Podcasts about Retail

In this episode the guys break down the seven best muscle building exercises you have probably never done — the bent press, circus press, Zottman curls, weighted windmills, heavy overhead carries, heavy trap bar farm walks, and tibialis raises. They also get into AI being used to expose congressional stock trading corruption (56% of congressional stock purchases are on companies directly impacted by bills they later voted on), the whey protein shortage and a new manufacturing technique that makes it taste even better, the history of sketchy old school supplements like Hot Stuff and what was actually in them, old school protein shakes from the Weider era, and LMNT's new lemonade iced tea flavor. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com. No BS 6-Pack Formula:  https://nobs6pack.com Code: 6PACK for 50% off. Updated two phase ab building system with new videos and demos . Mind Pump Fitness Coaching:  https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com 1.9 NASM CEUsSPONSORS Legion (protein bars and supplements):  https://buylegion.com/mindpump Code: MPB2G1 for buy 2 get 1 free. Kion Aminos:  https://getkion.com/mindpump 20% off automatically applied at checkout, no code needed. LMNT (lemonade iced tea):  https://drinklmnt.com/MindPump Free 8-count sample pack with any purchase, no code needed. New lemonade iced tea flavor discussed on air — 50mg caffeine, no sugar. Dose for Your Liver:  https://dosedaily.co/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for 25% off first month subscription. Clinically backed liquid liver supplement, zero sugar, zero calories. LINKS Submit a live caller question:  https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store:  https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products:  https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   3:08 - 7 best muscle building exercises you have never done 7:34 - The bent press — how Arthur Saxon pressed 370 pounds overhead with one arm 10:30 - The circus press — the one arm push press that builds shoulders fast 12:19 - Zottman curls — the forgotten arm builder that bulletproofs your elbows 13:44 - Weighted windmills — the best exercise Sal had never done that fixed his SI joint 15:40 - Heavy overhead carries — how walking with weight overhead changed the guys' pressing strength 19:11 - Heavy trap bar farm walk — why carrying 500 pounds makes everyday life feel easy 21:24 - Tibialis raises — the dumbest simplest fix for shin splints that actually works instantly 24:04 - Legion chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie bars and GLP users who struggle to hit protein 25:10 - AI exposes congressional stock trading — 56% of purchases tied to bills they voted on 35:09 - Retail investors now make up 20% of market trading volume and its impact 37:18 - Leucine is the trigger — why your EAA supplement is probably underdosed where it matters 40:05 - Whey protein shortage and a new manufacturing technique that makes it taste better 44:54 - Old school supplements — Hot Stuff, pro hormones and what was actually in them 51:10 - 1988 study — frail 88-year-olds gained 174% average strength in 8 weeks with no injuries 58:05 - Caller: Bobby (New Jersey) — truck driver, GLP off-ramp, normalized bloodwork at 55, needs a build phase 1:08:44 - Caller: Casey (North Carolina) — Hashimoto's, weekend gluten cheats, overtraining, gets Maps 15 1:23:29 - Caller: Sharon (Connecticut) — hypermobility, POTS, MCAS, gets Maps Starter with isometric modifications 1:36:43 - Caller: Renee (Hawaii) — DV survivor, hysterectomy next week, bikini competitor goals, gets free coaching and certification course

The market has evolved. The questions are just as relevant. A Retail Retold Replay looking back at retail in 2024.We're throwing it back to ICSC 2024 with James Cook, Americas Director of Retail Research at JLL and host of the Where We Buy podcast.From the DLC booth in Las Vegas, James and Chris Ressa shared a quick and impactful conversation on the trends shaping retail real estate, from the continued strength of open-air centers to the challenges created by historically low vacancy. While leasing activity has slowed, Cook explains why that's more a reflection of limited supply than weakening demand, and why he remains optimistic about the health of retailers and the consumer.The conversation also explores where artificial intelligence could have the biggest impact on the industry. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the opportunity isn't a lack of technology. It's finding ways to apply it to an industry built on private data, complex lease structures, and physical assets.They also touch on one of retail's more unexpected growth stories: celebrity-backed restaurants. Based on JLL's research, Cook shares why these concepts have surged in recent years and what that says about today's increasingly competitive restaurant landscape.Whether you're catching this conversation for the first time or giving it another listen, this throwback to ICSC 2024 is a fast, insightful look at the ideas that continue to shape retail real estate today.What You'll HearWhy James Cook remains optimistic about retail despite higher interest rates and economic uncertaintyHow historically low vacancy is changing the retail leasing landscapeWhy slower leasing activity doesn't necessarily signal weaker retailer demandWhere artificial intelligence has the greatest potential in retail real estateThe biggest challenge preventing AI from transforming the industry overnightWhy celebrity-backed restaurant concepts have exploded in recent yearsWhat JLL's research reveals about the connection between branding and restaurant expansionHow today's retail trends compare to the expectations coming out of 2024Chapters00:00 – Welcome to the replayJames Cook introduces his role leading retail research at JLL.00:21 – Why James is optimistic about retailConsumer demand and retailer expansion continue to support the market.01:12 – The headwinds facing leasingLower absorption, limited vacancy, and what the numbers really mean.01:43 – Would more available space lease quickly?Chris and James discuss how different types of vacancies would perform.02:19 – Can AI transform retail real estate?The promise of artificial intelligence meets the realities of the industry.03:36 – Why real estate is differentPhysical assets, fragmented data, and why AI adoption won't be straightforward.04:19 – The rise of celebrity-backed restaurantsJames shares surprising research on one of retail's fastest-growing concepts.05:51 – Retail, restaurants, and final thoughtsFavorite dining recommendations, industry research, and closing reflections.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the siren's song of online wine sales, and in particular the idea of affiliate marketing and referrals. So many businesses have taken aim at this potential market, yet when even Amazon decides that selling wine online is a non-starter, why do people continue to try? What are the specific challenges that make selling wine (and other beverage alcohol) online so difficult. Plus, an extended discussion of flavored whiskey. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: With the Industry Under Pressure, Should Bartenders and Sommeliers Finally Join Forces?Joanna is reading: Why Is Everybody Making Blackberry Whiskey?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat with Ben McKean, founder and CEO of Hungryroot, about pivoting from a CPG brand into a massive, AI-driven grocery platform. We explore how reducing consumer decision fatigue and managing owned inventory fueled their success, while Ben shares insider data on real-time household consumption patterns and what it takes for emerging brands to thrive on the platform.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ce înseamnă să înveți o profesie în același timp în care o practici? În acest episod despre învățământul universitar dual vorbim despre ce presupune el și despre cum să fii relevant profesional într-o lume în care AI-ul automatizează tot mai mult și experiența reală e greu de dobândit pe perioada studiilor.Estera Anghelescu este Director de Recrutare & Employer Branding la Kaufland România & Moldova. Silvia Maican este Directorul Departamentului de Administrarea Afacerilor și Marketing de la Universitatea „1 Decembrie 1918" din Alba Iulia. Silvia coordonează programul de Logistică Operațională în regim dual, în care Kaufland este partener și agent economic, primul astfel de program din România. În acest episod discutăm despre:Ce sunt competențele și ce interesează mediul universitar vs. mediul privatÎnvățământul universitar dual: mod de organizare și structură concretă Cum se îmbină teoria utilă cu antrenarea abilităților în învățământul dualCum este diferit de învățământul clasic și de școala profesionalăCe competențe umane rămân greu de automatizat de inteligența artificialăDrumul de 10 ani de la idee la lansarea programului de studiu universitar dualResurse menționate în conversație:Discursul TED al lui Ricardo Semler: Radical wisdom for a company, a school, a life• Cartea Imagine If, de Sir Ken Robinson• Kari Era — consilierul AI de carieră Kaufland • Raportul Anthropic Economic Index Mai multe informații despre programele de licență în regim dual (Logistică Operațională, Management în Retail, Robotică și Automatizări Industriale) găsiți pe site. "(00:00) Teaser și introducere episod: educație academică vs. experiență practică""(04:33) Paradoxul experienței: angajatorii cer ce n-ai de unde să fi acumulat""(06:32) Învățământul universitar dual: cunoaștere, abilități și tip de memorie""(08:33) Perspectiva de angajator: importanța practicării imediate a cunoștințelor""(10:40) Alinierea teoriei din universitate la practica din lumea reală""(15:32) Ce le lipsește absolvenților de liceu azi: comunicare și soft skills""(17:46) Claritate în carieră și Kari, consilierul AI de la Kaufland""(19:47) Repere concrete: burse și program săptămânal și anual în studiul universitar dual""(25:30) Recunoașterea oficială și programe: logistică, management, robotică și automatizări""(30:08) Perspectivele ca absolvent al programului de logistică operațională""(32:41) Orientarea în carieră prin mentoratul dublu: universitatea ȘI compania""(35:43) Competențele care te fac greu de înlocuit de AI""(40:00) Retail și logistică: ce te diferențiază și face necesar inclusiv în era AI""(42:47) Sir Ken Robinson și cele 8 competențe necesare pentru viitor""(46:20) Cu ce diferă aceste programe de școala profesională și de învățământul clasic""(50:17) Drumul de 10 ani până la construirea primului program dual din România""(53:52) Tinerii din România: date statistice, nevoi urgente și cum le adresează dualul""(57:35) Unde și cum se desfășoară programele: sistem hibrid și fizic, proces de (pre-)înscriere"

This morning, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo launched RAISE US, an initiative to directly confront what she calls America's missing piece: a people strategy to match its technology strategy. Raimondo joins Rapid Response to explain how she built a $500 million war chest, secured bipartisan backing, and signed up launch partners from Bank of America to Anthropic before the ink was dry. She also makes the case against the two most popular answers to AI displacement — slowing down development and Universal Basic Income, and explains why neither will actually work. What will? A collective reinvention of how America trains, transitions, and values its workers. The window, she warns, is narrower than most people think.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey friends, Chase here Jeff Boyd is on the show today, and this conversation is about building the kind of life and business that does not always look like the predominant story on the internet. Jeff is the founder and chairman of MTE, More Than Energy, which he describes in this episode as "an energy that loves you back." Before that, he spent 15 years as the President and co-owner of Luggage Free, where he expanded global operations to more than 100 countries before selling the company in 2019. What I loved about this conversation is that it is not the usual story about chasing the next app, raising venture capital, or building something because the internet told you that is what entrepreneurship is supposed to look like. This is a conversation about physical products, unsexy businesses, competition, fatherhood, leadership, and what it means to keep choosing hard things on purpose. Jeff says it plainly right at the top: "That's why I tell my team all the time. They just look at me and I'm like, if it were easy, everybody be doing it. We got to do what nobody else is willing to do, and then you're going to be happy we did it. And I tell them that I'm like, oh yeah, this is hard. And I'm excited about it. Because now that's an opportunity for us because we'll outwork anybody." That idea is at the center of this episode. We talk about the grind of building something real, why curiosity matters more than credentials, what sports teach us about business, why leadership is not about personality type, and how the best things in life often come down to loving the process instead of obsessing over the outcome. Why This Conversation Matters Right Now Most of the entrepreneurs and creators we see online are building in public, building digitally, or building something that looks like the current version of what the internet rewards. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is not the only path. In this episode, I say: "A lot of folks I know in the audience feel a pressure to make their businesses walk and talk and look like the creators and the entrepreneurs that see out there in the world, which is one of the reasons I want to start celebrating some people who are building really successful lives, careers." That is why I wanted to have Jeff on the show. He built and sold a shipping business. Now he is building a physical product in the health and wellness space. He is not chasing the obvious thing. He is not trying to make his work look like everyone else's. Jeff's path is a reminder that there is a whole world of entrepreneurship outside the digital-first story. There are products, services, local businesses, physical goods, retail shelves, manufacturing problems, customer conversations, teams, families, and real-life constraints. And sometimes, that is where the opportunity is. What We Explore in This Episode Jeff's early business story and how he became employee one at a shipping company before helping grow it around the world. The "answer is yes" mindset that helped Luggage Free expand into all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Why physical products are different and what changes when you are building with atoms instead of bits. The origin of MTE and why Jeff wanted to build "an energy that loves you back." What it means to enjoy the grind when the work is hard, relentless, and full of problems you do not know how to solve yet. Fatherhood, presence, and time and why Jeff says he is "so all in now" with his family. Competition, sport, and business and why Jeff still trains and competes as a long jumper. Leadership and authenticity and why Jeff says people do what you do, not what you say you do. Second and third career arcs and what Jeff has learned about zooming out, building teams, and letting people play the right roles. The Core Idea: If It Were Easy, Everybody Would Be Doing It One of the strongest threads in this conversation is Jeff's relationship with hard things. He is not pretending the grind is glamorous. He says straight up that building physical products, selling through retail, and getting people to care is hard. But he also sees that difficulty as part of the opportunity. "You know I some of this stuff I think the harder it is, the better for me. For sure. You want, you want to bear. People are going to be like, oh, I don't have the guts to do this. That's right. Yeah. And then the ones that do, that's a that's another level, right? That's another fence they cleared. But then it's like, okay, well now you did that. But are you ready to grind now because it's a grind." That is the mindset that shows up again and again in the episode. The point is not that everything should be hard for the sake of being hard. The point is that difficulty can reveal where other people quit. That is true in sport. It is true in business. It is true in building a family, a product, a brand, a company, or a body of work. The Answer Is Yes Jeff's first major business story starts with Luggage Free. At the beginning, the company was taking orders by hand and trying to get the phone to ring. Then the first real call came in. "Anyway, so we're trying to get the phone to ring so we can handwrite our orders. And the first call, the guy, you know, we're all. It was kind of like a movie. We're all like, you know, hushed around him, waiting, you know, hearing him, he's like, oh, I'm sorry, we don't serve. North Carolina hangs up. And we were like, oh, dude, Gary, of course you serve anybody." That moment became a kind of operating philosophy: "And I was like, from now on, the answer is yes. Like whatever anybody says answered yes. And with that really that charge? Yeah. We were quickly in all 50 states and we grew to 109 countries throughout the world. And it was always in response to a call." There is something powerful in that. Not because saying yes is always the right answer, but because early in a business, the market often tells you where to go before your strategy deck does. Someone calls. Someone asks. Someone has a need. Someone gives you a clue. The question is whether you are willing to follow it. Building Something You Can Hold After selling Luggage Free in 2019, Jeff had time and space. He was not rushing into the next thing. He was riding his bike, playing tennis, spending time with his family, and looking for what might call him next. What called him was not another service business. It was a physical product. "And so in 19 sold it 2019, 2019 were operating all over the world, offices all over and sold it and was kind of free to at that point, I was like, all right, I want to like what I loved about it was the challenge and the fun and the competition. Right. You're building, you're competing." He continues: "But I what I yearn for was a product and something that was tangible I could actually hold right and do a different scent or a different flavor or different size or different color, whatever." That desire eventually became MTE. Jeff had been trying to solve his own energy problem, stacking supplements, chasing better mood, better energy, and better performance, until he realized the pieces were not working together. "And I realized I was like, Frankenstein. I mean, like, we were talking about it last night, like piling all these supplements together to try and make yourself feel better, even even like ten supplements, which doesn't sound that bad. Shit. Crazy. Yeah. We'll be like a suitcase full when you're traveling, you know?" MTE came from that search. "So we built it's an energy that loves you back. Right. Like an energy drink that loves you back. Yeah. Right. So you get prebiotics and caffeine free blend. That's better than caffeine. Yeah. So now you're getting energy that feels great that you can trust. Sure. And no jitters, no crash, no impact on sleep." Curiosity, Thrill, and Figuring It Out One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Jeff talks about starting something in a category where he did not have obvious experience. He had not built beverage brands before. He was not a chemist. He was stepping into a new world. His answer was not fear. It was curiosity. "Yeah. Like, I like hair on fire. Like, let's go figure this out." Then he gets to the larger point: "I like it's curiosity and thrill. And that's what it boils down to. Right. Like, I think you you like that's what entrepreneurship is. It's solving problems and and finding solutions to things. Even if you've done it 20 times, they're going to be solutions that need to be had in the evolving world and landscape in which we operate." That is entrepreneurship in a sentence. You do not get to know everything before you begin. You do not get a guarantee that the answer is obvious. You get a problem, a question, a changing landscape, and the chance to learn fast enough to keep moving. Jeff says: "But that's why I love it. I think if, if we boil it down, I love the curiosity that that is necessary to just because you're like, I don't know the answer to that. Instead of that overwhelming me or said of panicking, I'm going to go learn because I'm sure there's more than one answer. We'll figure out. Maybe we'll triangulate, figure it out. Yeah, get to a solution. And and then we'll know for next time. And then we'll be able to iterate and make it better. And on it go. Like I love that process." You Have to Love the Process The conversation moves from business into fatherhood, sport, and the shape of a life. Again and again, we come back to process. Jeff says it directly: "Yeah. You have to love the process, right? And I think that's true of anything, particularly in stuff like that where it's easy to focus on the outcome. I'm lose 20 pounds, I'm going to whatever it is, I'm going to get this promotion, you know. And then I think what happens is then the outcome just naturally happens because you love the process." This applies to entrepreneurship, training, parenting, leadership, and creative work. If you are only trying to reach the finish line, you miss the life that happens while you are getting there. Jeff connects that idea to family: "Like the time is fleeting, right? For whatever it is. And you really have to enjoy the journey because, you know, like, I look at things like, if it's a line that's made up of just millions and millions of dots, and those dots would represent any given period in time." He continues: "Right. College graduation, high school graduation. They get married like whenever it is. You've decided that they've you've set them free. The that point will just be one of hundreds of millions of points that made up the line. Yeah. So, you know, looking and it's kind of the same with like a business, right. Like if you're just all you want to do is sell the business, you're just focused on that. You're going to miss all these hundreds of millions of, of experiences or anything else, right?" Competition Brings Out the Best in People Jeff is still a competitive long jumper. He talks about master's track, world records, regional meets, and the way competition gives him purpose. That competitive lens shows up in business too. "I love it, I love it, I think I think I love to compete. Like I was just telling my buddy the other day, like, I don't like when he's fine, but I hate losing, which is weird, right?" Then he goes deeper: "So I just love the competition, and I love the process that goes into it. And having, you know, so being able to have a purpose and go in and compete and I love competing. Sure. I just think it brings out the best in people." For Jeff, sport is one vehicle for competition, but not the only one. Business is another. "Sports is just a vehicle to compete. Right. So is it the competition like because it brings the best out in you or why do you like it. Yeah, I think I think just that it's the vehicle for sports. Sure. So I like it as an umbrella. I love it in the business." He talks about the shipping company in that same frame: "Like even the shipping company I had towards the end, I was I didn't have a lot of passion for it, but I had, you know, a very competitive space and there were upstarts in the industry and you're like, all right, well, these guys are trying to take my lunch money, you know, like, right. Not on my watch." Leadership Means Leading From the Front When I ask Jeff what is required of leadership, his answer is simple: "Got to lead from the front, I think. Right. I mean, yeah, it's people do what you do, not what you say you do." He adds: "I think you need to be genuine too. Yeah. Right. Like, if you're, if you're genuine and authentic, I think people are more prone to get in line and buy in and say, I'm, I'm, I'm subscribing to what? You're where you're leading me again." That is an important distinction. Leadership is not just having followers. It is not having the loudest voice in the room. It is not projecting certainty at all times. It is what people see you do. It is the consistency between your words and your behavior. It is whether the people around you believe that the thing you are asking from them is something you are willing to model yourself. Nobody Does It Alone Later in the conversation, Jeff talks about what he has learned in this newer chapter of his life and career. One lesson is the importance of zooming out. Another is the myth of the lone genius. "And then the other thing I've learned is you like, nobody does it alone. Right? I mean, that's like total myth. Yeah. The myth of the lone wolf. The lone genius. Yeah. It's, you know, you need a you need a whole group of people that are going to bring ideas that you would have never thought of. They're going to execute your ideas that you do have." He continues: "Right? They're going to they're just they're going to champion for you in ways that you never even knew needed to be championed. You know, I mean, all the things you need a you need a great team and you need to find." That is a hard-earned lesson for builders. The bigger the thing you are trying to create, the less likely it is that you can muscle your way through alone. You need ideas you would not have had. You need people who can execute. You need people who can challenge you, support you, and help you see what you are missing. Role Players Matter One of the most useful leadership ideas in this episode is Jeff's realization that not everyone on a team has to be an all-star. "And the other thing I talk about all the time is it's you have to resist the urge to demand that everybody in your team is an all star, right? Like even the greatest sports teams have role players, and they have guys that sit on the bench to get the starters ready for the playoffs." He explains what he learned: "But they don't, you know, they're they're effectively benchwarmers. But they have a role in the team. And you have a trainer and you have a coach and assistant coaches and all. You know, it's it's the whole organization." That perspective changed the way he thought about people and teams: "That was difficult for me earlier on. I, I just felt like everybody had to be an all star. If you're not at all star, you're you're like, I'm failing you or you're failing me. And either way, you got to go. You know, we're going to get somebody else in here." The lesson is not to lower standards. It is to understand roles. Great teams are not built by pretending everyone is supposed to contribute in the same way. About Jeff Boyd Jeff Boyd is the founder and chairman of MTE (More Than Energy), colloquially known as 'energy that loves you back'. MTE has prebiotics and a caffeine-free blend that functions better than caffeine, giving users feel good energy they can trust, with no spike, no crash, and no impact on sleep. Prior to founding MTE, Jeff spent 15 years as the President and co-owner of Luggage Free where he expanded global operations to over 100 countries before selling the company in 2019. In his free time, Jeff is a notorious oenophile, cyclist and long jumper. If he's not on the bike, on the track, or in the cellar, he enjoys traveling the world with his wife and two children. www.getmte.com Instagram YouTube Timecodes 00:00 – Jeff on why hard things create opportunity 02:06 – Chase welcomes Jeff to the show in Seattle 02:21 – Why this episode is different from the usual digital-first entrepreneurship conversation 05:21 – Jeff begins the story of becoming employee one at a shipping company 07:35 – "From now on, the answer is yes" 09:21 – Selling the company in 2019 and wanting to build a product 10:31 – Jeff starts getting the itch to build something new 15:40 – Why building a physical product is not a get-rich-quick scheme 17:57 – Jeff explains MTE: "an energy that loves you back" 22:35 – Starting in a category where you do not have all the experience 23:59 – Curiosity, thrill, and solving problems as entrepreneurship 28:01 – Fatherhood and being "born to be a dad" 31:12 – Why Jeff is "so all in now" with his family 33:16 – Time, family, business, and "millions and millions of dots" 36:18 – Why you have to love the process 38:15 – Attitude, winning, and sports psychology 39:23 – Jeff on still competing in long jump 42:00 – Why Jeff loves competition 46:33 – Leadership, authenticity, and leading from the front 50:45 – Zooming out and finding your North Star 51:47 – Why nobody does it alone 52:05 – Building teams with role players, not only all-stars 58:37 – "When people show you who they are, believe them" 01:03:14 – MTE cans, flavor work, and mango pineapple 01:05:08 – The Reggie Watts collaboration 01:09:20 – Why the harder path can be better 01:12:15 – Retail as the next frontier 01:17:03 – Jeff's three-pillar vision for MTE 01:17:45 – Ingredients, paraxanthine, prebiotics, and clean energy Questions to Ask Yourself If you want to turn this episode into action, take a few minutes with these questions: Where am I making my business or creative life look like someone else's version of success? What is the "non sexy" opportunity I might be overlooking because it does not look cool online? Where could "the answer is yes" help me learn faster? What hard thing am I avoiding that might actually be the opportunity? What problem do I not know how to solve yet, and who could help me triangulate an answer? Where am I too focused on the outcome and missing the process? What part of my life is made up of "millions and millions of dots" that I need to appreciate now? Am I leading from the front, or only telling people what I value? Where am I expecting everyone to be an all-star instead of building a real team? What would it look like to zoom out and find the North Star again? A Simple Practice for Builders Here's something practical you can do this week. Pick one hard thing in your work or life that you have been treating as a sign to stop. It might be a distribution problem, a hiring problem, a creative problem, a sales problem, a health problem, or a relationship problem. Then sit with Jeff's line: "Oh yeah, this is hard. And I'm excited about it." Do not use that line to pretend the hard thing is easy. Use it to reframe what the hard thing might be showing you. It may be pointing to the part where other people quit. It may be pointing to the skill you need to build next. It may be pointing to the person you need to ask, the rep you need to take, or the process you need to fall in love with again. The work is not always to find an easier road. Sometimes the work is to become the kind of person who can walk the hard one with more purpose. Final Thought This episode is a reminder that business is not only about scale, speed, funding, or hype. It is also about curiosity, grit, family, physical products, role players, clean energy, long jumps, retail shelves, hard conversations, and the willingness to keep learning when you do not already know the answer. Jeff's story is not about avoiding the grind. It is about choosing the right grind. It is about building something thoughtfully, leading from the front, and staying close enough to the process that the outcome has room to take care of itself. Until next time: do what nobody else is willing to do, and love the process enough to keep going.

Phillip and Brian run the docket: why "proof of work" is the new luxury signal, what the AI export-control fight shares with a brand guarding its trade secrets, and how AI is flooding the patent office while quietly favoring incumbents.  But perhaps the most profound part of the conversation lies in two trends taking internet culture by storm. "Tasteslop" and Korea's "dopamine sites" appear as distinct ideas, but they're actually two faces of the same impulse: consumption stripped down to pure signal. Key takeaways: AI slop makes "proof of work" the new status signal. Brands win by showing the process and the discards, not hiding them. Software isn't the moat… chips, power, and craft are. AI patent tools favor incumbents, widening the gap with upstarts. "Tasteslop" and "dopamine sites": consumption as pure signal, minus the object. Key quotes: [~06:45] "When people aren't making up the machine, we start to question everything now." — Brian [~10:00] "It's the entire PR campaign around it that shows you all of the discarded drawings that weren't used." — Phillip [~36:00] "AI does not make this more of a level playing field. If anything… they can box the small guys out even more effectively." — Phillip [~39:29] "You can't trademark taste." — Brian In-Show Mentions: "The Process Is the Product" – Insiders piece by Sophia Epstein James Bridle – Ways of Being: Beyond Human Intelligence and New Dark Age AI & Agentic Commerce hub Emily Segal on "Tasteslop"  STRATA: 10 Aesthetics Shaping Culture and Commerce Associated Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's podcast episode, we present our “Unofficial Monthly Retailer Awards” (UMRAs) for June, including awards for “Most Impactful Campaign,” “Best IRL Initiative,” and “Greatest Under-the-Radar Move.” Listen to the discussion featuring guest host Arielle Feger and Analysts Paola Flores-Marquez, Emmy Liederman, and Rachel Wolff.   Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters   Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/   For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com   For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/   Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com    For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-nike-says-knicks-always-dreamed-stella-artois-says-work-bar-more-reimagining-retail     © 2026 EMARKETER   Rokt is the global leader in ecommerce, unlocking real-time relevance in the Transaction Moment. Rokt's AI Brain and Ecommerce Network help the world's leading companies deliver more relevant customer experiences and unlock incremental value from every transaction. Learn more at rokt.com.

This week I'm sitting down with returning guest Audrey Woollen of Urbanic and we're talking about navigating a huge business transition. About a year ago, Audrey decided to close her retail shop and we'll talk about that today. Audrey opens up about the difficult decision it was to close after being open for nearly two decades. We talk about the challenges and emotions of stepping away from something that you've built from the ground up. We talk about hustle culture ane the process of rediscovering creativity and purpose outside of traditional business models. We also talk about what she does and does not miss about running an in-person store, the pressures of being responsible for a large payroll, and the power of pausing to reflect on what you really want in both life and business. Friends, if you are grappling with any sort of change, if you're feeling stuck or questioning your next move, then I really feel like this episode is kind of a permission slip to follow your intuition and to honor your evolving needs and really kind of just explore what's possible when you give yourself the space to grow.This episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. We are doing something new coming up in LABS in July, it's called CEO Week. We're going to help you lock in your focus for Q3 and give you the steps you need to take immediate action on things that really have been requiring your attention for a while. We're going to push your business to the next level and we'd love to have you join us. We start in mid-July!REQUEST YOUR INVITATIONYou can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/447 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

Most jam brands are built on sugar. Good Good built a business by taking it out. In this episode, Good Good founder and CEO Gardar Stefansson discusses how the Icelandic brand evolved from a struggling stevia startup into a rapidly growing platform of no-added-sugar spreads now sold in approximately 10,000 U.S. stores and 30 countries worldwide.  He shares lessons from scaling across major retailers, navigating pricing and promotions, developing products consumers love, and building a premium brand in an increasingly competitive category. Gardar also explains why packaging is a company's most powerful marketing asset and why getting consumers to try your product remains the key to driving repeat purchases and long-term growth. Show notes: 0:20: Gardar Stefansson, Co-Founder & CEO, Good Good – Gardar discusses the origins of Good Good, which launched in 2016 as a stevia sweetener company before pivoting to a no-added-sugar jam recipe that ultimately became the foundation of the business. He explains how "No Added Sugar" evolved into the brand's core message and describes Good Good's growth strategy as it expanded across retail channels including Whole Foods, Costco, Walmart, and Amazon. Gardar emphasizes the importance of leveraging syndicated retail data, in-store merchandising, promotions, and digital marketing to build awareness and drive trial. He argues that packaging and messaging are a brand's most effective marketing tools, noting that shelf presence is its most valuable real estate. He also discusses Good Good's disciplined approach to innovation, explaining how the company balances consumer demand, retailer expectations, and product quality when developing new products, including peanut butter and chocolate spreads. Throughout the conversation, Gardar highlights a relentless focus on getting consumers to try the product – through sampling, events, and grassroots marketing initiatives – as a key driver of the brand's success. Brands in this episode: Good Good

Vicky Nguyen goes behind online retailers that offer affordable high-end prescription glasses to investigate their quality compared to regular retail stores. Also, the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders stop by to discuss season 3 of “America's Sweethearts” on Netflix. Plus, a look at the best deals on Amazon Prime Day 1. And, Chef Alexia Duchêne stops by with a delicious French Roast Chicken recipe.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Memory chips come back down to earth. Wolfe targets a new top pick in retail. Plus, why G Squared Capital's Victoria Greene is sitting on the SpaceX sidelines.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David protein bars went from startup to one of the hottest consumer products in America in under two years. But the ride has been anything but smooth. Founder and CEO Peter Rahal joins Rapid Response to talk about building a breakout brand through lawsuits, a Jeffrey Epstein association, and the kind of social media heat most companies would run from. Rahal also revisits his $600 million sale of RXBar to Kellogg and what he learned about keeping your edge after a defining win.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SharkNinja has rewritten the modern commerce playbook by embedding a "threshold of virality" directly into pre-product development and abandoning rigid, weekly campaign reviews for hourly optimization. Global Head of Media Dave Kersey shares how this social-first, digital-only approach skyrocketed the brand to the top of TikTok Shop ecosystems globally while establishing a hyper-transparent, API-driven model for agency partnerships. Key Highlights

The cost of land, borrowing, and construction has made it prohibitive to build new neighborhood retail centers in Florida. As a result, occupancy at existing properties in many markets is in the mid-high 90's and sometimes even 100%. There's a huge demand for space from restaurants, yoga and Pilates studios, gyms, massage clinics, plus other medical providers like dentists, chiropractors and joint clinics.  There are also many other tenant types that need retail foot traffic to survive. Todd Nepola, President of Current Capital Real Estate Group, has been buying retail centers in South Florida for 25 years and has generated great wealth for investors. 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2zzEE8PxY64  Partnership, innovation, and a people-first approach are essential to creating meaningful change and lasting success. In this episode of Stories from the River, Wes Dudley, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience at Broad River Retail, sits down with Abe Barghouti, Senior Account Director at Zoom; Krista Hentz, Senior Sales Leader at Zoom; Drew Gorringe, Head of CX Consulting at C-Lect Consulting; and Anita Harris, Director of Customer Experience Operations & Specialty at Broad River Retail. Together, they discuss the implementation of the Zoom Contact Center platform and the strategic thinking behind the transition. The conversation explores the importance of building strong partnerships, finding technology solutions that align with company values, and creating systems that better support both Memory Makers and guests. Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.    Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com    Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

Spirit Halloween announced it will hire over 52,000 seasonal associates, the largest hiring event in the company's history. Most Americans don't go to a haunted house, but nearly all of them first encounter Halloween through retail. Retail is the first wave of the season, and it primes guests for everything that comes after, including your attraction.In this issue:-Spirit Halloween to Hire 52,000 Seasonal Associates-2026 Halloween & Costume Association Awards Open for Submissions-Legoland Florida Expands Brick-or-Treat to 18 Days-Knott's Scary Farm: Nightmares Revealed Returns August 18th-Green Tagged's News Catch-Uphttps://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/what-52000-halloween-hires-mean-for-your-haunt

Send us Fan MailLorna McPherson is one of Papua New Guinea's most influential sports and business leaders. Having lived and worked in PNG for more than 16 years, she has built an impressive career spanning telecommunications, government relations, marketing, and professional sport.In January 2026, Lorna was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Chiefs Rugby League club by the Australian Rugby League Commission. Prior to this, she served as a Director of both the PNGRFL and the PNG Chiefs, while also holding senior executive positions at Digicel Pacific, including Senior Vice President responsible for Government Relations, Sales, Distribution, Retail and Marketing across Papua New Guinea.A passionate advocate for the growth of rugby league, Lorna played a key role in transforming the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup into the country's premier sporting competition and was instrumental in establishing the Santos Cup, Papua New Guinea's elite women's rugby league competition. Her work has helped create pathways for athletes, strengthen communities, and elevate the profile of sport across the nation.Today, Lorna is leading the PNG Chiefs into a new era while continuing to champion opportunities for athletes, women, and communities through sport. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, resilience, and the power of sport to drive national development.

The RV industry is chasing the wrong generation. While manufacturers court 30-somethings with outdoor TVs and influencer campaigns, the buyers who are actually writing checks right now look nothing like the people in the ads.Last week I sat around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio with 88 members of our RVCommunity. I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile hike. He was turning 70.That tells you everything the sales charts do not.In this episode we dig into who is really driving the RV market right now, what experienced RVers actually want that manufacturers keep missing, the quiet but alarming shift happening in our national parks, and a dramatic rescue on the Appalachian Trail that is a reminder of exactly why preparation matters out there.Read the companion blog post on RVing in the second half of life at RVLifestyle.com - link below.Here is the complete episode, start to finish.THE RV PODCAST - MONDAY NEWS EDITION Episode Air Date: Monday, June 23, 2026 - 6:00 AM Approx. Running Time: 25 Minutes Host: Mike WendlandTHE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL ...and why the RV industry keeps ignoring themOPENLast week I was sitting around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with about 50 members of our RVCommunity.com.I asked a simple question: how many of you have bought a brand new RV in the last year?Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile sunset hike - and he was turning 70 that summer.This was happening while the RV industry is posting some of the worst wholesale shipment numbers in over a decade.Which raises a question the people running this industry ought to be asking themselves: who exactly are they building RVs for?Because I can tell you who is actually buying them. And they look nothing like the people in the ads.OPENINGGood morning and welcome to the RV Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland.Eighteen Emmy Awards. Thirty-plus years covering everything from wars to the White House to consumer affairs. And for the past 15 years, living the RV lifestyle myself with my wife Jennifer in every type of rig you can imagine, coast to coast, all 48 contiguous states.Today's show is a little different. Instead of leading with a breaking story, I want to start with something I witnessed firsthand that I believe tells you more about the real state of the RV market than any press release you will read this year.And if you want to go deeper after you listen, I have been writing about this topic at RVLifestyle.com for the past several weeks. We have been exploring what it means to RV in the second half of life - the freedom, the community, the mindset, and yes, the ways the industry keeps getting it wrong. There is a link in the show notes. I think you will recognize yourself in it.Here is what is happening on the road. And here is what the industry is getting wrong. Let's get into it.LEAD STORY: THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVELThe RV industry is having a rough year. A really rough year. And the numbers tell the story fast, so let me give them to you and move on, because the real story is not the numbers. The real story is who is still out there buying and camping while those numbers grind downward.Wholesale shipments are down more than 13 percent through the first four months of 2026. Retail sales off 14 to 15 percent from last year. The industry's own forecast, just revised downward again this month, now projects this as one of the worst years for new RV sales in over a decade.So who is still buying?Here is what I can tell you from 15 years in this world and from what I saw last week in Hocking Hills. The people who are still writing checks for new RVs, right now, in the worst market in a decade, are the people the industry seems most determined to pretend do not exist.Baby Boomers. Older Gen Xers. People who grew up reading paper maps. Making reservations by phone. Talking to strangers when they got lost. Fixing things with their hands. Navigating real uncertainty with nothing but experience and nerve.According to industry research, Americans 50 and older remain the primary customer segment for RVs. Many are retirees fulfilling long-held travel dreams, and that population is still growing as the tail end of the baby boom ages into retirement. These are people with home equity, disposable income, and something even more valuable: the time and the confidence to actually use what they buy.And yet when you look at the ads. When you watch the Go RVing campaigns. When you walk the floor of any major RV show and look at the marketing materials stacked at the booths. You see toned and trendy 30-year-olds doing yoga on the roof of a Class B. You see influencers with ring lights and perfect hair. What you do not see is the 68-year-old retired engineer who just dropped $95,000 on a new fifth wheel and is headed to Alaska.That is a real blind spot. And I think it is costing the industry real money.Here is what I saw at our Hocking Hills rally. Eighty-eight people, ranging from their 50s into their 80s. Riding bikes and e-bikes and scooters. Hiking up and down some of the most spectacular terrain in the Midwest. One of our members, a retired RV technician, got under a fellow member's trailer and repacked the wheel bearings on the spot. Another couple spent an afternoon giving scooter lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.Nobody was stuck. Nobody was panicking. When something broke, someone fixed it. When someone needed help, someone helped them. These are people who grew up problem-solving before there was an app for it. And they brought every one of those skills out here.I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. Twelve if you count the man who was out on a six-mile hike at 70 years old.This is happening while the industry chases 33-year-olds with solar panels and TikTok aesthetics.I am not saying younger buyers are not important. They are the future and we need them. But the marketing case being made inside RV boardrooms right now, that the 50-plus buyer is yesterday's news, is demonstrably wrong. And in a market this soft, you cannot afford to ignore your most reliable customer.I wrote about this at length over at RVLifestyle.com. It is part of an ongoing series we have been running on RVing in the second half of life. The link is in the show notes. If today's lead story speaks to you, that post will too.STORY 2: WHO IS ACTUALLY DRIVING THE MARKETThe demographic picture of who owns and buys RVs is more complicated than the ads suggest, and it is worth understanding.The median age of RV owners has come down in recent years. Younger buyers were absolutely part of the pandemic surge. Millennials and Gen Z now represent roughly 22 percent of RV owners - the same share as Baby Boomers - which tells you something about how quickly the demographics shifted during COVID.But here is what the industry sometimes misses in that data. Younger buyers came in during a period of historically low interest rates, flush pandemic savings, and work-from-home flexibility. Those conditions no longer exist. The buyers who are proving most resilient in this market are the ones who are not dependent on 7 percent financing to make the purchase work.Industry analyst Earl Hunter Jr., founder of The Unity Folks, put it bluntly in a recent trade publication outlook piece. He said the biggest trend in the RV industry right now is, simply, lack of growth. And that the industry has not figured out why emerging demographics and nontraditional consumers have little to no interest in the RV lifestyle.That is a real problem worth solving. But while the industry works on reaching new audiences, there is a generation of experienced, well-capitalized, deeply motivated buyers out on the road right now who built this market and are still carrying it. They deserve a little more respect than a supporting role in someone else's marketing story.STORY 3: WHAT EXPERIENCED RVers ACTUALLY WANT - AND WHAT MANUFACTURERS KEEP MISSINGI want to tell you one more thing from Hocking Hills, because I think it reveals something important about the disconnect between what the industry is building and what experienced RVers actually need.During our campfire conversation, I asked people what features they most use in their current rigs. What do they love. What they would change.Nobody mentioned outdoor TVs. Not one person. This is notable because outdoor entertainment has been one of the most aggressively marketed RV features of the last several years. Manufacturers have been loading up rigs with outdoor TVs, outdoor kitchens, outdoor speakers. The assumption is that RVers want to recreate the suburban living room experience outside.Our members were out hiking six miles. They were packed into a campfire circle talking to each other. They were fixing each other's trailers. The last thing they wanted was a television.What did they talk about wanting? Better towing stability. Improved service networks. Simpler systems that do not require a software update to turn on the hot water. Quality that lasts. And dealers who actually know the products they are selling.These are people with decades of RV miles behind them. They know exactly what they need and exactly what they do not. When you have that kind of experience, you stop being impressed by features and start being impressed by reliability.The industry could learn a lot by listening more carefully to the people who have been doing this the longest....

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   Episode Overview Fresh off my Level Up Mastermind retreat with retailers from around the world, I'm reflecting on something that feels increasingly important in retail right now: experiences. Your customers are looking for connection, meaning, and events they can remember.  In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on some of the findings from a research report from  the Portas Agency titled "The Momento Generation". The concept explores how many younger consumers are placing greater value on memories, shared experiences, and stories over simply acquiring more stuff/consumerism. As independent retailers, this gives us an opportunity to think differently about how we serve our customers. I explore why creating memorable moments may matter more than ever and what that could look like inside our shops and communities. Our Key Topics What the "Memento Generation" is and why it matters for understanding changing consumer behavior. Why younger consumers are prioritizing experiences, memories, and meaning over simply acquiring more products. How independent retailers can create memorable customer experiences that go beyond convenience and transactions. What belonging, community, and shared moments mean for brick-and-mortar businesses today. Why the experience surrounding a product can influence purchasing decisions as much as the product itself.   Key Takeaways For Shop Owners on Meaningful Buying Customers are seeking meaning as much as merchandise. The research from the Portas Agency suggests that many consumers are asking questions beyond "What can I buy?" They're considering how purchases make them feel, what memories they create, and who they can share those experiences with. Independent retailers are uniquely positioned to create memorable experiences. Fast, cheap, and convenient options are widely available. What independent retailers can offer is something more personal, memorable, and difficult to replicate. The focus shifts from selling products to creating moments. Rather than asking how to sell more items, consider how they can create experiences customers remember and talk about long after a purchase. Community and connection continue to matter. Whether through gatherings, events, conversations, or shared experiences, creating opportunities for people to connect can strengthen the role your business plays in their lives. The product still matters, but the experience around it matters too. The research isn't suggesting products are unimportant. Instead, it highlights how the surrounding experience, presentation, and emotional connection can increasingly influence purchasing decisions. "The future belongs to businesses that are creating memories, not just transactions."  What moments are your customers taking home with them beyond the products they purchase? I'd love to hear from you in my Instagram DMs. Check in with me! Resources Mentioned and Related Podcasts: The Portas Agency Report: The Momento Generation   Episode 202:Why Every Retail Store Should Consider Selling Souvenirs Episode 245: Best of Series: Retail Marketing from Gen Z to Boomers   A profitable, smooth holiday season is not a lucky accident. It's what happens when someone who actually prepared gets to execute. And the best time to prepare? July. Join me and other retailers in Camp Q4 this summer to set yourself up for a kick-butt Q4! Camp begins with a fireside chat (opening coaching) on July 13th. Grab your sit-upon (fellow Girl Scouts unite!) and join me!   Let's hang out in a private coaching session!   Follow along and chat with me on Instagram and join my love list.  About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met…I'm Wendy Batten. I've been a small business owner, coach, and mentor for over 25 years. I help thoughtful, established entrepreneurs step into their role as CEO and build businesses that are profitable, meaningful, and supportive of the lives they want to live. My work blends real-world strategy with a life-first philosophy, shaped by lived experience, not theory. I've been there! Through honest conversations and practical insight, I invite you into bigger thinking about leadership, possibility, and how to build both business and life on purpose. For more support from Wendy Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes!  Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!  

Retailers managing pricing, marketing, and inventory through separate teams with separate data are losing margin not to market volatility, but to decisions that were never designed to work together. In this episode, Felix Hoffmann, CEO at 7Learnings, examines how predictive, unified commercial decision-making replaces reactive, rules-based approaches — and why most retailers underestimate how much revenue they leave on the table by optimizing each function in isolation. The conversation covers how AI-driven demand simulation enables coordinated pricing, marketing, and reordering decisions, and which commercial use cases enterprise leaders should prioritize first to prove ROI before scaling. This episode is sponsored by 7Learnings. If you offer AI products or services into the enterprise, you need to find enterprise leaders with relevance, and readiness. Emerj attracts VP+ enterprise audiences who are already convinced that they need to move beyond traditional IT. To learn the exact strategies we use to help leading AI brands and startups connect with their ideal enterprise AI buyers, visit: https://go.emerj.com/partner

Retail sales are rising, but retail stocks are struggling. What gives? Join Barron's Live for a deep dive into the consumer economy and retailing business, and a discussion of retail stocks. Senior Managing Editor Lauren R. Rublin speaks with Dana Telsey, an award-winning retail analyst and founder of Telsey Advisory Group, and Senior Writer Teresa Rivas, who covers Walmart, Costco, Tapestry, and other retail industry leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ilies Larbi is the founder and CEO of Ouinex, a multi-asset trading platform built to fuse crypto and traditional markets in a single account while shielding retail traders from the structural disadvantages of conventional order books. A nearly fifteen-year veteran of New York-based forex broker FXCM, where he climbed from sales associate to Managing Director for Europe and a seat on the executive committee, the Paris-based Larbi stepped into crypto in 2022 — late by bull-run standards, as he admits, but with a clear view of the gap he wanted to fill. Why you should listen Larbi's central argument lands with a memorable image: most crypto exchanges drop retail traders into a tank full of sharks. His culprit is the central limit order book, which works beautifully in regulated venues like the NYSE where institutions compete against each other, but breaks down in crypto, where a trader tapping orders from their phone over café Wi-Fi sits on the same book as a high-frequency desk running millions in low-latency infrastructure around the clock. That asymmetry, he argues, is why retail traders so often see stop losses picked off and price action that feels suspiciously erratic. Ouinex's answer is a no-CLOB execution model: institutions are still welcome to provide liquidity, but they're allowed only to make markets, never to take them, and they get zero visibility into where retail orders are resting since those sit on Ouinex's own servers. The result is a kind of Chinese wall, with liquidity providers forced to compete purely on the best bid and ask while an aggregator passes only the sharpest prices through to traders. Ouinex lets users trade spot crypto and perpetuals alongside forex, gold, indices and equities, using their crypto as collateral rather than cashing out to fiat — and crucially, it routes the TradFi side through hundred-year-old market infrastructure rather than rebuilding it as a thin perpetual. Larbi makes the case with hard numbers, contrasting a euro-dollar or gold trade on Ouinex against the same instrument as a perp on a venue like Hyperliquid, where he claims spreads run several times wider, commissions stack on top, and the order book is far shallower. He also points to early evidence that the multi-asset thesis is working: as geopolitics roiled markets, his traders moved record volume into oil and gold while waiting for crypto to get interesting again, exactly the cross-market hedge the platform was designed to enable. Larbi raised nine million dollars entirely from his own trading community — much of it the French-speaking InteractivTrading community — with no venture capital on the cap table, which he argues leaves the platform answerable to its users rather than to investors holding a bag of future tokens. That native token, OUIX, is heading to an ICO via the company's launchpad, pitched as a low-sell-pressure utility play with fee discounts and trading cashback. He's candid that the product is still maturing, urging listeners to test it on a demo account with virtual funds and lean on Ouinex's human (not chatbot) support. The closing hot-take round rounds him out nicely: a self-described multi-chain pragmatist with unshakeable conviction in blockchain's staying power, convinced AI agents will reshape how — and whether — we trade at all, and unashamedly nostalgic for the original Avatar. Supporting links Stabull Finance Ouinex Ouinex on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Retail media has quickly become one of retail's most important growth engines, but Ace Hardware is taking a different approach. One that's built around local ownership, community relevance and real-world customer needs.In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Molly Hjelm, CVP of RedVest Media, Ace Hardware's retail media network, about launching a full-funnel RMN in just six months and what makes the co-op retailer uniquely positioned in the space. Molly shares how Ace is leveraging its network of 5,200 independently owned stores, 70 million loyalty members and deep first-party data to create measurable advertising solutions. She also explains how weather-triggered media, retailer-focused advertising tools and localized customer insights are helping brands connect with shoppers at exactly the right moment.Key TakeawaysHow Ace Hardware launched RedVest Media in just six months by focusing on measurable, full-funnel advertising solutions  Why Ace's co-op structure creates unique opportunities (and challenges) for retail media innovation  How weather-triggered advertising helps brands align messaging with real-time customer needs, from snowstorms to hurricane season  What makes Retailer Reach, Ace's retailer-focused advertising platform, different from traditional retail media offerings  Why first-party data, in-store relationships and local relevance remain critical as retail media evolves alongside AI and changing consumer behavior  Related LinksLearn how RedVest Media helps brands reach Ace Hardware customers through localized, data-driven retail media.Learn more about Ace Hardware and its community-focused retail modelGet more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Drop us a message!Great content doesn't happen by accident, it's built with clear intent, structured around the customer journey, and measured against what actually matters.In this episode of Social In 10, we're joined by Catherine Jakob, Creative Manager at Giraffe Social, to talk about building content strategies that go beyond engagement and drive real, measurable conversions. Catherine shares how to intentionally structure content to support every stage of the customer journey, the processes marketers can use to define clear intent behind every piece of content they create, and how to evaluate performance in a way that reveals genuine impact — not just short-term attention.If you've ever felt like your content is busy but not effective, this episode will give you the framework to change that.Want to be featured on the pod? Drop us a voice note on Instagram at @GiraffeSM.About Giraffe Social's Social in 10 PodcastGiraffe Social is a multi-disciplined digital marketing agency specialising in social media marketing based on the South Coast of the United Kingdom. We work with a wide range of industries, spanning from Fintech and L&D, to Beauty and Retail.Social in 10 is a weekly podcast about all things digital marketing. We discuss all the things social media managers want to know, including the latest platform updates, emerging trends, campaign ideas, and best practices to help you stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're managing multiple clients or growing your brand in-house, each episode is packed with actionable insights… all delivered in under ten minutes.Hosted by the Giraffe Social team, this is your fast, fun, no-fluff guide to making sense of social. New episodes every week, so tune in and level up your marketing game!

What is the current state of independent liquor stores? For answers, we talked with Tom Slattery, owner of JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars, a Top 100 Beverage Alcohol Retailer located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tom discusses the challenging business environment, how bar and food components help his store, and why it's so important to tap into experiential retail.

What does AI is actually do for design teams right now – and what's just noise?Markus Gebka, Head of Product Design B2B at Kaufland sat down with Barbara Rybicka from Netguru for a no-fluff conversation about where things really stand.Here's what they discussed:vibe coding is a game changer – prototypes that used to take a full day now take minutes, and they actually workdesign ops is making a comeback – thanks to AI, people are finally seeing why it mattersFigma isn't dead, but its role is shrinking – and fast too!AI won't replace designers – but it will absolutely handle the boring stuffHosted by Barbara Rybicka, Commercial Director at Netguru.Do you have any questions? It's easiest to catch us on LinkedIn!

About Thomas: Thomas' LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/thomas-dijkman Website: qanda.nl (Company), https://www.ebeltoftgroup.com  Phone: +31652656347 (Work) Email: tdijkman@qanda.nl Thomas' Bio: Thomas Dijkman is a Senior Retail Consultant at Q&A Retail, a Netherlands-based retail consultancy. He is Co-chair of the “Young Ebeltoft” initiative, a global collective of next-generation retail thinkers within the Ebeltoft Group.  Thomas specializes in translating insights, market expertise, and creativity into practical solutions that help leading retailers adapt and thrive in a fast-changing retail environment. He has worked with retailers such as SPAR, Action, Nexeye, and A.S. Watson, advising on strategy, positioning, consumer engagement, and store and format optimization.  With a no-nonsense, data-driven approach, he supports retailers in strengthening their concepts and improving performance across channels. Through his focus on generational insights, Thomas helps retailers better understand what young consumers want and how to turn those insights into action. SHOW INTRO: Today, EPISODE 89… I talk with Thomas Dijkman a Gen Z researcher, which is to say that he is part of Gen Z at 28 years old, who was a speaker at Euroshop 2026. Thomas and the company he work with called Q&A Retail, had just published research on Gen Alpha, which was chock full of insights on this emerging generation of global consumers. We'll get into all of that in a minute but first a few thoughts… *                     *                          *                          * ABOUT DAVID KEPRON: LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b Websites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website) vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog) Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/ NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/ Bio: David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe.  David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels.  In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies.  As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace.  David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University. He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.   In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon.  I caught up with Bryan at the SHOP Marketplace event in Charlotte and chatted about his focus on shaping what comes next in digital signage and experiential design.   The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment examines Target's new shoppable Bravo digital series and what it says about the growing convergence of entertainment, media, and commerce. Chris Walton and Ben Miller discuss whether retailers are increasingly competing with streaming platforms, creators, and social media companies for consumer attention, and why discovery continues to evolve beyond traditional advertising. The conversation also explores Target's brand strategy, merchandising challenges, and whether shoppable entertainment can become a meaningful driver of customer engagement. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/toy5NmyXau4

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment explores DoorDash's new AI-powered search experience and why conversational commerce may be arriving faster than retailers realize. Chris Walton and Ben Miller discuss natural language search, AI shopping assistants, customer discovery, and why retailers must rethink how shoppers find products online. The conversation also examines how platforms like DoorDash, Amazon, Google, and ChatGPT are changing consumer expectations and why conversational search is quickly becoming table stakes for digital commerce. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/toy5NmyXau4

– Is a Trillionaire really a bad person? – The end of hostilities in Iran… we hope – A tipping point for retail in Australia?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Happens When AI, Supply Chains, and Economic Uncertainty Collide in Wholesale Distribution?As interest rates remain under scrutiny, supply chains face new disruptions, and artificial intelligence continues to reshape business operations, wholesale distribution leaders are being forced to make smarter decisions with less room for error.In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome Will Quinn, warehouse leadership expert, supply chain educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. Together, they explore the current economic landscape, tariff uncertainty, warehouse strategy, AI adoption in distribution, and the growing importance of supply chain visibility in an increasingly complex global market.What You'll Learn:Why the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision has major implications for manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain planningHow tariffs, import uncertainty, and global trade disruptions are influencing inventory strategies and purchasing behaviorWhat warehouse leaders can learn from military logistics, operational discipline, and real-world distribution managementWhy AI-enabled supply chain management is becoming one of the fastest-growing skill sets in distributionHow organizations can improve inventory visibility, forecasting, and operational decision making without chasing every new technology trendWhy successful AI adoption starts with solving business problems first rather than purchasing shiny new toolsHow CRM-ERP integration, unified data systems, and intelligent business platforms support long-term growth and resilienceEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Welcome to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution and introduction to warehouse leadership expert Will Quinn07:10 – The Federal Reserve holds rates steady: what distributors and manufacturers should watch next15:45 – Retail spending, inflation pressures, and what economic signals mean for wholesale distribution teams22:30 – Tariff refunds, import activity, and why companies are accelerating inventory purchases31:50 – Why supply chain resilience remains one of the most important business capabilities in modern distribution38:40 – Lessons from Modern Warehouse Management and the role of steel-toed leadership in warehouse performance48:15 – AI in supply chain operations: where organizations are seeing real value today58:20 – Why AI-skilled supply chain professionals are becoming one of the most in-demand roles in distribution1:06:40 – Understanding AI models, governance, security, and vendor due diligence1:17:30 – Practical guidance for distribution leaders building an AI strategy that actually delivers resultsMeet the Guest:Will Quinn is a supply chain executive, warehouse leadership expert, educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. With decades of experience across leading distribution organizations, Will specializes in warehouse operations, supply chain strategy, workforce development, and operational excellence.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:Modern Warehouse Management FrameworkSteel-Toed LeadershipSupply Chain Visibility StrategiesInventory Visibility ToolsCollaborative Planning & Forecasting (CPFR)AI-Powered Supply Chain AnalyticsCRM-ERP IntegrationSmart CRM StrategyEnterprise Growth PlatformDigital Readiness for SuccessionFuture-Proofing DistributionAI Governance and Vendor Due DiligenceWarehouse Management Systems (WMS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Advisors on This Week's Show Michael Hoelzl Art Rothschild Kyle Tetting Steve Giles With Max Hoelzl Engineered by Jason Scuglik Market Closings for the Week Nasdaq – 26518, up 629 points or 2.4% S&P 500 – 7501, up 69 points or 0.9% Dow Jones Industrial Average – 51656, up 362 points or 0.7% 10-year U.S. Treasury Note – 4.45%, down 0.03 point With an abundance of economic data this week we have a lot to cover. Here's some of the key topics and insights: The Iran crisis reinforced the global economy’s resilience. Markets and industries adapted, countries with strategic energy reserves fared better, energy efficiency continues to improve, and AI-related investments helped support markets during the turmoil. The Fed signaled a more hawkish tone under Chairman Kevin Warsh. The dot plot points to possible future rate hikes, Warsh maintained his skepticism toward forward guidance, and new internal task forces suggest a broader review of how the Fed operates without threatening its independence. Corporate earnings expectations remain strong. After 29.3% earnings growth in the first quarter, analysts expect 22.9% growth in the second quarter and roughly 25% growth for full-year 2026. Economic data continue to point to moderate but positive growth. Retail sales exceeded expectations and consumer spending remained healthy, while mixed housing and leading indicator data suggest the economy is slowing but not stalling.

For more than 40 years, Schaefer Outfitter has represented the grit, values, and traditions of the American West. What started with a need for better gear for working ranchers evolved into a beloved western brand with an incredibly loyal following. In this episode of Wisdom by WESA, Jason Smith shares the story behind Schaefer's enduring success, the lessons learned from generations of western customers, and why preserving western heritage matters now more than ever.Links: Hosts: Jennifer Hebert, Morgan Nicole ZipperlenContact: Sophia Jagella, WESA Marketing SpecialistGuest: Jason Smith, CEO & President Schaefer's Outfitter - Website | Instagram

In an era of AI-driven information overload, consumers are moving away from pure search queries and toward trusted, human-centered proof. “People want answers that are grounded in human experience.” David Trencher, Managing Director of Reddit (UK & EMEA), sat down with Lavina Suthenthiran to break down how consumer trust is actively shifting away from polished brand messaging and moving toward peer-to-peer validation. According to Trencher, AI and search may be the start of the journey, but they do not guarantee action. In fact, 60% of US users search for products with AI, and half of them go directly to Reddit to verify results. Inside the episode: - Why traditional retail funnels are failing: Learn how purchase intent now forms in community spaces long before a consumer hits a brand site - How brands must redefine marketing success: Discover why you need to look beyond last-click attribution to find where decisions are actually made - Why community participation must replace community control: Find out how to navigate digital spaces that actively reject polished corporate messaging Metrics, creative, and insights still matter, but the real question is: Are you part of the journey before the last click? Listen to the full episode above to find out.

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from the Global DIY Summit 2026 in Amsterdam, Chris Walton talks with Robert Wicha, Commercial Director at Castorama Poland, about the company's marketplace strategy, the growing importance of data quality, and how technology is reshaping the future of home improvement retail. Robert explains why Castorama views its marketplace as a curated extension of its brand rather than simply a channel for assortment expansion. He shares how trust influences every aspect of the customer journey, why retail media should create value for both customers and supplier partners, and how marketplaces can strengthen rather than dilute brand perception when executed thoughtfully. The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in retail, why data quality has become a competitive advantage, and how retailers must balance technology with human expertise to create better customer experiences. Robert argues that the future of DIY retail isn't just about products, but about helping customers make better decisions through services, guidance, and seamless omnichannel experiences. Key Topics Covered: • Castorama Poland's marketplace strategy • Why marketplaces should be a curated extension of the brand • Building trust in DIY ecommerce • Retail media beyond monetization • The growing importance of data quality in retail • Preparing product data for AI and agentic commerce • Standardization challenges across retail ecosystems • How technology supports better customer decisions • The evolution of DIY from products to services • Creating consistent omnichannel customer journeys Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from the Global DIY Summit 2026 in Amsterdam.

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from the Global DIY Summit 2026 in Amsterdam, Chris Walton talks with Ryan Baker, Chief Operating Officer of Bunnings Group, about customer trust, omnichannel retail, and how one of the world's most successful home improvement retailers continues to evolve in a rapidly changing market. Ryan shares his 25-year journey with Bunnings, from starting on the shop floor to leading merchandise, marketing, supply chain, retail media, and customer strategy across the business. He explains how Bunnings aligns these functions around a single goal: creating a better experience for customers. The conversation explores why Bunnings believes value extends beyond price, why home improvement retail is really about projects rather than products, and how content and inspiration help customers build confidence to take on DIY projects. Ryan also discusses Bunnings' services marketplace, faster fulfillment options, and how AI and long-term investment are helping the company adapt to changing customer expectations while maintaining the trust it has built over decades. Key Topics Covered: • Ryan Baker's 25-year journey from the shop floor to COO of Bunnings • Why Bunnings organizes merchandising, marketing, and supply chain around the customer • The role of trust in building Australia's most trusted retail brand • Why value means more than just low prices • Expanding into new categories including pet care, cleaning, and automotive • Why home improvement retail is really about projects, not products • The importance of content, inspiration, and DIY education • How Bunnings' services marketplace connects homeowners with trade professionals • Same-day delivery, Uber Eats, and the future of last-mile fulfillment • Reaching younger consumers, renters, and first-time DIY customers • How Bunnings is using AI to improve customer experiences and team productivity • Lessons from Bunnings' omnichannel transformation journey Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from the Global DIY Summit 2026 in Amsterdam.

While many tech companies race to build ever-larger AI models, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna sees the future differently. Speaking with host Bob Safian before a live audience during New York Tech Week, Krishna explains why enterprises are overcomplicating AI adoption, what kinds of risks leaders should be taking right now, and how to weigh AI's costs against its benefits. He also shares why IBM believes quantum computing will reshape the next era of technology.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A U.S. Air Force veteran recently returned to Taiwan 53 years after serving there.Columbus native and journalist TC Brown reflects on that time long ago and the geopolitical realities facing the island nation today.Growing a small business is difficult. It requires a significant amount of tech expertise. Buckeye Innovation is a software engineering team located in New Albany that helps businesses design and build digital tools.The founder has been making websites since the 6th grade and is dedicated to supporting other innovators growing their businesses.The CEO and co-founder of the Women of Color Retail Alliance was just recognized as one of Columbus Monthly's 2026 class of Inspiring Women.The organization is working to diversify retail jobs and elevate Women of Color within those roles through training and support networks.Guests:TC Brown, journalist/authorBrad Griffith, founder, Buckeye InnovationKimberly Lee Minor, CEO and co-founder, Women of Color Retail Alliance

Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Ashley: No matter what is going on, there's that cartoon where the world's burning in the background, and there's that little dog and his coffee, and he's like, ‘I'm fine. Everything's fine.The simple act of scrolling through cute animal videos can lift someone's mood, but imagine pairing that joy with meaningful action. Fureelz, a new social media app founded by Ashley Quincey, connects users to animal welfare organizations while creating a safe and uplifting space for animal lovers.Ashley shared the inspiration behind Fureelz, explaining that her vision stemmed from frustration with traditional social media. “Every time I would get off of my app, scrolling through social media, which used to be a place where I would go disconnect, have fun, I started to notice that I was getting anxious… And I just felt the reality is, every day, people are already connecting about animals because it's like it is a great unifier.”The platform goes beyond showcasing adorable pets. It features partnerships with well-known organizations like Best Friends Animal Society and PetSmart Charities, giving users a direct way to support animal causes. Through a feature called “Furrealsgiving,” users can donate directly to these organizations, with 100% of the funds reaching the charities.As Ashley described it, “You're able to give joy and get joy. And to add that extra layer… animal sanctuaries are actually fighting to get visibility, fighting to get that funding. And this is really that ability where you're able to enjoy your community and discover those different animal sanctuaries.”Fureelz is also raising money through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign. The app plans to leverage new revenue models, including in-app purchases, brand sponsorships, and gamification. With plans for exponential growth, Ashley pointed out the massive market opportunity, estimating the “critter economy” is worth $644 billion globally by 2030.Fureelz isn't just a tech platform; it's a movement. Ashley's passion for animals is evident, and her mission is to create a joyful, impactful community while ensuring animal welfare organizations thrive.This episode demonstrates that social media can be a force for good. With Fureelz, Ashley isn't just building a business; she's uniting people over a shared love for animals while changing lives—both human and animal—for the better.tl;dr:Fureelz, founded by Ashley Quincey, is a social media platform dedicated to animal lovers.The app connects users with animal charities like PetSmart Charities to enable direct donations.Fureelz is raising money through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on Andes Capital.Relentless optimism, Ashley's superpower, has driven her entrepreneurial journey through challenges.Ashley advises cultivating gratitude and perspective to develop and strengthen an optimistic mindset.How to Develop Relentless Optimism As a SuperpowerAshley's superpower is her “relentless optimism,” which she describes as the ability to stay hopeful and positive even in challenging situations. “No matter what is going on, there's that cartoon where the world's burning in the background, and there's that little dog and his coffee, and he's like, ‘I'm fine. Everything's fine.' I think that's pretty much me,” she explained. Ashley sees this mindset as a critical trait for entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and maintain focus on their goals.Ashley shared how her optimism was tested while building Fureelz. With limited resources, no salary, and a small team working for equity instead of regular pay, she faced monumental challenges. Yet, her unwavering belief in Fureelz as a mission-driven platform kept her determined. “I find that at five o'clock in the morning, when it's quiet, I can take a moment to think, and ultimately, the universe presents solutions,” she noted. This proactive yet hopeful approach helped her gather the right team and secure resources to make her vision a reality.Tips for Developing Optimism as a Personal Strength:Practice Gratitude Daily: Write down one thing you're grateful for every day.Shift Your Perspective: Focus on the blessings you have, such as shelter, friends, or opportunities.Embrace Change with Openness: Treat challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth.Find Quiet Reflection Time: Early mornings can provide a clear headspace for creative problem-solving.Adopt Healthy Habits: Incorporate practices like exercise or meditation to stay balanced and focused.By following Ashley's example and advice, you can make relentless optimism a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileAshley Quincey (she/her):CEO & Founder, FureelzAbout Fureelz: Fureelz is a social platform built for animals and the people who love them, designed to create a more joyful and positive online experience. Users can create profiles for themselves and their pets, share short form videos, connect with creators and communities, discover animal welfare organizations, and support verified animal charities directly within the platform through Fureelz Giving. Built for creators, brands, and consumers alike, Fureelz aims to bring together the pet community in a way that encourages connection, creativity, and compassion.Website: fureelz.comCompany Facebook Page: facebook.com/fureelzappOther URL: investinfureelz.comBiographical Information: Ashley Quincey is a technology and growth leader with more than 20 years of experience helping companies scale through enterprise sales, partnerships, and digital transformation. Her career has spanned leadership roles across IBM, Forrester Research, Salsify, and DEPT Holding, where she served as Director of Growth for Retail and CPG. Early in her career, Ashley worked at the forefront of social media management beginning in 2007, giving her a unique perspective on how digital communities shape engagement, connection, and culture. Today, as CEO and Founder of Fureelz, she is bringing together her experience across technology, commerce, and community to build a joyful social experience centered around animals, creators, and giving back.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/ashleyquinceyPersonal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/ashley.quinceyInstagram Handle: @AQuinceySupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include Make Money with Impact Crowdfunding, and High Desert Gear. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact Members(We're grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Babbit | Coledger Solutions | Mike Green, Envirosult | Nick Degnan, Unlimit Ventures | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.Join the SuperCrowd Impact League! You can be recognized for making impact investments via Reg CF. See how your activity compares to your peers. It's free. Win valuable prizes. Start now!SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on July 14th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT. Mark your calendar. We'll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We're bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.Share the application for the PurposeBuilt100™: Purpose-driven founders deserve recognition. The PurposeBuilt100™ application window is now open—celebrating the fastest-growing companies building profit with purpose. If you know a founder creating real impact and real growth, please share this opportunity. Applications are free and confidential. Explore the program and apply today: PurposeBuilt100.com.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.On June 18th at 5pm ET, join Tampa Bay Innovation and Menlo Park Patents for the Q2 Pitch Showcase, a live gathering for founders, inventors, investors, and startup supporters. Watch selected entrepreneurs pitch bold ideas, network with the innovation community, and see winners earn valuable prizes, including patent, valuation, and investor-meeting opportunities in St. Petersburg, Florida.Register Now! October 20th and 21st will be the Crowdfunding Professional Association Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit for 2026. This is the event of the year for everyone in the crowdfunding ecosystem.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here.We share educational information—not investment advice. Some links may generate compensation. See our full disclosure.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Rachel Krupa is the Founder of The Goods Mart, an early pioneer of the better-for-you convenience store movement and a discovery platform for emerging food and beverage brands. Known as a "Snack Curator," Rachel has spent eight years helping consumers find their next favorite product while giving emerging brands a real foothold in retail, hospitality, corporate pantries, and events.Rachel is also the Founder of Krupa Consulting, a boutique PR agency behind some of the most talked-about consumer brands of the past decade — including Thrive Market, Our Place, Khloud Protein Popcorn, goop kitchen, and Milk Bar. With 20+ years spanning retail, consumer products, and media, she has a proven track record of spotting what's next and helping brands find their audience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retail sales were up 0.9% in May, which is a generally positive economic sign. But it doesn't square with our reality, in which price inflation outpaces wage growth. That is, until you look at that pesky personal savings rate. In this episode, YOLO consumers in a grim economy. Plus: Fed Chair Warsh holds rates steady, the rate of new households is falling, and what would happen if the U.S. lost its global reserve currency status.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Retail sales were up 0.9% in May, which is a generally positive economic sign. But it doesn't square with our reality, in which price inflation outpaces wage growth. That is, until you look at that pesky personal savings rate. In this episode, YOLO consumers in a grim economy. Plus: Fed Chair Warsh holds rates steady, the rate of new households is falling, and what would happen if the U.S. lost its global reserve currency status.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

This episode is part ten in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we are going to examine brands and their values: their true values and then their marketing values (yes, most big companies have both and you might be surprised by the lack of overlap between those two sets of values).  And specifically, we are going to use Everlane as a conduit for this discussion.  We will go all the way back to Everlane's origin to identify what the brand's values were from the beginning.We will get some additional context around SHEIN's purchase of Everlane.We will learn just how much private equity is controlling fashion at this point.Amanda will debunk that myth that Everlane's sale marks the “end” of sustainability in fashion.And we will explore how "Stickergate" involved emotional branding.Listen to Amanda on Creativity In The Time of Capitalism. So much additional reading in this episode!!Reddit post with more Stickergate detailsSHEIN finally confirms Everlane sale, Bella Webb, Vogue.Everlane: "You Don't Need to Pay a 7x Markup for High-Quality Fashion," Lauren Drell, Mashable.Price Transparency New Trend Among Emerging Clothing Retailers, CBS News.Everlane's Promise of ‘Radical Transparency' Unravels, The New York Times.EVERLANE'S CONVENIENT TRANSPARENCY (Ex Wives Club doc)Former Everlane Employees Claim They Were Unlawfully Fired After They Tried to Unionize [UPDATED], Fashionista.Everlane was never your friend, Andi Zeisler, Salon.The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16  New Providence, PA 17560Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it's a typed out message or an audio recording:  amanda@clotheshorse.worldDid you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz. Ruby just launched CLO3D for Custom Fit: a 12-week beginner-friendly online course in virtual patternmaking with CLO3D software. Instead of making sample after sample, you can now customize avatars that match your real body measurements and fit-test garments virtually—before cutting into a single piece of fabric. You can also work from your pre-existing paper or PDF patterns! This course is designed to get you over the initial hump to working confidently in the program. It includes 300+ bite-size video lessons spaced out over 12 weeks, weekly live Q&A calls for accountability, a custom body scan to use as a you-sized virtual dress form, and a super supportive community of like-minded designers that are all learning together in a cohort. Perfect for indie patternmakers, emerging designers, or anyone who wants to design clothes that actually fit their one-of-a-kind body.Learn more about the course, as well as our in-person sewing and patternmaking workshops at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts.  Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come.  Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points.  If it's ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it!  Vintage style with progressive values.  Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.

Resale is forcing brands to rethink product design, pricing, and customer acquisition from the ground up. Ryan Rowe (Archive) and Alison Buchanan (Lululemon) join Brian and Alicia to unpack how lululemon's Like New evolved from a sustainability pilot into a meaningful commercial channel. We unpack messy reverse logistics, the AI agents now quietly running warehouse decisions, and the organizational vision required to make circular commerce work across a vertically structured enterprise. When the Future of Commerce Is Circular, Every Brand Is A Secondhand Brand Key takeaways: Resale has shifted from a sustainability gesture to a commercial channel with P&L accountability. Branded resale wins where third-party marketplaces can't: data integrity, trust, and brand language. Like New must operate to tackle a fundamentally different eCommerce problem — one-of-one inventory breaks mainline systems. AI is moving from assisting warehouse operators to serving as autonomous agents that optimize pricing and routing. Circular commerce is an acquisition engine; roughly half of resale shoppers are new to the lululemon brand. Key quotes: [02:41] "It's a very technical problem. It's a large-scale platform problem that touches virtually every piece of a brand's business." — Ryan Rowe [06:12] "Commerce is, is obviously just a space that we are starting to realize is a strong commercial lever… Like New for our business is really sitting at this intersection of business and impact." — Alison Buchanan [08:40] "Resale of lululemon was happening at scale already all around us. And it was either let it happen without us… or uphold our brand standards." — Alison Buchanan [26:26] "A lot of customers are actually trying brands for the first time with a used item… because it's a way for them to test things like fit and material and quality at a much lower barrier to entry." — Ryan Rowe In-Show Mentions: Archive Like New by Lululemon Associated Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how ThredUp markets to both of its customer groups—the buyer and the seller—how it balances brand storytelling with performance marketing, and where AI is actually making the biggest difference for its customers right now.   Tune in to hear a discussion featuring Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Kristen Brophy, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing at ThredUp.   Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters   Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/   For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com   For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/   Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com    For a transcript of this episode click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-thredup-explains-how-make-resale-work-you-reimagining-retail   © 2026 EMARKETER Rokt is the global leader in ecommerce, unlocking real-time relevance in the Transaction Moment. Rokt's AI Brain and Ecommerce Network help the world's leading companies deliver more relevant customer experiences and unlock incremental value from every transaction. Learn more at rokt.com.

What if your "side hustle experiment" accidentally became a multi-store franchise brand? Lindsay Rando, Bobbles & Lace, didn't set out to build a retail empire. She started with a $70 jewelry pushcart on the streets of downtown LA—and 20 years later, that same mindset evolved into 30+ boutique franchise locations built on styling, community, and real human connection. Inside this conversation, Ashley Alderson and Lindsay break down what actually drives retail success. Her story challenges everything we think we know about scaling a boutique: it's not about perfect planning, it's about repeatable experiences, leadership growth, and learning fast from every "mistake" along the way. You'll learn: How a $70 pushcart turned into a multi-state franchise system Why leadership—not marketing—is the real growth bottleneck The mindset shift from entrepreneur → CEO → leader Why clarity in communication solves 90% of team problems Join The Boutique Hub Retail Bootcamp Accelerator   Lindsay Rando & Bobbles & Lace: Instagram:@bobblesandlace Website:bobblesandlace.com                              ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

When Maxine Clark left a top job in retail to start a make-your-own stuffed animal store, people thought she'd lost her mind. Investors doubted it. Friends questioned it. Retail experts couldn't understand how it would scale.But drawing on more than 20 years as a retail executive, Maxine built a massively successful shopping “experience,” where kids could stuff, dress and personalize their own stuffed animals. Today, Build-A-Bear has generated billions in sales, survived the decline of malls, weathered the financial crisis, and become a global brand.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How a failed errand—and an offhand comment by a kid–inspired a business plan How Maxine leveraged two decades of retail experience to launch Build-a-Bear How Willy Wonka and Walt Disney were early inspirations How she built a wedge against competitors How she got through the financial crisisHow she knew when to step down as CEO– and how to collaborate with her successor TIMESTAMPS: 05:52 - A mom Who Worked for Eleanor Roosevelt 09:18 - The Impromptu Interview That Changed Maxine's Career16:00 - Becoming One of the Few Female Fortune 500 Executives18:43 - Why She Walked Away From Payless21:27 - The Beanie Baby Disappointment That Sparked Build-A-Bear26:14 - Designing the First Store: “Make it Like Willy Wonka.”37:53 - Opening Day — and a Line Out the Door39:53 - Defending the Brand Against Copycats and Lawsuits45:53 - Scaling to Hundreds of Stores and Going Public58:25 - Letting Go: Stepping Down as CEO and Building a LegacyThis episode was researched by Rommel Wood and produced by Kerry Thompson, with music by Ramtin Arablouei, and edited by Neva Grant. Follow How I Built This:Instagram → @howibuiltthisX → @HowIBuiltThisFacebook → How I Built ThisFollow Guy Raz:Instagram → @guy.razYoutube → guy_razX → @guyrazSubstack → guyraz.substack.comWebsite → guyraz.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim McTague reports on a "budget-minded hesitancy" among Pennsylvania consumers despite falling gas prices. He notes a rare layoff notice for 70 logistics workers and uneven retail activity. Meanwhile, a data center project near Costcoproceeds under heavy security, while a similar proposal was rejected by a neighboring borough. (5)1904