The Gstaad Guy Podcast

Paul Wachter, founder of Main Street Advisors, has shaped brands for icons like LeBron James and Beats by Dre. He delves into the significance of authenticity and human values in business, reinforcing that success requires time and strategic relationships. The conversation highlights the challenge of balancing celebrity entrepreneurship with product quality in the social media landscape. Paul also shares insights into knowing when to pivot and the traits that define successful talents, making for a captivating discussion on influence in the cultural sphere.

Alex Ikonn, an entrepreneur and creator of The 5-Minute Journal, shares his inspiring journey from financial struggles to building a global brand. He dives into the importance of resilience, designing a meaningful life, and the transformative power of gratitude. The conversation emphasizes balancing entrepreneurship with kindness, the significance of vision boards, and how personal experiences with hardship can foster growth. Ikonn also reflects on the value of authenticity and the role of positive connections in creating a fulfilling life.

Roxie Nafousi, a bestselling author and self-development coach, dives into the transformative power of personal struggle. She reveals how her journey from addiction and loneliness to self-empowerment ignited her passion for helping others. Manifestation is framed not as magic, but as a disciplined healing practice. Roxie discusses the nuances of modern dating, the importance of self-worth, and actionable tips to boost confidence. Her heartfelt insights inspire listeners to embrace their authentic selves and reclaim their power.

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with designer and creative mind Benjamin Paulin to explore how design, culture, and heritage intersect in his evolving body of work. As the son of legendary furniture designer Pierre Paulin, Benjamin brings a unique perspective on honouring tradition while pushing the boundaries of form and function. The conversation unpacks the balance between art and design, the role of modularity in shaping how we live, and the tension between legacy and pop culture. Benjamin also reflects on the discipline of designing with constraints, how limitations can sharpen creativity and give rise to ideas that are both functional and visionary. Through a lens of innovation and influence, he shares what it means to build a future-forward design language, one piece at a time. (00:00) Intro ✨ (02:01) Echo Of Pierre Paulin 🪑🔊🕰️ (03:49) Passion for Furniture ❤️‍🔥🪑 (04:59) Values ⚖️ (08:32) Art vs. Design 🎨 📐 (09:44) Form vs. Function ⚖️🛠️ (10:57) The Dune 🏜️ 🛋️ (15:49) Paulin & Pop-Culture 🛋️ 🎬 🎤 (19:00) Future of Furniture 🔮🪑 (23:44) Design of The Dune ✏️🏜️🛋️ (26:38) “Passion for design” ❤️‍🔥📐 (33:23) “How Paulin restarted” 🔁🪑👨‍🎨 (36:33) Integrity 🧱💎 (37:58) The Paulin Designs 🪑✨✏️ (40:12) “The living room” 🛋️ 📺 (43:51) “Working without limitations” 🚀🧠🔓 (46:26) “Constraints” ⛓️📏 (48:09) “University of rap” 🎓🎤 (52:09) “Stay passionate” 🧡🔥💪🏻 (56:59) Architects vs. Interior Designers vs. Designers 🏛️🛋️🎨 (58:34) Family & Work 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💼 (01:05:18) “Screens are everywhere” 📱💻 (01:06:18) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Nicolas Bijan, founder of NB44 and son of iconic designer Bijan, shares insights from a life rooted in excellence and legacy. He discusses the pressures of privilege and the importance of hard work, humility, and respect. Nicolas reflects on how his father's lessons shaped his identity, balancing family and business while navigating grief. He emphasizes the responsibility of building a legacy that is earned daily, along with the value of genuine connections and the essence of true luxury in the fashion industry.

Georgios Frangulis, the visionary behind Oakberry Açaí, shares his inspiring journey from battling cancer to creating a global premium brand. He discusses the challenges of launching a business with limited resources and the importance of resilience and vision. Georgios dives into the strategic evolution of Oakberry, including its exciting sponsorship of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. He reflects on overcoming doubt, the significance of trusting in oneself, and crafting a luxury brand identity, all while maintaining a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Stefan Sonnenfeld, a legendary colorist and founder of Company 3, discusses his influential career in shaping iconic visuals for film and advertising. He reflects on transitioning from law enforcement to the creative world and reveals how he balances passion with discipline. Stefan delves into the art of color grading, its emotional impact, and his pioneering work with Apple, noting Steve Jobs’ meticulous attention to detail. He also shares insights on biohacking and achieving optimal health to maintain creativity and productivity in his demanding industry.

In this engaging conversation, Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur and human optimization pioneer, shares insights about his groundbreaking Blueprint protocol aimed at reversing aging. He delves into the science of longevity and the crucial role of sleep, nutrition, and environmental factors in health. Bryan discusses the psychological aspects of health motivations and the societal shift toward valuing wellness. He also highlights the fine balance between health choices and social expectations, emphasizing community support in achieving longevity.

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Lori and Marci Hirshleifer, co-owners of the iconic luxury boutique Hirshleifers, to explore how a century-old family business has adapted, grown, and thrived in this day and age. This conversation traces what it’s like to work alongside family, and how creative and strategic decisions are made when curating collections. Lori and Marci reflect on their role in sparking the global handbag charm trend, and how Hirshleifers has consistently stayed ahead of the curve through bold buying choices and a sharp eye for what’s next. They go on to share how they've developed a unique presence online, and how the boutique continues to stand out through its carefully curated mix of legacy labels and emerging designers. Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro ✨ (04:20) Family businesses 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼 (07:00) Social media journey📱🚀 (08:30) Unique collections 🌟 (10:00) “Are you inspired by other stores?”💡🛍️ (10:56) Relationship with Virgil Abloh 👑 (13:28) Handbag charms 🔗👜 (15:02) Growth & change of life 📈🌱 (17:18) Category of style 🔠 😎 (20:26) Tips for business 💡🏢 (22:28) Working with family 🧑‍💻👩‍💻👨‍💻 (23:16) “Approach to business” 🎯 💼 (25:47) Detaching from the family business ⛓️‍💥 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼 (28:27) “Decision making process for stocking brands?” ⚖️ (29:40) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨   (32:16) Age to wear designer pieces 🔞👗👕 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Adam and Ryan Goldston, the twin brothers behind APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), the brand that disrupted the sneaker world with a basketball shoe so advanced it was banned by the NBA. The conversation dives into what it means to build a brand with authenticity at its core, and how vision, process, and purpose have shaped APL’s rise in the luxury performance category. From engineering innovation based on real needs, not hype, to defining what credibility means in today’s culture-driven landscape, Adam and Ryan share how dreaming big, staying focused, and listening closely can drive true impact. Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro ✨ (03:12) Genesis of APL 🌱👟 (05:36) Induction into the CFDA 🤝🏻🏛️✍🏻 (07:30) From vision to reality 👁️😌 (08:42) “Luxury Performance Category” ✨👟 (10:21) “Making the right decisions” ✅⚖️ (12:14) Pursuing an idea 💡🏃 (15:50) Confidence 😎💪🏻 (17:55) The disbelievers 😲 (20:08) Logos 🔲 🔠 (21:48) “Tackling a new silhouette” 🆕 (24:56) “Positioning of APL” 🎯 👟 (29:40) “Love for obsession” ❤️ 😵‍💫 (31:39) “Vision, POV, Perspective” 👁️ (34:58) “Design & Colour” ✍🏻 🎨 (37:47) “Taste” 🤌🏻 (41:10) “Process” 🔄⏳ (43:40) “Inspiration” 💡🎨 (46:44) “Moments of defeat” ⏳😫 (49:01) “Learning from failure” 📚🧠❌ (54:15) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices