Masters of Scale

Daymond John, the founder of FUBU and star of Shark Tank, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Hollis, Queens, to building a billion-dollar brand. He emphasizes the importance of authentic partnerships, recounting how he convinced LL Cool J to wear a FUBU shirt, which skyrocketed the brand's credibility. Daymond also discusses innovative marketing tactics, like guerrilla advertising and seeding music videos, that drove demand. His mother’s advice on finding strategic partners ultimately helped secure significant deals, turning challenges into opportunities.

Ben Goodwin, co-founder and CEO of OLIPOP, shares insights on the prebiotic soda brand's booming success as consumers flee sugary drinks. He delves into the science behind functional soda, revealing how OLIPOP differentiates itself with claims of health benefits. Goodwin discusses navigating competition from giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, validating the category. He emphasizes the importance of product quality over marketing hype and recounts his journey from formulator to a leader facing the challenges of rapid growth and public visibility.

Rashid Ali and Pete Maldonado, co-founders of Chomps, transformed a side hustle into a booming snack brand focusing on healthy meat sticks. They share how a pivotal call from Trader Joe's led to fulfilling a staggering order of 1.1 million sticks. The duo discusses lessons from past failures, their strategic pivot to target health-conscious women, and the challenges of rapid growth. Key insights on fundraising, building a brand, and the importance of transparency during crises make this conversation invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, discusses the design platform's explosive growth following a failed Adobe acquisition, leading to a remarkable IPO at nearly double its value. He emphasizes how design has evolved into a core business differentiator and contrasts Figma’s focus on product design with competitors like Canva and Adobe. Field shares insights on AI’s transformative role in design workflows and the necessity for human refinement. His unique leadership style, shaped by his design background, also highlights the importance of problem-solving in today’s tech landscape.

Join legendary film executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, and ChenLi Wang, a partner at WndrCo and former Dropbox leader, as they explore the transformative power of storytelling in business. Katzenberg shares insights on why personal narratives resonate with investors and consumers alike. ChenLi discusses innovative AI-driven projects, like coordinated drone storytelling and video ads with Creatify. The duo also dives into the role of AI in enhancing creativity while highlighting important cybersecurity challenges in the digital age.

Rachel Botsman, a leading author and researcher on trust, dives into the complexities of workplace relationships in today's hybrid environment. She explores how trust has transformed from local and institutional to distributed systems, emphasizing the role of technology and crowdsourced ratings in shaping trust dynamics. Botsman highlights the importance of critical media literacy and navigating emotional persuasion. She addresses the challenges of building trust in remote settings and raises urgent questions about the trustworthiness of AI in the future.

Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, leads her team through significant challenges following severe U.S. aid cuts that jeopardized two-thirds of their programs. She shares the urgent measures they've taken to ensure safety and operational continuity in crisis zones. With Gaza in turmoil, she discusses the harsh realities faced by field staff and the emotional toll of leadership. Tjada delves into reimagining impact with limited resources and emphasizes the importance of resilience, empathy, and community support during turbulent times.

Janice Omadeke, an author and entrepreneur who founded a corporate mentorship platform called The Mentor Method, shares her wisdom on finding mentors. She discusses how her immigrant upbringing ignited her entrepreneurial journey and reveals her strategy for recruiting mentors through targeted outreach. Omadeke also reflects on balancing grief from her mother's passing with leadership responsibilities, and shares insights on setting boundaries in mentorship. With her unique experiences, she inspires others to unlock their potential through meaningful connections.

Sarah Ball, Editor-in-Chief of WSJ. Magazine and a fashion industry expert, joins to discuss the whirlwind changes shaping high fashion. She delves into the recent New York Fashion Week, marked by notable shifts in creative leadership at major brands. The conversation covers the future of Vogue after Anna Wintour, the influence of AI on fashion creatives, and how social media is redefining brand identity and success. Sarah also reflects on the legacy of Giorgio Armani and the evolving role of influencers in democratizing fashion.

In a lively conversation, Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, shares his thoughts on the complexities of AI and human interaction. He draws insightful parallels between J.R.R. Tolkien's work and technology's impact on creativity. Colbert delves into the nuances of storytelling in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of genuine human connection. The discussion also covers the dual nature of AI, its potential benefits in various fields, and frames a hopeful outlook on future technological advancements.