Retail War Games

Most founders brag about their to-do list. Scott Holmes built Teton Sports on a to-don't list. Instead of chasing trends, he listened— really listened —to what customers hated. That's how he turned problems into patents and built one of the most trusted outdoor brands. In this episode, we get into why saying "no" can be the smartest move you make in business. Watch Episode Here!  

Mark Stokes spent nearly 15 years at Vivint before co-founding Cove, a DIY home security brand built to simplify, lower costs, and remove industry pain points. In this episode, he shares how Cove's no-contract, affordable systems and innovative features—like live camera streaming to your keypad—are challenging long-standing industry models. We dive into marketing strategies that lean on content cr...

What do you do when a customer asks for something you've never made? For Tyler Hortin, it meant pivoting from emergency food manufacturing to creating his first solar generator. That single leap sparked Lion Energy—now a nationwide leader in cobalt-free battery technology, powering everything from RVs to entire homes. In this episode, Tyler shares how one customer request grew into a brand sold in...

Garrett Blood went from building the first health-focused ice cream brand to helping businesses around the world grow. He founded Arctic Zero years before protein ice cream became a trend and scaled it into 18,000 grocery stores nationwide. After selling the company, Garrett launched Kajae, an agency that connects entrepreneurs with talented people across the globe. In this conversation, Garrett s...

Most brands think rebranding means changing the packaging. But when KT Tape scaled into tens of thousands of stores, the real shift wasn't what they looked like — it was how they educated their customer. In this episode, Jessica Klodnicki breaks down: How KT Tape used simple, accessible video to drive usage The power of QR codes + tech to remove buyer friction What actually makes a rebrand success...

Mike May (founder of Cotopaxi) and CJ Whittaker are building Pingora—join Anna and Kassi to talk about building a brand that actually stands for something. This episode dives into why individuality matters, what accessible aspiration really looks like, and how Pingora is redefining what it means to lead in the outdoor space. One of our favorite lines from CJ: "I don't care what you think I'll like...

What if your brand didn't just support a cause — it was the cause? In this episode, I sit down with Shawn, who helped lead survival production for MrBeast and is now the founder of the Barbarian Foundation — a CPG brand built inside a nonprofit. Every dollar of profit goes straight to the Barbarian Foundation, supporting firefighters, veterans, and volunteers who step in when no one else does. We...

Is your brand pouring money into trade shows with nothing to show for it? In this episode of Retail War Games, we're talking about why so many emerging brands spend $15K–$20K (or more) on events that lead to zero ROI—and why Pinners Conference is the exception. You'll hear why Pinners works, how brands are pulling in $25K–$30K in a single weekend, and how those sales can unlock real retail convers...

CVS Can Make or Break Your Brand | What Every CPG Founder Needs to Know CVS is one of the biggest retail chains in the U.S.—but getting on their shelves (and staying there) isn't as simple as sending samples and hoping for the best. In this live studio session, Jeremy Brockbank shares what really happens behind the scenes with CVS buyers: How CVS evaluates brands (and why buyer dynamics matter mor...

Not everyone has to agree—but everyone has to commit. We sat down with  Ben Capell from Peterson Ventures to talk about how venture capital decisions actually get made behind the scenes. It's not a vote. It's not about getting everyone on the same page. It's about making your case, standing by it, and trusting the people around you to go all in once the decision is made. We talk about: • Why debat...

Have you heard of influencer whitelisting? Brandon Doyle, founder of Wallaroo, sat down with entrepreneur and influencer Bubba Page to talk about what actually drives sales. Brandon shares how Wallaroo runs paid ads through influencer accounts. So you're not just posting for awareness, you're pushing real traffic straight to your site. It's one of the most effective ways to turn content into cash....

In this episode, Tyler Howells, CEO of Cozy Earth, discusses his path from musician and surfer to leading a premium sustainable bedding and apparel brand, featured in Oprah's Favorite Things. He shares insights on direct-to-consumer strategies, effective partnerships, and managing global supply chain challenges while highlighting the role of cultural connections in building strong business relatio...

Nate Randle—2023 CEO of the Year and former Nike and Callaway exec—is now leading Gabb, one of the fastest-growing tech companies for kids and families. In this episode, Nate shares how his upbringing in a single-parent home shaped his mission, how he landed his dream job at Nike, and why he walked away to build something with real impact. We dive into Gabb's approach to building safer tech for ki...

Ever wonder how influencers really pick their brand deals? What does it take to get someone like Mayci Neely to say yes? She goes into exactly what she looks for, what's an automatic no, and how her fertility journey led to the creation of Baby Mama.

Speed to lead isn't just a sales tactic—it's a standard. When a buyer reaches out, the clock starts ticking. Trey Boyer shared that while at Podium, the bar was clear: respond within 2 minutes. Why? Because speed builds trust—and trust closes deals. In today's world, if you're not answering fast, someone else is. And they're the ones winning the business.

Swig is everywhere right now—and here's the woman behind it. Nicole Tanner built something real while raising six kids. Home life. Mom life. Work life. She's doing it all—and doing it well. "When I'm with you, I'm with you." That mindset shaped everything—and it shows. 👏 #MomTok, this one's for you.

She quit her 9–5, saw a gap in the market, and built a brand women can't stop talking about. Lexi Cuillard didn't have a business plan or a background in fashion—what she did have was a bold idea, relentless drive, and a front-row seat to what it takes to build something real. In this episode, the founder of Kaxi Co breaks down how she went from assistant to CEO, what she's learned about taking ri...

Overcoming Fear of Failure.  "Find somebody that makes the thing you want to sell." – Connor Macarthur, President of Mission Belt In this episode, Anna and Kassi dive deep with Connor into what it really takes to launch: using your network, embracing uncertainty, and not letting fear of failure stop you from making moves. You don't have to do it alone. The people you know might have exactly what y...

"We're not chasing trends—we're building something that lasts." — Mike Alexander Mike Alexander, CEO of Borboleta Beauty, joins Jeremy Brockbank to talk about building a brand with depth, not just speed. They dive into how Borboleta is scaling through strategy, education, and intentional retail presence—while staying true to what matters most. From leading a strong team to turning retail into a st...

"There's no secret formula—we just refused to stop." In this episode, the founders of Ivy City Co —Natasha Thomas, Whitney Smith, and Madeline Hamilton—sit down with Jeremy Brockbank and Bri Ray to unpack the real story behind one of the fastest-growing fashion brands in the country. They talk about launching without industry connections, growing a team from scratch, and how staying relentlessly f...

Matty Gay, Co-Founder of Primo Golf , joins us to talk about how they built one of the most talked-about brands in modern golf. From getting roasted in Facebook comments to leading a style shift in a traditional sport, Primo didn't play it safe—and that's exactly why it worked. We dive into the early days of launching with nothing but joggers and a camera, how they handled the backlash, and the mo...

There's no better way to kick off Season 2 than with Jeff Durham. There's no better way to kick off Season 2 than with Jeff Durham. He's not just talking about the industry—he's challenging it. From the untapped potential of women in business to the real reasons brands struggle, Jeff breaks it down with honesty and experience. This conversation was more than just insightful—it was personal. And fo...

Kacie Malouf, co-founder of Malouf Companies, shares her journey from starting a bedding business in 2003 to building a global enterprise. She discusses the challenges of scaling operations, balancing innovation with practicality, and fostering a strong company culture. Learn how her focus on quality and customer experience has shaped the company's success.        

At the Retail Collective's CEO Roundtable in September, a dynamic influencer panel shared insights on building brands and navigating the creator economy. Panelists included Bubba Page, a serial entrepreneur and investor connecting influencers with startups; Lindsay Arnold, a former "Dancing with the Stars" professional turned mom influencer and founder of The Movement Club; Sarah Merrell, a market...

In this episode, Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, speaks to a group of CEOs at the Retail Collective Roundtable on September 23rd. He dives into the essence of community, describing it as the highest expression of a brand's mission and values. Jeremy shares inspiring stories of individuals like Benny Kendrick and Amanda Reagan, whose lives were transformed through their connection with the Tr...