Beyond Fulfillment Podcast
Dave Gulas
The Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, with Dave Gulas of EZDC 3PL, is your weekly dose of real talk with the people actually building successful businesses. We bring you unfiltered conversations with the founders, the dreamers, and the doers who are truly making things happen. We're cutting through the noise to show you what it really takes for business growth.. Think of it as a backstage pass to the entrepreneurial journey —from overcoming tough challenges to celebrating big victories, and every important lesson along the way. Why listen? Because we're exploring various industries, pulling back the curtain on how entrepreneurs like David Meltzer, Brian Esposito, Susan Sly, Darren Jacklin, and Susan Bratton have powered through obstacles, grabbed opportunities, and truly scaled their visions. You'll hear authentic stories that resonate, gain practical advice you can put into action today, and find the motivation to fuel your own growth.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2023 • 51min
Episode 7 - Zeroe Caviar's Noah Traisman: Problem Solving, Limitations, and the Power of Networking
Here are my top 3 takeaways from my interview with Zeroe Caviar's, Noah Traisman:
Find a problem to solve:
Noah's venture, Zeroe Caviar, emerged from a problem he encountered at his LA dinner parties - the caviar was going uneaten. Drawing from his experience in the restaurant industry, Noah was aware of common complaints about caviar. Intrigued by this challenge, he embarked on a mission to find a solution. Initially, it was more of a passion project than a business endeavor. However, by actively listening to customer feedback, refining his product, and remaining focused on solving the problem, demand for his caviar grew rapidly. Entrepreneurs thrive on identifying and addressing problems, so it's crucial to always be on the lookout for opportunities to make a difference.
Be honest about your limitations:
Noah openly acknowledges that he tends to get caught up in the visionary aspects of his ventures, while details can sometimes overwhelm him. When Zeroe Caviar reached a critical turning point, he realized the importance of bringing on partners who could complement his strengths and be dedicated full-time operators. Noah emphasizes that having a well-rounded founding team with complementary skill sets and personalities is vital to overcome limitations and maximize your business’s potential.
There is immense power in your network:
Noah has built an impressive network throughout his entrepreneurial journey, which has proven invaluable to him. He views potential business partners as friends and sees every friend as a potential business partner. This mindset has allowed him to build productive and fulfilling relationships. When you establish strong connections with individuals involved in various aspects of your business, your chances of success increase significantly. People prefer to do business with those they trust and have a genuine relationship with.
Bonus takeaway – It’s ok to start part-time:
Noah shares his experience of having multiple side hustles early on in his entrepreneurial career and how it greatly benefited him during the initial stages. He emphasizes the value of stability and maintaining good mental health amidst the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Noah advises aspiring entrepreneurs not to quit their day jobs unless they have some financial security to cushion them from potential failures. Everyone needs to decide what’s best for themselves but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with beginning or building your business part time while you’re doing what’s necessary to pay your bills.
You can reach Noah at: noah@zeroecaviar.com
#ecommercebusiness #supplychain #warehouse #entrepreneur #businesssuccess #businessowner

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 3min
Episode 6 - Unlocking Success: Navigating Entrepreneurship with Michael DiManno
Join us in Episode 6 of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast as we dive into the essential principles of entrepreneurship with our special guest, Michael DiManno. Here are the top takeaways.
Make building your network a priority:
Building a strong network is crucial for entrepreneurs as it can provide access to resources, opportunities, knowledge sharing and potential partnerships. Mike touched on another important aspect of network: support & encouragement. Entrepreneurship can often be a lonely road with many ups & downs. Cultivating friendships with others who have been through similar experiences can provide emotional support, guidance, & other valuable insights.
Stay in touch with your customers:
By taking the time to listen to your customers' evolving needs, preferences, and pain points, you’ll gain a better understanding of their unique challenges, and thus build stronger relationships. Mike went into detail how he talks to other business owners with the intention of understanding their journey & the problems they’re facing before even thinking about presenting or selling. By focusing on relationship first, business can develop naturally where it’s appropriate.
Be willing to challenge your own beliefs to find the truth:
Entrepreneurship is a continual learning process, & it’s important to stay open to new perspectives & information. Mike discussed how he & his partner would engage in vigorous debates for the sole purpose of discovering the truth. The was invaluable for them as they knew getting to the truth of the situation was more important than anyone’s ego. Actively challenging your own assumptions is important for avoiding biases, promoting critical thinking, fostering innovation, staying adaptable & ultimately becoming a better business owner.
Bonus takeaway
Be patient:
Building a successful company takes consistent effort, dedication & persistence, & the road is filled with unforeseen obstacles & delays. Mike talked about having patience in the process, in other words understanding that these challenges are a normal part of the entrepreneurial journey. Patience allows you to stay focused on what’s needed to achieve your long-term vision & not be discouraged by short term setbacks.
#entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #logistics #warehouse

Nov 20, 2023 • 47min
Episode 5 - Alysha Lobo: Empowering Evolution Through Innovation - Insights from Rapyuta Robotics
Here are my top takeaways from my conversation with Alysha Lobo of Rapyuta Robotics:
1. Evolution is a natural process for societies.
Humans have an innate desire for improvement, seeking better living conditions, increased knowledge, and enhanced well-being. This pursuit of progress fuels innovation, social change, and ultimately societal evolution. Rapyuta Robotics is making an important contributing to this evolution as they state in their core purpose:
Empowering Lives With Connected Machines
Based on our core value of empathy we strongly believe that the dirty, dull, and dangerous work should be automated, and people should be given an option to take up more intellectually challenging and creative work. We want to enable this automation with machines that are connected and coordinated in a streamlined manner.
2. There’s ALWAYS opportunity within every challenge:
Alysha spoke about the land crisis in Japan. Due to limited land availability, Japan faces challenges in terms of space for housing, infrastructure, and other facilities. This scarcity of land created a need for innovative solutions to maximize the utilization of limited space. Rapyuta Robotics recognized this opportunity and developed compact and versatile robots that can perform tasks in confined spaces or areas with limited accessibility. These robots can efficiently navigate and operate in tight environments, enabling them to be utilized in various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
This is something we can all learn from, to use challenges as a catalyst to think creatively & produce innovative solutions.
3. Go the extra mile to understand your customers’ needs:
One major reason Rapyuta Robotics is the market leader in Japan(The world leader in robotics manufacturing) is they have NEVER lost a customer, ie 100% customer retention. . As they elaborate on one of their core values, Empathy: We walk the extra mile to better understand the material, emotional, and intellectual needs and pain of our customers, colleagues, and communities.
Bonus Takeaway: Pay attention to what fascinated you as a child:
Alysha explained her passion for robotics started as a little girl when she would go to her dad’s power workshop & was fascinated by all the moving parts that were interconnected. She followed that interest throughout her life & career which has led her to be a highly respected authority in the field of robotics at a very young age.
To connect with Alysha or Rapyuta Robotics click the links below:
Alysha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysha-lobo-060685/
Rapyuta Robotics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rapyutarobotics/
Rapyuta website: https://www.rapyuta-robotics.com/
#supplychain #robotics #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #fulfillment

Nov 20, 2023 • 37min
Episode 4 - Unleashing Entrepreneurial Resilience: Insights from Renee Rogers, Founder of ONO App
Here are my Top 3 Takeaways from my conversation with Renee Rogers , founder & CEO of the ONO App:
1.Do what you can with the resources you have, now.
Conditions won’t ever be perfect to start a new venture. When you develop a bias for action & start when the emotion is hot, you can create momentum, gain confidence, attract support & set a solid foundation for future growth. Renee’s story illustrates this point beautifully. She didn’t let the fact that she had no funding stop her from building the tech company that she dreamed of. She began building her personal brand, the company brand & all the low-cost marketing she could while she was pitching investors to secure the funds needed to build her software. That type of determination & commitment speaks volumes to investors, partners, customers & everyone you engage with in business.
2. If you’re stuck in an area, assess your own mindset.
Your mindset is the lens through which you interpret situations, make decisions & approach challenges. It’s easy to lose sight flaws in our own thinking while we’re in the midst a struggle. Renee had this self-awareness when she hit a roadblock fundraising and she realized she felt embarrassed & like a beggar when she was pitching investors. When she flipped her mindset to one of confidence because she had a great product, lots of support & a tireless work ethic, she then secured the funds she needed in a matter of weeks.
3. What you give, you will receive.
When you choose to give love, kindness & positivity to others, you will naturally attract those same type of experiences to you. I was impressed when Renee offered to attend my conference talk & then showed up on time as promised. She explained how grateful she is for the support she’s received on her journey that any time she has the chance to support someone else, she does so.
Bonus Takeaway – Keep going!
Entrepreneurship is filled with obstacles, setbacks, failures & adversity. It’s the growth & fulfillment from enduring those experiences that can bring you the most joy. Renee phrased it as “always be moving forward” meaning that no matter what adversity you experience in a given day, you can still look forward to a new day tomorrow with new meetings, prospects, & opportunities to progress.
You can reach Renee at the following links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneerogers1986
ONO: https://www.onoapp.co/
#ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #onlineapp #supplychain #fulfillment #newapp

Nov 20, 2023 • 41min
Episode 3 - Authenticity, Innovation, and Teamwork: Torah Torres Unveils the Startup Secrets
Here are my top three takeaways from my conversation with Torah Torres on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast:
Be Authentic:
Being authentic as a startup founder is essential for driving growth and success. When you are authentic, you build trust with your team, customers, and partners. It fosters genuine connections and inspires others to believe in your vision. By staying true to yourself and your values, you can attract loyal customers and build a strong brand that resonates with your target audience.
Embrace New Technology:
As a startup founder, efficiency and productivity are crucial for making the most of limited resources. By continually exploring and leveraging new tools, apps, and software, you can automate processes, streamline operations, and free up time to focus on most important core aspects of your business.
Harness the Power of Teamwork:
Teamwork is an essential ingredient for startup success. When you bring together individuals with diverse skill sets and backgrounds, you create a powerhouse of talent. It also facilitates collective problem-solving, as different perspectives and experiences contribute to more innovative solutions. A strong team provides support and motivation, helping you navigate challenges and persevere. Additionally, teamwork promotes continuous learning and contributes to building a strong company culture that attracts and retains top talent.
You can get in touch with Torah at torah@adventurecpg.com.
#startup #ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #sustainability #startupideas #supplychain

Nov 14, 2023 • 47min
Episode 2 - Unlocking Business Success: Insights from Matt Fain of PopCapacity
These are my TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS from my conversation with Matt Fain on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast. If you want to connect with Matt, visit www.popcapacity.com.
1. Having the right business partner is huge advantage.
Growing a business can be incredibly difficult, especially if you do it alone. When you have the right business partner(s), you can:
Access complimentary skills & expertise that improve your overall business performance.
Shared responsibilities & workload so the entire burden doesn’t fall on your shoulders.
Have a valuable sounding board for balanced decision making.
2. Sales is an invaluable skill for entrepreneurs.
You can learn & master these valuable skills in a sales position which can help better prepare you for entrepreneurship:
Establish relationships & build trust with potential customers.
Effectively communicate your value proposition to others.
Be resilient when you face rejection & continue to move forward optimistically.
3. The journey itself is priceless:
Entrepreneurship is a constant learning process filled with unique experiences:
The satisfaction that comes from starting from scratch with just an idea & turning it into a tangible business that impacts others is immeasurable.
Overcoming the inevitable challenges & obstacles you face creates a distinct sense of accomplishment & self-confidence.
When your close friends & family support you on this road & are inspired by what you’ve done, that’s the most rewarding part.
What was your top takeaway from this conversation? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’d like to be a guest on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, click the link below or email us at: info@beyondfulfillmentpodcast.com
#ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #fulfillment #amazon #warehouse #businesssuccess

Nov 14, 2023 • 5min
Episode 1 - Dave Gulas
In episode 1 of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, Dave Gulas explains the thought behind starting it and what you can expect in future episodes.


