Beyond Fulfillment Podcast

Here are the top takeaways from my conversation with Casey Jenkins, owner and CEO of Eight Twenty-Eight Consulting: Career path: Accidentally fell into supply chain, found a passion for it, and is now a successful consultant. Specialization: Helps small businesses in CPG, retail, manufacturing, and food & beverage improve their supply chain processes. Challenges for clients: Lack of efficient processes, firefighting mentality, and resistance to change. Consulting success: Built her business through networking, leveraging LinkedIn, and following up on failed job applications. Educational background: Holds a master's degree in Supply Chain Management and Project Management, is a black belt in Lean Six Sigma, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business (Supply Chain & Logistics). Time management: Uses strict scheduling (starts at 3:30 am!), prioritizes tasks, and leverages technology for calendar management. Personal brand: Built her brand ("Casey Jenkins") through consistent content creation and thought leadership (e.g., Two-Minute Topics series). Self-doubt: Deals with self-doubt by focusing on her own value and "speaking truth over those lies." New venture: Adjunct professor role at Columbia College, developing and teaching online supply chain courses. Industry evolution: Biggest changes are the increased use of technology and the faster pace of getting products to customers, with greater awareness of disruption risks. Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-m-jenkins/ #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #logistics #ecommerce #podcast #productivity

Top Takeaways from Chris Boettcher on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast: Broken Healthcare System: Traditional healthcare focuses on profits and reactive care, neglecting preventative measures and holistic approaches to health. Information Overload & Confusion: There's too much conflicting information on nutrition and healthy habits, making it hard for people to know what to do. Brother to Brother You: Chris Boetcher co-founded Brother to Brother U to help men prioritize their health and well-being to be better fathers, husbands, and leaders. Focus on Practical Advice: They offer practical guidance on nutrition, sleep, stress management, and exercise to create sustainable lifestyle changes. Coaching & Community: Brother to Brother U provides one-on-one coaching, a large newsletter, and a VIP program for personalized support and community. #entrepreneurship #businessowner #businessowner #healthcare #healthcareindustry #productivity #coachingonline

Top Takeaways from Chris Brewer's Interview on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast: Building a Thriving E-commerce Agency: Strategic Partnerships Over Short-Term Sales: OMG Commerce prioritizes finding the right clients for long-term success. They value transparency, discussing financial realities, and ensuring KPIs align with client expectations. Going Beyond Ads: A Holistic Approach: While OMG Commerce excels in Google and Meta advertising, they emphasize the importance of a comprehensive strategy. This includes branding, creative services, and exploring new channels like TikTok Shops. The Power of Expertise and Experience: A strong team with deep industry knowledge is crucial. OMG Commerce highlights the value of stable environments and team members with extensive experience in areas like Google Ads. Challenges and Considerations for E-commerce Brands: Choosing the Right Agency Partner: Avoid falling prey to bad actors or generic agencies. Do your research, ask tough questions, and ensure a good cultural fit for a successful partnership. Understanding the Current E-commerce Landscape: Recognize that the booming e-commerce market is shifting. Brands need to adapt to higher costs, lower returns on ad spend, and increased competition. Looking Beyond Organic Traffic: Organic traffic can be unpredictable, and relying solely on SEO is risky. Consider a diversified marketing strategy that includes paid advertising and other channels. #ecommerce #googleads #marketingdigital #marketingagency #ecommerceindustry #agencylife

From Employee to Entrepreneur: The Hustle Behind Vampire Digital: Zsike Péter, the founder of Vampire Digital, knows the struggles of leaving the comfort of a paycheck behind. In our interview, she dives into the challenges of transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. It's all about learning to delegate, stepping up as a leader, and figuring out which tasks truly move the needle. Content with a Bite: Quality Over Quantity at Vampire Digital: Forget churning out generic content. Vampire Digital focuses on strategy first. They sink their teeth into in-depth market research and competitor analysis before crafting a targeted LinkedIn marketing strategy for each client. It's personalized content with a purpose. Building Relationships, Not Spamming Inboxes: This agency isn't about the dreaded "pitch slap." They prioritize building genuine connections on LinkedIn. Their secret weapon? Warm outreach sequences that establish trust with potential clients, not annoy them. The Rise of Automation and the Human Touch AI Content? More Like Bleh Content: Zsike isn't a fan of AI-generated content. It's generic and impersonal, lacking that human touch clients crave. She warns that people respond better to unique voices and perspectives. AI as a Sidekick, Not a Superhero: Vampire Digital acknowledges AI's research and idea-generating power. But for crafting content that truly connects, the human element is irreplaceable. The Future of Social Media: A Return to Humanity? With the flood of AI-written content, Zsike predicts a resurgence of genuine connection on platforms like LinkedIn. Users will value human interaction and personalized experiences more than ever. Zsike Péter's Gems of Wisdom for Content Marketing Success Find Your Niche, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: Specialization is your friend, even if it seems narrow. Vampire Digital's success with a whiskey wholesaler proves the power of targeted expertise. Embrace Your Awkwardness: Zsike uses humor to talk about her social anxiety, reminding us that authenticity is key in building relationships. Never Stop Learning: The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving. Zsike emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, attending events, and staying on top of industry trends. Connect with Zsike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zsike-peter/ #entrepreneurship #contentcreation #contentmarketing #aicontent #businessowner #logistics

Top Takeaways from Alexandra Nunez Podcast Interview on Beyond Fulfillment: Alexandra Nunez is a coach who helps leaders and solopreneurs optimize performance and cultivate work-life balance. He transitioned from a finance career to pursue his passion for personal development and neuroscience. The Importance of Breaks and Overcoming Brain Fog: Alexandra emphasizes the need for taking breaks throughout the day to combat brain fog and boost creativity. These breaks should not involve mindless activities like scrolling social media; instead, focus on activities that activate the default mode network in the brain, such as meditation, walking, or staring at a wall. Prioritization and Focus Techniques: Alexandra suggests creating a prioritized task list and using focus tools to minimize distractions, which are detrimental to peak performance. The Power of Flow State: Achieving Flow State, a period of intense concentration and productivity, is a key concept in Alexandra coaching. Connect with Alexandra here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-nunez-7261a73/ #podcast #entrepreneur #solopreneur #coach #brainfog #flowstate

Top Takeaways from Shawn Nason's Podcast Interview Shawn Nason is a multifaceted entrepreneur with a diverse background in music, ministry, finance, and business consulting. He is passionate about the human experience and believes that businesses should prioritize it for success. Here are the key takeaways from the interview: The Importance of the Human Experience: Shawn emphasizes that customer experience is crucial, but businesses should take a broader approach by focusing on the entire human experience, encompassing interactions with employees, vendors, and all stakeholders. He terms this concept "The Human Experience Ecosystem." Higher Education and its Potential Bubble Burst: Shawn believes higher education is on the verge of a bubble burst due to rising tuition costs, a disconnect between curriculum and job market demands, and the increasing value of non-traditional education paths. Disruption and Relevance: Shawn highlights the need for continuous adaptation and innovation. He emphasizes that staying relevant is essential, especially in fast-paced industries. The Power of Personal Branding: Building a strong personal brand through activities like public speaking, podcasting, and writing can be a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and business owners. Embrace Your Fears: Shawn's book "Kiss Your Dragons" encourages readers to confront their fears and turn them into advantages. He uses the metaphor from the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" to illustrate this concept. Men's Mental Health and Loneliness: Shawn discusses the prevalence of loneliness among men and the lack of healthy communication outlets. He is launching a community called "The Swarm" to provide a safe space for men to connect, share experiences, and support each other's personal and professional growth. Connect with Shawn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasonshawn/ #entrepreneurship #mentalhealthmatters #personalbranding #author #businessgrowth

Top Takeaways from the Podcast with Nicholas Somos Nicholas Somos is the leader of the investment banking team at Left Lane Associates, a boutique investment bank focused on transactions in the supply chain industry. They've successfully closed 71 deals ranging from $5 million to $912 million since their founding in 2016. Here are the key takeaways: Left Lane Associates differentiates itself by focusing exclusively on the supply chain industry and building deep relationships with companies in the space. This allows them to better understand their clients' businesses and challenges, and to offer more relevant expertise. The M&A process for supply chain companies can be complex and time-consuming, typically taking between 9 and 12 months. Left Lane Associates helps to streamline the process for sellers by managing all aspects of the deal, from pre-deal due diligence to closing. The supply chain M&A market has been volatile in recent years. There was a shift in activity pre- and post-pandemic, with more sell-side deals pre-pandemic and more buy-side deals during the pandemic. In 2023, there were fewer deals overall due to a decline in financial results for many supply chain companies. However, the market is expected to rebound in 2024. Thought leadership is a critical part of Left Lane Associates' business development strategy. By actively sharing their knowledge and expertise through content and speaking engagements, they are able to build relationships with potential clients and establish themselves as subject matter experts. #investing #mergersandacquisitions #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #entrepreneurship #logisticsindustry #logistics

Here are the highlights from my conversation with Craig Cecilio: Craig Cecilio stresses the importance of balancing work and family. Craig emphasizes the need to understand the season of life you’re in. He shares techniques like iteration and flexibility to navigate his busy schedule, advocating for a positive approach to self-care and setting boundaries. He emphasizes the importance of saying no strategically and acknowledges the ongoing challenge of balancing personal growth with business demands. Diversity Fund overcame significant hurdles to achieve success. Craig faced regulatory difficulties, skepticism about the idea, and even competition from the cryptocurrency craze. However, the company persevered through these challenges and ultimately thrived due to a combination of factors. These included the increased use of online platforms during the pandemic, a strategic decision to ramp up marketing. Craig Cecilio prioritizes self-care and personal development as key aspects of success. He incorporates practices like breathwork, cold showers, and ice baths into his routine alongside continuous learning through reading. Craig believes these practices improve his stress management and overall well-being, contributing to his ability to make sound decisions and navigate the demanding world of venture capital. #investingtips #investing #entrepreneur #funding #worklifebalance #businessowner

Here are the key takeaways from this insightful conversation with Dr. Amir Saberi: 1. Deceptive Labeling: "Natural" Doesn't Mean Healthy Dr. Saberi emphasizes the rampant misuse of labeling terms like "natural" and "whole food." These terms are often used to mislead consumers into believing a product is healthier than it actually is. For example, Dr. Saberi explains that "natural flavor" can be a complex mixture of over 100 compounds, many of them synthetically produced. Even if derived from a natural source, the processing involved can be harsh and significantly alter the final product. 2. Synthetic vs. Whole Food Supplements: Understanding the Difference Dr. Saberi argues that most commercially available supplements are not truly "whole food." They often contain isolated, synthetic vitamins and minerals mixed with minimal amounts of fruits and vegetables. He highlights the importance of whole food ingredients. Whole food sources provide a natural package of vitamins, minerals, co-factors, enzymes, and fibers that work synergistically in the body for optimal health benefits. Isolated, synthetic versions may not offer the same preventative or therapeutic effects. 3. How to Identify Truly Healthy Foods Dr. Saberi emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and label-reading when shopping for healthy food products. Here are some of his recommendations: Focus on the Ingredient List: This is the most crucial part of the label. Look for recognizable, whole food ingredients. Avoid products with long lists of unpronounceable ingredients. Beware of Marketing Claims: Don't be swayed by terms like "natural," "healthy," or "sugar-free." These terms can be meaningless or even misleading. Do Your Research: Learn about the science of whole food nutrition. This empowers you to make informed decisions about the products you buy. 4. The Challenge of Transparency in the Food Industry Dr. Saberi acknowledges the difficulty of competing against the massive marketing budgets of big food companies. These companies spend billions promoting misleading information about their products. However, Dr. Saberi remains optimistic. He believes that by educating consumers and fostering a movement towards transparency, the food industry can be held accountable for its deceptive practices. 5. Eat Intact: Unveiling the Truth and Providing Real Solutions Dr. Saberi founded Eat Intact with a mission to raise awareness about deceptive labeling practices and provide consumers with access to truly whole food products. Their first product, a whole food vitamin D supplement derived from mushrooms, exemplifies their commitment to transparency and quality. By listening to Dr. Saberi's insights, you can become a more informed consumer and make healthier choices for yourself and your family. #entrepreneurship #podcast #healthylifestyle #nutrition #healthyliving #businessowner

Here are the top 3 takeaways from the podcast interview with Adam House, a serial entrepreneur and current CEO of House of Bricks: 1. Importance of Self-Leadership and Overcoming Challenges Entrepreneurs face common challenges like cash flow, people problems, and product issues. The key to success is self-leadership and starting with yourself. Entrepreneurship often involves struggle, so being aware of that and having the right mindset is crucial. Adam recommends finding a mentor or advisor to help with guidance and support. 2. Finding Balance and Prioritizing Well-being Entrepreneurs often struggle with work-life balance. It's important to be aware of what season of life you're in and what sacrifices you're willing to make. Open communication with your family is essential. Focus on quality time spent with family, not just quantity. 3. Learning from Failure and Taking Action Most entrepreneurs don't know what they're doing at the beginning, and that's okay. Action creates feedback and helps you move your business forward. Embrace a growth mindset and learn from failures. Adam shared his "SIMPLE" framework for entrepreneurs: Start, Innovate, Mindset, Patterns, Leverage, Execute. Connect with Adam here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhousesr #entrepreneurship #serialentrepreneur #businessowner #growthmindset #podcastepisode #podcast