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Alina Eisenhauer of Worcester, MA shares the lessons learned from growing her small bakery into a major restaurant, including avoiding burnout, becoming profitable, and leveraging productive systemsGet full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/153
KC will pay people to occupy empty storefronts HR 1 full 2315 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:57:26 +0000 9behWMX6qkRRFc5q4eTE1U6NGuqn9Ijo news MIDDAY with JAYME & WIER news KC will pay people to occupy empty storefronts HR 1 From local news & politics, to what's trending, sports & personal stories...MIDDAY with JAYME & WIER will get you through the middle of your day! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?fe
Joy Fan, Founder of Storefront and lead of Retell.co, is transforming how independent retailers grow, connect, and thrive. Through innovation, pop-up strategies, and purpose-driven communities, she's redefining what it means to create value in today's retail landscape. Her approach blends creativity and connection, empowering brands to stay flexible and human in a rapidly changing world.This is a must-listen for indie shop owners, retail visionaries, and creators ready to rebuild with heart, adaptability, and purpose. Tune in now![3:36] Joy's journey through the retail world[6:33] Using pop-ups and flexible formats to empower indie retailers[20:38] Building lasting value in retail spaces[23:35] The power of human connection in business[24:00] Fresh, community-driven strategies for modern retailers[29:51] Joy's vision for the future of independent retailJoin the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch!
OpenAI just turned ChatGPT into a storefront. With Instant Checkout and the new Agentic Commerce Protocol, shoppers can now buy directly inside ChatGPT without ever visiting your website or Amazon listing. In this episode, I explain what conversational commerce really means, how brands can prepare for AI-driven shopping, and why this may be the most disruptive platform shift since Amazon Prime. You'll learn the immediate opportunities for small catalogs and hero SKUs, the risks of giving up customer ownership, and the long-term trends as commerce moves from websites to AI agents. If you're building an e-commerce brand in 2025, you can't afford to ignore this. If you need help, we're here for you! Request a free brand audit to book a call with me personally to discuss how my team can help: www.weavos.io All my resources: www.andyisom.com
The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
Shoot us a Text.Episode #1159: Today we dig into how Ford and GM are stretching the $7,500 EV lease credit, why used EVs are suddenly flying off lots, and how ChatGPT just became a digital storefront.With the federal $7,500 EV lease incentive ending today, GM and Ford are using a strategic workaround to extend the benefit for customers—and keep EV momentum alive—into Q4.To skirt the deadline, both automakers' finance arms (GM Financial and Ford Credit) are pre-acquiring qualifying EVs and making down payments to preserve the lease credit.GM dealers must sign up by Sept. 30; Ford required dealer opt-in by Sept. 26.Ford is sweetening the pot with a $1,000 bonus to dealers for every EV leased under the program by year's end.IRS guidance allows the credit to apply if a vehicle is “acquired” via written contract and payment—even if not delivered until later.The workaround applies to Cadillac, Chevy, GMC EVs for GM, and select Ford EVs like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.With new EV incentives vanishing and prices still sky-high, the used electric vehicle market is having a moment. Once thought of as a luxury-only experiment, used EVs are now affordable, available, and—surprisingly—desirable.Sales of used EVs jumped 34% through June and used EV prices have fallen to near parity with gas cars, averaging $34,700 as of August and One buyer snagged a 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT for $33K—a 40% drop from last year's new sticker price.Three-year lease returns from 2022's EV boom are flooding the market with modern, tech-packed vehicles, and used EVs have a 36 day supply, compared to 42 for ICE cars.In some cases, used EVs are cheaper than their gas-powered siblings—like a Toyota bZ4X undercutting a RAV4 by $6,600.OpenAI just upgraded ChatGPT from chatbot to checkout lane. With the launch of Instant Checkout, U.S. users can now buy products directly inside a conversation—starting with Etsy and soon expanding to over a million Shopify merchants.Users ask for recommendations (e.g., “running shoes under $100”), tap “Buy,” confirm details, and check out—all without leaving the chat.The feature is powered by the new Agentic Commerce Protocol, co-developed with Stripe, and built to make AI a native part of the shopping experience.Payments use encrypted “Shared Payment Tokens” via Stripe, keeping buyer credentials safe while allowing instant, single-item purchases. OpenAI earns a small cut from each transaction.Etsy shares jumped 16% and Shopify rose 6% following the launch, signaling big market enthusiasm.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Michael Cirillo0:31 Huge Launch Announcement Tomorrow at morethancars.com3:20 GM, Ford Financial Arms Acquire EVs To Capture Tax Credit6:35 Used EVs Reach Price Parity With Used IJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/
Lauren and Josh explore the incredible turnaround of Dancing With the Stars (which is seeing a huge ratings spike thanks to TikTok). Related: TikTok continues its will-they, won't-they journey into US spinoff territory. We have to ask: will the rest of the world follow? Then, a turn to creator commerce as Sephora, Condé Nast, and Best Buy are all launching their own "creator storefronts," giving creators a direct way to curate and sell products. Is this the next evolution of affiliate marketing or just a passing trend? Finally: a discourse on the staggering growth of NFL viewership and how the league is dominating not just TV screens, but second screens too. We discuss why more fans than ever are shopping, betting, and scrolling while watching the game.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Introduction00:27 How TikTok Made Dancing With the Stars Cool Again05:29 The Charli D'Amelio Effect09:22 Why the DWTS and TikTok Partnership is So Organic14:15 The Inevitable TikTok Sale16:14 Will the World Adopt a US-Only TikTok?22:18 Creator Storefronts Come to Sephora & Condé Nast25:57 Is the Creator Storefront Trend Here to Stay?31:00 UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD: NFL Viewership is Dominating33:25 The Rise of the Second Screen Fan36:56 UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD: The Summer I Turned Pretty38:48 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Sarah Spring (or “Dame Sarah” to those close to her!) is an actor, coach and Shakespeare enthusiast. She shares her knowledge of The Bard across Instagram, TikTok and even on Amazon with a link to her Storefront, full of recommendations of books to help sharpen your knowledge of Shakespeare. She trained at Interlochen Arts Academy and Fordham University at the Lincoln Center. As an actress she has tackled most of Shakespeare's cannon, a few of her favourites include:Beatrice, Much Ado About NothingIsabella, Measure for MeasureHermione, Winter's TaleViola, Twelfth NightRegan, King LearAnd Lady MacbethHer brand new film, now on the short film circuit in the states, “A King's Curtain”, starring Austin Pendleton, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Charles E.Gerber, just won Best Drama at the LA International Short Film Festival. There is no stone left unturned in Sarah's work. From the original pronunciation of possessive noun endings, the difference between you and thou, the meaning of character's names, trochaic tetrameter, verse vs prose, monologues vs soliloquies and how ultimately, Shakespeare belongs to you!Her various platforms (links below) are filled with helpful and accessible methods into the more complex and interesting areas of Shakespeare, especially those we didn't think to look at in the first place. Check out her socials and reading list for more facts and inspiring content. Also if you're looking for 1:1 sessions to help prepare for an audition or academic assignment you can book those via the link below. As well as follow her across her various platforms for regular updates, facts and topics. Helping you to ENJOY Shakespeare and see his work for what it is. Astonishing, vivid, timeless, beyond beautiful, beyond clever, just the best writing you will read and speak. Thanks so much Sarah! Here's to next time!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @ollietheuncensoredcriticFor enquiries and requests: olliegower10@gmail.comPlease Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Thank you all for your support!Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning The Uncensored Critic Podcast was heard in over 34 countries in 2024. In the same year streams grew by 39%, listeners increased by 30%, brand new listeners were up by 88% and followers were up 136%. The show has an average rating of 5/5 Stars. Official stats from #SpotifyWrapped 2024. Sarah's Links:FREE GUIDE/Shakespeare's Verse:stan.store/ShakespeareMadeClear/p/get-my-free-guide-to-unlocking-shakespeares-verseTikTok:tiktok.com/@shakespearemadeclear?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcBook One-on-One Coaching:stan.store/ShakespeareMadeClear/p/private-coaching-with-dame-sarahInstagram:instagram.com/shakespearemadeclearAmazon Storefront:amazon.com/shop/shakespearemadeclear?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfsho
At the height of Covid-19 In 2020, as storefronts across the city went vacant, some New Yorkers saw an opportunity. Art on the Ave NYC began filling empty windows with curated exhibitions, each paired with a QR code that let viewers hear directly from the artist. Since then, nearly a hundred spaces, from Columbus Avenue to Washington Heights, Bed-Stuy, and the Oculus, have been reimagined as public galleries. At the center of it is Barbara Anderson, who co-founded the nonprofit with her daughter, Jackie Graham. As a middle school teacher at the time, Barbara had been using art to help students process the pandemic, George Floyd’s murder, and rising Asian hate. That classroom work became the spark for a citywide initiative… one that continues to give artists visibility, connect neighborhoods, and transform how New Yorkers experience their streets. Today, Barbara shares more about how Art on the Ave got started, how it’s grown, and what it takes to turn empty space into something that brings a community together. Learn more: https://www.artontheavenyc.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WCR Nation Ep. 431 | A Window Cleaning Podcast Are you tired of the seasonal slump in your window cleaning business?
Serious Sellers Podcast en Español: Aprende a Vender en Amazon
Robert Perna se une a nosotros desde España para desentrañar el innovador programa Amazon Creator Connections, una plataforma que transforma la manera de generar ingresos en línea sin necesidad de manejar inventarios. Con su experiencia en el programa Amazon Influencer, Robert nos revela cómo es posible ganar comisiones del 10% al 50% simplemente subiendo vídeos a los listados de Amazon. Exploramos cómo tener un Storefront en esta plataforma puede ser una alternativa excelente para los que buscan emprender con poco capital, etiquetando productos y creando contenido en video que resuena auténticamente con los consumidores. Nos adentramos en el mundo del marketing de contenido y la relevancia creciente de los creadores, ya sean influencers o no, en la promoción de productos. Discutimos el poder de la autenticidad frente a la producción sofisticada y compartimos estrategias para colaborar con creadores comprometidos. Las experiencias personales de Robert y las mías resaltan cómo, en el mercado hispanohablante, crear contenido en video es una oportunidad rentable y poco explotada, capaz de generar ingresos recurrentes y significativos. Además, abordamos las tendencias actuales que apuntan a la importancia de mostrar el uso real de los productos en situaciones cotidianas para conectar mejor con el público y generar ventas efectivas. ¡No te pierdas esta conversación llena de estrategias valiosas para triunfar en el mundo del e-commerce! En el episodio #182 de Serious Sellers Podcast en Español, platicamos de: 00:00 - Amazon Creator Connection Y Los Influencers 12:17 - Oportunidades De Ventas en Amazon 24:55 - El Futuro De Los Influencers
For most customers, the first impression of your retail store doesn't happen on Main Street — it happens online. In this episode of Main Street Matters, Patrick Keiser continues our Duct Tape Marketing series by John Jantsch with a focus on building a total online presence.Your digital storefront is as important as your physical one. Customers are Googling your business, checking reviews, scrolling through social media, and reading your emails before they ever step inside. If your online presence is weak, you risk losing them before they even find you.In this episode, you'll learn: Why your website is the “hub” of your marketing strategy How local SEO and Google Business Profiles make you findable The role of online reviews in building trust and credibility How to use social media as your “digital window display” Why email marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for independent retailers Three simple steps you can take this week to strengthen your digital storefront If you want to attract new shoppers, stand out online, and guide customers through the Marketing Hourglass, this episode is packed with practical strategies.Keywords: independent retail, small business marketing, digital storefront, online presence, local SEO, retail website, online reviews, social media for retailers, email marketing, John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing
#GamingNews #XboxNews #PlayStationNews Luke Lohr and Captain Logun sit down to discuss the week's gaming news including Hollow Knight Silksong's launch and subsequent crashing of storefronts. Helldivers continues to impress on Xbox, we have a look at the new James Bond from Hitman developer IO Interactive, and Borderlands 4 arrives next week. Enjoy! Support XEP: https://www.patreon.com/XboxExpansionPass XEP Merch: https://wren-works.myshopify.com/collections/xbox-expansion-pass-merch The Xbox Expansion Pass (XEP) is a podcast dedicated to interpreting the goings on in the world of video games and analyzing how they impact the Xbox ecosystem. Luke Lohr and Captain Logun discuss various topics throughout the industry. The guests on the show are meant to help gamers expand their knowledge of the gaming industry. Blue Sky: @InsipidGhost Contact: InsipidGhost@gmail.com Blue Sky: @CaptLogun | Threads: @Capt_Logun Keelhauled: A Sea of Thieves Podcast Please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Spotify. It is the best way to support the show. Thank you! 0:00 Welcome Back Logun 5:09 Words of Kindness 8:45 Gunnar Optiks 12:30 Hollow Knight Silksong Breaks Storefronts 21:30 Indies on Handhelds 32:00 Helldivers 2's Debut vs Gears of War 50:00 Perfect Dark Cancelled Twice 52:30 September and October Games 57:00 Xbox Update & PC Builds 1:04:00 007 First Light Deep Dive
This week, Fred Meyer's exit from Portland's Gateway neighborhood is raising doubts about Prosper Portland's $88 million investment in the community. The Pearl District is bracing for change as 44 storefronts hit the market after a major investor's exit. And West Coast governors are launching their own vaccine alliance as the CDC stalls on updated guidance. Joining host Claudia Meza on the Friday news roundup are Word is Bond executive director Lakayana Drury and our own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: West Coast Governors Say States Will Establish Their Own Vaccine Guidelines [Oregonian] Owner of 44 Storefronts in Pearl District Looks To Sell [Willamette Week] Prosper Portland Poured $88 Million Into the Gateway Neighborhood. It's Gotten Worse. [Willamette Week] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 5th episode: Rose City Comic Con Portland Art Museum Cathedral Park Cohousing MUBI DUER - Mention code CCPDX for 15% off
In this episode, I'm bringing you behind the scenes of what August looked like in my microbakery—from market days to revenue breakdowns, product wins, flops, and everything in between. This is one of my favorite types of episodes to share because it gives me a chance to pause, reflect, and walk you through what worked, what didn't, and what I'm learning as I move forward. I baked just twice this month by design to create a slower summer rhythm, and I'm sharing all the numbers—what I sold, how I sold it, and where the revenue came from.You'll hear about shifting product strategies like minis and English muffins, process improvements (hello, English muffin rings), margin-challenging products like brownies, and how I'm gearing up to open my storefront with the support of my community. I'm also talking about the bottlenecks I'm facing, like packaging and capacity, and how I'm navigating this transition from home-based baking to a commercial kitchen. Whether you're baking full-time or part-time, from home or looking to scale, my hope is that this episode gives you practical insights, encouragement, and a reminder that your bakery is part of something really important.Resources: Join the Strategy Session Waitlist: Spots are limited, but if you want my eyes on your business and a personalized action plan, join the waitlist here. http://carolinebower.com/strategysessionwaitlistGrab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!
In today's Daily Fix:Hollow Knight: Silksong's release was just as big as many predicted. Not only did it break 500,000 concurrent players on Steam, it actually crashed the service, along with many other digital storefronts like Xbox and the Nintendo eShop. The $20 indie title is the sequel to the award-winning Hollow Knight and has been in development for more than six years. In other news, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II is celebrating its first anniversary by dropping a huge Patch 10 with tons of free content. New weapons, armor, playable characters, and multiplayer modes are now available. And finally, the massive 9,000+ brick LEGO Death Star set is real and will set you back $1,000. But you get a detailed cross-section of the battle station and 30+ minifigures (and another Star Wars set for free as a gift).
Today on Startup to Storefront, we're diving into the story of Nicole and Brent Slone, the San Diego couple behind Above Board Liqueurs, the award-winning brand that is reinventing what cocktails can be. What started in Nicole's kitchen has now become a movement: sugar-free and low-sugar liqueurs that deliver all the flavor without the guilt. Together, Nicole and Brent are challenging a stagnant spirits industry, proving that health-conscious and indulgent do not have to be opposites. In this episode, we cover the leap from passion project to thriving business, the ups and downs of launching a startup with your spouse, and how Above Board is carving out a whole new category for the modern, health-focused consumer. This is the story of disrupting an industry one cocktail at a time and building a brand that is truly Above Board. On this week's episode of Startup to Storefront you'll learn: How Nicole and Brent Slone are revolutionizing the spirits industry with sugar-free and low-sugar liqueurs that don't compromise on taste The challenges and rewards of building a company as a husband-and-wife team Why modern consumers are demanding healthier cocktails and how Above Board is leading the charge Nicole and Brent share the journey behind Above Board Liqueurs, the San Diego brand that is crafting a healthier cocktail experience and reshaping how we think about indulgence.
On today's episode of Startup to Storefront we're sitting down with Ayeshah Abuelhiga, the founder of Mason Dixie, the brand making comfort food clean and convenient. In 2014, she set out to prove that biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, and waffles could be crave-worthy without cheap ingredients or scary chemicals. As a first-generation American, Ayeshah grew up watching her immigrant parents serve quality comfort food at their small carry-out restaurant and convenience store. Years later, after leaving her big corporate job, she opened a restaurant of her own that had mile-long lines and sold out daily. Those same customers inspired her to package her biscuits, starting with nothing more than frozen dough, a vacuum sealer, and an ice chest. Today, Mason Dixie is on grocery shelves nationwide, still driven by the same mission: to make the food you crave with real ingredients you can feel good about. On this week's episode you'll learn: How strippers and nurses unexpectedly helped Mason Dixie decide to serve fried chicken earlier than planned. What it takes to win the People's Choice Award for Best Biscuit Snacks. How Mason Dixie scaled from restaurant to consumer, achieving 500% growth along the way. So butter that biscuit and indulge in the Mason Dixie story with Ayeshah Abuelhiga right now on Startup to Storefront.
Kaave Pour (ex‑SPACE10/IKEA) breaks down the home as retail's #1 touchpoint: from layered home systems to utilities as technology (heat pumps, batteries, air/water quality), the Matter standard, robots, renting vs. owning, and how energy economics reshapes behaviour. You'll learn: The home stack:structure → furnishings → utilities → interfaces/data → services Why utilities are the next big tech platform for healthier, cheaper living How layers are blurring (IKEA energy, Airbnb building homes, etc.) Kitchen as battleground: in‑home touchpoints for grocery & CPG Europe lens: cost‑first renewables, off‑grid myths, renting, community Leadership: mission‑led recruiting; winding down SPACE10 without losing momentum CTA: If you lead retail, ecommerce or CX,subscribe and share with your ops & product teams. Chapters below ↓00:00 Intro & why Kaave returns01:08 Inside IKEA/SPACE10: building an innovation culture02:35 Pilots, new ventures & ‘home' as the red thread03:18 Ending SPACE10 & what's next05:16 Kaave's 3 filters: impact, people, money08:14 Why he's fixated on the home08:37 Hiring for mission: how to attract top talent12:08 Closing SPACE10: lessons from the transition14:40 The home's expanding role in work, fulfilment & wellbeing16:40 The home stack: structure → utilities → services → data18:13 Layers blur: Airbnb, IKEA Energy & new players19:49 The home becomes retail's #1 touchpoint24:29 Utilities as the next big tech (heat, water, air)27:29 Energy shift: costs beat ideology29:05 Unbundling food: cloud kitchens vs groceries31:42 The next 5 years: renting, community, tech adoption33:20 Matter, spatial/wearable computing & home robots37:24 UBI: promise, risks & policy40:30 Resilient jobs in utilities41:16 Thanks & close
On today's show, we're chatting with Dorit, founder of Manzanita, a vintage boutique in University City in West Philly. Dorit is a stylist, and in fact she was recently named Philadelphia Magazine's Best Philly Stylist! We talk about her special styling talents and her unique approach to curation – she feels she can call in the exact right person for each piece she pulls, and I think vintage-lovers you can probably relate! The piece finds you! Plus, her belief in urban storefront corridors and why she became inspired to open a physical community space, making vintage accessible and available to all. I think you're gonna love it, so – let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:10] Thrifting a three-piece suit as a pre-teen sparked a love of secondhand [8:04] When she pulls a piece off the rack, she's calling in its perfect customer. [11:31] Dorit believes in urban corridor storefronts as the backbone of community. [19:02] The personal styling work that has become a core component of her business. [36:01] Dorit has a great collection of antique white cotton and lace blouses. EPISODE MENTIONS: Manzanita @manzanita.philly Jet Rag Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites Fru Wear Melrose Trading Post @gaydarshow Casa Vida Drew Joiner Blakely Thorton Xander Torres - @therealprofessorx LET'S CONNECT:
8/22/25: Mass Teacher Ass'n Pres Max Page: Labor Day & fighting for education. Rep Mindy Domb: ameliorating federal cutbacks. Ray Levasseur: “Coming Home—Radicalized by War & Incarceration.” Donnabelle Casis w/ Holyoke Art's Kathy McKean: the Storefront Gallery Project.
Send us a textMo Hercules, co-owner of The Remontant, shares the inspiring story behind launching her business in Kirkland, and tells how you can score free Kirkland Ca$h when you visit. Plus, Houghton Beach is closed. Upcoming Labor Day City Hall closure, travel tips, and home safety reminders. A welcome to our new Fire Department Deputy Chief. An opportunity to care for Kirkland parks. Upcoming events, and more! Show note links: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/podcast#20250821
E-commerce is being revolutionized through AI and technology integration in this episode. Adam Bezemek, Director of Experience Engineering at VF Corp, discusses the transformation of iconic brands like Vans, The North Face, and Timberland using headless commerce and composable storefronts. Dive into the challenges of internationalization, the role of AI in product discovery, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Learn about VF Corp's collaboration with industry leaders like Netlify, Bloomreach, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and how embedding engineers within brand teams enhances consumer journeys. This episode emphasizes the balance between maintaining brand heritage and leveraging modern technology for a seamless shopping experience. Show Highlights: The implementation of headless commerce and composable storefronts to create customizable, brand-specific digital experiences The integration of AI in e-commerce to revolutionize product discovery and enhance consumer shopping experiences The strategy of embedding engineers within brand teams to align technology solutions with consumer journeys and ensure data-driven decision-making The importance of maintaining consistency and optimizing performance in e-commerce to enable breakthrough innovations Techniques for leveraging data, A/B testing, and feature flagging to refine strategies and drive retail innovation Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Adam Bezemek: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bezemek/ | VF Corporation - https://www.vfc.com/ Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/ Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.
Today on Startup to Storefront, we're sitting down with Brian Nolan, a lifelong entrepreneur and the co-owner of Darren & Phillip, a purpose-driven pet brand known for its premium matching apparel for dogs and their humans. Before launching Darren & Phillip in the U.S., Brian co-founded and led multiple successful ventures, including BookOutdoors, acquired by Hipcamp, and Sellbrite, acquired by GoDaddy. He holds a business degree from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Darren & Phillip began in Australia in 2016 and in 2024 Brian and his wife Cris brought the brand to the U.S. Now based in Denver, Colorado, Darren & Phillip continues its mission to bring comfort to dogs and joy to the people who love them. Every purchase helps rescue dogs get adopted into safe, loving homes through donations to non-profit rescue organizations around the world. Brian's story is one of building businesses with both purpose and passion, and today we'll dive into how he's turning matching pajamas into a global movement.
Daniel Black, Founder & CEO, Glass-Media joins KRLD's David Johnson for CEO Spotlight
Anne Ganguzza and Danielle Famble dive into a crucial topic every voice actor faces: Return on Investment (ROI). In an industry that combines both tangible equipment and intangible skills, the discussion examines which investments are truly worthwhile. From starter microphones to a full-blown studio, and from coaching to building confidence, Anne and Danielle offer a fresh perspective on how to measure the success of your financial decisions. They emphasize that in a creative industry, ROI is not always about money—it's also about personal growth, confidence, and building a sustainable business. 00:00 - Anne (Host) Hey bosses, we now have events, so don't miss out. Our VIP membership gives you exclusive discounts to events and access to workshops that are sure to boost your voiceover career. Find out more at voboss.com. 00:16 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss a VO Boss. Now let's welcome your host, Anne Ganguzza. 00:35 - Anne (Host) Hey everyone, welcome to the VO Boss Podcast. I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza, and I am here with the Boss Money Talks series with my good friend, Danielle Famble. Hey, Danielle, hey, how are you? I'm good, how are you? I'm good, Danielle. I just got an email from Amazon, oh, and the subject said you might like this, or we found something you might like, which I think is such a marketing tactic. It is a good opening line. Works on me, yeah for sure. 01:08 - Danielle (Guest) It works on me. You definitely opened the email, didn't you? 01:11 - Anne (Host) Yeah, because it's based on my previous you know, either browsing or my previous purchases, and so those of you that have ever perused the VioBoss website know that I have a Studio Gear page where I put all the recommendations for Studio Gear, and so I was updating that page and, of course, everything that they sent to me was Studio Gear related, and I was like, oh, look at that shiny new interface, look at that shiny new pair of headphones. Yeah, you know, new colors, new colors. Yeah, it leads me to think about Danielle what Vio expenses are actually worth the ROI? I mean, that is something that I think every voice actor needs to consider when they're spending money and investing in their business. So which purchases are actually worth it? 01:58 - Danielle (Guest) Yeah, and there are lots of little things that you can invest in in your business and some of them are tangible, like you're talking about the headphones or the interface, and then some of them are intangible, like when you're investing in your education or you're investing in yourself with coaching. So I think that that's such a personal question and it also will change as you progress in your VO boss journey. Agreed, the things that are great returns on investment as you progress in your VO boss journey? Agreed, the things that are great returns on investment when you're earlier on in your career? You may not invest in those again when you're 10, 15, 20, 30 plus years in the game. Right, yeah, that's a fun little question. 02:38 - Anne (Host) I mean we could start with the obvious. The obvious would be most people think, well, okay, I want to be a voice actor, so what do I need? I need a microphone. So there are microphones and there I think microphones are an investment that if you're just starting out and you're not sure if this is really the thing that you want to do or you're going to, you know this is a long term investment for you. Maybe just a starter microphone works. That's a few hundred dollars and I think that that would be worth an investment to just get your feet wet, get you know, dip your toes in the water and find out if this is a career choice that you are going to stick with. 03:12 But if you kind of know that in your heart and you've done enough research and maybe you've gone ahead and done some coaching and you're fairly certain, I would say it's absolutely worth your investment to invest in a good microphone. I mean because I think microphones are one thing. We may use them every single day, right, but we're not like handling them too much. We're not, like you know, dropping them on the ground. God forbid, hopefully not. You're. A good microphone is going to last for years and years, like my 416 and my TLM 103, I have had them for already, like going on 15 years, like, literally there's no signs of slowing down. However, at one point they will, but I've certainly made back the money that I've invested in them, absolutely. What are your? 03:56 - Danielle (Guest) thoughts. I agree, I'm kind of more of the grow as you go kind of mentality. So when I started I was using the Synco Mic D1, I think, or something like that D2. And it was billed as the knockoff 416. And then when I actually had the 416, I was able to listen to them side by side. And it is not, but it worked out for the time being. It was what I could afford at the time and then the additional money or the money that I had that I could have spent on the 416 at the time, I put that money into coaching. I put that money into getting a good demo. I put that money into investing in sort of the soft skills needed to win and do well in this business and really in business in general. 04:45 So I think that the ROI, again, like you, can sort of start with what is the starter, and maybe the starter is a certain dollar amount and I don't think there is a dollar amount, but it's the dollar amount that is comfortable for you. That maybe isn't the 416 or the TLM 103, something like that and then you use some of that money to then invest in the soft skills and invest in your coaching, invest in your website or things like that. 05:16 - Anne (Host) I started off with an AT2020 and I graduated to a Rode MT1A, which is not necessarily what I would recommend today, but those were only a few hundred dollars, and I still remember when I actually got my very first like major investment in a mic was a good 10 years after I had. I had been because I made good money with that Rode for at least six, seven years, and then and it just didn't occur to me because I had a great studio at the time, right, and I didn't hear a need or nobody Everybody said, oh my God, you sound great, and so I didn't feel a need that I had to go experiment with microphones. Now, some people are gearheads. You know we've all got our thing, kind of like me investing in lipsticks or in clothing. You know they have to try it all Totally. 06:08 I remember, though, when I did invest in my TLM 103, I actually heard the difference, but I could not have been able to tell the difference. Probably, I think, when you're first getting into the industry, it takes a minute for you to get an ear. Develop your ear For your sound, for your microphone yeah, we don't talk enough about that and maybe that's fodder for another. You know another episode. But developing your ear in voiceover for performance and for good equipment, it takes time I mean years and it took experimentation. It took, you know, trying, and I think it took me, after years of being in the industry, of hearing the difference with a good quality pair of headphones, with a good quality mic in a good quality studio, and so all of those were were back the ROI. 06:55 - Danielle (Guest) That also increases as well. You know things like investing in your booth, investing in where you're going to record. I started recording in my closet and like adding extra pillows, and I was taking pillow cases off of, like my bed, from the couch cushions. I was taking anything that was soft and just bringing that into the closet with me to record and I, you know I did quite a bit of work that way for a good amount of time and then, you know, time progressed and I got a different booth and then I upgraded to the booth that I'm in currently. So if you, I think, if you can grow as you go, you might be getting more of an ROI because you're developing that, your ear, you're developing your business sense, your business savvy, you're understanding, you know what you bring to the microphone, what you bring to the business, and all of that is how you increase that ROI for sure. 07:53 - Anne (Host) You know, and we should talk about ROI Is ROI always positive financially based? 07:58 - Danielle (Guest) No, I don't think so. No right, I think it can definitely be the intangibles as well. It can be exactly how comfortable you feel attacking commercial copy. It can be how quickly you're able to adjust from in a session when you're given differing opinions on how you should, you know, read a line or something like that. It's your ability to speak up for yourself and ask for what you want and negotiate all of those things. 08:22 - Anne (Host) That's such a good point of this topic because ROI, especially in our industry, when our voices I mean our voices are so much more than just physical voices for our product, it has everything to do with who we are, what got us here, our life journey and confidence right. So if a new microphone can make you feel more confident, can make your performance better, that's going to make your product better. So ROI, I think in our type of industry, when it's a creative industry, really can be almost as much intangible as it is tangible. 09:00 - Danielle (Guest) It's what you're pouring into the product that you're offering, which is tangible. It's what you're pouring into the product that you're offering which is yourself. It's what you're pouring into your physical instrument. It's what you're pouring into your heart. It's what you're pouring into. I love the confidence aspect, because that is a huge intangible. 09:17 that is incredibly important, oh my gosh yes, helps you feel good in your booth, in your read, it's what gives you the confidence to go to conferences and put yourself out there, reach out to new agents. Yeah, like that is the product. The voice is the conduit to it, but you, the human being, are the product and so, whenever you can pour into yourself and make sure that you are operating at your best and highest vibration, you're going to get that ROI back because you're putting out a one-of-one, a very unique commodity, absolutely. 09:52 - Anne (Host) You know, not everyone can just get Spoken from the girl who loves to talk about money. I love that, right. I love that. It's just as important, right, I think, for the ROI to be intangible as it is to be tangible. Now, if we talk about the tangible aspects of it, how do you measure? How do you measure the ROI? How do you look at the hard-cold numbers for an investment in a microphone? I mean, are you looking at it on a monthly basis? Are you like, okay, I invested you know a thousand dollars in this microphone and how have I made it back? Right, Are you looking at the jobs you booked? Are you looking at, you know, an agent you just got? And again, how do you track that? Really, in cold, hard numbers? Sometimes you can't Right. 10:36 - Danielle (Guest) Sometimes you can't, but some things you know, for example, like like a microphone or an interface. You know, I look at things pretty clearly in terms of can I afford it or not? That's sort of the start. And if I cannot afford it right now, how long will it take me to be able to afford it? Should I utilize other tools? Should I use debt? Should I put it on a credit card? But I know that I've got some invoices that are going to be paid by the end of the month and so I can pay for it. Can I afford this thing? And then I look at is this thing, let's say a microphone, is it replacing something that I've already used that needs to be replaced? Do I really need it? Or if I'm a gearhead and I just like it, that's fine too. But know that you know before you just acquire new things and then, do I know how to use it? Yeah, that's sort of the intangible. 11:25 - Anne (Host) That's a good. That's a good, that's a good point Can. 11:27 - Danielle (Guest) I use it, you know, with, with. Can I use it how it needs to be used, or do I need to invest in education to learn how? 11:35 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) to use it. 11:35 - Danielle (Guest) For example, I got a new interface and I wanted to make sure I knew how to use it. Can I afford it? Yes, I bought it, great. But then I didn't really know how to use it. So then I invested in coaching with an audio engineer who explained what it was to me and how I could use it. And so then the ROI actually made sense, because when someone said, hey, can you turn up your gain or turn off that 4K button, or we don don't really. We need this, this and this. Can you tell us what your interface is Like? I could speak to it with confidence, because I had put in the time and energy to, yes, buy it, but then learn how to use it. And for me, then, that's how I look at the ROI. 12:15 - Anne (Host) Sure, well, you know, I get a lot of students because obviously I'm a coach and I get a lot of students because obviously I'm a coach and I get a lot of students who will say, well, I want to be able to work in the industry and then be able to pay for my demo or my coaching, my additional coaching. And so that's a tough one, because that's like what came first, the chicken or the egg, because in reality you kind of have to figure out, you kind of have to make an investment in the coaching aspect of things and, of course, the demo too, because I'm a big believer that demos are what helps market that voice, so that you can get the jobs, so you can then reinvest it in your business. And so what are your thoughts about the intangible investments like, well, investing yourself with coaching and with, let's say, demos. 12:57 - Danielle (Guest) I think those are probably, as you're starting out, that's probably going to be what's going to get you the highest ROI. Are those intangibles. It's the coaching, it's the demos, it's the website, it's the marketing materials, it's knowing how to market yourself, it's knowing what genres you want to work in and that you're good at and that it's fun for you that you're finding the joy, that it's fun for you that you're finding the joy. So those things. I think that's really where I would spend more of my energy and my money trying to really invest in those things. But to your point, you need one to beget the other. The work begets work, but you've got to have something to show who you are, what you do and how well you do that thing Exactly. 13:42 So sometimes that may need to be going into a little bit of debt so that you can purchase that, or it is utilizing your nine to five to fund your five to nine. It's having to sort of figure out what is it that I'm trying to get let's say it's a demo or a coaching package, for example and how much is that going to cost me? How long will it take me to save up for it? Or what do I need to do to make that happen, because then, after a certain period of time, I usually say give yourself like six months to a year to try and get that money back. Yeah, yeah, it's a long enough time, if not longer sometimes. 14:22 - Anne (Host) Yeah, and maybe even longer. I think in the beginning sometimes it could take longer because, you know, I remember telling people my first year I made a decision to go full time when I decided to move across the country and I thought for the first couple of months I would look for a job in education. Because I came from education and I was like, so I had worked so hard in my other job, I took a few months off. Well, I actually couldn't have afforded at the time the few months off, because that was that was like the crash of 2008. And so, in reality, yeah, I basically was not successful in getting in the door really for my, my full time job, just because it was a new area and you know I was specializing in technology and so there were lots of factors in that. And so I just decided to pour all of my energy into going full-time in VO and, as hard of a worker as I am, I still, the first year maybe made $1,200. It was really something that I was learning lots of things. I mean, it was a new area. I was trying to get to know new people, new local studios and trying to figure out marketing, because now I was doing it full time and so there was a lot of investment that I made in my own education and in improving my voiceover, improving my getting new demos and that sort of thing. So it did put a lot of money out for that initial investment. 15:49 And so sometimes it can take a little bit of time to see the return on investment and again, like we were talking about before, sometimes you don't recognize it because in this business you kind of have to develop an ear for a lot of things. You have to develop an ear for your studio sound. You have to develop an ear for a microphone Does it fit you? You have to develop an ear for, you know, for your auditioning really, and that's kind of a soft skill right that incorporates coaching and incorporates just doing it and practicing it. So those are so difficult in the beginning, I think, to justify a return on investment. And I think if you're just getting involved in this business you have to kind of expect those things to take more time than you would like them to Absolutely and also know what not to do. 16:37 - Danielle (Guest) So I always try to look at it as what am I doing to get to my very first dollar and anything outside of that Maybe I don't need to be focusing my money on it because I'm not going to get that return on investment as quickly. 16:50 - Anne (Host) I like that. 16:50 - Danielle (Guest) So it may be those things to get to your first dollar are the coaching. 16:55 It's your, it's your marketing materials, it's your demos, it's your learning how to utilize your, your, your DAW or your interface, like it's your demos, it's your learning how to utilize your DAW or your interface, like it's learning about those things. But maybe it's not. Maybe it's not getting like the super fancy website, maybe it's not business cards, maybe it's not. You know all kinds of other things that seem like oh, this is what I should do for the business purposes, a CRM, you know, like just everything that you do for business. It may not be what you need to be doing now, but what can get you to your first dollar the quickest? Because that's a proof of concept that it's working. And if you can get to one dollar, you can get to two. Then you can get to four, six, eight, whatever. So I would, I would look at it like that of where? Where am I putting my energy, my effort? 17:39 - Anne (Host) I know it's probably going to take a bit of time, but I'm driving towards getting to my first dollar and that's how you'll get the snowball going of the ROI and they hang it up like when they open their business, like I don't know if people do that anymore, but in reality, like that becomes like such an important concept, like what are you doing to make your first dollar? And you're right, sometimes it doesn't happen immediately and I think one thing that people just have to understand is that it does sometimes take time, right, but once you make the first dollar, as you said, then comes the second dollar, then comes the third dollar, and I notice it happens over and over in this business where it's like success begets success. 18:29 - Danielle (Guest) Yeah, it does. 18:30 - Anne (Host) And so once you start booking jobs, right outside of an occasional lull right, which happens like seasonally in this industry, and that's something else that you have to get used to Then there's always the capability and the confidence to get to dollar number two and then to get to dollar number three and typically it happens more frequently and then comes the confidence, which I don't think there's a price on that, to be quite honest, because once you have confidence in yourself, in your product and in your business, I don't think there's anything stopping you from being successful, for sure, totally. Let's talk about other things. That, because you mentioned a website and I don't want to let that go, because I think that a website investment is a whole lot more important than some people think, because, again, I'm going old school, right, when people used to actually make their first dollar and then frame it and hang it up in the place of their business. Well, the place of our business now is our studio, and so we really need to be thinking about where you know we're going to celebrate those wins, right, and we want to think about how are we opening our storefront right, where is that storefront? Because it's not physical, it's online, and so that impression that storefront is where people go to buy things. 19:47 I mean, I buy things online every day and I think we all do that. Storefront is important and I think that that is a worthy investment. Now, do you need to make that right away, before you have a demo or before you have right any samples to put up there or even a thought as to what your brand is about? You can always start creating a website on the back burner of things, because as you grow, it develops kind of like your studio, right? You evolve, you change, you grow. I think your website is one of those things. Your storefront grows with you. 20:19 - Danielle (Guest) Yeah, absolutely. I think it's important to have you know you, to place your digital shingle up so that people can find you, because in this day and age, so many people are finding you on your website or digital presence in some way, and then they're coming to speak with you via email. So they need to know how to reach you. So I do think that's important, but some things do. The great thing about a website is that it can change and evolve and sort of that's the point. Can change and evolve, and sort of that's the point. So you start with what you have, and if what you have is just this is my name, this is my picture, this is what I sound like and this is how you can reach me, those basic things are all. That's what a website should entail, anything else showing what you do. 21:04 - Anne (Host) A way to purchase. 21:05 - Danielle (Guest) A way to purchase a product, a way to purchase a product that is really like. It's the gateway to how to get to purchase the product of my voiceover services, me as a person, and how we can work together me, you, the client. But other than that, I don't think that it serves you to wait to put that digital shingle up until you're ready, because there's time that could go to making your first dollar, absolutely Even if that digital shingle is not the way that other people's digital shingles look. But I would say, put the website up and get that out there as quickly as possible. That has the basic information about how to find you, how to purchase your product that you're selling, how to pay you, how to pay you Exactly you have to be able to get pounds so that you're selling how to pay you, how to pay you Exactly Like. 21:54 - Anne (Host) You have to be able to get pounds so that people can hire you and then pay you, and that, I think, is so, so important. 22:00 - Danielle (Guest) And those things will grow and evolve as time goes on. But you don't need to wait until all of these things are in place and perfect to put it out there so that people you know this is the get to your first dollar. It's got to be scrappy. 22:15 - Anne (Host) I agree with you. Now, what about the other things? Like OK, so you've, how are you going to make your first dollar? So then the next biggest question, or I would say one of the biggest questions I always get, is like so how do I get work? How do I get work? 22:29 So there are multiple ways to get work Right and there are investments that you can make in order to get work Right. You can invest in a pay to play. You can invest in you know management. You can invest in a marketing company that can help you to market. You've decided you're going to hang that shingle out and you're going to do it. 22:53 Well, now you've got to make money right. Now you've got to see that return on investment that you've made, and so you've got to make money. So how do you make money and how do you determine what products or what avenues to invest in so that you can find opportunities? Because that's really what you're doing. You're paying to find opportunities, and whether you're paying somebody to help market you in social media or maybe you're doing that yourself, that's really cost of your time, right, which is a cost you got to calculate, and we have a great episode on what's your hourly worth, right? How much do you get paid per hour? So figure out what that is worth. But let's talk about do you see pay-to-plays as being a worthy investment? 23:35 - Danielle (Guest) It can be a worthy investment, depending on the genre that you want to be working in. If you want to be working in a certain genre, that pay-to-plays are more often than not posting jobs for, absolutely yes, and usually those pay-to-plays have tiers. 23:53 - Anne (Host) Yes. 23:53 - Danielle (Guest) And usually those pay to plays have tiers. I started on a pay to play at the lowest tier as a proof of concept to make sure that I wanted to do this, that it made sense for me and was I going to be making my money back. And I found in one or two jobs I made that lowest tier, that I paid for the year I'd made that money back. So it made more sense to consider upgrading to higher and higher tiers and I think that's the way that you can sort of stair-step it. I agree. 24:14 But, if you know that you're wanting to go into a certain genre, that maybe a pay-to-play is not going to be as beneficial for you, then I would make it so that you're getting the best return on your investment of time and money as possible. But then you spend more of your time going into the spaces where that genre is more marketed and maybe that's not a pay to play. Maybe it is an agent, maybe it's not an agent, maybe it is your own time, maybe it's looking on social media sites for different types of work opportunities. So knowing the genre that you're trying to work in will then tell you where you should put your time and your energy and your money. And if you're trying to work in, will then tell you where you should put your time and your energy and your money and if you do want to work in both broadcast and non-broadcast right. 24:57 - Anne (Host) That, to me, separates out the you know which genres there's. Broadcast and non-broadcast. Broadcast require. You know you're going to have an agent and maybe a manager. You're not going to have to invest in an agent, by the way. You don't have to invest money in an agent, but you have to invest money in a demo that will attract an agent and auditions and or jobs that you've booked on, maybe pay to plays or rosters that attract an agent to want to put you on their roster. 25:20 - Danielle (Guest) That's number one and they would probably need to see it on your website or see, like where those types of jobs that you've done or your demos. 25:26 - Anne (Host) Absolutely. 25:26 And I do want to just make one point about the pay to plays, because there's so many many people that that's always the biggest. I think is one of the biggest topics of discussion is pay-to-plays and what tiers and what's worth it. Back in the day when I joined, there was only one tier and it was like a few hundred dollars a year. And I, what I, even if you join on that first tier right and just to dip your toes in the water, remember, to me it's an education because you're starting, because if you have never worked in voiceover, you don't know what real jobs are out there. You might have worked with a coach that gave you scripts they were practice scripts, they weren't actual jobs that maybe had casting specs or a quote. You know like, oh, here we're going to pay you this amount of money and here's the audition I want you to do, or here's the actual size of the job. And so you're really I think if you're even just on a bare bones level of those pay to plays, you're paying for education to find out what jobs are current out there, who's hiring and what types of jobs are they hiring. So I always say a first level investment is always good for people kind of looking to dip their toes in the industry to find out if this is something they really like, because then they could see here are the types of jobs that are being offered out there, and here's what an actual corporate narration looks like, or here's what an e-learning module looks like, and so I think that's a very worthy investment. Then, yes, there are different tiers. Now there's always back and forth about is this tier worth it? Is the most expensive tier worth it? And, of course, I think that just depends on the timing of things and your ability to audition well and timely Agents. 26:58 Don't ever pay for an agent. If you have to pay for an agent, you need to like run. But managers, in terms of return on investment, if you do get a job through an agent, you're typically paying them a fee, a commission, and so that, yes, is a good return on your investment for the most part, unless you've got an agent who's unscrupulous and maybe not, you know, paying you, which actually does happen Something did just happen recently which is unfortunate and then a manager of which you're paying a certain percentage of every job, whether or not you got that job through them. So that is. You know that's another discussion which we actually had a podcast on that, Danielle because you do have a management company and for you it's a very worthwhile investment. Again, depending on the genres that you work in, a lot that is going to determine if it's worth the ROI. 27:49 So one last thing I want to talk about is ROI in terms of marketing. What should we consider a good return on investment for our marketing efforts? Should we hire, should we buy a CRM? Should we hire a marketing agency? Should we, you know, pay a social media manager to get us out there? I mean, there's so many different options and this could be like again like part two of an episode. You know what are those options and how do I determine the best ROI on that? And marketing is tough Marketing is tough Marketing. 28:22 - Danielle (Guest) I even consider, like my agents and managers, part of my marketing budget, because me doing all of these auditions through them and being associated with them on their websites or on their marketing materials is also marketing, and marketing is one of those that it can be that you really are playing the long game. You could be marketing to a potential client for years and years and then finally a job comes your way through them. Well, that's a worthwhile return on investment because you've been consistently reaching out to these people and, as time has gone on, they know you, they can trust you and they want to work with you. And you know the stars aligned where they had something that was a good fit for you. So it really the thing about marketing is that it is a long-term investment in the growth of you and your voiceover business. 29:19 So the ROI with marketing is a little bit more like. It's kind of like when you are consistently investing money into your savings account or into the stock market or into your retirement account. It's harder to track sometimes. It is hard to track sometimes, but you're doing it knowing that you're not necessarily trying to get an immediate return on investment. You're basically investing in the long-term health of your business, because then you're diversifying yourself from the pay-to-plays, from your agents, from your SEO expenses for your website, All of those things, your SEO expenses for your website, like all of those things. It's really just diversification, and that one is harder to track. 29:58 - Anne (Host) And also, you know, it can be a combination of any or all of the above that we've spoken about today and I mean I really appreciate it can be a combination of your investment in yourself and your performance and your auditioning techniques and investment in you know, refreshing your demos and investment in evolving or getting a new website. Investment in you know, maybe paying somebody to help you market yourself, and investment in you know a pay-to-plays and a management company. So all of these things together and as you evolve right, your investments and your expenses evolve. I mean that's really called growth? Yes, it is, and hopefully it spurs in a positive direction. 30:39 - Danielle (Guest) Yeah, you can always also ask yourself you know if it's something that you're going to be putting your financial investments in. Can I afford it, yes or no? Right, how long will it take for me to be able to afford it? And what do I need to do to purchase it? What tools do I need to use to be able to purchase it? And then, what am I trying to gain from it? What does it look like if this were to be successful? What am I trying to get out of it? 31:04 And it can't just be I just want to book a job. That's a little too nebulous. It could just be something more like I want to feel more confident when I walk in my studio. That's a direction that you can go and then you can say, okay, return on investment, I got it, because now I feel a lot more confident. Check the box, but know what is it going to cost me? That could be money or not. And what am I trying? What is the outcome? What's the cost and what's the outcome? And then, when you can figure those two out and you're very clear about it, then go for it, because you'll know when you've had that ROI. 31:37 - Anne (Host) Love it, love it. And the one thing my takeaway is that ROI is not always financial. No, not always financial, not always easily measurable, so bosses out there lots of things to consider, Danielle, as always, what an amazing conversation. Thank you so much. Yeah, this was conversation. Thank you so much. Yeah, this was fun. Thank you for bringing it up. 31:54 Absolutely. I am going to give a big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. You too can connect and network like bosses. Find out more at IPDTLcom. Guys have an amazing week and you know, you guys are absolutely worth our ROI. Absolutely have a good one. Bye, bye. Absolutely have a good one, bye, bye. 32:11 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, Anne Ganguzza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at vobosscom and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. 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Creamy Daze, a popular local ice cream business started by Taylee and Tanner Brinkerhoff, has opened its first storefront in Rexburg's Hemming Village after running two food trucks in Rigby and Idaho Falls. The shop offers Blue Bell Ice Cream flavors, Dole Whip, specialty shakes and a six-scoop sampler, with giveaways happening during its opening days.
What if your multidimensionality is your greatest creative power?In this intimate conversation, Sarah Faith Gottesdiener connects with artist, educator, and designer Silas Munro about what it means to live and create as a whole, multidimensional person. From honoring grief to challenging design norms, Silas shares how integrating identity, spirituality, and activism has transformed his work and life.You'll hear:Why embracing all your parts—artist, mystic, educator, activist—is a radical actWhat poetic research is and how it can guide your creative processHow Silas turns surfing into a spiritual practice and grief into creative fuelThe power of community and co-creation within Moon Studio spacesHow Clear Channels helped Silas merge purpose with visibilityThis is a deeply moving episode about multidimensionality, poetic research, and the magic that unfolds when we stop trying to fit into boxes and start showing up as our full selvesMore on Silas Munro:Silas Munro is a designer, artist, writer, researcher, curator, surfer and descendant of the Banyole people of Eastern Uganda. He is the founder of the design studio Polymode based in Los Angeles and Raleigh that works with clients across cultural spheres. Commissions and collaborations include: The New York Times Magazine, MIT Press, Nike, Airbnb, the Brooklyn Museum, Storefront for Art and Architecture, the Art Institute of Chicago, Dia Art Foundation, and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.https://www.polymode.studio/https://bipocdesignhistory.com/Join Our Community: Join the Moon Studio Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/themoonstudioBuy the 2025 Many Moons Lunar Planner: https://moon-studio.co/collections/all-products-excluding-route/products/many-moons-2025Subscribe to our newsletter: https://moon-studio.co/pages/newsletterFind Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gottesss/Upcoming Events: September 6, 2025 + September 7, 2025: Clear Channels Online Workshop - https://moon-studio.co/products/clear-channels-fall-2025?variant=50100396327207
Today on Startup to Storefront, we are diving into one of the most overlooked growth channels for restaurants and local businesses: Google Maps. Most business owners do not realize how much their Google Business Profile impacts foot traffic, reservations, and real-world sales. While many focus on social media and ads, the smartest brands are dominating Google Maps and seeing real results. Joining us is Evan Oder, founder of Map Labs, the number one Google Maps marketing software for multi-location businesses. Evan has helped thousands of brands climb to the top of search results without spending big on ads. On this week's episode, you'll learn: How to enhance your Google listings using AI and SEO without trying to trick Google The future of search and how Google Maps and ChatGPT are reshaping discovery Why stunning photos on your Google Business Profile can attract real customers Why Google Maps is becoming the future of local search for restaurants and small businesses How Google's ranking factors prioritize engagement, and why it is key for your SEO strategy As a special bonus, Evan is offering a 3-month free trial of Map Labs software and a complimentary Google Business Profile audit. You can access the offer through the link in bio. If you own a restaurant, manage a local business, or want to understand the future of digital discovery, this is an episode you do not want to miss.
Stacey Kimball of Caldwell, ID shares how she went from cottage food to commercial kitchen to her own storefront by building relationships with her community and focusing on slow and consistent growthGet full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/146
On this week's episode of Startup to Storefront, we sit down with Iggy Rodriguez, whose career spans the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business. From leading partnerships at the LA Dodgers and Therabody to helping scale VIP platforms like Velocity Black and Kapow, Iggy has spent years negotiating deals with teams, leagues, and luxury brands. Now, as Senior Director at OneTeam Partners, he helps brands tap into athlete name, image, and likeness across the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, and more. On this episode you'll learn: • What it really takes to get on and stay on The Bachelor and Bachelorette • How casting for reality TV works behind the scenes and what producers aren't telling you • The emotional cost of chasing fame and attention online • Why your dating life changes after national TV • How Iggy's career path evolved from sports partnerships to licensing powerhouse Plus, Iggy shares how he gives back — fostering dogs in LA and mentoring Special Olympics athletes.
“It's a complicated time to think about how we can slow down, be still, and bring a brilliant group of people together to do something that feels purposeful and can be productive. It's a moment where things are moving so fast. When I brought up the idea of a hinge generation, I think it's impossible to know how we will look back and reflect on this time and these moments. We are very invested in enabling people to build new relationships. What we've found from these past gatherings in Aspen is that those are the things people still talk about from 40, 50, or 60 years ago. You were also asking about a relationship with the environment. I think Maya Lin, who is coming to give a keynote lecture, is someone who is very invested in that conversation. We are also working with the Serpentine Gallery and Hans Ulrich Obrist on the keynote lectures. Francis Kéré is also coming to talk about the sustainability of his architectural practice and how that navigates the world differently. We're also working with Storefront for Architecture, who have done this brilliant swamp project for the last two years. This year, there is a real emphasis on the relationship between the question we have posed for the retreat, which is fundamentally about our relationship with technology and identifying our relationship with the world and how we want to be present in the moment.Nicola Lees is truly pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. Since 2020, she has been director of the Aspen Art Museum, a non-collecting, artist-founded institution dedicated to experimentation and supporting the most innovative voices in contemporary art. Under her direction, the AAM has just unveiled an ambitious, decade-long initiative called AIR Aspen. From July 26–August 1, 2025, AIR isn't just another program; it's the first artist-led global summit, a bold undertaking that will bring together artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, and influencers for yearly talks, performances, workshops, and an annual retreat. It's designed to explore the profound role of art in addressing the big questions of our time, from AI to how we relate to one another. The inaugural theme, "Life As No One Knows It," promises to be a deeply engaging exploration of what it means to be alive in an era of rapid technological and environmental change, and it will feature an extraordinary roster of creatives whose work transcends traditional disciplines, including Francis Kéré, Paul Chan, Aria Dean, Glenn Ligon, and Maya Lin.Before her tenure in Aspen, Nicola Lees made her mark as the director and curator of New York University's 80WSE and as a curator for Frieze Projects at Frieze London. Today, we'll delve into her philosophy of art, leadership, and the transformative power of this new initiative.“For us, I think it really is about trust and commitments, and I don't think that has necessarily changed over the years. As we work on that, obviously, we are very much invested in how we can engage an audience and spark the curiosity that people are looking for. The most important thing often is how we can spark that curiosity in ourselves. As a way of working, which I think is the most important framework for an institution, the institution should constantly want to learn and evolve, and it isn't a static place. Particularly coming from the opportunity of not being a collecting institution, we are ever-evolving and ever-changing.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast
“It's a complicated time to think about how we can slow down, be still, and bring a brilliant group of people together to do something that feels purposeful and can be productive. It's a moment where things are moving so fast. When I brought up the idea of a hinge generation, I think it's impossible to know how we will look back and reflect on this time and these moments. We are very invested in enabling people to build new relationships. What we've found from these past gatherings in Aspen is that those are the things people still talk about from 40, 50, or 60 years ago. You were also asking about a relationship with the environment. I think Maya Lin, who is coming to give a keynote lecture, is someone who is very invested in that conversation. We are also working with the Serpentine Gallery and Hans Ulrich Obrist on the keynote lectures. Francis Kéré is also coming to talk about the sustainability of his architectural practice and how that navigates the world differently. We're also working with Storefront for Architecture, who have done this brilliant swamp project for the last two years. This year, there is a real emphasis on the relationship between the question we have posed for the retreat, which is fundamentally about our relationship with technology and identifying our relationship with the world and how we want to be present in the moment.Nicola Lees is truly pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. Since 2020, she has been director of the Aspen Art Museum, a non-collecting, artist-founded institution dedicated to experimentation and supporting the most innovative voices in contemporary art. Under her direction, the AAM has just unveiled an ambitious, decade-long initiative called AIR Aspen. From July 26–August 1, 2025, AIR isn't just another program; it's the first artist-led global summit, a bold undertaking that will bring together artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, and influencers for yearly talks, performances, workshops, and an annual retreat. It's designed to explore the profound role of art in addressing the big questions of our time, from AI to how we relate to one another. The inaugural theme, "Life As No One Knows It," promises to be a deeply engaging exploration of what it means to be alive in an era of rapid technological and environmental change, and it will feature an extraordinary roster of creatives whose work transcends traditional disciplines, including Francis Kéré, Paul Chan, Aria Dean, Glenn Ligon, and Maya Lin.Before her tenure in Aspen, Nicola Lees made her mark as the director and curator of New York University's 80WSE and as a curator for Frieze Projects at Frieze London. Today, we'll delve into her philosophy of art, leadership, and the transformative power of this new initiative.“For us, I think it really is about trust and commitments, and I don't think that has necessarily changed over the years. As we work on that, obviously, we are very much invested in how we can engage an audience and spark the curiosity that people are looking for. The most important thing often is how we can spark that curiosity in ourselves. As a way of working, which I think is the most important framework for an institution, the institution should constantly want to learn and evolve, and it isn't a static place. Particularly coming from the opportunity of not being a collecting institution, we are ever-evolving and ever-changing.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast
“It's a complicated time to think about how we can slow down, be still, and bring a brilliant group of people together to do something that feels purposeful and can be productive. It's a moment where things are moving so fast. When I brought up the idea of a hinge generation, I think it's impossible to know how we will look back and reflect on this time and these moments. We are very invested in enabling people to build new relationships. What we've found from these past gatherings in Aspen is that those are the things people still talk about from 40, 50, or 60 years ago. You were also asking about a relationship with the environment. I think Maya Lin, who is coming to give a keynote lecture, is someone who is very invested in that conversation. We are also working with the Serpentine Gallery and Hans Ulrich Obrist on the keynote lectures. Francis Kéré is also coming to talk about the sustainability of his architectural practice and how that navigates the world differently. We're also working with Storefront for Architecture, who have done this brilliant swamp project for the last two years. This year, there is a real emphasis on the relationship between the question we have posed for the retreat, which is fundamentally about our relationship with technology and identifying our relationship with the world and how we want to be present in the moment.Nicola Lees is truly pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. Since 2020, she has been director of the Aspen Art Museum, a non-collecting, artist-founded institution dedicated to experimentation and supporting the most innovative voices in contemporary art. Under her direction, the AAM has just unveiled an ambitious, decade-long initiative called AIR Aspen. From July 26–August 1, 2025, AIR isn't just another program; it's the first artist-led global summit, a bold undertaking that will bring together artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, and influencers for yearly talks, performances, workshops, and an annual retreat. It's designed to explore the profound role of art in addressing the big questions of our time, from AI to how we relate to one another. The inaugural theme, "Life As No One Knows It," promises to be a deeply engaging exploration of what it means to be alive in an era of rapid technological and environmental change, and it will feature an extraordinary roster of creatives whose work transcends traditional disciplines, including Francis Kéré, Paul Chan, Aria Dean, Glenn Ligon, and Maya Lin.Before her tenure in Aspen, Nicola Lees made her mark as the director and curator of New York University's 80WSE and as a curator for Frieze Projects at Frieze London. Today, we'll delve into her philosophy of art, leadership, and the transformative power of this new initiative.“For us, I think it really is about trust and commitments, and I don't think that has necessarily changed over the years. As we work on that, obviously, we are very much invested in how we can engage an audience and spark the curiosity that people are looking for. The most important thing often is how we can spark that curiosity in ourselves. As a way of working, which I think is the most important framework for an institution, the institution should constantly want to learn and evolve, and it isn't a static place. Particularly coming from the opportunity of not being a collecting institution, we are ever-evolving and ever-changing.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast
“It's a complicated time to think about how we can slow down, be still, and bring a brilliant group of people together to do something that feels purposeful and can be productive. It's a moment where things are moving so fast. When I brought up the idea of a hinge generation, I think it's impossible to know how we will look back and reflect on this time and these moments. We are very invested in enabling people to build new relationships. What we've found from these past gatherings in Aspen is that those are the things people still talk about from 40, 50, or 60 years ago. You were also asking about a relationship with the environment. I think Maya Lin, who is coming to give a keynote lecture, is someone who is very invested in that conversation. We are also working with the Serpentine Gallery and Hans Ulrich Obrist on the keynote lectures. Francis Kéré is also coming to talk about the sustainability of his architectural practice and how that navigates the world differently. We're also working with Storefront for Architecture, who have done this brilliant swamp project for the last two years. This year, there is a real emphasis on the relationship between the question we have posed for the retreat, which is fundamentally about our relationship with technology and identifying our relationship with the world and how we want to be present in the moment.Nicola Lees is truly pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. Since 2020, she has been director of the Aspen Art Museum, a non-collecting, artist-founded institution dedicated to experimentation and supporting the most innovative voices in contemporary art. Under her direction, the AAM has just unveiled an ambitious, decade-long initiative called AIR Aspen. From July 26–August 1, 2025, AIR isn't just another program; it's the first artist-led global summit, a bold undertaking that will bring together artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, and influencers for yearly talks, performances, workshops, and an annual retreat. It's designed to explore the profound role of art in addressing the big questions of our time, from AI to how we relate to one another. The inaugural theme, "Life As No One Knows It," promises to be a deeply engaging exploration of what it means to be alive in an era of rapid technological and environmental change, and it will feature an extraordinary roster of creatives whose work transcends traditional disciplines, including Francis Kéré, Paul Chan, Aria Dean, Glenn Ligon, and Maya Lin.Before her tenure in Aspen, Nicola Lees made her mark as the director and curator of New York University's 80WSE and as a curator for Frieze Projects at Frieze London. Today, we'll delve into her philosophy of art, leadership, and the transformative power of this new initiative.“For us, I think it really is about trust and commitments, and I don't think that has necessarily changed over the years. As we work on that, obviously, we are very much invested in how we can engage an audience and spark the curiosity that people are looking for. The most important thing often is how we can spark that curiosity in ourselves. As a way of working, which I think is the most important framework for an institution, the institution should constantly want to learn and evolve, and it isn't a static place. Particularly coming from the opportunity of not being a collecting institution, we are ever-evolving and ever-changing.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast
From the Track to the Tumbler: How Off Hours Is Redefining Bourbon for the Modern Drinker This week on Startup to Storefront, we're diving into the story behind Off Hours Bourbon, the brand that's rewriting the bourbon playbook. No smoky rooms, no old school gatekeeping, just a fresh take on a timeless spirit. Founded by Jake Ireland, Off Hours blends California cool with Midwest roots, creating a whiskey that's approachable, design forward, and made for today's consumer. With national retail expansion, a growing following, and standout partnerships including their new collaboration with La Colombe, Off Hours is setting a new standard in spirits. We break down the brand's rise, their mixology competition for bartenders across the country, and the strategy behind appealing to a new wave of bourbon drinkers. On this episode, you'll learn: Why Gen Z is shifting the alcohol industry and how legacy brands are struggling to keep up How Off Hours and La Colombe are teaming up for a nationwide bartender competition What it takes to build a bourbon brand that actually resonates with a younger audience Why Off Hours leans into downtime, personal moments, and a more modern take on whiskey culture What makes high proof bourbon and rye different and how to taste them How Whole Foods style thinking is shaping female focused bourbon strategies
Every stage of life should be celebrated. What's right in front of you should be appreciated. In this episode, your host Jadyn Hailey shares how you can Become Satisfied With What's Right In Front Of You & Love Every Stage Of Life. Tune into this episode with a coconut water and a hot dog by the pool. Become your happiest version of you, with me!! : - 7AM MORNING ROUTINE | hot pilates, healthy breakfast & working from home - Instagram: Jadyn's Instagram & Busy, Yet Pretty Instagram - Busy, Yet Pretty Groupchat  - Tiktok: @Fairyjadyn - My Amazon Storefront: Jadyn's Storefront - Outfit Details: My Closet - focus on growing your business Shopify To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
If you'd like to support this one-disabled-woman-produced podcast, check out my Bonfire site for silly long covid apparel. Items bought in the shop support the renewal of my Zoom license for recording. Many items co-support other chronically ill friends. I also have an Amazon wishlist and Storefront. I'll get a few pennies if you purchase your everyday items through the links in my storefront. You can also Venmo me @afriend4thelonghaul.Welcome to another episode of A Friend for the Long Haul: A Long Covid Podcast! This is part 2 of my conversation with Nina Storey. In this episode, we talk about:Nina's plans for the futureGetting dogs while dealing with long CovidCute aggressionFunctioning in public around people when you're used to being at homeHow it feels like long Covid has made pre-existing sensitivities more intenseWhere all the lip balms and hair ties goMedical gaslightingNina's attempts to soothe her nervous system and how singing helpsHer experience getting the Novavax boosterThe fact that we don't know how to feel angerMy travel tips for Las VegasNina's dog's autoimmune issuesNina has shared a link to her song, Shadows Fall, which can be listened to on Even. Even is a new streaming platform she's using for her music. The model is pay what you can, and the funds go to artists. She says this about the release: "I wrote this song (which is still in demo form) about living with a chronic illness and how sometimes we have to be our own biggest champions. I got Long Covid after initially being infected in early 2020, and I have to say the silver lining has been meeting some extraordinary warriors in the disability community. So this song is dedicated to them and to any person facing health challenges. I see you. ✊
From the outside, Steve Martocci is a serial entrepreneur who's helped shape the digital world as we know it, co-founding GroupMe, Blade, and Splice. But behind all the success, Steve faced a more personal challenge: his health. Years of struggling with his weight and overall well-being led him to make a life-changing decision in 2010. One that sparked not only a personal transformation but the foundation for his most meaningful company to date: SuppCo. SuppCo is a first of its kind health tech platform aiming to simplify and revolutionize the supplement industry. With an overwhelming number of products, conflicting advice, and no real regulation, most people are left confused about what to take, when, and why. SuppCo solves this by offering science-backed, personalized stacks that empower people to take control of their health, the same way Steve did over a decade ago.
If you'd like to support this one-woman-produced podcast, check out my Bonfire site for silly long covid apparel. Items bought in the shop support the renewal of my Zoom license for recording. Many items co-support other chronically ill friends. I also have an Amazon wishlist and Storefront. I'll get a few pennies if you purchase your everyday items through the links in my storefront. You can also Venmo me @afriend4thelonghaul. ---Welcome to Season 3, Episode 3 of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long COVID Podcast! I got to sit down and talk with my dear friend, Grammy-nominated artist, and incredibly talented human, Nina Storey. Nina's website highlights her amazing career:“Nina Storey has been making waves, having opened for other powerhouse female performers like Sara Bareilles, Rachel Platten, Milck, and Hailey Reinhart, as well as performing in numerous international festivals, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the New Orleans JazzFest. People Magazine wrote, “With a voice like hers, pyrotechnics are redundant.”. This conversation was just shy of two hours, so I split it up into 2 episodes. Part 2 will be released on 6/30. In part 1, we discuss Long COVID's impact on Nina's creativity, songwriting process, and career, including lost work and venue discrimination, emotional processing, grief, and the nervous system.You can find Nina and tour information on her website, and on Instagram. She is published in The Long Covid Reader, and her comedy writing is at https://strangelyoptimistic.com/. If you're interested in Nina's Singing To Improve Health or Vocal Classes for Beginners to Professionals workshops, email theninastorey@gmail.com. Mention the podcast for 20% off the regular price! She will soon be using a new platform, EVEN, that pays artists. Despite millions of streams of her music, Nina says that Spotify has never paid her a dime. The EVEN model is pay what you can. "It's like Bandcamp and Patreon had a baby." You can also send her a tip via Venmo: @Nina-Storey.Nina shared that the clinic in Sedona she has been working with for her Long Covid symptoms is remote and their website is: mybiohack.com. I have not used the clinic. All information is Nina's anecdotal experience. The clinic is not endorsed by the pod, nor is the pod sponsored by the clinic. Neither is Nina. Please share A Friend for the Long Haul. If you're feeling generous, leave a review. Your support helps get this in front of more earballs and helps me bring more episodes. You can listen to the A Friend for the Long Haul Long Covid Theme Songs playlist on Spotify.Disclaimers etc: The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast producers, sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Or like, friends? Family? Anyone. This podcast does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. If you have any concerns regarding your health or medical condition, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment based on information heard in this podcast. Please don't compare yourself to someone else you hear, either. Our illnesses are highly individualized and what works for one person may not work for you. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, medical knowledge is constantly evolving, and we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the content discussed. The podcast and its creator assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information presented. Additionally, this podcast may feature discussions on sensitive topics related to chronic illness. Listener discretion is advised. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
Ryan Vesler, founder of HOMAGE, joins Startup to Storefront to share the story behind one of the most beloved vintage-inspired sportswear brands in the game. From an accidental cease-and-desist email with Larry Bird that turned into HOMAGE's first licensing deal, to partnerships with the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and exclusive collaborations with Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, Ryan Reynolds, and Rob McElhenney - Ryan breaks down how HOMAGE built an emotional connection with fans and investors alike. In this episode you'll learn: How Ryan turned his love for Ohio State into the legendary Archie Griffin T-shirt Why trading cards became a core inspiration for HOMAGE's nostalgic aesthetic The inside story behind HOMAGE's collaboration with Travis & Jason Kelce on New Heights Follow along as Ryan shares how authenticity, emotion, and storytelling have helped HOMAGE become a cult favorite for sports fans everywhere.
It all started with a date. For Gabriella Labi, food has always been a source of joy, but after years of battling gut issues, inflammation, and bloating, she was forced to rethink her relationship with indulgence. Still, as a true food lover, she wasn't willing to give up dessert. She wanted something decadent and nourishing, something that satisfied without the sugar crash or guilt. At the same time, Tonya Reznikovich was convinced that if dessert wasn't rich and indulgent, it simply wasn't worth it. When Tonya's sharp business instincts met Gabi's wellness-first mindset, Gato was born. Their goal? To redefine indulgence, with nut-butter-stuffed, chocolate-drizzled dates that taste as good as they make you feel. What started as a personal solution soon became something much bigger. From sharing treats with friends and family to setting up shop at LA farmers markets, Gato quickly built a loyal community that treated these confections as part of their self-care rituals. Those markets weren't just sales channels, they were the heart of the brand, a place to test, connect, and grow. Fast-forward, and Gato is now available in retail stores across the country, riding a wave of momentum that doesn't appear to be slowing down. On this week's episode of Startup to Storefront, Gabi and Tonya walk us through their journey of building a better-for-you dessert brand without compromising on flavor, texture, or emotional satisfaction. You'll learn: The Co-Man Milestone, how they navigated production roadblocks and found the right manufacturing partner The surprisingly personal story behind the name GATO What happened when Goop came calling, including the emotional tears that came with a major wellness partnership This is a story of turning necessity into innovation, indulgence into wellness, and a date into a movement.
Let's talk Google Ads—specifically for local businesses and storefronts that are wondering if paid traffic is worth the investment (or just a money pit). I'm joined by John Horn, CEO of Stub Group, who's the go-to guy when entrepreneurs are tired of guessing whether their ad dollars are doing anything.John's run more than 15,000 ad campaigns and helped generate over $400 million in client revenue, so when he says, “$10 isn't going to move the needle,” you know he means it.In this episode, we unpack:Why Google Ads are tricky to track for brick-and-mortar businessesWhat budget you actually need to make Google Ads work (spoiler: it's not $200/month)What to do before running any Google campaignThe one free tool you probably haven't optimized (but should!)How to build trust and increase your walk-in traffic with your Google Business ProfileHow to connect online clicks to real-life foot trafficHow often you should post on your profile (and yes, you can just repurpose your Instagram)Whether you're already dabbling in ads or wondering where the heck to start, this episode is your no-fluff primer for making Google work for you, not drain your bank account.>>CONNECT WITH JOHN
What if booking a nightclub was as easy as reserving a table for dinner? That's the vision behind Discotech, the world's #1 nightlife app, and this week on Startup to Storefront, we sat down with co-founder Ian Chen to hear how he and his team are transforming the way we party. With 1.5M+ app installs and users in over 120 cities across five continents, Discotech is more than a party app, it's a platform that bridges technology, culture, and commerce to modernize an industry that's long operated on paper guest lists and text threads. Their platform helps clubs boost sales, streamline promoter workflows, and connect with a young, highly engaged audience, 88% of whom are between 18–45. And they're just getting started. In this episode, Ian shares: — How the sober-curious movement is impacting club culture and creating space for new kinds of nightlife — Why Gen Z is opting for quality over chaos and what venues need to do to stay relevant — How Discotech is solving one of the industry's biggest pain points: outdated promoter systems Whether you're in hospitality, tech, or just love a good founder story, this episode's for you.
From the very beginning, Tosi set out to solve a simple but powerful problem: how do we stay on the path to wellness when the world is full of snacks that derail us? The answer: create clean, crunchy, real food that actually fuels your life, not distracts from it. This week on Startup to Storefront, we sit down with the founders of Tosi, the brand behind the plant-powered bars made with simple, organic ingredients and none of the junk. We unpack how they turned personal observations about health and nutrition into a full-blown movement that's now stocked everywhere from your local health shop to major retailers like Peet's Coffee and Costco. At its core, Tosi is about trust, trusting what's in your food, trusting your body, and trusting that doing the right thing (even when it's not flashy) pays off.
Rita Magalde runs Sheer Ambrosia in Salt Lake City, UT and shares her roller coaster baking business journey of 17 years that includes big risks, life changes, surprises, failures and successesGet full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/141
This week on Startup to Storefront, we're talking luxury spirits, bold branding, and storytelling with the team behind Wilde Irish Gin. Co-founder Stuart Hall launched Wilde Irish Gin in 2021 with the vision of creating a premium Irish spirit that blends heritage, artistry, and unforgettable flavor. With a background in entertainment, marketing, and tech, Stuart brings a fresh perspective to a centuries-old category. Joining him is Billy Ray, a legend in the spirits world and Wilde's Brand Director. From leading global campaigns for Ciroc and Woodford Reserve to launching award-winning mixer brand Mixwell, Billy's mission has always been the same: create unforgettable experiences, not just drinks. In this episode, we talk about: Building a luxury gin brand from the ground up Why storytelling matters in the spirits world The intersection of flavor, culture, and identity
We live our days with many energy givers and energy drainers, but what exactly are those energy givers and energy drainers? In this episode your host, Jadyn Hailey shares how to determine what are your givers and drainers, most of all, what are drainers to remove from your life and givers you can add in your day! Tune into this episode with an almond milk matcha latte as you begin incorporating your more givers into your daily routine. Become your happiest version of you, with me!! : - 7AM MORNING ROUTINE | hot pilates, healthy breakfast & working from home - Instagram: Jadyn's Instagram & Busy, Yet Pretty Instagram - Busy, Yet Pretty Groupchat  - Tiktok: @Fairyjadyn - My Amazon Storefront: Jadyn's Storefront - Outfit Details: My Closet - focus on growing your business Shopify To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week on Startup to Storefront, we're joined by Lindsey Johnson, cofounder and CEO of Weezie, the brand redefining what it means to treat yourself with truly elevated bath essentials. It all started when her longtime friend Liz had a lackluster experience searching for luxury towels. Newly married and recently moved, she couldn't believe how underwhelming the options were—so she called Lindsey. Together, they set out to modernize the linen market, and after years of research, they launched Weezie: plush, absorbent, and meticulously crafted towels and robes made in Portugal and finished by hand in Atlanta. On this week's episode you'll learn: • How Lindsey and Liz went from friends to cofounders • What it takes to build a product that actually lives up to the hype • Why resilience and critical thinking are key to scaling a startup
Confidence looks different on everyone, ESPECIALLY the journey to confidence. In this episode your host, Jadyn Hailey walks you along the guide of becoming woman and how to not care what others think. Tune into this episode with a matcha latte as you begin your journey to becoming a confident woman. Become your happiest version of you, with me!! : - 7AM MORNING ROUTINE | hot pilates, healthy breakfast & working from home - Instagram: Jadyn's Instagram & Busy, Yet Pretty Instagram - Busy, Yet Pretty Groupchat  - Tiktok: @Fairyjadyn - My Amazon Storefront: Jadyn's Storefront - Outfit Details: My Closet - focus on growing your business Shopify To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
