The Turning Pro Podcast

Shlomit Malka, co-founder and CEO of Happ, transitioned from a decade-long career in modeling to launching a platform designed to empower creative freelancers. After experiencing the limitations of the creative industry firsthand, Shlomit and her team built Happ to streamline the business side of freelancing, helping creatives manage contracts, payments, and project milestones while staying in their creative flow. In this episode of Turning Pro, Shlomit shares her personal and professional transformation, including how the COVID-19 pandemic and her move to New York sparked a journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurship. She reflects on the importance of following intuition, the role of spiritual practices in staying grounded, and how her passion for supporting creatives shaped Happ into the innovative platform it is today.

John Sampogna, Co-Founder and CEO of Wondersauce, has built one of the most respected digital agencies by recognizing opportunities for service expansion and staying hyper-focused on client needs. Founded on the principle of transparent communication and consistent delivery, Wondersauce has grown by incubating new services and scaling its offerings organically to meet market demands. In this episode of Turning Pro, John shares how Wondersauce has evolved from its early days to competing with top-tier agencies for major clients. He reflects on pivotal moments in his career, the challenges of scaling a service business, and his approach to maintaining personal fulfillment and work-life balance as a leader in the creative industry.

Ellis Fried, Vice President at Vanterra Ventures, made the leap from founding a health-focused snack brand to becoming an investor in the consumer health space. After studying economics at the University of Michigan and launching SMPL, Ellis shifted to venture capital. In this episode of Turning Pro, Ellis discusses his transition from founder to investor, offering insights into the skills required to succeed in both roles. He reflects on how his operational experience shapes his current work, supporting founders in sectors like branded products and digital health.

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.