Drinks and Deals

We wrap up this three-part series with a powerful discussion on luck, opportunity, resilience, and long-game business development. David shares the story behind how he landed at JALI, why timing matters, and how saying yes to the right opportunities can change the trajectory of your life. We talk about product belief, handling rejection with a clear head, using customer feedback to improve, and wh...

In part two of our conversation, David and I unpack why so many exceptional business development leaders start their careers outside of traditional sales roles. David explains how authenticity builds trust, why the “slick salesperson” model is outdated, and how relationship-first selling drives long-term success in the gaming and tech industries. We explore how being yourself—not a template—create...

In this first part of our three-episode series, David Bossin-Hardy shares the unexpected path that led him from restaurants and bartending to becoming Director of Sales and Partnerships at JALI Research, one of the most innovative facial-animation companies in the industry. David breaks down how customer service, expectation management, and reading people in real time shaped his entire approach to...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, recorded live at MIGS, Assad sits down with Rabia Dincer , Partnerships Manager at CrazyGames , to unpack what authentic business development looks like when you strip away the pitch deck polish. Rabia shares her unconventional journey into BD, the early challenges of being the only woman in a male-dominated company, and how learning to advocate for herself r...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad sits down with Ethan Cossio — Level Designer, Biz Dev professional, and international bridge-builder between East Asian and Western markets. Ethan shares how a single trip to GDC set him on a path to connecting with creators, studios, and business leaders across China, Korea, and Japan. This conversation dives into the real nuances of international BD:...

After 30 years in sales leadership, Joseph Fontana stepped away to recharge, rediscover himself, and redefine what success really means. In this candid conversation, Joe and Assad dive deep into the realities of modern sales — the grind, the burnout, and the transformation that happens when you finally stop playing a role and start selling as your authentic self. From the aggressive 90s cold-call...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , host Assad Quraishi sits down with Dylan Lavis , Head of Marketing and Business Development at Paragon Interactive , to unpack how to make conferences actually pay off. From his early days managing trade shows to leading BD at Forbes and now co-developing games at Paragon, Dylan shares real strategies for preparing, performing, and following up after events....

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad Quraishi sits down with Calson Sheng , a serial entrepreneur and former Next 36 fellow, to talk about what every founder eventually learns the hard way: success isn’t just about ideas—it’s about partnerships . Calson shares lessons from building startups across AI, SaaS, and Web3, and how his latest project aims to transform financial operations for nu...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad Quraishi sits down with Maria Amirkhanyan , Head of the Gaming Division at Duamentes , to explore one of the boldest statements in business development today: “Data is overrated if you don’t know the context.” Maria shares how her background in cognitive science helps her blend empathy, analytics, and player psychology to create better business outcome...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad Quraishi sits down with David Fugère-Lamarre , Co-founder and CEO of iLLOGIKA , to explore what makes gaming conferences truly valuable for business developers. From GDC and Gamescom to MIGS and DICE, David shares his firsthand insights on which events get it right—and why others fade away. They dig into the structure and logistics that drive real busi...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad Quraishi sits down with Cole , Strategic Account Executive at Clio , to talk about mentorship, discovery, and the art of meaningful sales. Cole shares how he prioritizes accounts, builds relationships through curiosity and data, and uses mentorship to give back to the next generation of sales pros. From defining “compelling events” to leveraging AI in...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad Quraishi sits down with Dennis Meador, Founder of the Legal Podcast Network. Dennis shares how his team produces 250 episodes per month, the launch story behind the Legal Podcast Network, and his philosophy on sales, leadership, and building scalable systems. From developing an AI-powered podcasting app to turning one episode into 30 days of content, D...

In this solo episode of Drinks & Deals , host Assad Quraishi explores how lessons from gaming—like grinding in Pokémon Go, leveling up, and building long-term strategies—apply directly to sales. From gamification pitfalls to leveraging player psychology, Assad shares actionable insights on discipline, resilience, and building lasting partnerships. Tune in to discover how thinking like a gamer...

Nathan Turner of Earnest Investing and host of the Diversified Mortgage Expo shares how he rebounded from the 2008 crash, turned networking into a repeatable system, and built confidence through simple, practical habits. Learn why setting goals like “20 business cards” can change a career, how to push past imposter syndrome, and why switching seats at conferences can 10x your network. This episode...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , host Assad Quraishi sits down with Zach Acito , Business Development Manager at Keywords Studios , to discuss how one of the largest service providers in gaming is shifting focus from AAA dominance to supporting indie and AA studios . Zach shares insights on overcoming the “too big to work with us” stigma, the ROI of in-person networking for smaller teams, a...

In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad sits down with Alex , Head of Sales at Snapser, a backend platform that helps game studios and app developers launch faster without sacrificing customization. Alex shares how he’s built high-performing sales pipelines for startups and global tech brands—often with limited budget, small teams, and tight timelines. You’ll hear strategies for controlling...

Breaking into sales is tough—standing out is tougher. In this episode of Drinks & Deals , Clio SDR coach and leader Matt Baston shares how to rise above the noise in both hiring and sales. We cover why job hunting is just like prospecting, the mindset that separates top performers, and how to turn ambition into results. Matt also explains why “getting messy” beats waiting for perfect prep, how...

Where to Connect with Ora Xu: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ora-xu/ Website : https://www.envarstudio.com/ From fine art studios in New York and China to leading business development in the gaming industry, Ora Xu’s career journey proves that sales success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about strategy, relationships, and trust. In this episode of Drinks & Deals , we dive into: How to...

In this solo episode, Assad dives into the ups and downs of staying motivated—whether it’s training for a 5K, hitting sales targets, or just trying to stay consistent. He unpacks three popular frameworks for goal setting (SMART goals, OKRs, and KPIs), shares a personal story about fitness and discipline, and explores how different motivation styles impact our success at work. If you’ve ever wonder...

In this refreshingly candid episode of Drinks & Deals , Assad sits down with flight attendant, business owner, and event host Jocelyn Cattley to talk about the art of human connection in a world dominated by screens and social anxiety. From breaking the ice at industry events to overcoming impostor syndrome and awkward vibes, Jocelyn shares real, actionable insights on how to own your space—wh...

No guest? No problem. In this solo episode, host Assad Quraishi takes a walk in the park and turns the mic on himself to get real about the unspoken truths of business development. From early career setbacks and sales missteps to personal growth and finding his “why,” Assad reflects on the emotional rollercoaster that comes with building partnerships. He opens up about losing deals, imposter syndr...

Where to Connect with Bernard François: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardfrancois/ Website : http://www.previewlabs.com Contact Info for Assad: LinkedIn : ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠ Website : ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠ Music by ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠ from ⁠Pixabay In this episode of Drinks & Deals , host Assad Quraishi sits down with Bernard François, founder of PreviewLabs...

Where to Connect with John Nguyen: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnguyenbizdev/ Website : https://xsolla.com/ Contact Info for Assad: LinkedIn : ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠ Website : ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠ Music by ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠ from ⁠Pixabay In this episode of Drinks & Deals , I sit down with John Nguyen , Regional VP of Canada at Xsolla , live from XP Summit. J...

Where to Connect with Travis Gibson: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/gibsongrowth/ Website : http://www.snowedin.ca/ Contact Info for Assad: LinkedIn : ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠ Website : ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠ Music by ⁠Oleksandr Stepanov⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ In this episode recorded live at XP Summit, Assad sits down with Travis Gibson , Business Development Manager at Snowden St...

Where to Connect with Emil Vanjaka LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanjaka/ Website : https://excellthera.com/ Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn : ⁠Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn⁠ Website : ⁠QS Consulting⁠ & ⁠XP Gaming⁠ In this episode, Assad sits down with Emil Vanjaka , Director of Operations and Business Development at ExCellThera , a cutting-edge biotech company based in Montreal. Emil s...