Open Residency

In this engaging discussion, Robert Greene, a bestselling author renowned for works like The 48 Laws of Power, delves into the psychology of power and strategy. He explains how concealing intentions fosters aura and influence, and why formlessness triumphs over rigidity in business. Greene shares insights on reputation as capital, the dangers of chasing attention, and strategies to recover from reputational damage. He also emphasizes treating your twenties as a crucial apprenticeship and reveals themes from his new book, The Sublime, shaped by a near-death experience.

In this engaging discussion, Roberto Nickson (RPN), a successful creator and AI strategist, shares insights on building a high-margin creator business. He reveals how to generate $1.5M as a solo creator, emphasizing quality over views in brand partnerships. Roberto also discusses the rise of AI in content creation, the importance of storytelling, and innovative tools for creators. Discover why audio beats visuals and learn how to navigate the shifting landscape of social media as he provides actionable tips to remain relevant in an AI-driven future.

Sahil Bloom, a writer, investor, and author of the bestselling book The 5 Types of Wealth, shares transformative insights on success and personal growth. He discusses redefining wealth beyond financial metrics, emphasizing the importance of relationships and time. With concepts like the '15 more times' mindset and life razors, he inspires listeners to focus on what truly matters. Sahil also touches on mastering public speaking, the significance of setting boundaries, and how to cultivate mental wealth through meaningful connections.

Oren John, a creative operator and content strategist, combines deep marketing expertise with a knack for compelling content creation. In this lively discussion, he shares frameworks for engaging short-form content and the importance of balancing quality with quantity. Oren explores the dynamics of influencer marketing, revealing innovative strategies to maximize brand engagement. He stresses the need for adaptive content approaches and dives into monetization tactics, all while urging creators to focus on authentic connections over mere view counts.

Brian Garofalow, CEO of Skullcandy, shares insights from his journey of repositioning the brand for explosive growth. He discusses his 'People, Process, Product' framework, the strategic four-bucket system for product management, and reveals how a bold partnership with Bose transformed brand perception. Garofalow highlights balancing sales data with cultural insights to find market opportunities, along with his playbook for successful international expansion and the importance of understanding core consumer personas.

Caleb Ralston, Founder and Brand Strategist at Ralston, shares his expertise in building impactful brands and generating engaging content. He introduces the Brand Journey Framework, a four-question system for effective branding. Caleb emphasizes the significance of personal storytelling, authenticity, and the 80/20 content rule for balancing expertise with personality. He discusses platform-specific strategies and the importance of assembling a solid content team, offering key insights that help creators stand out in a crowded market.

Nick Shackelford, Head of Retention and Partner at BREZ, oversees over $200M in ad spend. He shares insights on how creative content has become the cornerstone of ad targeting in 2025. Nick discusses effective customer acquisition frameworks and retention strategies that slashed BREZ's churn from 24% to 17%. He reveals conversion tactics, the impact of mobile-first design, and how brands like Drake’s leverage subtle content strategies to boost engagement. This conversation is a treasure trove for marketers looking to navigate the modern advertising landscape.

Kent Yoshimura, Co-Founder & CEO of Neurogum, reveals how he turned TikTok into a powerhouse for his brand, driving over $100 million in revenue. He shares insights on a data-driven content strategy that emphasizes genuine creator partnerships. The discussion also dives into maintaining strong employee retention through effective hiring practices and the pivotal role of mental endurance in entrepreneurship. Kent details the challenges of retail expansion and the impact of their viral marketing tactics, making for an inspiring conversation on innovation and growth.

Join Ryan Bartlett, CEO of True Classic, who transformed from a failed poker player to leading a brand with a near $1B valuation. He shares insights on evolving marketing strategies, prioritizing customer feedback for product innovation, and optimizing website design to elevate average order values. Ryan emphasizes the importance of strong team culture and the art of customer service in building brand loyalty. With a focus on strategic hiring and leveraging technology, he reveals the secrets behind scaling a successful direct-to-consumer business.

⚡️ BTS & More: www.openresidency.com/nate-checkettsIn this episode, I sit down with Nate Checketts, co-founder and CEO of Rhone, to unpack how a luxury performance-apparel brand went from a single pant to a nine-figure omnichannel business with NBA deals, retail success, and a wildly unique internal wellness system.We dive into:Building Rhone from the ground up into a category-defining brandTheir “12 Pursuits” framework: a monthly habit system blending physical and mental wellnessHow breathwork, sleep tracking, and community-driven wellness drive real performanceThe origin of GoldFusion and how Rhone rethought sustainability (without the greenwashing)Lessons from launching women’s and becoming a multi-category brandBuying out L Catterton and re-taking full control of the businessHow Rhone’s retail strategy beats the odds—and makes moneyWhy investing in mental fitness may be Rhone’s true legacyThis episode goes deep into the systems behind both a high-performance company and a high-performance life. Enjoy the conversation!Chapters00:00 Intro01:05 Start01:37 Rhone’s Approach to Mental Health02:12 The 12 Pursuits Program03:42 Creating Healthy Habits and Company Culture08:59 Monthly Focus: Sleep and Hydration13:29 Monthly Focus: Breath Work20:03 Goal-Setting with Family: Systems for a Meaningful Life30:35 How Nate Structures His Day for High Performance35:38 The Science Behind Rhone’s GoldFusion Technology39:01 The Complexities of Sustainability in Fashion40:29 Fabric Innovations That Actually Matter41:17 Expanding the Line: Product Strategy and Pivots43:10 What Focus Groups Really Reveal About Your Brand46:14 Big Inventory Mistakes and Product Flops49:13 Launching Women’s: Why It Took 8 Years54:41 Partnerships with NBA & LPGA56:45 Marketing in 2025: Influencers, CPMs, and Real Brand Loyalty01:11:52 How Rhone’s Retail Stores Actually Turn a Profit01:20:48 Building an Efficient Retail Footprint01:21:31 Distribution Risks and Channel Strategy01:23:55 Long-Term Brand Positioning01:25:03 Advice for Breaking Into Wholesale Retail01:26:41 Buying Out L Catterton: How and Why01:34:43 How Long-Term Thinking Changed the Business01:38:34 Leadership Lessons from Nate’s Father01:39:54 50+ Investments: What Nate Looks for in Founders01:45:24 Lightning Round: Favorites, Systems, and Sneaky Wins01:50:46 How Big Can Rhone Be?01:52:08 OutroLinks Mentioned:Big Ass Calendar: https://jesseitzler.com/products/the-big-a-calendarAtomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.to/3YwIgAlThe 5 Minute Journal / Productivity Journal: https://amzn.to/42G34rDEOS Operating System (Traction): https://amzn.to/4lqWvRfSportsish (by Nate’s sister): https://www.instagram.com/sportsish/🎙 Guest:Nate Checketts, Co-Founder & CEO of RhoneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/natechecketts/Rhone: https://www.instagram.com/rhone/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natechecketts/Website: https://www.rhone.com/📬 Get in Touch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/Website: https://openresidency.com/Contact: info@openresidency.comPowered by IKONICKGet 30% off motivational art at https://ikonick.com/openresidencyUse code: OPENRESIDENCY30