Business Growth Podcast

I’m joined by Hayley Segar, founder of onewith swim, the brand behind the patented swimsuits that fit like your favorite underwear.

Hayley launched onewith in 2021 after a lightbulb moment in 2019. She wanted a swimsuit that felt as comfortable as no-show underwear. That one thought sparked a category-creating idea that’s changed everything.

Since then, Hayley has grown onewith from a self-funded startup into a viral, size-inclusive swimwear brand. In 2025, she pitched on Shark Tank and secured a deal with two sharks, and that same year, onewith earned a utility patent for their edgeless, dig-free swimsuits. Today, we’re talking her growth journey and the practical skills she used to scale a category-leading brand.

In this episode:

• How a single “lightbulb moment” can spark a category-defining idea

• Why going direct-to-consumer first gave onewith a strategic edge

• The real cost of splitting focus early and why founder grit matters

• How to cut through noise and stay true to your vision as a founder

• Lessons from Shark Tank: what to ask, what to delegate, and how to skip the timeline

• Why clear, simple messaging beats clever marketing every time

• How to balance founder visibility without turning into an influencer

• The pillars that keep a product-based business scaling, even when you’re not in the weeds

• How to leverage slow seasons to plan your next era of growth

• Why a controlled, intentional “information diet” can unlock better decision-making

Check out onewith swim:

onewithswim.com

Instagram: @onewithswim

Tiktok: @onewithswim

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT CASE STUDIES ON WHY SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN BUSINESS ARE FAILING

From Nike to Lululemon to Peloton, the patterns are loud if you know what to look for.

Sales are slipping. Loyalty is weakening. Relevance is harder to maintain. And it’s not because people stopped buying, it’s because how people buy has fundamentally changed.

Today, we’re unpacking what’s really going on.

I’m breaking down why legacy brands are struggling to adapt, the repeated patterns I’m seeing across major companies, and what their missteps reveal about modern consumer behavior heading into 2026. This isn’t about criticism, it’s about awareness.

In this episode:

• Why brand recognition no longer guarantees trust or loyalty

• The core mistake legacy brands keep repeating in modern markets

• How consumer expectations are evolving faster than big brands can respond

• Why connection now outperforms scale in many industries

• The role community plays in long term brand survival

• What smaller, newer brands are doing better than industry giants

• The hidden risk of relying on reputation instead of relevance

• How to evolve your brand without alienating your audience

• The signals that tell you when a brand is quietly losing traction

• The insider lessons on creating growth that actually lasts in a changing market

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE BUT ARE UNSURE IF YOU NEED IT

Founder-facing brands are everywhere right now. Instagram, TikTok, industry conversations, 2026 predictions. Everyone has an opinion on what’s “necessary,” what’s outdated, and what you must be doing to grow a product-based business.

Today, we’re ending the confusion.

I’m breaking down the real truth behind founder-facing brands. When it matters, when it doesn’t, the nuances no one talks about, and what actually drives growth in 2026 based on what I’m seeing across hundreds of brands behind the scenes.

In this episode:

• The real question to ask before deciding if you should be the face of your brand

• When founder-facing content actually moves the needle and when it doesn’t

• Why visibility, connection, and trust matter more than personal branding

• The biggest misconceptions founders have about being “on camera”

• How consumer behavior in 2026 is changing what builds loyalty

• What to do if you hate being on camera but still want to grow

• How to build connection without turning into an influencer

• The hidden advantage founders have that most brands underuse

• How to decide what level of founder visibility makes sense for your business

• The simplest way to test this strategy without overhauling your marketing

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT A RAW CONVERSATION AROUND SUCCESS & BUSINESS FUNDING

Today I’m joined by Neal Thakkar, founder of Integrity First Funding. Neal’s story is a modern comeback in motion. From addiction, to building an $11M supplement business, to bankruptcy… and then rebuilding from the ground up.

Within six months, he launched a fast-scaling seven-figure financial services company that helps founders access 0% interest capital so they can create real runway, make smarter decisions, and grow without sacrificing ownership.

Neal leads with both strategy and empathy because he’s lived both sides of the money conversation. The highs, the pressure, the collapse, and the rebuild. And in this episode, we’re talking about financing in a way we haven’t on the Business Growth Podcast yet: what funding actually looks like in real life, how to think about debt without fear (or ego), and how to use capital as a tool…not a trap.

In this episode:

• Neal’s full story: from $11M in sales to bankruptcy and what actually caused it
• When debt is smart and when it quietly becomes the thing that breaks you
• The red flags to watch for with working capital + daily repayment loans
• The real difference between interest rates vs. payback terms (and why most people focus on the wrong thing)
• The “money is the bottleneck” checkpoint: how to know when it’s time to explore financing
• Why 0% interest capital isn’t “too good to be true” and what it actually looks like behind the scenes
• How Integrity First Funding helps founders become more lendable + access better options
• Money as an amplifier: why wealth doesn’t change you, it reveals you

Connect with Neal:

Instagram: @neal.thakkar.official

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU ALWAYS CATCH YOURSELF WONDERING HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TIME PROPERLY AS A BUSINESS OWNER

Today we’re breaking down why time management is such a struggle for business owners… and it’s not because you’re lazy, unmotivated, or easily distracted. Most founders are operating without systems that actually support real life, real energy, and real capacity.

This episode isn’t about hustling harder or squeezing more into your day. It’s about structuring your time so your business finally works with you instead of against you.

I’m sharing the exact tools, structures, and routines I use (and what I’ve seen work across hundreds of founders) to help you stop running your days like a treadmill and start operating with focus, clarity, and momentum.

In this episode:

• Why time management is actually a systems problem, not a personality problem

• The core habits that make entrepreneurs consistent (even on low-energy days)

• How to use a calendar so your priorities actually get done

• How to structure your week so you’re not context-switching all day

• The non-negotiables framework that keeps you moving even when life is chaotic

• How to stop losing hours to “figuring out what to do next”

• The weekly reset that makes Monday feel clear instead of overwhelming

• How to build accountability when you don’t have a boss or a team

• The mindset shift that helps you work less, execute faster, and feel more in control

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE & ACTUALLY GROW FASTER

If scaling your business feels heavier instead of easier, this conversation will shift how you think about growth entirely. Today we’re breaking down why most founders stall not because they’re doing too little… but because they’re doing too much.

This episode is about subtraction as a strategy. About why the businesses that scale the fastest aren’t adding more offers, more platforms, or more noise. They’re refining, specializing, and doubling down on what actually works.

As you plan for 2026, this is your reminder that growth doesn’t come from piling more onto your plate. It comes from doing less, better and with intention.

In this episode:

•Why over-complication is the silent killer of scale

• The real reason “doing more” keeps you stuck

• How to identify the 20% of actions driving 80% of your results

• What to cut, what to double down on, and what to stop tolerating

• How to create momentum through focus, not burnout

• The mindset shift that makes scaling feel lighter and faster

• How to build a business that grows without constant guilt or overwhelm

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Topics we discuss: business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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HELLO HELLO SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH FAM — we have an announcement, some takeaways, & some changes happening here & today’s episode is going to dive in to the what, the why, & the how.

Today I’m walking you through decision-making in business. How to evaluate when something no longer fits, how to trust your instincts as you grow, and how to move forward with clarity instead of pressure or outside noise.

Yes, you’ll hear the announcement… but more importantly, you’ll walk away with a grounded framework for making smarter, more intentional decisions as your business evolves.

If you’re heading into a new year wanting to move with confidence, alignment, and purpose (not chaos or comparison), this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• The big announcement and what it means for the podcast

• How to know when it’s time to evolve without burning everything down

• The questions I ask before making any major business move

• How to separate intuition from impulse as you grow

• What staying aligned actually looks like at the next level

• The difference between reacting to noise and making strategic decisions

• How to move into a new chapter with clarity, not pressure

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Topics we discuss: small business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, small business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2026 OF WHAT WILL BE HOT, NECESSARY, & OUT

If you’re planning for 2026 using the same strategy that got you here, this episode will shift how you think about growth. The market is changing quickly, and the brands that adapt early will be the ones that stay relevant.

Buyer behavior is evolving. Trust looks different than it did even a year ago. Technology is accelerating faster than most strategies can keep up. And what worked before may already be losing impact.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real shifts shaping 2026 and what smart brands are paying attention to now. This isn’t about chasing trends or reinventing your business. It’s about evolving your strategy so it grows with the market instead of fighting it.

In this episode:

• The shifts quietly reshaping how brands grow and sell heading into 2026
• What’s starting to lose effectiveness and why many founders don’t see it coming
• Where attention, trust, and loyalty are actually being built now
• How technology is changing the pace of business and what that means for you
• The role AI will play in scaling faster and where it can quietly hurt your brand if misused
• The balance brands must strike between efficiency and human connection
• Why some growth strategies are about to feel harder instead of easier
• What the most adaptable brands are prioritizing behind the scenes
• The signals the market is already sending if you know how to read them
• The mindset shift required to stay relevant as the landscape evolves

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Topics we discuss: small business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, small business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR 2026 PLANNING STICKS THIS YEAR

If you’ve ever started a new year feeling fired up, organized, and confident only to realize a few weeks later that your plan no longer fits your life, your energy, or your business, this episode will change how you plan forever.

Today I’m breaking down why most annual plans fail even when you’re motivated, capable, and doing “all the right things” and what actually needs to shift for your strategy to work in real life, not just on paper. This isn’t about working harder, being more disciplined, or forcing consistency.

It’s about building a plan that aligns with your capacity, supports your growth, and gives you direction you can actually follow all year long

This episode is part two of my 2026 planning series designed to help you stop repeating the same cycle every year and finally create momentum that compounds instead of resets.

In this episode:

• The biggest signs your current planning process needs to change
• Why most annual plans fail by February (and it’s not a motivation issue)
• The two root causes behind not following through on your goals
• The difference between a real growth plan and a disguised to-do list
• How to choose 3–5 outcomes that actually move your business forward
• The dreamer / builder / critic framework that makes plans realistic and exciting
• How to break your year into quarterly themes instead of overwhelming goals
• The systems and non-negotiables that create consistency on low-energy weeks
• How to reverse engineer your goals into a plan you can actually execute

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Topics we discuss: small business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, small business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF YOU ARE PLANNING 2026 BUT ARE WONDERING WHAT YOU’RE MISSING (PS: IT’S THIS ONE THING)

Today I’m breaking down what the 2026 consumer is actually telling us through behavior, data, and trends. How they shop has changed. What they trust has changed. What makes them buy, stay loyal, and feel connected has changed. And if your strategy doesn’t evolve with them, you’ll feel stuck repeating the same year over and over.

This is part one of a short 2026 planning series designed to help you adapt, stay relevant, and build a brand that grows with the market instead of fighting it.

In this episode:

• The critical shift most founders ignore when planning their next year

• What buyer behavior is quietly telling us about 2026

• Why strategies that worked even 12 months ago are losing impact

• The hidden reason brands feel “stuck” despite doing everything right

• How trust, connection, and perception now influence purchasing decisions

• What today’s consumer expects before they ever click “buy”

• Why relevance matters more than reach moving forward

• The patterns I’m seeing across dozens of brands behind the scenes

• How to adapt without chasing trends or reinventing your business

• The mindset shift required to build a brand that actually lasts

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Topics we discuss: small business growth, e-commerce strategy, how to scale your product business, small business economy tips, overcoming sales plateaus

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