Above The Fold

This week, I sat down with Kate Zaman, Senior VP of Partnerships and Marketing at ReserveBar, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that doesn’t just survive but thrives, especially in a world where consumers expect more than just a pretty label.We get into career growth, partnerships, luxury e-commerce, why personalization matters more than ever, and how to actually understand your real customer (hint: it’s not always who you think it is).Kate also shares her journey from being a college brand ambassador to leading partnerships and marketing for some of the biggest names in the wine and spirits industry, plus why early experience in customer service and sales is an underrated advantage if you want to make it in marketing.If you're building a brand, scaling a business, or sharpening your marketing playbook, this episode is packed with real talk and strategies you’ll actually want to use.🎧 Listen now for insights on brand loyalty, personalization, and why luxury brands are winning by keeping it real.📲 Follow Instagram: @kateeliza23LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kzaman917/📲 Follow Instagram: @reservebarspiritsWebsite: https://www.reservebar.com/👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellonTwitter: x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

This week on After Hours x Above the Fold, I sat down with my girl Dillon Duchesne, senior partnerships lead at Yotpo and co-founder of Midcoast, to talk about what actually makes a partnership work (hint: it’s not just a logo swap and a handshake).We get into Dillon’s wild career path—from 11 years as a runway model to crushing tech sales—and how that experience taught her the kind of relationship-building that most people skip over. We also talk about the power of being underestimated, why referrals can change everything, and how partnerships can either be a flywheel or a full-blown mess.Plus, we dig into why “better together” isn’t just a tagline, what makes a brand collab flop, and how being top-of-mind is actually a retention strategy. We also spill a little Midcoast tea, share what we don’t want to see at events anymore, and talk about building the kind of community we always wished existed.If you're in tech, sales, partnerships, or just trying to work with people who don’t make you cringe—this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now for gems on partnerships, career pivots, community building, and why relationship-first is the real growth strategy.📲 Follow Instagram: @dilllpicklesssLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dillon-duchesne-215544206/📲 Follow Instagram: @yotpoWebsite: https://www.yotpo.com/📲 Follow Instagram: @midcoastcommunity Website: https://midcoast.community/👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellonTwitter: x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

Lindsay Kolinsky, Director of Marketing at Okendo, shares her insights on the often-overlooked aspects of customer engagement. She discusses why reviews are just the starting point and emphasizes the power of micro-surveys for actionable feedback. Lindsay highlights the importance of personalization feeling more like a vibe than a tactic and sheds light on underutilized metrics like NPS in e-commerce. With practical tips on fostering community and turning customers into super fans, this conversation is a must-listen for brand builders!

This week on Above The Fold, I’m in NYC catching up with my new friend and fellow startup nerd, Adam Simone—co-founder of Leaf Shave and Smoosh. We get into what it really means to build product-first brands and why having strong opinions might actually be a founder’s best tool.We talk about his mechanical engineering background and how it led to building a shaving brand that doesn’t suck, and why their second brand, Smoosh, turned into a surprise hit with a totally different audience.Adam breaks down the chaos and clarity of launching two brands with one small team, why TikTok turned on them (lol, truly), and how staying product-led keeps the vision clear—even when the market throws curveballs.If you’re trying to scale something meaningful, juggle two brands, or just need a reminder that not every decision needs a focus group, this one’s for you.Listen now for insights on product development, startup reality checks, and the joy of building weird stuff that works.📲 Follow Instagram: @adam_simoneLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adamsimone/📲 Follow Instagram: @leafshave & @getsmooshWebsite: https://leafshave.com/ & https://getsmoosh.com/👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellonTwitter: x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

Olivia Laskowski, Brand and Partnerships Manager at Cometeer, is a coffee enthusiast dedicated to brand building. She dives into the magic of frozen coffee and how Cometeer's unique approach sets them apart. Olivia emphasizes the importance of involving brand teams early in the process and reveals how a kiosk in a mall has become a surprising acquisition success. She shares insights on creating engaging content and elevating customer experience as vital components of brand strategy, all while keeping the passion for coffee front and center.

This week, I sat down with Kate Reeder, COO and Head of Brand at United Sodas, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that stands out in a crowded market. Spoiler: it’s more than just cool packaging.We get into the magic of minimalism, why startups make you wear every hat possible (yes, even HR), and how United Sodas accidentally became the perfect gift. Kate shares her story - going from brand marketing to running an entire business, the unexpected challenges of shipping carbonated drinks (logistics is no joke), and why great branding is all about making people feel something.If you're building a brand, running a startup, or just wondering why your favorite soda looks so good on your fridge shelf, this episode is packed with insights you can actually use.Listen now for tips on brand strategy, customer experience, and why sometimes, less really is more.📲 Follow Instagram: @kreeder628LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kate-reeder-419b6640/📲 Follow Instagram: @unitedsodasWebsite: unitedsodas.com👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellonTwitter: x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

Jessica Rose Garcia, known as J-Rose, is the Head of Customer Experience at OneSkin and an expert in DTC brand strategies. She shares her journey from Gold’s Gym to leading CX in major brands. J-Rose explains how many companies fail at retention and reveals the secrets to building customer loyalty beyond quick responses. Discussion includes the unique challenges of e-commerce CX and the innovative science behind OneSkin’s skincare products. She also emphasizes the value of genuine customer relationships and the importance of aligning brand values with consumer needs.

This week, we sat down with Ali Rose VanOverbeke to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that people actually care about—beyond just running ads and chasing conversions.We get into creative direction, brand loyalty, and why e-commerce is starting to feel like one big copy-paste formula. Ali’s seen it all—from designing for billion-dollar brands to launching her own sustainable eyewear company to leading growth at Kadeya, a company redefining beverage retail.She shares the hard lessons from running a mission-driven business, why good branding goes beyond aesthetics, and how data and personalization are shaping the next era of CX. Plus, we dive into hot takes on Alex Cooper’s Unwell, Alex Earle’s rumored alcohol brand, and why creator-led businesses aren’t always what they seem.If you’re building a brand, scaling a business, or just tired of every e-commerce brand looking the same, this episode is packed with insight you can actually use.Listen now for real talk on brand strategy, CX, and why creative storytelling still matters.📲 Follow Ali:Instagram: @alirosevanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-rose-vanoverbeke/📲 Follow Kadeya:Instagram: @kadeya.clubWebsite: www.kadeya.com👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellonTwitter: x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

This week, I sat down with Caela Castillo, Director of CX at Jaxxon, to talk about what it really takes to build a CX team that customers actually want to engage with.We’re chatting all things hiring for personality over process, using AI without making your brand sound like a robot, and why CX should always have a seat at the strategy table. Caela breaks down the strategy behind Jaxxon’s CX experience that goes way beyond answering tickets—and why most brands are still getting it wrong.Plus, we swap some truly unhinged CX horror stories (because we’ve all had those customers), and learn about the key metrics that Jaxxon tracks to keep leadership invested in CX.If you’re building a brand, leading a CX team, or just tired of seeing customer experience treated like an afterthought, this episode is packed with insights you can actually use.Listen now for real talk on CX, retention, and why great customer experience is what keeps brands from flopping.---------------------------📲 Follow Caela:Instagram: @caela_castilloLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caela-castillo-29a73770/📲 Follow Jaxxon:Instagram: @jaxxonWebsite: www.jaxxon.com---------------------------Enjoying Above the Fold? Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!---------------------------Connect with Jess on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellon/Twitter: https://x.com/jesscervellonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess.cervellon/

Join Ashley Harris, Customer Experience Manager at Caraway Home, Molly Meetz, Director of CX at Corso, and Nancy Gurd, Associate Director of CX at Caraway Home, as they dive into their unconventional paths to customer experience. They discuss the importance of integrating customer feedback across departments and the necessity of adequate funding for CX. The trio shares insights on building resilient teams, preventing burnout, and fostering community support in a demanding field. Expect hot takes on why the customer isn't always right!