Customer Growth Sessions

Join us as we chat with Jeff Greenslade, Founder and CEO of Apex Sports, an at-home sports training equipment brand. Jeff shares the story behind Apex Sports, the challenges of building the company from the ground up, and how Apex carved out a niche in the competitive Amazon marketplace. Learn about their approach to product development, the importance of customer experience, and the strategies they use to successfully launch and s...

Maggie Outridge and Tim Rogers, co-founders of ST ARGO, share how they turned a side hustle into a thriving Australian pet accessories brand.

They open up about the realities of managing rapid growth, from cash flow challenges to financing options, and offer practical advice on reinvesting in your business.

Maggie and Tim also discuss how to navigate retailer relationships, set fair payment terms, and maintain other income sources ...

Phil Portman, founder and CEO of Textdrip, shares actionable insights on using SMS marketing to boost engagement and sales. He covers how to build effective campaigns, stay compliant, and integrate SMS into your omni-channel strategy, while also reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and lessons in growth and resilience.

Resources mentioned: Phil’s book – The Three Keys to Success Atomic Habits by James Clear Positive Intent AI ...

Join us as we chat with Kelly Donohue, Marketing Director at Viv for your V, a sustainable period care brand. Kelly discusses her journey with Viv, the importance of branding and design, creating a trustworthy product, and engaging with customers. Learn about their innovative product development process, marketing strategies, and the role of social media in building a relatable and authentic brand.

Learn more about Viv for your V o...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat interviews Alex Morel and Ezra Smyser, co-founders of Andiem, a company focused on creating sports gear to prevent injuries, specifically ankle sprains in basketball. They discuss their journey from college athletes to entrepreneurs, overcoming challenges, early sales strategies, the importance of validation, and building partnerships with influencers and professional athletes.

Curio...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, host Pat welcomes Paula Wise, the founder of Sampleit, a curated box of healthy snacks for kids designed as an interactive taste test game. Paula talks about the inspiration behind Sampleit, the challenges she faced, and the steps she took in launching her business.

She shares valuable insights on gathering customer feedback, the importance of launching even without perfection, and the r...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern interviews Mira Nair, CEO and owner of AZARIA. Mira shares the story of how AZARIA evolved from a chic diaper bag brand into a luxury, vegan leather bag company.

She breaks down the acquisition process, including her strategic use of the Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS) program and how she used Quiet Light to find and purchase the business. Mira also dives into the realiti...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern interviews Tom DeMartino, Head of Growth at JustFoodForDogs. Tom shares the company’s origin story, which is rooted in transparency and a commitment to providing human-grade dog food.

He breaks down how shifting cultural attitudes toward pet ownership have shaped their marketing strategies, the importance of educating consumers on the drawbacks of traditional kibble, and how th...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern interviews Ronak Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Pietra. Ronak shares how Pietra helps small e-commerce businesses by using AI to streamline operations, reduce costs, and make launching a business easier.

He also addresses common challenges entrepreneurs face, including balancing a side hustle with a full-time job, competing with established brands, and overcoming the fears of s...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat delves into the essential strategies for effective business positioning in the AI era. Pat highlights the importance of clearly defining what makes your business unique to excel in customer acquisition when customers rely heavily on Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for recommendations. Key takeaways include crafting a distinct business pitch, maintaining internal alignment, ...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat is joined by Zechariah Thomas, founder and CEO of Swift Hockey. Zechariah shares his journey from being a professional hockey player to founding Swift Hockey and discusses their unique approach to social media marketing. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and creativity in content creation, which has helped Swift Hockey dominate the market despite a limited budget.

Zechariah...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern interviews Scott Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Path Projects. Scott discusses his journey in the trail running apparel industry, his previous ventures, and key lessons learned about business planning, partnership, and successful exits.

He emphasizes the importance of having complementary skill sets among partners, staying focused on successful products, and strategically planni...

In this episode, Pat interviews LeiLani Kopp, founder and formulator of Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics—a clean, plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty brand. LeiLani shares her journey from working in film and TV to starting her own cosmetics company, inspired by her pro bono work with cancer, burn, and trauma patients.

She discusses the challenges of pivoting her business from retail to e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic, the i...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Tim Volkema, CEO of Schuil Coffee, shares how he acquired and scaled a specialty coffee business.

He breaks down key growth strategies—spotting acquisition opportunities, scaling a team from 15 to 55, and auditing your own business for hidden potential. Tim also explores the impact of launching e-commerce and keeping margins strong to drive profitability.

Be sure to check out Schuil Co...

 In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Davina Kaonohi, CEO and co-founder of Element Apothec, shares the story behind her health and wellness brand.

She discusses strategies for business growth, including the importance of building a strong advisory network, creating impactful internship programs, and leveraging AI to enhance efficiency.

Davina offers practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses effec...

 In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat sits down with Kate Cervini, Founder and CEO of 100ml. Kate shares how her brand delivers skincare and wellness products designed for travelers, and walks us through her journey of building partnerships with boutique hotels.

She offers valuable insights into effective cold outreach, the power of persistence, and the importance of adapting to feedback. Kate also provides practical ad...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Meghan Martin, Brand Director at Funk It Wellness, discusses the company's focus on women's hormone health through food-based supplements. She shares insights on creating a strong brand strategy, visual identity, and credibility.

Meghan also talks about the balance between education and engagement in their content approach and offers advice on DIY branding and when to hire experts.

Get t...

In this episode, Pat interviews Derek Rasmussen, Marketing Director at Outdoor Vitals. Derek dives into what most brands get wrong about marketing budgets, how to attribute revenue across multiple marketing channels, and the crucial financials you need to know to succeed in marketing.

He shares Outdoor Vitals' journey from Amazon reliance, their use of Triple Whale for attribution, and their unique Live Ultralight Membership progra...

In this episode, Pat interviews Vipul Lakhi, the founder of My Trio Rings. Vipul discusses his unique jewelry brand, previous business ventures, the importance of choosing the right partners, and balancing work with personal life. He shares insights on making strategic decisions, tackling founder burnout, and achieving business growth.

Check out My Trio Rings to see their latest styles and updates. 

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