The Turning Pro Podcast

Patrick Cleary, President and Co-Founder of Paul Street and a key member of the founding team at Wayflyer, shares his journey of building two transformative businesses. From driving partnerships and growth strategies at Wayflyer to scaling Paul Street into a leading affiliate-focused marketing agency, Patrick has helped redefine how brands grow and scale. In this episode, Patrick unpacks lessons from building a sustainable business, balancing profitability with growth, and leveraging the power of compounding networks. He reflects on his "Turning Pro" moment, hosting Paul Street’s first team offsite with over 20 employees, a milestone that symbolizes the company’s rapid rise and long-term vision.

Brett Harrison, co-founder and CEO of Roomie and Eepy, is transforming dorm living for students and universities. His entrepreneurial journey began with Eepy, upgrading dorm beds for comfort, and evolved into Roomie, which offers 3D models to help students plan their spaces effectively. In this episode, Brett discusses scaling a niche SaaS business, Roomie’s equity initiative to improve sleep quality for low-income students, and the resilience needed to succeed in challenging industries. He draws a compelling analogy between entrepreneurship and surfing, highlighting persistence, focus, and balance as essential lessons for founders.

Alex Ikonn is the Co-Founder and CEO of Intelligent Change, the company behind globally renowned tools like The Five Minute Journal and the Productivity Planner, designed to inspire intentional and fulfilling lives. Before that, Alex co-founded Luxy Hair, one of Shopify’s early success stories, which he scaled and successfully exited in 2018. From humble immigrant beginnings in Canada to building global brands, Alex’s journey reflects resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of self-reflection. In this episode, he shares the pivotal moments that shaped his success, including his approach to scaling Luxy Hair with a lifestyle-first mindset and creating purpose-driven products through Intelligent Change.

Rohit Bhadange, co-founder and CEO of Zamp, shares his journey from the structured world of Wall Street to the dynamic tech startup scene. In founding Zamp, a tax compliance solution for e-commerce and SaaS businesses, Rohit combines his investment expertise with a passion for problem-solving in the compliance space. In this episode, Rohit delves into the initial challenges and key learnings from the early stages of Zamp, discussing the importance of founder-led sales, hands-on customer acquisition, and building relationships. He touches on his approach to network management and partnerships, revealing how a personal touch in interactions can yield long-term gains.

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 events, Bulletpitch rapidly grew, attracting over 100,000 subscribers eager for the next big opportunity. In this episode, Brett dives into the foundational strategy behind Bulletpitch, revealing how he bridges the gap between investment and media. He discusses the platform’s evolution, his approach to partnerships, and the strategic decisions that shaped Bulletpitch’s syndicate model.

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 nuances of running a service-oriented business, including the importance of choosing the right clients and fostering trust through transparent communication. He shares how CRUSH has evolved from a solo venture into a team of 22, as well as the lessons learned from managing a lean, high-performing agency.

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 electric flosser. In this episode, Samantha reflects on her experience as a female founder in a male-dominated field, navigating “queen bee syndrome” and championing other women in business. She shares the highs and lows of building a hardware startup, including an intense Shark Tank appearance and managing production setbacks.

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 kickboxing. In this episode, Michael opens up about how martial arts and a regimented lifestyle set him on the path to becoming a successful restaurateur and founder of a wellness brand that embodies his passion for fitness, nutrition, and disciplined daily habits. He also discusses the rigorous structure he’s built into his days to maintain peak performance and balance, from early morning workouts to family time.

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 Turning Pro, Cyrus discusses his journey from early-stage startup experiences to leading Haven, a profitable business that’s scaling fast. He shares his insights on the importance of speed, obsession, and surrounding yourself with high-energy, ambitious individuals. He also dives into how listening to customer feedback shaped Haven's product development and why staying close to the customer is crucial for long-term success.

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, Liv dives into the hustle behind running multiple ventures, managing influencer partnerships, and staying true to herself amidst the chaos. She shares insights on balancing work with personal life, overcoming adversity, and maintaining authenticity on social media.