The Turning Pro Podcast

Brett Perlmutter, founder and CEO of Bulletpitch, has crafted a distinctive path in venture media by blending investment with media-driven platforms. Drawing inspiration from the media strategies of top VCs, Brett identified a unique opportunity to foster connections between founders and investors by creating an innovative ecosystem around Bulletpitch. With its weekly newsletter and well-curated e...

Matt Rosenfeld, founder and CEO of CRUSH, has built a unique Amazon-focused agency that’s distinguishing itself in a crowded digital marketplace. With an eye for strategic growth and a commitment to transparency, Matt has led CRUSH to become a boutique agency dedicated to helping brands optimize their Amazon presence while prioritizing client relationships. In this episode, Matt delves into the nu...

Samantha Coxe, founder and CEO of Flaus, shares her journey from corporate law to disrupting the dental care industry with a groundbreaking new invention. Driven by her experience as a self-admitted reluctant flosser, Samantha identified a need for a more accessible flossing solution, especially for individuals with limited dexterity or visual impairments. This insight led her to create Flaus - an...

Michael Chernow is the entrepreneurial force behind Kreatures of Habit and the Meatball Shop. Growing up in the heart of New York City, Michael faced early challenges, including a turbulent family life and the allure of nightlife, leading to a struggle with substance abuse. Following a near-fatal overdose, he committed to sobriety with the help of a mentor who introduced him to Muay Thai kickboxin...

Cyrus Shirazi, founder and CEO of Haven, is revolutionizing the accounting and finance landscape for startups with a customer-first approach. By focusing on building an obsessively responsive company, Cyrus has created a horizontal platform that serves the comprehensive tax, finance, and accounting needs of businesses, not just in the U.S. but across English-speaking countries. In this episode of...

Liv Schreiber, founder of Hot and Social, Camp Social, and Brand Cafe, has made a name for herself by creating spaces where people connect and build authentic relationships. With a community of over 60,000 people, Liv’s work centers on curating events where strangers leave as friends, from exclusive New York City gatherings to transformative adult sleepaway camps. In this episode of Turning Pro ,...

Shlomit Malka, co-founder and CEO of Happ, transitioned from a decade-long career in modeling to launching a platform designed to empower creative freelancers. After experiencing the limitations of the creative industry firsthand, Shlomit and her team built Happ to streamline the business side of freelancing, helping creatives manage contracts, payments, and project milestones while staying in the...

John Sampogna, Co-Founder and CEO of Wondersauce, has built one of the most respected digital agencies by recognizing opportunities for service expansion and staying hyper-focused on client needs. Founded on the principle of transparent communication and consistent delivery, Wondersauce has grown by incubating new services and scaling its offerings organically to meet market demands. In this episo...

Ellis Fried, Vice President at Vanterra Ventures, made the leap from founding a health-focused snack brand to becoming an investor in the consumer health space. After studying economics at the University of Michigan and launching SMPL, Ellis shifted to venture capital. In this episode of Turning Pro , Ellis discusses his transition from founder to investor, offering insights into the skills requir...

Colm Mackin, Co-Founder of Act+Acre, has redefined the hair wellness space by focusing on the often-overlooked importance of scalp health. Originally from Ireland, Colm and his wife, Helen Reavey, launched Act+Acre in 2019, pioneering a new approach to hair care that prioritizes nourishing and balancing the scalp. In this episode of Turning Pro, Colm shares how their innovative brand has grown fro...

Jordan Weitz, co-founder of Keychain, turned his deep-rooted passion for consumer products into an innovative platform that streamlines the connection between brands and manufacturers. Fueled by his own experience with celiac disease, Jordan became obsessed with the consumer products space, eventually identifying a major gap in how brands find manufacturing partners. This insight led to the creati...

Aaron Spivak, co-founder of Hush, has achieved remarkable success by combining innovation, persistence, and a relentless drive. Hush, a company known for its weighted blankets, faced a major downturn early on, but Aaron’s decision to directly engage with customers revealed a key product flaw: excessive heat. This insight led to the creation of a cooling weighted blanket, a move that propelled the...

Chris Meade, Co-Founder of Crossnet, shares his journey from humble beginnings to creating the world’s first four-way volleyball net. Starting with just $7,000 from his 401k, Chris hustled on Miami beaches, gradually scaling his business despite having no prior manufacturing experience. He reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing financial discipline and the importance of findin...

Dan McCormick, founder and CEO of Create, is transforming the creatine market by rebranding the supplement for a broader audience. Originally stigmatized as a steroid, creatine is now being positioned by Create as a safe, everyday nutrient beneficial for all ages. Dan shares how the company overcame early challenges, refining its product to become a leader in the space. In this episode, Dan discus...

Brett Conti, a YouTuber and entrepreneur, joins us in the studio to discuss his diverse journey in content creation and business. Known for his travel and business-focused YouTube content, Brett shares insights into his latest venture—a public journey to build a $1 million D2C tea brand. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's passions and the sacrifices he's made, including forgoing...

Michael De Santis, Managing Director of Doris Dev, leads a company that specializes in innovative product design and development, helping consumer brands bring their concepts to life. With teams in New York and Hong Kong, Doris Dev manages everything from initial design to supply chain setup, working with both emerging and established brands, including successes like the Canopy humidifier. In this...

Nick DiNatale, founder of ShipPlug, is transforming the logistics industry by automating refund processes for high-volume shippers. Leveraging his industry experience, Nick spotted a market gap for a service that recovers funds from shipping errors without adding extra work or costs for companies. Since starting ShipPlug, Nick has grown the team from four to 26 members, focusing on educating clien...

Alex Malamatinas, founder of Melitas Ventures, has made a notable impact in venture capital by investing in early-stage consumer brands. With a finance and hedge fund background, Alex combines analytical skills with a passion for guiding founders through the challenges of building successful companies. In this episode, He shares his journey from finance to becoming a leading investor in the consum...

Andrew Rea, founder of Taxwire, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a deep understanding of the challenges in sales tax compliance for e-commerce and software companies. With a background in early-stage startups, Andrew has leveraged his expertise to create a company that simplifies the complexities of operating across multiple states and countries. In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from a re...

Dan Freed, co-founder of Thesis, has emerged as a pioneering force in the wellness space by developing personalized supplements designed to enhance cognitive function. His journey is marked by overcoming early challenges, such as an ADHD diagnosis at six and dropping out of high school at sixteen. After years of working in elite kitchens, including a Michelin-three-star restaurant in France, Dan d...

Jay Wright, founder of Ecommerce Equation, is a dynamic entrepreneur who has carved out a unique niche in the ecommerce world. With a background in finance and a talent for scaling businesses, Jay's journey began with the co-founding of Search Insights, Australia's leading ecommerce digital marketing agency. Today, he focuses on empowering ecommerce founders by helping them build in-house capabili...

Caroline Danehy, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Fair Harbor, is making waves in the fashion industry with her commitment to sustainability and innovation. Founded in 2014 while she was still in high school, Fair Harbor, based in New York, specializes in creating stylish and eco-friendly swimwear and apparel from recycled plastic bottles. Alongside her brother, Jake, Caroline has driven the...

Alex Fine, CEO and co-founder of Dame Products, has been a transformative figure in the sexual wellness industry since the company's inception in 2014. Founded alongside Janet Lieberman, Dame emerged from a need to create better sexual wellness products designed specifically for women. Under her leadership, Dame aims to close the pleasure gap and destigmatize sexuality through thoughtful, innovati...

Nishal Kumar, Founder and CEO of No Days Wasted (NDW), is revolutionizing the wellness industry with innovative solutions for recovery and well-being. Since launching in 2017, Nishal has been committed to creating science-backed supplements that help individuals recover faster from alcohol consumption and maintain an active lifestyle. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey behind NDW...

Ryan Lewendon, co-founder of Giannuzzi Lewendon LLP, is at the forefront of legal services for emerging consumer brands. Since establishing the firm with Nicholas Giannuzzi in 2011, he has played a pivotal role in guiding high-growth companies through complex legal landscapes. With a client list boasting household names like Vitaminwater and BodyArmor, Ryan's expertise has been instrumental in the...