The Turning Pro Podcast

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 from its inception to being featured in over 300 Sephora stores across the U.S. He also reflects on his journey from a 14-year career in law and corporate finance to becoming an entrepreneur in the beauty and wellness industry.

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 creation of Keychain, a marketplace designed to revolutionize the CPG industry. In this episode, Jordan discusses how he leveraged his unique expertise to build confidence and drive the company forward. He also delves into the personal adjustments he's made to maintain balance, including the critical role of fitness and the struggle to improve his sleep habits amidst the pressures of startup life.

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 company from near failure to a $50 million business. In this episode, Aaron discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people, and his commitment to personal growth through therapy. He emphasizes the power of setting clear goals, maintaining energy, and simplifying complex problems to achieve success in both business and life.

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 finding happiness in the simple things. In this episode, Chris also discusses the impact of losing his father at a young age, which motivated him to succeed. He introduces the Founders Club, a community designed to help entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes he made, highlighting the value of health, wellness, and personal fulfillment in building a successful life.

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 discusses working closely with his fiancée, the strategic decisions behind Create's growth, and the importance of maintaining focus in the ecommerce space. He also offers insights into the current landscape for DTC brands and the challenges of raising capital while scaling a business.

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 a traditional career path. In this episode, Brett reflects on the challenges of balancing travel, content creation, and business while maintaining personal routines. He also shares stories of perseverance, such as taking over a decade to reach his first 1,000 YouTube subscribers, and talks about his future plans, including his continued dedication to content creation and entrepreneurship.

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 episode, Michael shares his journey from finance to the consumer product industry, discussing the challenges of scaling a business in the evolving ecommerce landscape. He emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to product development and Doris Dev’s unique ability to incubate new businesses, blending creativity with rigorous process management.

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 clients and building trust to overcome initial skepticism. In this episode, Nick shares insights on scaling a bootstrapped business, the evolving role of leadership, and the influence of his hardworking single mother. He also highlights the importance of simplifying complex problems and delivering clear value, drawing inspiration from industry leaders like Netflix's Reed Hastings.

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 consumer packaged goods (CPG) space. He discusses his investment philosophy, highlighting the importance of resilience and vision in founders and the role of early traction in assessing potential. Alex also reflects on the CPG market’s evolution, the balance between collaboration and competition among investors, and the trends he finds most exciting.

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 religious upbringing in Ohio to becoming a tech entrepreneur in New York City. He discusses the importance of authenticity in marketing, the value of hiring top talent, and the lessons learned from his past ventures. Andrew also highlights the significance of building a strong brand presence and the role of consistent, high-quality content in achieving long-term success.