Beyond Fulfillment Podcast

In this episode, Dave Gulas sits down with Ted Santos, the seasoned founder of Turnaround Investment Partners, to explore fresh approaches to growth, innovation, and company culture that matter to every entrepreneur, small business owner, or founder. Ted shares candid stories from his 20+ years guiding leaders, including how a lesson from American Express’s radical reinvention sparked his own commitment to innovation and how disruption can actually be a powerful tool for business growth.Ted offers uncommon perspectives, like why CEOs should focus on creating the right “problems” to drive progress and why transforming your company culture is a practical foundation for breakthrough results. You’ll hear how leading through chaos in his personal life shaped his coaching philosophy, and what it really takes to retrain your team for success. Ted also discusses the evolution of the executive coaching industry, real challenges faced by growing businesses, and practical steps to shift your workplace culture, starting from the top.If you’re looking for actionable insights, real-life business strategies, and leadership advice that goes beyond surface-level tips, you’ll find tremendous value here. Connect with Ted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-santos-ab0107/Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillmentSponsored by gologin: https://bit.ly/gologin_beyond-fulfillment-podcast #leadership #innovation #culture #startups #CEO #businessgrowth

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment, host Dave Gulas sits down with Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to dive deep into the entrepreneurial grind and real strategies for thriving through tough times.Brett shares his personal story, from weathering the financial storm of 2008 to building a unique firm that helps entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and business owners defer capital gains taxes on major exits. Listen in for honest insights on hard work, resilience, and lessons learned through years of hustle—including cold calls, side gigs, and family sacrifices.Brett’s journey covers everything from surviving the real estate market collapse, to working 70-hour weeks, to the inflection point that grew his business nationally through podcasting and digital content. Discover the mindset shifts and real-life tactics he used to transition from struggling sales calls to managing over $150 million in assets for high-net-worth clients.Make sure to check the links in the description for Brett’s book, resources on capital gains strategies, and more ways to connect!Connect with Brett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-swarts/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #TaxStrategy #FounderJourney #ImpactOverIncome

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Adam Koehler shares his journey from co-founding DotLoop, sold to Zillow for a nine-figure sum, to launching Content Credits, an innovative solution to the publishing industry’s struggles. Host Dave Gulas dives deep with Adam into the realities of startup life, why launching DotLoop during the 2008 housing crisis was a strategic move, and what led major investors to look at Cincinnati as a serious startup hub.Adam discusses why downturns can actually create the best environment for kickstarting a successful business, and how staying alert to industry pain points, like paywalls and subscription fatigue in digital media, can inspire your next big idea.Discover how Content Credits aims to revolutionize digital publishing by giving readers a fairer way to pay for articles and publishers a lifeline in a tough market. Whether you’re scaling your company, eyeing your own exit, or seeking strategies from real-world entrepreneurs who’ve made it happen, this episode is packed with practical insights and candid advice.Subscribe for more conversations designed to inspire your entrepreneurial path!Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoehler/Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#startups #media #paywalls #NewsTech #founderstory

In this episode, industry veteran Jim Tompkins dives into timely strategies for navigating tariffs, international trade, and the fast-changing global supply chain.Jim shares his predictions on U.S. trade policies, breaks down the real impact of tariffs on manufacturers and importers, and explains why political and economic factors are shaping today’s trade deals.This discussion goes deep on risk reduction, the importance of diversifying suppliers beyond China, and the practical steps businesses should consider, including nearshoring, friendly shoring, and automation. Jim also draws from decades of hands-on experience, sharing practical advice for supply chain agility and how to prepare your business for uncertainty. If your goal is stronger supplier relationships, cost-saving sourcing, or just keeping pace with trade policy headlines, this episode offers clear and actionable advice.Whether you’re rethinking your procurement strategy or want real talk on how policy shifts affect your bottom line, tune in for expert perspective on entrepreneurship, global supply chain management, and decision-making when the business landscape gets rocky.Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtompkins1/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#SupplyChain #Tariffs #TradeWars #Manufacturing #Trump #Economy

In this episode, Dave sits down with Justin Snyder, founder of Forest Superfoods, to explore Justin’s remarkable journey from packing orders in his spare bedroom to building an 8-figure superfoods brand in Australia. Justin shares how a fascination with health foods, cultivated during travels in India, led him to launch Forest Superfoods, despite limited resources and zero experience in the supplement industry. He details the importance of consistent daily improvement, why he believes sales drive business growth more than profit spreadsheets, and how to overcome early-stage burnout when friends and family doubt your ideas.You’ll get actionable insights on employing calculated risks, developing resilience during lean years, and pivoting your marketing to focus on new customer acquisition. Learn why Justin bets the future of his company on product quality instead of discount pricing, and how building a customer base of raving fans can sustain your growth.Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinahsnyder/?originalSubdomain=auRate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Superfoods #BusinessGrowth #FounderStory

In this episode, host Dave Gulas sits down with Bill Carlin, co-founder and CMO of Racklify, to dig into the behind-the-scenes story of building a digital marketplace in the 3PL (third-party logistics) industry. Bill shares how his journey started as an e-commerce seller, evolved into running a fulfillment warehouse, and led him to create Racklify—a free, ad-supported platform connecting merchants with vetted 3PL providers around the world.Discover how Bill and his team identified a gap in the 3PL market, overcame unexpected obstacles (like cold-call challenges!), scaled global outreach, and found ways to resonate with both new and sophisticated clients.Get insight into the impact of international trade uncertainty, the realities of scaling a logistics tech platform, and how transparent, low-barrier solutions might shake up the future of supply chain and fulfillment. Subscribe for more interviews with innovators shaping the future of entrepreneurship, logistics, and business strategy.Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-carlin-2100b5189/Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#SupplyChain #ecommerce #logistics #startups #SaaS #3PL #warehouse

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of supply chain M&A, entrepreneurship, and business growth with Ben Gordon, founder of Cambridge Capital and BGSA. Ben shares the inside story behind the $160 million Green Screens AI exit, detailing how predictive pricing and AI-powered analytics are reshaping the logistics industry. He reveals how the strongest companies are “bought, not sold” and provides practical advice for business owners preparing for acquisition, from setting expectations to avoiding common mistakes.Tune in for discussion about key trends driving the 2025 logistics market, including the rising impact of artificial intelligence, niche specialization, and productivity tools that immediately affect your bottom line. Ben also talks about what buyers look for, how market cycles influence business valuations, and the mindset needed to navigate today’s supply chain M&A landscape. Get a glimpse into real deal-making scenarios, growth planning, strategic exits, and what it takes to build a company that stands out to acquirers. Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking proven frameworks, growth strategies, and an inside edge on the latest in supply chain innovation and business sales.Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengordon18/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#SupplyChain #AI #MergersAndAcquisitions #LogisticsTech #PrivateEquity

In this episode, Dave interviews Spencer Hilligoss, co-founder of Madison Investing, who shares his honest journey from a demanding 13-year tech career in Silicon Valley to building a thriving real estate investing business with his wife. Spencer talks about navigating the reality behind the romanticized vision of real estate investing, overcoming the unexpected challenges of scaling Madison Investing, and the unique advantages (and trials) of running a family business. Hear his candid take on leveraging prior experience from fintech and tech startups, how he creates real, lasting relationships with every investor, and why prioritizing sustainable growth over venture capital-fueled hypergrowth was the right move.This episode covers actionable entrepreneurship insights—like developing powerful frameworks for decision-making, consistently managing risk in investments, setting habits that actually drive growth, and how staying physically and mentally healthy is vital for any founder. Spencer’s reflections on redefining success, building wealth to serve your life, and the honest ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey will resonate deeply with anyone building a business.Don’t miss these lessons in real estate investing, personal productivity, relationship-building, and sustainable entrepreneurship!Connect with Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilligoss/Learn more about Leverage Assistants: https://www.leverageassistants.com/?via=dave #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #PassiveIncome #StartupLife #Investing #PodcastThreads

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Benjamin Schrader, visionary entrepreneur and founder of Schrader Promotions. Benjamin shares his personal journey overcoming severe dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia—a trifecta of learning challenges—while navigating the world of business as an underdog. Listeners will discover how Benjamin transformed adversity into fuel for success, detailing his early days being homeschooled, the pivotal lessons from his supportive family, and his leap to Texas A&M University where his entrepreneurial story truly took off.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders won’t want to miss Benjamin’s raw account of starting an event promotion business from scratch, how he stood out in a crowded college town nightlife scene, and the strategies that helped grow client partnerships and revenue. He also opens up about facing—and surviving—a life-threatening brain tumor right after his business began to thrive, sharing the mindset and principles that carried him through.If you’re searching for inspiring entrepreneurship stories, resilient founder journeys, or real-world advice from those who’ve faced and beat the odds, this conversation has it all. Packed with practical business insights, perseverance tips, and actionable ideas for building your brand and network, this episode is a must-watch for anyone serious about growing their business against all odds.Connect with Benjamin below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjamin_shrader?igsh=aDZyOWt3aWNoZ3A1Instagram chanel: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbYPAtFKuRH5KTUG/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ben.shrader.5/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-shrader-a852a0152Website: https://theshradernation.com/aboutYoutube: https://youtube.com/@benjaminshrader?si=eRB9GABjhToXH4j3Threads: https://www.threads.net/@benjamin_shraderX: https://twitter.com/benshrader1911?lang=enBeReal: https://bere.al/benjamin_shraderLink Tree: https://linktr.ee/benjaminshraderDiscord: https://discord.gg/b8UE4JfmSnapchat: https://snapchat.com/t/IxwwEPL1TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benshrader?_t=8pHbAkTr52o&_r=1Learn more about Leverage Assistants: https://www.leverageassistants.com/?via=dave #Entrepreneurship #Adversity #GrowthMindset #texasam #musicindustry #stoicism

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas interviews Sri Kaza, former McKinsey partner and accomplished entrepreneur, as he dives deep into surviving business downturns, scaling up after setbacks, and building resilient companies that customers love.In this value-packed interview, Sri shares:How his experience at McKinsey shaped his entrepreneurial mindsetThe real reason most start-ups struggle with customer acquisition costsStrategies that helped him turn around, grow, and sell multiple companiesInsights from his mentorship of startup founders and what most entrepreneurs overlookThe secret to small business survival during crises like COVIDSneak peek into his upcoming book, UNCONVENTION, about building unique, customer-loved businessesConnect with Sri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikaza/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillmentTimestamps: 01:06 - From McKinsey to entrepreneurship03:00 - Helping small businesses access capital06:14 - Surviving & scaling after COVID11:45 - Biggest misconceptions about entrepreneurship14:09 - Crucial lessons on customer acquisition cost19:12 - About UNCONVENTIONSubscribe for more actionable interviews with successful entrepreneurs! If you found value, hit "Like," share, and SUBSCRIBE to support our mission to help you build a thriving business.#entrepreneurship #startups #smallbusiness #businessgrowth #SriKaza #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast