B2B Breakthrough Podcast

What if 40% of your shipping damage happens before your container even leaves port—and you've been focused on the wrong stage entirely?

Here's something most entrepreneurs don't realize: The majority of logistics disasters don't actually start at customs—they start much earlier with packaging decisions you make before your product ever leaves the factory. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Iron from Forest Leopard Logistics (https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/forest-leopard-logistics.html), a comprehensive cross-border trade partner, about the most common and costly cross-border logistics mistakes and how to avoid them. Learn how packaging decisions impact damage rates, why standard shipping insurance rarely covers what you think it does, and how end-to-end visibility can reduce inventory costs by 20%. Whether you're shipping your first container or managing complex international supply chains, this conversation delivers game-changing strategies for protecting your products and your profits.

Main Episode:
(00:00) The Hidden Source of Logistics Disasters: Packaging Mistakes
(01:36) Strategic Packaging Decisions & The 20% Cost Savings
(03:07) Where Damage Actually Occurs: The 40-30-20 Breakdown
(05:34) The Insurance Myth & Why Documentation Matters
(08:03) End-to-End Visibility & Four Actionable Steps

Special Offer: Use code PODFL10 for 10% off first shipment from Forest Leopard

Small Business Spotlight- R & B Dog Bakery:

Aisha Byrd is the founder of R & B Dog Bakery (https://www.rbdogbakery.com), an all-natural dog treat company providing over 30 varieties of treats, cakes, and macaroons for dogs with sensitive stomachs and dietary restrictions. Starting from a farmer's market in 2018, Aisha has grown R&B into a multi-channel business featured on Walmart, with a brick-and-mortar location in Texas and partnerships across multiple states. As a People and Planet First certified company, R&B maintains a zero-waste model and sources ingredients locally from Texas farmers. Aisha also founded Paws for Cost Pet Food Pantry, a nonprofit supporting pets in need.

Small Business Spotlight:
(10:44) Meet Aisha Byrd of R&B Dog Bakery
(11:24) Benjamin's Story & 22 Years of Research to Five-Star Success
(14:08) Multi-Channel Growth & Sustainable Sourcing Through Alibaba
(17:53) Find Your Niche: Passion-Driven Entrepreneurship

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Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary, CEO of Amazing.com; Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Media; Kia-Shun Voltz, Chief Executive Officer of ShampooTime; Matt Jones, Founder of The Crease Beast; and Julianna Dahbura, Founder of Deco Beauty.

How do you maintain founder momentum without sacrificing your mental health, physical fitness, and operational clarity as you scale?

Don't let the new year pressure derail your momentum. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kareem Raslan (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kareem-raslan-d2c), co-founder of BrainGain (https://braingain.fit), about how product founders can enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and operational strength. Learn how stripping away FOMO, conducting ruthless SKU audits, and focusing on unit economics can transform profitability. Whether you're battling burnout or chasing every opportunity, Kareem shares the exact framework BrainGain used to turn a 0% margin product into a 15% contributor—and why mental and physical health are just as critical as spreadsheets.

Kareem Raslan is the co-founder of BrainGain, a direct-to-consumer home gym equipment company operating across the UK and Europe via Shopify and Amazon. What started as two friends selling dumbbells from their parents' garages during the pandemic has scaled to over 100,000 customers across 30 countries. With a background in restructuring and finance, Kareem brings a data-driven approach to e-commerce, focusing on unit economics, operational discipline, and sustainable growth. Beyond building BrainGain, Kareem now mentors emerging brands on scaling smartly and staying profitable in competitive markets.

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Why do successful entrepreneurs negotiate payment terms even when they have millions in the bank—and what does it reveal about building lasting supplier partnerships?

Negotiating with suppliers isn't about winning—it's about creating partnerships where both sides thrive. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Lyden Smithers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyden-smithers/?originalSubdomain=au), President and Co-Founder of Titan Network (https://discover.titannetwork.com/) and founder of China Magic (https://www.chinamagictrip.com), about transforming supplier relationships from transactions into strategic partnerships. Learn how asking the right questions, building face-to-face relationships, and focusing on cash flow can unlock better payment terms, pricing, and long-term growth. Whether you're sourcing your first product or scaling to seven figures, Lyden shares practical strategies for negotiating like a pro and building supplier relationships that weather any challenge.

Lyden Smithers is the President and Co-Founder of Titan Network, overseeing over $150 million in annual sales on Amazon. With deep expertise in global sourcing, manufacturing partnerships, and production optimization, Lyden has helped countless entrepreneurs streamline their supply chains and negotiate game-changing terms with suppliers. As founder of China Magic, he leads sourcing trips to Canton Fair twice yearly, teaching 50-100 students how to find reliable suppliers, negotiate better payment terms, pricing, and MOQs, and build lasting factory relationships. An international speaker for SellerCon, Helium10, and Global Sources, Lyden is known for his six-step process for securing extended payment terms and his philosophy of turning negotiations into partnerships.

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What do Shark Tank investors, Marvel superheroes, and World Cup champions all agree is the secret to entrepreneurial success?

The best moments don't happen in boardrooms—they happen on stages where entrepreneurs, champions, and innovators share the unfiltered truth about building businesses in turbulent times. In this special episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo takes you inside CoCreate 2025, Alibaba.com's premier global trade event held in London and Las Vegas, featuring an extraordinary lineup of voices from Shark Tank, the Dragon's Den, the Marvel Universe, the Olympics, and the World Cup.

This isn't your typical interview episode—it's a curated collection of the most powerful insights from the stages at CoCreate 2025, where 25,000 entrepreneurs gathered to rewrite the playbook on resilience, execution, and breakthrough success.

Featured Speakers:

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What if you could turn your biggest parenting frustration into a six-figure business in just 90 days—using nothing more than a turkey carving knife and memory foam?

From 2am desperation to 90-day product launch—parenting pain points have a way of turning into breakthrough businesses. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Brittany Harvey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-harvey/), co-founder of Vonu (https://vonubaby.com), about transforming a sleepless night into the Burplee Lounger, a patented memory foam solution that's helping thousands of parents tackle gas, reflux, and tummy time challenges. Learn how Brittany went from carving memory foam with a turkey knife to scaling a thriving baby product business while navigating the realities of patents, 3PLs, and building a brand that solves real problems. Whether you're a sleep-deprived parent or an aspiring product developer, this conversation delivers honest insights about manufacturing hurdles, supplier relationships, and the power of solving problems you actually experience.

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Why do most sustainable fashion brands stick to "boring and beige," and how is one founder proving colorful conscious fashion can thrive?

Breaking the beige barrier in sustainable fashion takes more than good intentions—it requires bold vision, strategic sourcing, and a willingness to challenge industry stereotypes. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Holly Garrard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fundae-founder-holly-garrard/), founder and chief visionary officer of Fundae (https://www.fundae.com), the eco-chic footwear brand redefining what sustainable style looks like. With a patent-pending modular shoe system that transforms one pair into limitless looks, Holly shares how she left her corporate media career at ESPN to prove that fashion can be colorful, conscious, and commercially viable. Learn how she navigated product development challenges, built supplier relationships through strategic sourcing, and created a brand rooted in purpose-driven pillars that guide every business decision.

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Building a profitable hardware brand without venture capital requires strategic thinking, authentic relationships, and unwavering focus on cash flow management. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Christian Reed (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianrreed/), founder of Reekon Tools (https://support.reekon.tools/hc/en-us), fresh off his big win at Co Create Pitch. Christian shares how he scaled from a $1.2 million Kickstarter campaign to a sustainable 15-person operation, all while maintaining profitability and developing innovative digital measuring tools that are revolutionizing construction and home improvement. Learn how strategic supplier relationships, disciplined growth, and community-driven product development through Kickstarter have enabled Reekon Tools to thrive without traditional VC funding.

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How did macro photography of insect eyes inspire a bold eyewear brand that's redefining fashion and eye health?

Building a fashion-forward eyewear brand that prioritizes both style and eye health requires authentic design, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to quality. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Dionne Ellison (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionne-ellison-5721261/), founder and creative force behind Vuliwear (https://vuliwear.com/), about her journey from discovering macro photography of insect eyes to creating bold, UV 400 protective sunglasses that make a statement. Learn how she navigated supply chain disruptions, built her brand while maintaining a day job, and why she believes in "out-differenting" rather than outdoing the competition.

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Why are smart entrepreneurs celebrating the end of de minimis while their competitors panic about margin compression?

The suspension of the de minimis rule has left many e-commerce sellers scrambling to understand new costs and compliance requirements. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Steven Selikoff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenselikoff/), founder of Product One (https://product.one/) and author of The Complete Book of Product Design, Development, Manufacturing, and Sales, about navigating the new tariff landscape with a profit-first mindset. Steven breaks down the myths surrounding de minimis changes, reveals how tariffs and duties can actually be tax-deductible, and shares his proven strategies for achieving 9-10x multipliers even in challenging trade conditions. Learn why building a "purple cow" product is your best defense against margin compression and how smart entrepreneurs can turn trade disruption into competitive advantage.

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How can a simple 1-2-3 framework (brand, product, industry) transform confused entrepreneurs into data-driven decision makers?

Audience research doesn't require big budgets or big teams—it requires the right approach and free tools at your fingertips. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Tsvetta Kaleynska (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsvetta/), founder of RILA Global Consulting (https://rilaglobalconsulting.com/), about how small business owners can uncover who their customers really are and use those insights to grow smarter and faster. Learn how to transform data into compelling stories, leverage AI as a multiplier for your efforts, and turn free social media platforms into powerful research engines. Whether you're launching your first product or scaling an existing business, Tsvetta reveals the systematic approach to audience research that drives real results.

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