In this episode, Dave sits down with Max Cunningham, founder and CEO of Sesh, to share an honest look at launching and scaling a high-growth consumer brand in one of the world’s most competitive and regulated industries. Hear how Max went from sports locker rooms and battling with quitting nicotine to creating a top-selling nicotine pouch product, building a modern nicotine company from the ground up.

The discussion dives into raising funding with limited resources, overcoming setbacks like maxed out credit cards and borrowing to make payroll, and the power of showing up in person to win key investors and retail partnerships. Max reveals practical lessons on handling rejection, building mental resilience, and transitioning from scrappy founder to company leader. Entrepreneurs will find actionable advice on scaling supply chains, knowing when to ask for help, supporting family during tough stretches, and surviving long enough to get the break you need.

Connect with Max: linkedin.com/in/max-cunningham-ba8bb810/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3BsPVzibtVTqWTV7HDOeopVw%3D%3D

#entrepreneurship #startups #consumerbrands #ecommerce #buccees

If your brand is still thinking about SEO the old way, this episode is a wake-up call. Dave Gulas sits down with founders from Novi, Botify, SimilarWeb, Decagon AI, and Creator IQ to unpack how agentic commerce and AI-powered search are fundamentally changing product discovery. The brands winning right now aren't chasing the technology, they're using it to fix a specific problem faster than their competitors.

Guests:

Kimberly Shenk (Novi) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyshenk/

Katrina Winfield (Botify) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-winfield-b7b0601ab/

Ben Smith (SimilarWeb) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-smith-4b815412/

Zach Linhart (Decagon AI) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-linhart-219a50196/

Hannah Collins (Creator IQ) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-hannah-collins/#shoptalk2026 #ai #ecommerce #logistics #brands

In this episode, Dave Gulas sits down with Eric Sheinkop, the founder of the Desire Company, live from the bustling energy of Shop Talk. Discover how Eric identified a real issue facing businesses today, authenticity in product recommendations, and hear the story behind the evolution of his company.

Eric shares candid examples about working with experts and passionate users, not just celebrities, to create product reviews that customers trust. The discussion covers practical ways to stand out in a crowded marketplace, why transparent content can boost buyer confidence, and the importance of pivoting when the market shifts. You’ll also hear timely thoughts about the future of AI in retail and what industry events like Shop Talk mean for networking and keeping your business ahead.

Packed with actionable takeaways and relatable stories, this is an episode for anyone serious about elevating their business, rethinking influence, and building deeper customer trust.

Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsheinkop/

#shoptalk2026 #ai #aitechnology #productrecommendation #networking #entrepreneurship

Live from Shoptalk Spring 2026 in Las Vegas. Three founders operating at the edge of what retail and commerce become next. Evan Smith from Ethosphere explains how voice AI is transforming in-store associate coaching without replacing anyone. Patrick Mitchell from AutoLane describes autonomous vehicles already routing through Palo Alto. Renzo Bojanovich from WooCommerce breaks down how open-source infrastructure gives merchants an edge in an AI-agent world.

Guests:

Evan Smith (Ethosphere) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-michael-smith/

Patrick Mitchell (AutoLane) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mitchell-37796147/

Renzo Bojanovich (WooCommerce) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/renzo-bojanovich/

#shoptalk2026 #ecommerce #retail #logistics #ai #aitechnology

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Catania, founder and CEO of OneRail, to explore the journey of building a cutting-edge tech delivery platform from the ground up.

Bill candidly shares the challenges and rewards of growing OneRail from an idea at his kitchen table into a company coordinating over 300,000 deliveries per day. Hear how his team created an AI-powered delivery system serving major brands while maintaining a lean workforce, a move that reduced operational costs by 70% and set new standards in last-mile logistics. We dive deep into hiring, leadership growth, adapting technology for retail, and managing explosive year-over-year revenue growth.

This episode helps you tap into effective business models, the role of AI in streamlining operations, and the importance of empowering your team as you scale. If you're searching for actionable strategies from real founders, this conversation with Bill Catania is packed with lessons for anyone serious about growing their business smartly and efficiently.

Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billcatania/

#ai #entrepreneurship #ecommerce #logistics #delivery

Live from Shoptalk Spring 2026 in Las Vegas. Dave Gulas talks with founders and operators about the real challenge of AI adoption - not the keynote version, the hallway version. Helena Shannon, CJ Pinkham, John Hyland, Steven Amato, and Eli Weiss offer candid perspectives on what's working, what's overhyped, and what brands are actually doing about it.

Guests: Helena Shannon (Arkhive Digital) | CJ Pinkham (CJPC) | John Hyland (TeenVoice Inc.) | Steven Amato (Amaze Holdings) | Eli Weiss (YotPo)

#shoptalk2026 #ecommerce #ai #aitechnology #logistics #entrepreneur

In this episode, seasoned entrepreneur and podcaster Alan Lazaros reveals his unconventional journey from early adversity and tragedy to building a thriving multi-faceted business—including producing 86 podcasts and coaching 26 business owners one-on-one. Host Dave dives deep with Alan into the realities behind entrepreneurial success, discussing self-awareness, the impact of therapy, and why so many founders struggle to balance health, wealth, and relationships. Alan breaks down what most coaches miss: the importance of understanding your blind spots and developing holistic growth strategies—so you can thrive not just in business, but in life.

This conversation is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and founders working to grow their businesses without losing sight of fulfillment. Learn why self-discipline, habit tracking, and honest self-assessment are essential for sustainable business growth. Alan shares insights from over 6,800 hours of coaching and firsthand stories about early business setbacks, emotional resilience, and the critical distinction between outward achievement and inner fulfillment. If you’re searching for authentic entrepreneur stories, practical strategies, and a candid look at what it really takes to succeed as a business owner today, you’ll find valuable takeaways you can apply right away.

Connect with Alan:

www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros

www.instagram.com/alazaros88

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc

https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity

https://www.nextleveluniverse.com

#entrepreneurship #personalgrowth #businessadvice #selfawareness

In this episode, Dave sits down with renowned investor, author, and business coach Gino Barbaro to dive into the real-world journey of building lasting success as an entrepreneur. If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or start-up founder searching for practical strategies to grow your business, this conversation delivers hard-earned lessons, candid stories, and actionable advice from someone who scaled up to over 2,000 multifamily real estate units and hundreds of millions in assets under management.

You’ll hear about the power of values-based decision-making, overcoming early failures, and the importance of relentless execution. Gino breaks down how partnering, finding the right mentors, and investing in both education and people fueled his journey from the restaurant industry to large-scale real estate—and why focusing on marketplace value is essential for sustainable growth. This episode also tackles pressing questions about the role of college, avoiding debt, and guiding the next generation with real options.

Expect insights on scaling strategies, choosing the right partners, and balancing business with family life. Whether you’re starting out or aiming to expand, these relatable lessons and genuine experiences will help fuel your entrepreneurial growth.

Connect with Gino:

Website: https://jakeandgino.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeandgino

YouTube: @JakeandGino

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginobarbaro

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeandgino

#entrepreneurship #realestate #mindset #legacy #businesstips

In this episode, Dave sits down with serial entrepreneur David Feinman, founder of Viral Ideas, to share real-world strategies and lessons for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders. From launching his first ventures as a teenager, to building and selling companies, and scaling Viral Ideas to over 90 employees, David candidly walks through the highs and lows of business ownership.

Discover honest stories about building a business with minimal capital—just $100 each, grit, and one early client. Learn how David faced setbacks like losing 90% of company revenue overnight due to COVID, why productizing services can drive recovery and growth, and how leveraging personal connections and resourcefulness was vital to getting started. If you’re looking for practical entrepreneurial advice on perseverance, overcoming cash flow challenges, navigating difficult partnerships, and developing your own resilience, this conversation delivers insights you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re grinding through the early days of your side hustle or leading a growing team, this episode is packed with authentic wisdom and tactical strategies. Plus, David shares how to get a free resource on hiring video editors—perfect for any business looking to improve content creation.

Connect with David:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-feinman-7a069255/ https://www.instagram.com/davidfeinman/?hl=en

Learn more about our episode sponsor PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/beyond

#entrepreneurship #startups #resilience #founderstory

In this episode, Dave sits down with streaming pioneer John Petrocelli to share his story and business wisdom with entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders.

Discover how John went from tech and entertainment in Boston and LA to becoming a trailblazer in live streaming—working with icons like Prince and powerhouse brands including Coca-Cola, AT&T, Jeep, and Nissan. You’ll learn how John Petrocelli combined his technical background with industry insight to spot opportunities during the digital transformation of music and live events.

He reveals the step-by-step journey of building Bulldog DM, his renowned livestream studio, covering what it takes to grow a company in a fast-changing tech landscape and overcome real-world business challenges.

Tune in as John shares candid advice on sales for entrepreneurs, the importance of relationship-building, and listening to customer needs. Explore practical strategies for scaling, handling obstacles, and pivoting—especially through unexpected moments like the pandemic.

Plus, get a peek into the future of e-commerce livestreaming and fresh ways to connect with today’s audiences. If you want actionable insights from a proven founder immersed in innovation, this episode is full of valuable lessons you can apply directly to growing your own business.

Connect with John:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli https://www.linkedin.com/company/bulldog-digital-media-llc/ https://twitter.com/bulldogdm

https://www.instagram.com/bulldog_dm/

Learn more about our episode sponsor EZDC 3PL: www.ezdc3pl.com

#entrepreneurship #livestreaming #innovation #startups #musicstreaming