OPERATORS

The hosts dive into the holiday shopping landscape, unraveling consumer trends amid economic softness. They debate the impact of early sales versus the Cyber Five, sharing brand strategies and insights. There's a deep dive into forecasting growth for 2025 and 2026, and the difference between sustainable growth versus trend-based excitement. With case studies from iconic brands, they also discuss the pivotal role of CEOs in prioritizing initiatives and making impactful decisions for long-term success.

John Buscemi, founder of the luxury sneaker brand Buscemi and the exclusive golf brand Redan, shares his fascinating journey from trend forecaster at DC Shoes to successful entrepreneur. He reveals how selling to private equity affected his brand and the pitfalls of a diffusion line. Buscemi argues that fashion's monoculture is gone, replaced by vibrant micro-communities. He discusses the power of exclusivity in fashion and predicts that members-only models like Redan will shape the future of style.

Cash flow reigns supreme in business, overshadowing profits and revenue numbers. The hosts share harrowing cash crunch tales, revealing how even profitable ventures can go belly-up. They discuss the paradox of rapid growth draining cash and the value of slowing down. Tactical tips for protecting cash reveal the importance of negotiating supplier terms and understanding your balance sheet. The conversation also dives into the cost of equity financing and the necessity of a strong finance team well before making any major business moves.

Yariv Citron, Co-founder and CMO of MAËLYS, transitioned from law school to revolutionize body care with his clinically proven products. In an inspiring journey, he shares pivotal moments like the risk of personal loans to launch with Khloe Kardashian, the viral success of the Booty Lift & Firm Mask, and lessons from shutting down his first startup. Yariv emphasizes the importance of female voices in product development and the strategic growth from $150 million in revenue. His story underscores resilience, innovation, and redefining beauty standards.

The discussion kicks off with the dilemma of brands joining Amazon—balancing customer reach against potential price wars. Next, the hosts evaluate the high stakes of wholesale, weighing the benefits of partnering with giants like Costco and Walmart against the risks posed by smaller retailers. Finally, they tackle the allure and challenges of opening physical stores, debating the potential for enhanced customer experiences against the complexity and costs involved in retail operations.

Roman Khan, President of Peak 21, is a seasoned entrepreneur known for scaling DTC brands like Raycon and Linjer. In this engaging discussion, he dives into his near-bankruptcy experience and the relentless founder anxiety that drives him. Roman elaborates on his unique approach to scaling companies, emphasizing the power of distribution over product. He shares insights on building strong supplier relationships and the transformative role of AI in marketing. Listeners will find valuable lessons on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and seizing growth opportunities.

Discover the hard truths of business planning in challenging times. Explore why forecasts often fail and the three main culprits behind plan derailments. Learn how crucial operational frameworks can guide scaling efforts effectively. The hosts discuss managing financial discipline and navigating bank covenants, plus effective communication strategies for delivering tough news. They emphasize the importance of aligning growth levers like brand expansion and product innovation while maintaining transparency and hope within teams.

Josh Shapiro, founder of Baseball Lifestyle, shares his journey from a high school Instagram account to running a projected $150 million apparel brand. He discusses the importance of building a passionate community and the relentless consistency in content creation. Together with his partner, they reveal their bootstrapped financing strategies and the challenges of hyper-growth. The duo explains how high-frequency product drops and a move into wholesale helped them scale, all while maintaining a focus on employee culture and retention.

Jack Jia, founder and CEO of Musely, shares his inspiring journey from China to Silicon Valley, emphasizing the importance of innovation and learning from failures. He discusses the evolution of Musely, which has grown to treat over one million patients by pivoting to telemedicine and prescription skincare. Jack highlights the significance of community engagement and real customer stories in marketing, and offers insights on building a startup through a mix of calculated risk and hands-on problem solving.

Join John Hefter, co-founder of Thrasio, an Amazon aggregator that once soared to a $9 billion valuation before facing bankruptcy. He shares the exhilarating rise from a basement startup to acquiring hundreds of brands. Hefter reveals the chaos behind growth, including a shocking $450 million inventory mistake that signaled the downfall. He candidly discusses the battle against fake sellers and the complexities of rapid expansion in the Amazon marketplace. Now pivoting to new projects, he offers sage advice for future entrepreneurs.