The Bailey's Story: Market Research and Success04:43 Brand Development Philosophy09:36 Challenges in Spirits Marketing12:38 Product Innovation and Differentiation25:44 Ownership and Long-Term Brand Building32:07 Conclusion and Farewell

Should the Apple Vision Pro qualify as a wearable? Chuck Joiner, Brittany Smith, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Mark Fuccio, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea  debate the issue, with most agreeing it does, though it's unlike traditional wearables such as the Apple Watch. They also discuss Sonos canceling its rumored TV streaming box, viewing it as a smart move in a crowded market. Ideas are shared about how Sonos could better integrate home audio and video without competing directly with Apple or Roku, and some of the challenges of setting up a home theater.  This MacVoices episode is supported by Notion. Work faster, write better, and think bigger. Try it for free today at notion.com/macvoices. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:29 Apple Vision Pro Discussion 13:21 Sonos TV Streaming Box Cancellation 23:02 Home Theater Integration Challenges Links: The AmberMac Show Ep004: Trump on Crypto, Wearable Tech, & the Future of Work https://ambermac.com/the-ambermac-show-ep004-trump-crypto/ Sonos cancels Apple TV 4K competitor, per report https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/12/sonos-cancels-apple-tv-4k-competitor-per-report/ Guests: Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast. Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud. Mark Fuccio is actively involved in high tech startup companies, both as a principle at piqsure.com, or as a marketing advisor through his consulting practice Tactics Sells High Tech, Inc. Mark was a proud investor in Microsoft from the mid-1990's selling in mid 2000, and hopes one day that MSFT will be again an attractive investment. You can contact Mark through Twitter, LinkedIn, or on Mastodon. Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on his YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jgamet. David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud. Dr. Marty Jencius has been an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University since 2000. He has over 120 publications in books, chapters, journal articles, and others, along with 200 podcasts related to counseling, counselor education, and faculty life. His technology interest led him to develop the counseling profession ‘firsts,' including listservs, a web-based peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Technology in Counseling, teaching and conferencing in virtual worlds as the founder of Counselor Education in Second Life, and podcast founder/producer of CounselorAudioSource.net and ThePodTalk.net. Currently, he produces a podcast about counseling and life questions, the Circular Firing Squad, and digital video interviews with legacies capturing the history of the counseling field. This is also co-host of The Vision ProFiles podcast. Generally, Marty is chasing the newest tech trends, which explains his interest in A.I. for teaching, research, and productivity. Marty is an active presenter and past president of the NorthEast Ohio Apple Corp (NEOAC). Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He's been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon. Brittany Smith is a trained cognitive neuroscientist who provides ADD/ADHD, technology, and productivity coaching through her business, Devise and Conquer, along with companion video courses for folks with ADHD. She's also the cofounder of The ADHD Guild, a community for nerdy folks with ADHD. She, herself, is a self-designated “well-rounded geek”. She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator, on Mastodon as @addliberator@pdx.social, and on YouTube with tech tips.   Support:      Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon      http://patreon.com/macvoices      Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect:      Web:      http://macvoices.com      Twitter:      http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner      http://www.twitter.com/macvoices      Mastodon:      https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner      Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner      MacVoices Page on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/      MacVoices Group on Facebook:      http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice      LinkedIn:      https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/      Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe:      Audio in iTunes      Video in iTunes      Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher:      Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss      Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss

Financial inclusion remains one of the most pressing challenges in today's economy. Millions of Americans struggle to access basic financial services simply because they lack a credit history or have damaged credit. This gap in our financial system doesn't just create inconvenience – it perpetuates cycles of financial inequity that can last generations. In my latest episode of Tearsheet, I sat down with Julie Szudarek, CEO of Self Financial, a company working at the forefront of this challenge. Julie took the helm at Self just over a year ago, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience from companies like Groupon and Atida. Though fintech is a new arena for her, Julie's expertise in building customer-focused businesses is exactly what's needed to tackle financial inclusion at scale. “I've never done fintech before,” Julie told me candidly. “But what I bring to the table is a deep understanding of how to build customer-focused businesses that are sustainable over time.” Her mission at Self aligns well with the broader movement toward more accessible financial services: “We are only here to make outcomes for our customers better than before they started working with Self.” The Big Ideas Decoupling Secured Credit Cards for Easier Access. “We decoupled the secured card so customers don't need a credit builder account first. It's about reducing barriers.” The Power of Low Deposit and No Credit Check. “Our deposit is $100, and for many, there's no hard credit check. That makes it much less intimidating for people facing rejection.” Customer Education as a Core Focus. “About 65% of our customers say they had no financial education. So we focus on teaching them about interest, compounding, and managing credit.” Expanding Product Offerings to Keep Customers Engaged. “We were limited in what we offered. Now we're focusing on products that meet customers where they are and help them keep growing financially.” Partnerships to Reach More Communities. “Regions Bank and Pathway Homes are some of our key partners — together, we're helping more people build credit who might otherwise be left out.”

In this episode, Jodi talks to Benjamin Bargetzi, a leading expert in AI and brain interaction, about the convergence of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and product innovation. They explore how these advancements are influencing marketing strategies and the development of SaaS platforms. Benjamin shares his insights on the future of platforms, shifts in buyer behavior, and the impact of technological innovation on the industry. Find Benjamin's book here. 

Sami chats with Tanu Chellam, Senior Vice President of Product at Seldon (https://www.seldon.io) and Chairperson of the Board at Atlas Rosetta (https://atlas-rosetta.com/), about her journey and career in the world of products. Tanu covers her journey from start to finish, from building websites as a teenager and her dreams of travelling, all the way through to her time at AutoDesk where she was instrumental in scaling one of their largest product's installation time from 8 hours, to 8 minutes. Learn how Tanu learnt to balance her working life and downtime, and how her definition of success and relationship to work has changed over the course of her career. — You can connect with Tanu over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanuchellam/), where she would be happy to discuss anything mentioned in this episode in greater detail. Your host for this episode has been Sami Birnbaum. Sami can be found through his website (https://samibirnbaum.com) or via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samibirnbaum/). If you would like to support the show, head over to our GitHub page (https://github.com/sponsors/thoughtbot), or check out our website (https://podcast.thoughtbot.com). Got a question or comment about the show? Why not write to our hosts: hosts@giantrobots.fm This has been a thoughtbot (https://thoughtbot.com/) podcast. Stay up to date by following us on social media - LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/) - Mastodon (https://thoughtbot.social/@thoughtbot) - Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thoughtbot.com) © 2025 thoughtbot, inc.

I first met Ed Currenti in the sheep yards at Mount Hesse, over more than 15 years we've stayed in touch and followed each others journeys closely.Ed is the General Manager at Prestige Foods, in our chat he shares his journey from a city upbringing to a successful career in agriculture and food production. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the role of education in understanding food sources, and the innovative practices at Prestige Foods. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships within the industry, the challenges of managing teams, and the future opportunities in food production. Ed emphasizes the need for better connections between producers and consumers, and the importance of storytelling in the food industry.I've known Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ed Currenti and His Journey03:03 Early Influences and Passion for Food05:37 Education and Career Path Decisions08:54 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development11:40 Transitioning from University to the Workforce14:37 Experiences in Sales and Business Development17:45 Innovative Ideas and Career Opportunities20:54 Management Style and Learning from Experience25:31 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1926:46 Transforming Company Culture29:01 Understanding Prestige Food Australia30:20 The Rise of Bone Broth31:59 Collaboration with Chef James Viles34:06 Bridging the Gap in the Food Chain35:16 Vision for Growth in Food Manufacturing36:10 Creating Links Between Producers and Consumers38:48 Innovative R&D Strategies39:55 Promoting Career Pathways in Agriculture43:55 Educating the Next Generation on Food Sources

Ali Alwattari from Kraton Corporation has been working in product innovation for over 33 years, spanning industries from consumer goods to biotechnology and energy. His passion lies in integrating the human dimension and storytelling into scientific work, accelerating innovation and tackling challenges from the lab to the market. He joins The Drip to share his creative process and reflect on the unique products he's developed over his career.In this episode, you'll hear about:How phenomena like the surface tension of water can drive innovation across industriesBalancing reasoning and logic with creativity, termed as "realistic imagination"Stories detailing the development of unique products like artificial spider silk and waterproof mascaraHow looking to nature and unrelated industries can inspire breakthroughs … and practical advice for those starting in product innovationJump to:(00:53) Ali's journey in product innovation across diverse industries.(03:46) The significance of the human dimension in scientific work.(07:22) Realistic imagination's role in innovation.(11:53) Ali's creative process and examples of innovative projects.(25:47) The future of innovation in the food industry(29:59) Resources Ali recommends(36:44) This episode's song recommendation.(37:29) This episode's mantra.Featured Artist and Song:Ease My Mindy by Chris LakeLinks mentioned in this episode:Kraton Corporation‘Disruptive Innovation' by Clayton Christensen'Rules for Revolutionaries' by Guy Kawasaki‘Entrepreneurs in High Technology' by Dr. RobertsViva La Vida by Coldplay, music was chosen by Ali AlwattariConnect with the showAQUALABZachary Cartwright, PhD00:00 Reusable Skills Drive Success04:26 Empathy and Emotion in Innovation08:46 Translating Concepts into Scientific Terms11:40 Nature-Inspired Water-Repellent Textiles15:52 Innovative Mascara Formulation Insights18:57 Dimples Revolutionize Gel Adhesion20:16 Shaving Gel Chemistry Evolution23:17 Simplified Product Development Framework27:00 Need-Driven Innovation in Food Industry32:31 "Professionalizing Innovation and Mentorship"35:46 "Product Innovation & Music Groove"37:49 Strength Over Struggle

In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Karen Ng, Senior Vice President of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot.HubSpot is a leading software platform empowering over 184,000 businesses across 120 countries to manage their sales, marketing, and customer support teams. In 2024, HubSpot generated over $2.5 billion in revenue, driven by significant investments in Artificial Intelligence.Karen oversees critical products like Smart CRM, Operations Hub, and Ecosystem, while driving strategic partnerships and business development. Her technical expertise is notable, with three patents. She has also published research in stress detection, interactive health assessments, and robotic expressivity when she worked as a Machine Learning Researcher at MIT.In this episode, we'll explore Karen's approach to deploying AI Agents across HubSpot's product portfolio, her decision-making process for when to Build, Buy, or Partner, and her innovative approach to product org design. We'll discuss how product teams can leverage AI Agents to augment their impact and automate workflows, and how product leaders can elevate their roles as key drivers of revenue.What you'll learn:Karen's journey to becoming SVP of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot and her insights on the company's AI transformation.The challenges and strategies involved in creating a global, multi-product platform for businesses.How to prioritize features and innovations in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.The future of business technology, including AI-powered tools and self-service products.Key Takeaways

Send us a textMiguel Armaza interviews Ryan Graciano, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Credit Karma, one of the most successful fintech companies serving over 130 million customers. Credit Karma was bought by Intuit for $7.1bn in 2020, marking one of fintech's largest acquisitions ever. Ryan began his journey as CTO after a brief stint at IBM and helped build Credit Karma from the ground up since 2007.In this episode, we discuss:Key technical decisions that shaped Credit Karma's successRyan's vision for the future of AI in personal financeLessons from raising capital and building the company during the global financial crisisHow to create excitement and drive organizational transformation... and a lot more!Want more podcast episodes? Join me and follow Fintech Leaders today on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app for weekly conversations with today's global leaders that will dominate the 21st century in fintech, business, and beyond.Do you prefer a written summary? Check out the Fintech Leaders newsletter and join 70,000+ readers and listeners worldwide!Miguel Armaza is Co-Founder and General Partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focused on fintech in the Americas. He also hosts and writes the Fintech Leaders podcast and newsletter.Miguel on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nKha4ZMiguel on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jb5oBcFintech Leaders Newsletter: bit.ly/3jWIp

Kat Hantas is a co-founder of the multi-million dollar infused tequila brand 21 Seeds. She shares the inspiring entrepreneurship story of how she took her homemade infusions and forged them into a successful brand, highlighting the power of women supporting women and the importance of following your entrepreneurial dreams. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of knowing your audience, and how connection and collaboration can spark big ideas. Plus, Danielle reveals her exciting new collaboration with Kat on a fun card game, “Shot Callers.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to challenging the status quo in SaaS and product strategy, you can't fundamentally disrupt an industry without failing fast and pushing boundaries. On today's episode of LaunchPod, we're talking with Dane Molter, VP of Product and Strategy at Navan, an all-in-one travel and expense app for corporate travelers. In this episode, Dane talks about: His framework for driving product teams to “be brave,” ship faster, and attain huge goals Why perfect is actually the enemy of progress, and when good enough is actually good enough How to exceed the perceived boundaries of any solution, and deliver product that really disrupts the world Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-molter-6b937231/ Navan: https://navan.com/ Resources (Ethically) cheat your way to $250M+ | Mikal Lewis, Product Exec. (Whole Foods, Nordstrom): https://youtu.be/5txeT2U_YQo Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:06 Dane Molter's Journey From Amex to Grubhub 01:44 The Grubhub Experience: Embracing Imperfection 04:08 The Push for Hypergrowth in Product 05:19 Lessons in Product Risk and Innovation 06:59 The Bigger Picture: Product Beyond Technology 09:30 Focusing on Bravery in Product Innovation 12:12 Applying Product Lessons at Navan 17:50 Enterprise Travel Challenges and AI Solutions 19:53 Business Outcomes and Accountability 20:13 Learning Business Mechanics at Amex 26:15 The Importance of Small Tests in Product Testing 34:27 Navigating AI and Emerging Technologies 37:45 Outro Follow LaunchPod on YouTube We have a new YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPod.byLogRocket)! Watch full episodes of our interviews with PM leaders and subscribe! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Dane Molter.

Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot (a $40 billion leader in the CRM space) shares how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, the key lessons Yamini has learned as a first-time CEO, and the sales tactics she's mastered.She also discusses the challenges of navigating major business pivots, including how companies can successfully transition into AI-first businesses and what it takes to stay competitive in an evolving landscape.(00:00) Intro(00:56) Yamini Rangan's Background and Career Journey(02:33) Joining HubSpot and Early Challenges(03:49) Transition to CEO and Leadership Insights(07:33) Strategic Planning and Long-Term Vision(15:15) AI Transformation and Product Innovation(18:57) AI's Impact on CRM and Future Prospects(28:51) Content Strategy and Customer Engagement(37:34) Contextual AI Features for Better Usage(38:13) Human Expectations and AI(39:36) AI in Daily Productivity(42:54) The Art and Science of Sales(51:05) The Role of Curiosity and Resilience in Sales(53:23) Evolving Company Culture(55:27) Leadership Style and Management Lessons(58:27) Scaling Startups: Lessons from Workday(01:02:54) The Future of AI and Incumbents(01:14:10) Concluding Thoughts Executive Producer: Rashad AssirProducer: Leah ClapperMixing and editing: Justin Hrabovsky Check out Unsupervised Learning, Redpoint's AI Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUl-s_Vp-Kkk_XVyDylNwLA

In this episode, we're joined by Paul Young from the Pragmatic Institute. He shares insights into the organization's origins and core principles. This includes the importance of understanding user needs to ensure the success of products and services. 

Substack Week: Why Product Management is Broken and How to Fix It With Anton Zaides In this SPECIAL Substack Week episode, we dive deep into the current state of product management with Anton Zaides, a seasoned software engineer and leader. Anton shares his perspectives on why product management is fundamentally broken and offers practical solutions for organizations looking to improve their product development processes. The Journey to Engineering Leadership "I started to search for content from other engineering managers and focused on practical insights." Anton's journey spans 15 years in software engineering, from game development to DevOps and scaling startups. His transition to leadership revealed a gap in practical leadership content, which inspired him to start sharing his own experiences. Drawing from his four years as an engineering leader in a startup, Anton noticed patterns in product management that needed addressing, leading to his viral article on the topic. The Broken State of Product Management "My team was working on a feature, that got canceled the day after it was released." Product management faces several critical challenges in today's technology landscape. Anton identifies key issues including the development of unused features, increasing software complexity, and misaligned incentives that discourage innovation. Through his conversations with industry professionals, he discovered these problems were widespread, with teams frequently building features that get canceled or go unused. Despite following Agile methodologies, many organizations fail to properly evaluate feature impact, leading to wasted resources and frustrated teams. Product Managers vs. Program Managers "The PM spent only 5% of his time on talking to customers." One of the core issues Anton identifies is the transformation of product managers into glorified program managers. In many organizations, product managers spend most of their time managing JIRA tickets and dependencies rather than engaging with customers and driving innovation. The pressure to deliver on predetermined roadmaps, often dictated by executive teams, leaves little room for challenging assumptions or testing ideas with minimal scope. This shift away from customer interaction and strategic thinking has reduced the product manager's role to primarily managing internal processes. Fostering Better Product Management "PM's should be like a founder for the product business." To improve product management, Anton advocates for several key changes: Offloading program management responsibilities to the team Trusting product managers to make strategic decisions Requiring specific industry knowledge and experience Encouraging face-to-face customer interactions Moving product managers closer to commercial roles Involving engineers in customer conversations Organizational Structure and Communication "The more links you have in the communication chain, the worse the information gets communicated." Anton proposes a shift towards a more functional organizational structure where Product and Engineering work together more closely. He emphasizes the importance of direct communication between technical teams and customers, warning against over-reliance on data alone. The solution involves bringing everyone closer to the business side and creating stronger networks between organizations and engineers. Practical Implementation Tips "Get engineers to visit customers." Key recommendations for improving product management include: Involving engineers in customer and sales conversations Giving engineers visibility through release messaging and communications Establishing strong collaboration between engineering leaders and product managers Ensuring product managers have deep domain expertise Creating opportunities for direct customer interaction Treating product managers as business owners rather than project managers Recommended Resources for Further Study Anton's Article that we review in this interview: “Product Management is broken, a change is coming”  John Cutle's article on Product Manager's Responsibilities  Anton's Article on how to work effectively with your Product Managers A book recommendation: Empowered by Marty Cagan An episode of Lenny's podcast with Brian Chesky [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Send us a textNik Sharma CEO of Sharma Brands, is the go-to strategist for scaling modern consumer brands. Dubbed 'The DTC Whisperer,' he has helped companies like Cadence, Levels, and JuneShine break through the noise with bold, data-driven marketing. With a sharp eye for brand storytelling and growth hacking, Nik's insights are reshaping how businesses connect, convert, and scale in the digital age.Connect with Nik! https://x.com/mrsharmaConnect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyalaConnect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/Chapters:00:00 Intro Who Is Nick Sharma?0:25 Creator vs. Business Owner Dilemma 1:25 The Power of Personal Branding3:09 How Influencers Get Away with Bad Business Models 4:32 Ad Spend & The Battle for Eyeballs 5:49 Winning with Product Innovation & Storytelling 7:03 Scaling from 0 to 100K Revenue 11:06 Finding the Right Agency 17:27 Ads vs. Affiliates – Which Works Best? 20:01 Paid Traffic – How to Not Burn Money 22:58 Breaking Down the Million-Dollar Growth Strategy23:18 When to Scale Beyond Ads 25:29 The Solopreneur E-Commerce Debate 41:27 The Future of AI in E-Commerce 43:45 Nick's Journey – From Ad Buying to Agency Owner 47:10 Lessons from Meeting E-Com Founders 48:56 Signing Off Connect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

Clean Beauty Series    Episode Description: “You also need a little bit of luck. You can make decisions, and they can cut both ways— you can make a decision and your brand goes through the roof, and you can make a good decision but it just didn't work and you can't recover from it. So you have to stick around long enough for luck to happen too. You just have to be patient.” —Kelly Kovack   The lines between wellness and beauty continue to blur, as innovative brands harness the power of functional ingredients and cutting-edge biotech to redefine what it means to look and feel our best. As the industry evolves, navigating the clean beauty landscape has become a minefield of misinformation and greenwashing, underscoring the need for transparency and scientific rigor. Yet, amidst the challenges, a new generation of experts and entrepreneurs are paving the way for a more sustainable, efficacious future. Kelly Kovack is the founder and CEO of BeautyMatter. With over two decades of experience in the beauty and wellness space, she is a respected thought leader known for her insights on the business of beauty. Tune in as Justine and Kelly dive deep into the impact of food on the beauty industry, the rise of biotech and clean beauty, the role of education, the future of expert-backed brands, the importance of ensuring legal issues in brand innovation, the importance of patience and perseverance, and more.  Meet Kelly:  Kelly launched BeautyMatter in the Fall of 2016 with the firm belief that in a fast-moving world, information is knowledge, but context matters. And more importantly, innovation comes from the cross-pollination of industries and expertise. She set out to use her experience building brands and scaling businesses to offer a new perspective and holistic approach to B2B content that filled a void in the beauty industry.   Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X YouTube Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:04 Ingestible Beauty 08:17 Historical Context of Food and Beauty 12:13 Biotech in Beauty 20:04 Lawsuits and Legal Threats in Product Innovation 29:36 The Future of Clean Beauty 33:39 Doctor-Made Products and Brand Innovation  37:53 The Timeline of Building a Product

Ti Chang is a designer and cofounder of CRAVE, a brand known for pioneering pleasure jewelry. With a background in industrial design, she combines luxury with functionality to create innovative products that foster human connection and empower individuals to embrace their sexuality. Through CRAVE, Ti has redefined intimacy products, offering elegant and discreet designs that prioritize both beauty and personal empowerment.Follow Ti and her company:lovecrave.com@lovecrave@designerti_______Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A CoffeeThis show is powered by Nice PeopleJoin this podcast and the Patreon community: patreon.com/womendesignersyoushouldknowHave a 1:1 mentor call with Amber Asay: intro.co/amberasay_______ ____View all the visually rich 1-min reels of each woman on IG below:Instagram: Amber AsayInstagram: Women Designers Pod

Thank you to Optimal Blue. Optimal Blue bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform, helping lenders maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. 

Most early-stage founders I talk to are focused on getting their first customers, hiring their first employees, or maybe, if they're lucky, closing their first round of funding. But what happens after that? For Rohit Choudhary, the answer was building a whole new category. Rohit is the CEO and co-founder of Acceldata, a data observability platform that helps companies manage the complexity of modern data infrastructure. Before starting the company, he spent years inside the problem — working on data engineering challenges at Hortonworks and other enterprise tech firms. Like a lot of technical founders, Rohit didn't start out dreaming of being a CEO — but the problem was too big to ignore. In this episode, we talk about: Why data engineering lacked the right tooling and how that led to Acceldata How his team validated the concept with real-world customer pain points The trade-offs of building in stealth mode vs. in public What he's learned about hiring, scaling, and making the leap from engineer to CEO If you're trying to figure out how to go from technical insight to scalable business, this one's for you. RUNTIME 37:37 EPISODE BREAKDOWN (2:16) “ There are four of us co-founders, and we were all part of the same engineering team at Hortonworks.” (4:33) “ We felt that here was a unique opportunity for us to be able to build something really, really large and big.” (6:16) How Acceldata approached proof-of-concept programs in its early days. (8:23) “ How did you decide which one of you would become the CEO?” (11:31) Rohit's seed-stage recruiting strategy: “ we had to excite them with the long-term vision.” (14:35) “ People like me, we learned how to sell despite coming from an engineering background.” (16:46) Why the co-founders “took a leap of faith” by formalizing their sales process early. (18:46) “ We were familiar with how business is conducted in the U.S.,” which made expansion easier. (21:08) Early challenges they faced after closing a Series A. (23:08) How “a big mistake” from a previous startup still influences Rohit's choices today. (25:30) Wondering if it's time to throw in the towel? Do a self-assessment. (28:31) Three core skills engineers need to acquire if they want to become effective CEOs. (31:39) “ I used to interview almost everyone until we were at about, you know, 170-180.” (33:82) How creating a 10-year strategy informed their day-to-day decision making. (36:27) The one question he'd have to ask the CEO in an interview before he could accept an offer. LINKS Acceldata Rohit Choudhary, co-founder/CEO Ashwin Rajeeva, co-founder/CTO Gaurav Nagar, co-founder/Senior Architect Raghu Mitra Kandikonda, co-founder/Director of Engineering Lightspeed Venture Partners Acceldata Announces $50 Million in Series C Funding to Expand Market Leadership and Product Innovation in Data Observability (press release) SUBSCRIBE LinkedIn Substack Instagram Thanks for listening! – Walter.

On today's episode I am talking with the CEO of Sprinkles, Ashley Rogers. Ashley is an accomplished entrepreneur, brand builder, and mentor with years of experience in the CPG industry. Throughout her career she has built and sold four companies and is now the CEO of Sprinkles CPG, the sister company of the iconic Sprinkles Cupcakes. In this episode we dive into how to build a sustainable startup that will make it to the selling stage, importance of product innovation, tips for retail, fundraising, and so much more. This one is packed with tips for anyone already in the space or looking to start a business of their own. Enjoy!To connect with Siff on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Siff on Tiktok, click HERE.To learn more about Arrae, click HERE. To check out Siff's LTK, click HERE.To check out Siff's Amazon StoreFront, click HERE. To connect with Ashley on Instagram, click HERE.To connect with Sprinkles on Instagram, click HERE. To shop Sprinkles Chocolates, click HERE.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Visit Sprinkleschocolate.com and use code DREAMBIGGER for 20% off your first purchase.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Alt Goes Mainstream was live from $1.2T AUM asset manager Nuveen's nPowered conference, a two-day event bringing together Nuveen thought leaders and industry experts to explore challenges and opportunities in private markets.We interviewed some of Nuveen's senior leadership on site to hear their views and perspectives on private markets, working with the wealth channel, and product innovation.We sat down with Keith Jones, the Global Head of Alternative Investments Product for Nuveen, and a member of the Extended Leadership Team. He's responsible for the development and ongoing management of alternative investment products distributed through Nuveen's institutional, wealth management, and retirement channels globally.Keith and I had a fascinating conversation about product innovation in the wealth channel, how to educate and market products specifically designed for the wealth channel, and why it's not a “one-size-fits-all” approach.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to Ultimus Fund Solutions01:55 Welcome to Alt Goes Mainstream01:58 Live from Nuveen's nPowered Conference02:19 Conversation with Keith Jones03:25 Keith Jones' Background04:04 Nuveen and TIAA Collaboration04:47 Keith's Role at Nuveen05:01 Product Innovation in Wealth Channel05:15 Structuring Products for Wealth Channel05:37 Client-Centric Approach at Nuveen06:59 Challenges in Structuring Products07:39 Credibility and Brand Importance09:36 Client Experience and Reporting09:46 Brand and Credibility in Product Creation10:40 Nuveen's Real Estate Focus11:38 Feedback from Distribution Teams12:33 Product Governance at Nuveen13:19 Institutional vs. Wealth Channel16:35 Evergreen Structures18:08 Operational Considerations18:51 FinTech Solutions in Structuring31:48 Future of Product Innovation32:20 Real Assets and Farmland33:25 Fee Compression in Alternatives36:13 Balancing Competing Forces36:51 Importance of Diversification38:34 Industry Collaboration for Change39:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts39:58 Closing Remarks

While there's so much stress these days placed on chips and artificial intelligence, all the digital firepower in the world isn't going to create new products that people want. In this episode, Neil Stanley, Founder and CEO of The CorePoint, talks about how banks need to move beyond the rate sheets of old and start developing products for consumers living in an age of apps and e-commerce. He also touches on how banks, in responding to interest rate changes, can go beyond knee-jerk mentality and respond thoughtfully.

Stephen Dubner, live on stage, mixes it up with outbound mayor London Breed, and asks economists whether A.I. can be “human-centered” and if Tang is a gateway drug. SOURCES:London Breed, former mayor of San Francisco.Erik Brynjolfsson, professor of economics at Stanford UniversityKoleman Strumpf, professor of economics at Wake Forest University RESOURCES:"SF crime rate at lowest point in more than 20 years, mayor says," by George Kelly (The San Francisco Standard, 2025)"How the Trump Whale and Prediction Markets Beat the Pollsters in 2024," by Niall Ferguson and Manny Rincon-Cruz (Wall Street Journal, 2024)"Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Discovery, and Product Innovation," by Aidan Toner-Rodgers (MIT Department of Economics, 2024) EXTRAS:"Why Are Cities (Still) So Expensive?" by Freakonomics Radio (2020)