Beyond Fulfillment Podcast

In this episode, host Dave Gulas dives deep with Pat Alacqua, a seasoned entrepreneur known for guiding businesses through every stage of growth. Pat shares how his early years working in his grandfather’s grocery store shaped his approach to business, and why being impatient can actually help, and sometimes hurt, entrepreneurial progress.Pat breaks down his “three Cs” approach: Clarify, Chart, and Co-Align, offering hands-on techniques for managing rapid growth, overcoming analysis paralysis, and empowering teams. He also explains the five key business growth phases, idea, startup, growth, maturity, and sustainable/decline, helping entrepreneurs identify which stage they’re in and what pivots are essential for moving forward.Listeners will gain valuable perspective on shifting from being a doer to leading a team, developing the right mindset for scaling, and handling the emotional challenges that come with growth. Pat’s stories, including lessons from the trade show industry and building a youth sports academy, deliver real-world insights you can apply today. If you want practical, experience-based advice on navigating entrepreneurial challenges and transforming obstacles into opportunities, this conversation is for you.Connect with Pat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patalacqua/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast #ContinuousLearning

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with supply chain expert Jim Tompkins for an in-depth discussion on how recent tariff shifts, especially those influenced by Trump’s trade strategies with China, are reshaping global supply chains, warehouse locations, and business decisions for entrepreneurs. Get practical insights on what tariff changes really mean for small business owners, founders, and anyone managing an early-stage company.Jim breaks down the real-time negotiations on China tariffs, their impact on manufacturing costs, rare earth minerals, and the ripple effects through American industries from tech to apparel. Hear specifics on how to adapt warehouse strategies as global trade policies evolve and why industry-focused decision-making can give your business an edge.Whether you're a startup owner wondering how to build resilience in your supply network or an established entrepreneur seeking growth amidst uncertainty, this episode delivers actionable ideas based on current trends. Plus, Jim explains how rare earth minerals and government policies affect product pricing, inflation, and your bottom line.If you’re searching for honest, experience-backed advice to help your business navigate supply chain challenges, add this episode to your playlist. Subscribe for more straightforward conversations designed for entrepreneurs, start-up teams, and growth-minded leaders in today’s fast-changing world.Connect with Jim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtompkins1/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#SupplyChain #Tariffs #China #TradeWar #Logistics #USChina #Economy #RareEarth #Warehousing #BeyondFulfillment

In this episode, we sit down with renowned science journalist and former elite runner Alex Hutchinson to explore the real mindset and habits driving peak performance, perseverance, and innovation in today’s entrepreneurial world.If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or startup founder looking for inspiring stories and proven tactics to apply in YOUR business, this episode is just for you. Discover how to set goals that actually move the needle, balance exploration with execution, harness athlete-level mindset resilience, and build a career at the intersection of passion and profitability.Timestamps:02:17 – From Physics Labs to Science Journalism: A Pivot Story04:31 – Why Focus on Human Performance & Endurance06:06 – Writing Your First Book vs. Columns08:14 – The Power of Trial & Error in Entrepreneurial Training10:13 – Goal-Setting & Growth: Mindsets for Entrepreneurs12:49 – Exploring vs. Exploiting: Finding the Right Balance17:57 – Overcoming Barriers & Establishing Credibility21:43 – Translating Science into Business Success23:42 – Turning Passion into a Profitable Venture25:51 – Work-Life Balance for EntrepreneursIf you found value in this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the bell icon for more deep-dive interviews and business growth strategies tailored for entrepreneurs like you!Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhutchinsonyyz/Learn more about Leverage Assistants: https://www.leverageassistants.com/?via=dave#Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategies #StartupGrowth #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast #SmallBusiness #SuccessMindset

In this episode, Dave Gulas talks with entrepreneur and tech founder Alon Partuk about the real challenges behind building and scaling in the world of e-commerce logistics.Alon shares how frustration with traditional 3PLs led him to launch Octop—a platform that’s reshaping how brands manage fulfillment, last-mile delivery, and operations. From crowdfunding campaigns to building scalable logistics tech, Alon walks through the wins, the mess-ups, and what actually works when your business is growing faster than your systems can handle.Whether you’re a founder juggling warehouse headaches, a small business owner thinking about switching 3PLs, or someone building a product that lives at the intersection of tech and shipping—this conversation is full of practical ideas you can use right away.Topics we cover:Turning supply chain pain into product ideasGrowing an e-commerce brand without burning outHow to build for scale when you're still scrappyManaging stress, mindset, and long startup roadsWhat founders get wrong about logistics techThis episode is honest, tactical, and made for entrepreneurs solving real problems—not just raising rounds.Connect with Alon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alon-partuk-2220a8110/Learn more about Leverage Assistants: https://www.leverageassistants.com/?via=dave Hit subscribe if this sounds like your world.#Entrepreneurship #EcommerceLogistics #StartupStories #SmallBusinessOperations #FoundersInTech #3PL #ShippingSolutions #BusinessGrowthTips #Octop #AlonPartuk #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast

Welcome to the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast! In this episode, "From CEO to Empowering Working Moms: The Road to Self-Discovery with Kim Rogne," host Dave Gulas sits down with Kim Rogne, a trailblazer in real estate and a champion for working moms!Kim shares her 25-year journey from real estate sales and brokerage management to thriving entrepreneurship, revealing actionable strategies for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders seeking fulfillment and success. Learn how Kim overcame adversity, pivoted her career after a life-changing skiing accident, and launched her own coaching business focused on empowering high-achieving working moms to ask for help, build unstoppable mindsets, and run their families like top-performing teams.If you’re an entrepreneur looking for practical business tips, leadership wisdom, and inspiration on personal growth, mindset, overcoming setbacks, and balancing family + career—this episode is for you!Connect with Kim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrogne/Rate this Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillmentTimestamps: 01:30 – Lessons from 25 Years in Real Estate05:20 – Transitioning to CEO and the Power of Relationships07:00 – Reinventing After a Life-Altering Accident14:45 – Launching a New Coaching Business21:00 – Mindset, Journaling & Action for Entrepreneurs22:14 – Empowering Working Moms: The CEO Home System28:46 – How to Connect with Kim RogneHit SUBSCRIBE if you found value, and stay tuned for more interviews with successful entrepreneurs sharing their best strategies!#Entrepreneurship #WorkingMoms #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #StartupTips

Discover critical insights into the ever-evolving world of international trade, tariffs, and supply chain strategy in our special episode: The Tariff Tangle: Trump, the Courts, and What’s Next for US Supply Chains. Join host Dave Gulas and supply chain expert Jim Tompkins as they break down the recent U.S. Court of International Trade ruling on Trump’s tariffs, its impact on entrepreneurship, and actionable strategies for small business owners and start-up founders.In this episode, you’ll learn how legal battles over tariffs could reshape global trade—and what this means for your business planning, sourcing, and cost control. Jim shares his forecast on Supreme Court outcomes, scenario planning tactics, and negotiation strategies entrepreneurs can apply today. Get ahead with tactics like scenario planning, supplier negotiations, and tariff engineering, all backed by real-world examples and expert analysis for business growth.Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtompkins1/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillmentTimestamps:08:12 – International Reactions: Allies, Deals & U.S. Leverage13:56 – China’s Response & Future U.S.-China Negotiations17:08 – New Trade Deals with Allies: What Founders Should Know19:04 – Actionable Steps for Retailers, Manufacturers, & Entrepreneurs26:15 – Predictions: Tariffs, Reshoring & U.S. Manufacturing30:23 – Tools & Resources for Supply Chain OptimizationIf you found this episode valuable, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a strategy that can boost your entrepreneurial success!#GlobalTrade #Tariffs2024 #SupplyChainStrategy #TradePolicy #LogisticsInsights

Entrepreneurial growth is waiting for you in this power-packed episode of Beyond Fulfillment Podcast. Host David Gulas sits down with renowned coach and entrepreneur Dr. Ravi Iyer to reveal the unseen obstacles that keep high-achievers from scaling to their NEXT LEVEL.Are you a driven entrepreneur, small business owner, or start-up founder seeking game-changing business strategies? Discover why your past achievements and proven systems might actually be holding you back—and how to break FREE from the “success trap”! Dr. Iyer unpacks practical ways to master focus, shift your mindset, and rebuild your framework for exponential business growth.Timestamps: 03:55 – Why old mindsets block new opportunities08:28 – Breaking through limiting narratives13:13 – The absolute importance of mastering focus16:31 – Simple daily focus strategies19:12 – The “success trap” warning signs20:31 – Unconventional leadership lessons23:39 – The biggest misconception about visionary entrepreneurshipConnect. with Dr. Iyer here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/driyermd/Rate this podcast here: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillmentIf you found value in these insights, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE.#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Mindset #StartupSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusiness #Leadership #DrRaviIyer #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast

The secrets to entrepreneurial innovation and business growth are in this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast! Host Dave Gulas sits down with Ben Johnson, founder of Particle 41, to discuss actionable strategies for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders looking to take their business to the next level.In this deep-dive conversation, Ben shares his journey from paper routes and Commodore 64s to leading cutting-edge AI solutions, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven strategy, innovation in business, and mastering the entrepreneurial mindset. Learn how to overcome organizational barriers, build a human-centered brand in an AI-driven world, and why your “why” matters more than your “how.” Ben unveils hard-hitting truths about change management, leveraging data for growth, and the MOST undervalued entrepreneurial skill: marketing.Subscribe if you find value and want more insights from trailblazing founders and business leaders!Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Ben’s Innovation Aha Moment02:00 – Biggest Blocks Holding Businesses Back03:18 – From Academia to Entrepreneurship06:22 – Solving Deeper Client Problems08:43 – Keeping Business Human in the Age of AI12:39 – Change Management Misconceptions15:23 – One Universal Truth About Business Strategy17:28 – The Power of "Why" in Strategy18:31 – Most Undervalued Entrepreneur Skill20:24 – Advice for Technical Founders Becoming Marketers22:33 – What Ben is Still Unlocking in His Journey24:12 – Connect with Ben & Particle 41👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more proven growth strategies from real entrepreneurs!#Entrepreneurship #StartupGrowth #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #AIInBusiness #BeyondFulfillmentPodcast

Unlock the hidden truths of the startup journey with Ashwin Gulati, author of "Soul Venture: A True Life and Death Journey into the Startup Culture," in this eye-opening episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast! Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or startup founder searching for REAL strategies to elevate your business, this conversation is packed with game-changing insights you won’t want to miss.Ashwin dives deep into the internal struggles founders face, including the mental health challenges and personal drivers behind entrepreneurship. Learn why nearly 97% of startups fail, the surprising X factors most business books overlook, and why timing is often more important than grit or passion.Discover critical startup advice on building a rock-solid team, partnering with customers, and balancing the bias toward action with strategic patience. We also discuss the power of “skrit” (scrappy grit), debunk common myths about passion, and explore how to set realistic goals for your company journey.TIMESTAMPS: 02:16 – The internal journey of entrepreneurs06:04 – What most founders overlook11:55 – Startup realities and mental health18:00 – Must-have advice for new founders24:28 – Is passion overrated?If you found value, SUBSCRIBE for more deep-dive interviews with successful entrepreneurs sharing authentic advice, real-world startup strategies, and personal growth tips to help you thrive!Connect with Ashwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwingulati/Learn more about Leverage Assistants (sponsor): https://www.leverageassistants.com/?via=dave #Entrepreneurship #StartupAdvice #BusinessStrategy #MentalHealth #Founders #SoulVenture #SmallBusiness #Startups

Unlock Entrepreneurial Growth! In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host David sits down with Justin Baer, founder of Collars & Co. and Shark Tank deal-maker, to dive deep into actionable entrepreneurial strategies, startup challenges, and creative business growth. If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or startup founder looking for real-world insights on launching, scaling, and sustaining a successful business, this video is packed with proven tactics and inspiring lessons!Justin shares his journey from a discomfort-driven idea to $40,000 in first-month sales, mastering e-commerce on Shopify, leveraging TikTok for viral growth, and landing TWO Shark Tank appearances. He reveals secrets to building a powerful brand, overcoming fulfillment and inventory hurdles, and harnessing a relentless “bias towards action” that every entrepreneur can learn from.Whether you’re seeking startup advice, need motivation to take imperfect action, or want to hear how DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brands succeed, this conversation will fuel your ambition!Timestamps: 03:00 – Going Viral & $40k First Month06:45 – Solving Fulfillment Challenges09:00 – How Shark Tank Happened13:12 – The Power of Taking Action17:02 – Branding for Growth18:35 – Direct-to-Consumer and Omnichannel21:05 – Justin’s Advice for Entrepreneurs23:18 – What’s Next for Collars & Co.Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinbaer/Learn more about Collars & Co.: http://collarsandco.com/Check out the Shark Tank episode: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7060659114846146560?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_feedUpdate%3A%28V2%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7060659114846146560%29&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BYsK41GfPQjitd2sopLswGw%3D%3DIf you found value in these insights, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more high-impact entrepreneurial content every week!#sharktank #markcuban #shopify #ecommerce #directtoconsumer #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #tiktok #viralvideo #businessgrowth