Retail War Games

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...

In this episode, Brian Garofalow, CEO of Skullcandy, shares his journey from his roots in Southern California to leading a globally recognized brand. He reflects on his early days snowboarding in Big Bear, building a career in action sports marketing, and working with iconic brands like DC Shoes and Ruca. Brian discusses the importance of staying authentic to a brand's heritage while navigating mo...

In this episode, Spencer P. Eccles, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Cynosure Group reflects on his family's deep legacy and its impact on his values and career. From his father's lessons on resilience, hard work, and giving back, to the rich history of the Eccles family's entrepreneurial journey, Spencer shares personal anecdotes and wisdom. He discusses the importance of stewardship, livi...

Join us as we chat with Aaron Hennings, co-founder of Stance Socks, about transforming socks into a global fashion statement. Discover how Stance disrupted the market through bold designs, high-profile partnerships, and a focus on individuality. Aaron shares key lessons on innovation, scaling a brand, and staying authentic in a competitive space.  

In this episode, Rachel Nilsson, CEO of Rags, shares her entrepreneurial journey, from selling handmade kids' clothing on Instagram to scaling her brand into a successful business. She recounts her early struggles, including financial hardships and navigating direct-to-consumer sales, which helped her develop a passion-driven, authentic approach to building her company. Rachel emphasizes the impor...

    In this episode, Garrett Blood, founder of Arctic Zero, shares the story behind creating a revolutionary healthy ice cream alternative. Garrett explains how a craving for post-gym ice cream led to countless experiments with protein-packed, low-calorie recipes, resulting in a product that appealed to fitness enthusiasts, diabetics, and anyone seeking a guilt-free treat. He highlights pivotal mo...

In this episode, CJ Peterson, CEO of Nature's Fusions, shares a deeply personal journey that led his family into the world of essential oils. Growing up in a large family with limited resources, CJ recounts how his sister's battle with thyroid cancer prompted his parents to explore alternative medicines, despite skepticism and misinformation within the industry. Motivated to uncover the truth, CJ...

In this episode, we chat with the Bradley family, the founders of Fijn Co., a brand offering a healthy, clean-ingredient cocoa mix. What started as a solution to Annie's stomach issues with store-bought hot chocolate evolved into a family-run business that prioritizes health and wellness. After perfecting their recipe over 18 months and sourcing ingredients from the U.S., Fijn is now a beloved bra...

In this episode, Mikel Certudi, CEO and co-founder of Warranty Hive, shares insights from his diverse career, including his time at Omniture and Adobe, where he helped scale the company's revenue from $3 billion to $10 billion. Mikel discusses his entrepreneurship journey, founding companies like Strala, which organized big data for better business insights, and now leading Warranty Hive and Peak,...

In this episode, Chet Linton shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a buyer at Nordstrom and now the CEO of Aegix, a SaaS company specializing in incident management solutions. He reflects on the lessons he learned in retail, including the importance of hard work, customer service, and adaptability in evolving industries. Chet also discusses the challenges of leadership, building a...

In this podcast episode, Tyler Dickman, co-founder of Simply Mac, shares his journey as an entrepreneur, starting with his early experiences working in his family's video rental business. He recounts the challenges and successes of building Simply Mac, which grew into one of the largest Apple product resellers in North America. Tyler describes the creative strategies he employed, like branding acc...

  In this episode, Sean Luangrath, CEO of Inergy, shares his journey from escaping Laos as a refugee to becoming a successful entrepreneur and leader in the clean energy space. He recounts life-changing experiences, including his immigration to the U.S., navigating education as an immigrant, and his early professional challenges. Sean discusses his career at Apple, highlighting the company's logis...

In this episode, Sam Alexander, CEO and owner of PMD Beauty, shares his journey of transforming the beauty and skincare industry through innovation and persistence. Sam reflects on the early days of scaling PMD Beauty, leveraging Google AdWords, and harnessing the power of influencer marketing and partnerships with retailers like Neiman Marcus. He recounts pivotal moments, including a feature on ...

  In this podcast episode, Alex Bean, Co-founder of Divvy, shares his entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to co-founding a successful fintech company. Alex recounts pivotal moments, including the risks he took, the challenges of navigating the highly regulated banking space, and the innovative solutions Divvy implemented to streamline expense management for busine...

  In this podcast episode, London Lazerson shares his evolution from failed sketch comedy attempts to viral digital content creation. His journey began with a humorous video about blowing the world's largest bubble, which received 80 million views. He later shifted focus to Tesla-related content, garnering 100 million views in a year. Hired as a creative director at an ad agency in 2018, he gained...

In this episode, we sit down with Johnathan Ruggiero, CEO and founder of Manly Bands, to explore how he's revolutionizing the wedding ring industry with bold innovation and creativity. From crafting rings out of meteorites, World War II rifles, and even Fender guitars, to forging meaningful partnerships with iconic brands like Jack Daniels and Harley-Davidson, Johnathan shares the journey of turni...

In this episode, Paul Stone, CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse, shares his incredible career journey, starting at age 15 and working his way up through retail giants like Walmart and Sam's Club. He discusses lessons learned in leadership, navigating complex retail landscapes, and driving customer-centered transformations. Paul also dives into the unique passion behind outdoor retail, emphasizing the im...

In this episode, Vivien Bohme, founder and CEO of Bohme, shares her inspiring journey from growing up in an immigrant household to building a successful fashion retail brand. She reflects on how early responsibilities shaped her entrepreneurial mindset, including advocating for her family and managing household logistics at a young age. Vivien discusses the challenges and strategies behind Bohme's...