INspired INsider Podcast

Tara Bosch is the founder of SmartSweets, her mission is to help you kick sugar! She started SmartSweets after forming an unhealthy relationship with food and seeing the negative effects sugar has on our health. After spending months recipe testing in her kitchen with a gummy bear mold from Amazon, Tara created a healthy gummy bear. Tara and her team were able to raise 3.6 million dollars to get their business off the ground. Today, you can find SmartSweets in over 10,000 stores like Whole Foods, Target, GNC and many online channels.

• [1:55] Jeremy introduces his guest, Tara Bosch.
• [3:00] Tara talks about her relationship with her grandmother.
• [5:45] Navigating self-talk and keeping it positive.
• [8:00] What led Tara to create SmartSweets?
• [10:20] Creating the very first versions of SmartSweets.
• [14:00] Tara talks about the evolution of packaging for SmartSweets.
• [16:00] How did Tara raise funds for the business?
• [18:20] Tara shares her experience on Dragon's Den and the aftermath.
• [20:30] Putting it all on the line.
• [22:20] Growing the team and building out the business.
• [26:00] Why were so many people interested in SmartSweets at trade shows?
• [27:45] Tara opens up about the ingredients they use in SmartSweets.
• [30:30] Participating in the Thiel Fellowship.
• [32:20] Tools and software that Tara and her team use.
• [34:45] Hiring new team members.
• [40:30] Lessons learned along the way.
• [44:00] How Tara keeps her products from melting while in transit.
• [45:30] A low moment in business for Tara.
• [47:20] Milestone reached, getting on the shelves at Whole Foods.

Imagine what it would be like to finally kick sugar from your diet. No longer dealing with addiction to sweets and that guilty feeling of letting your body down, sounds nice right? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and entrepreneur, Tara Bosch. In her conversation with Jeremy, Tara opens up about why she started SmartSweets, how she began the production process, challenges she faced along the way, what it took to expand the team, and much more. Don't miss a minute of this compelling and engaging episode featuring Tara's story! Do you have that one person in your corner who you can count on day in and day out? Maybe for you, it's a parent or childhood friend. What challenges has that person helped you through? For business leader Tara Bosch, the person who was there to encourage her along the way was her grandmother. Tara fondly looks back at the time she spent with her grandmother and points to their mutual love of sweets that led her to start SmartSweets in the first place. Not only is it a good idea to stop and remember those who have helped you on your journey, but it's also a good idea to consider who you can do the same for. While it's helpful to have family members and mentors in your corner, the one constant through your whole life will the be the person you see in the mirror. How do you treat yourself? Do you give yourself enough slack? Do you challenge yourself enough? One important lesson that Tara Bosch has learned on her journey is the value of keeping your self-talk positive. Often the business leader can be their own worst critic, take it easy on yourself! Think of inner dialogue as your number one fan, not your number one critic. This simple mindset shift can have a significant impact on your chances of success both personally and professionally. Let's face it; the average American is hooked on sugar, it's almost as ubiquitous as salt! From salads to cereal, sugar is in much of the food you eat. What do you do if you want to kick sugar from your diet? How do you do that while still enjoying deserts and snacks? SmartSweets created the first candy that kicks sugar naturally. Their snacks are free from added sugar, sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. Every ingredient they use is non-GMO, always real and never artificial. Make sure to check out the link to the SmartSweets website located in the resources section at the end of this post to learn more! Have you found that one thing that lights you up? Are you able to pursue that passion professionally? Tara Bosch knew that starting a business selling sugar-free candy was a huge risk, but she jumped in head first because she knew it was what she was meant to do. Tara started SmartSweets after her love affair with candy turned into an unhealthy relationship with food. She experienced the adverse effects sugar has on our health, and she wanted to be part of the solution. This venture was far from easy for Tara; she struggled for months recipe testing in her kitchen with a gummy bear mold from Amazon until she finally found the right formula. The challenges only increased from there, but Tara was committed and saw the process through. Now SmartSweets is a thriving business moving forward and helping people finally kick sugar from their diet.

• SmartSweets
• SmartSweets on Amazon
• Giftology
• Hootsuite
• ActiveInbox
• Shopify
• Dragon's Den
• Mixmax
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25's mission is to connect you with your best referral partners and customers.

We do this in 3 ways…

1. Our Done for you Media - We help your company completely run and launch your own podcast. we distribute your show across more than 11 different channels including a dedicated blog post and social media. You simply show up and talk and we do everything else. Our team has been working with podcasters since 2009. I personally credit podcasting as the single best thing I have done for my business and my life. It has allowed me to connect with the founders/ceo's of P90x, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, Rx Bars, and many more. Besides making best friends and finding my business partner..podcasting has led to relationships with countless customers and referral partners.

1. Our Done for you Lead Generation- We manually send a consistent flow of customized outreach messages to your ideal clients and referral sources that you want to connect with to generate more business and clients - this is not paid traffic by the way.

1. Our Done for you VIP Events - We do live in-person VIP Days and receptions. These are 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers so we can help you serve your highest level customers. It may or may not involve Elvis costumes - See video

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

Since these each require a lot of humans to do the work we have limited bandwidth and only want to work with the right company. so if any sound interesting to you go to Rise25.com and contact us or email support (at) rise25.com.

If your company wants to attract and connect with your highest level customers and referral partners then you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Jason Miles is the founder of Pixie Faire. He started a family business with his wife at the time called Liberty Jane at their kitchen table in 2008. In 2013 they launched Pixie Faire, which has become the world's largest online marketplace in their niche. The site averages 50-60 thousand transactions a month and they have had over 2million of their patterns downloaded. People describe Jason's wife, Cinnamon Miles as "the Vera Wang of the 18 inch crowd." In 2014 Jason retired from a 20-year career in non-profit management to work on the business full-time. They also started Sew Powerful a non-profit organization focused on creating purposeful products at a sewing cooperative in Zambia. Jason has several bestselling books published by McGraw-Hill on social media, "Instagram Power", "Youtube Marketing Power", "Pinterest Power." He is also one of the most popular ecommerce instructors on Udemy.

• [1:40] Jeremy introduces his guest, Jason Miles.
• [4:00] Jason talks about his work with non-profits in Zambia.
• [9:00] Why the poverty in Zambia resonated with Jason.
• [14:00] Closing thoughts from Jeremy and Jason.

When was the last time you were moved to make a difference, big or small? Where you inspired to donate during the most recent natural disaster? Or have you considered giving to an organization like the Salvation Army that has more of a seasonal appeal? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from special guest and business leader, Jason Miles. In his conversation with Jeremy, Jason opens up about his work with non-profits in Zambia, what led him to start his own non-profit, why the poverty in Zambia resonated so strongly with him, and much more. You don't want to miss a minute of this powerful episode featuring Jason's story! Jason Miles has dedicated his life to working with non-profits studying the field during his time in college. Jumping at the chance to work with a non-profit in Zambia, Jason wanted to make the most of his time there, so he volunteered to travel to one of the most impoverished communities in the capital city. Once there, Jason's experienced changed him. He saw such massive need on a scale he had never imagined before, but he also saw hope. Hope was in the eyes of mothers who were scraping together everything they could to make jewelry and save up for classroom supplies. From that moment on, Jason was convinced that he had to make a difference in light of what he saw. That moving experience in Zambia led Jason to start his own non-profit, Sew Powerful. Sew Powerful's goal is to empower women to make a better life. They strive to train and equip women so they can feed their kids, keep them in school, and make a difference in their community. Sew Powerful accomplishes this ambitious goal with a five-fold focus inspired by the women who work in the communities they serve.

1. They wanted their children well educated.
2. They wanted a school lunch to serve.
3. They wanted clean water and bathrooms.
4. They wanted the kids (and the community) physically healthy.
5. They wanted to personally work and make money in support of these goals.

Find out more about Jason's heart for their work in Zambia by checking out the link to Sew Powerful located in the resources section at the end of this post.

• www.pixiefaire.com
• www.sewpowerful.org
• www.winningonshopify.com
• Sew Powerful 2016
• 3 Esthers Farm Success From This Weekend
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Courtney Nichols Gould is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. SmartyPants Vitamins have a gummy obsession which started because they believed that the very best vitamins are an all in one combination of different nutrients that would save money, time and peace of mind for customers. Their products can be found on Amazon, in Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Costco and many more locations all over the US. Their bottle is the one with the cute owl winking at you. For every bottle sold they make a 1 for 1 grant to Vitamin Angels to provide children in need with nutrients and they have made over 6.2 million nutrient grants to date.

• [1:15] Jeremy introduces his guest, Courtney Nichols Gould.
• [3:00] Courtney talks about her love of pranking people.
• [5:00] Why didn't Courtney go to Harvard Business School?
• [7:00] Courtney opens up about her career working at various startups.
• [11:45] Why is transparency so important to Courtney and her business?
• [19:30] Standing out with the Vitamin Angels project.
• [21:20] Courtney talks about the product line and which product came first.
• [24:00] Creating an all in one vitamin.
• [26:00] Launching a product on Amazon.
• [28:00] Testing the product on friends and family.
• [30:40] What led Courtney to take SmartyPants Vitamins to retail stores?
• [35:00] The value of embracing customer feedback.
• [37:30] Courtney talks about some of their bestselling vitamins.
• [39:00] Why did Courtney and her team divide their products based on gender?
• [41:00] Courtney shares her low and high moments in business.

What is the role of transparency in business? Does an organization have a responsibility to be transparent toward its customers or is it just a courtesy? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from business leader and entrepreneur Courtney Nichols Gould. In her conversation with Jeremy, Courtney opens up about her love of pranking, why she decided not to attend Harvard Business School, how she started SmartyPants Vitamins, why they launched their product on Amazon, and so much more. Don't miss a minute of this entertaining and engaging episode featuring Courtney! When you decide to move forward in your career choosing the right path can be a difficult one. What led you to make the critical decisions you've made on your professional journey? Did you have an ultimate goal that led you down the path you chose? Courtney Nichols Gould decided to forgo an excellent opportunity to attend Harvard Business School because she knew that the typical corporate environment wasn't for her. Instead, Courtney decided to pursue her prospects in the realm of startups. What can you learn from Courtney's story? Have you made similar bold moves in your career? Which values does your organization highlight? Is accountability or quality customer service necessary to your business? How did the organization decide on which values to prioritize and publicize? At SmartyPants Vitamins, they honed in on transparency as one of the primary values for their new and highly successful brand. SmartyPants Vitamins believes that it's customers have a right to know what it is they are feeding themselves and those they care about most. Simply put, they are convinced that they have a legal and moral responsibility to tell people exactly what their products contain. You can learn more about SmartyPants and their values by checking out a link to their website located in the resources section at the end of this post. What does it look like to build a vitamin company dedicated to making a difference? Can access to high-quality vitamins make a difference in people's lives? Beyond just providing a great vitamin option to the marketplace, Courtney Nichols Gould and her team at SmartyPants Vitamins want to expand their impact even further. For every bottle of SmartyPants sold, they make a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels, a non-profit that helps at-risk populations – especially pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five – gain access to life-changing vitamins and minerals. It's great to hear about amazing organizations like SmartyPants Vitamins committed to making a positive impact in the world! With the rise of the ecommerce sector, should businesses abandon retail options and focus on getting their product featured on platforms like Amazon? Should businesses flee the retail industry and focus exclusively on ecommerce options? While reports of the death of the retail sector are greatly exaggerated, the smart business leader would be wise to hedge their bets. Courtney Nichols Gould is focused on putting her brand, SmartyPants Vitamins in the best position to succeed. As the business got off the ground they focused on solidifying a positive presence on Amazon that resulted in huge sales and a wave of glowing customer reviews. Building off of their success with Amazon, Courtney and her team have expanded their reach to retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Costco, and more.

• Check out the SmartyPants website
• SmartyPants on Facebook
• SmartyPants on Twitter
• SmartyPants on Instagram
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Dr. Steve Sudell is the creator of the Neck Hammock. The Neck Hammock is a simple, portable, FDA-approved medical device that attaches to any door, rail, or pole and helps with neck pain relief in ten minutes or less. Dr. Sudell and his team have achieved significant success on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo raising over $1.6 million and selling over 30,000 units in a short period of time. In fact, The Neck Hammock was ranked in the top 1% of all crowdfunding campaigns worldwide.

• [1:25] Jeremy introduces his guest, Dr. Steve Sudell.
• [2:45] Responding to customer feedback.
• [5:00] Steve explains how to use the Neck Hammock.
• [9:00] The long-term effect of technology on our bodies.
• [10:30] Steve talks about a low moment and a high moment in his career.

Have you ever struggled with bouts of neck pain? From pouring over work documents to spending too much time on a tablet or smartphone, chances are you've had an issue with a stiff or sore neck at some point. What's the solution, do you just cross your fingers and hope that it goes away? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from innovator and business leader Dr Steve Sudell. In his conversation with Jeremy, Steve opens up about his excellent neck pain solution, The Neck Hammock. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn from Steve's success story with The Neck Hammock! Imagine an innovation that has the power to improve the lives of millions of people who suffer through neck pain. If neck pain is as common as chiropractors and other professionals say that it is, there has to be a market solution for this issue! The Neck Hammock is a simple device that attaches to any door for neck pain relief in just ten minutes or less. Simply wrap it around any doorway, lie down, stretch out your neck muscles, and say goodbye to neck pain. Dr Steve Sudell created the Neck Hammock because he saw a huge need to help patients like his get the relief they desperately needed. What can you learn from Steve's story? Let's face it; if you are successful in life, there will be people who will want to come after you. This can take the form of peers who are jealous or even undermine you or as subtle as friends and family members who don't want to see you succeed. What will you do if this happens to you? Will you get angry and defensive or will you find a way to move past it? Dr Steve Sudell realized quickly that The Neck Hammock would have its fair share of competitors and imposters rush to their space in the marketplace. Instead of letting that discourage him, Steve accepted it and went to work making his product the one that would outshine all the rest.

• The Neck Hammock
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Tom Kulzer is the founder of AWeber. AWeber is one of the top email marketing providers on the planet and helps over 100,000 businesses build their audience. Tom started AWeber all the way back in 1998.

• [1:30] Jeremy introduces his guest, Tom Kulzer.
• [2:30] Why does AWeber have live customer support?
• [5:30] Tom talks about growing the business and making his first hire.
• [8:45] How does Tom hire the right people?
• [13:30] What is the process for collecting and incorporating customer feedback?
• [16:00] Tom talks about the categorizing and tagging aspects of AWeber.
• [23:00] Tom gives a little peek behind the process at AWeber.
• [28:30] How does Tom stay productive?
• [31:00] Why did Tom drop out of school? How has it impacted him?
• [34:30] Tom talks about email back in 1998.
• [39:00] How AWeber has evolved over the years.
• [43:45] Tom talks about the culture he's created at AWeber.
• [49:00] The lowest moment in the journey so far.
• [50:45] Milestones that Tom is proud of.
• [52:00] Tom talks about how AWeber has impacted client businesses.

What is the impact of automation on your sector of the business community? Are you thriving due to automation or is your organization suffering? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and innovator, Tom Kulzer. In his conversation with Jeremy, Tom opens up about the early days of AWeber, how he scaled the business, the challenges he faced along the way, how he built his team, what it takes to stay productive, and so much more. Don't miss this valuable behind the scenes look at AWeber and Tom's fascinating story! Do you have to be a college graduate to be successful? If you take a quick look at some of the most notable leaders in business, the answer is no! Leaders like Steve Jobs and Michael Dell enjoyed massive success without finishing higher education. On the other hand, leaders like Tom Kulzer stress the value of education beyond grade school, and that doesn't have to mean traditional higher education either. Don't put yourself in a box or others, if you don't have the "Right stuff" on paper that doesn't preclude you from going out there and building something you can be proud of. How do you scale a business from the ground up? Do you secure the best team money can buy right away or do you bide your time looking for the right moment to reinvest your profits back into the company? Tom Kulzer built AWeber from the ground up and knew very quickly that he couldn't do it alone. When Tom reached out to find his first team member, he was so nervous about getting this important role wrong. Thankfully it all worked out for Tom, and AWeber grew from that moment on, bringing on a whole team of talented individuals. What can you learn from Tom's story? When was the last time that your organization took a serious look at how they review and respond to customer feedback? Is this something that your business does on a regular basis or in a more happenstance manner? For Tom Kulzer and his team at AWeber, responding and incorporating customer feedback is critical. They have learned the value of keeping a close tab on what their users want to see from their platform and what they can do to meet those needs. The fact of the matter is, if you don't work hard to keep the customers you have, someone else will do whatever it takes to win them over. One of the hot topics in the business world today is automation. Some sectors are embracing automation with open arms, and some are decrying it as the death knell of their industry. Love it or hate it, automation is the wave of the future. Embracing the ingenuity of automation, AWeber is leading the way with their take on email marketing. AWeber is built for time-strapped content creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. They've created easy-to-use automation tools to launch automated email sequences, tag and segment subscribers based on their behavior, send remarkable one-time promotional emails or newsletters, and track the success of various campaigns. Automation isn't always a scary word when it comes to email marketing; it's helping businesses work smarter, not harder.

• www.aweber.com
• Omni Focus
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Travis Rosser is the co-founder of Kajabi and has sold his stake in the company. Travis worked in the software space in corporate America for over ten years. After he realized he wasn't cut out for the cubical world, he looked for another opportunity and discovered the education tech space. He started developing at night (while working a full-time job). They launched the beta in early 2010. To date over 10,000 customers have used the Kajabi software. They went from bootstrapped to making multiple millions each year. Travis is also the author of the book, "You INC. : The step by step guide for finding a business within you."

• [1:10] Jeremy introduces his guest, Travis Rosser.
• [2:45] Is Kajabi disrupting the education space?
• [6:10] Overcoming signifigant challenges.
• [8:30] Books that have impacted Travis.
• [11:00] Proud moments for Travis.

Where do you plan to be this time next year? How about five years from now? Do you see yourself working the same job you are in now or are you longing to make a change? What if there was a way to stop wishing for change to show up? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and innovator, Travis Rosser. In his conversation with Jeremy, Travis opens up about his work with Kajabi, what it takes to educate yourself, the challenges he has faced along the way, and much more. Don't miss a minute of this powerful episode featuring Travis! How do you change the way you think and the actions you take? Does it all come down to willpower or can you change by making small connections and small decisions over a period? It's been said that "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." Travis Rosser knew that the only way he was going to break out of the same old routine was by learning tools and tips from leaders who went before him. Devouring books like, "The 4-Hour Workweek" and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" helped Travis get outside his typical mindset and begin seeing the world full of possibilities and opportunities. Unfortunately, change, and growth doesn't come without a set of challenges and roadblocks to face along the way. How have you handled the challenges that have come your way both personally and professionally? From a young age, Travis struggled with a speech impediment, but he was determined to find a way forward. Looking back, Travis says that the only way he could get through some of the toughest moments in his life was by dreaming of a brighter future. Don't let your present situation limit you from realizing your full potential! Make sure to learn more about Travis' story by picking up his book, "You, Inc."

• Travis' website
• You, Inc.
• Travis on Facebook
• Travis on Twitter
• Limitless Cinema
• Kajabi
• Steve Jobs
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad
• The 4-Hour Workweek
• Think and Grow Rich
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Dave Colina is the co-founder of O2 which started in Columbus, OH in 2014. O2 Oxygenated Natural Recovery drink was created by a CrossFit trainer and a medical doctor who were sick of unhealthy sports and energy drinks. It has electrolytes, natural caffeine, and added oxygen to help your body process toxins faster. They've gone from slinging O2 out of the back of a Prius to becoming a top seller at hundreds of CrossFit gyms and Whole Foods stores in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, DC and Maryland as well as Krogers.

• [1:18] Jeremy introduces his guest, Dave Colina.
• [2:30] Dave talks about the early days of DrinkO2 and why he and his partner started it.
• [10:45] Stepping out into the unknown.
• [16:15] Dave opens up about the research and development process.
• [26:00] Finding the right flavors for DrinkO2.
• [36:00] Mistakes made along the way.
• [40:30] Correcting a mistake and sticking to the value of honesty and transparency.
• [49:30] A high point on the journey.

What does the process look like to develop and market a natural recovery drink? Where would you start? How would you choose to sell the product in such a crowded industry? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and innovator Dave Colina. In his conversation with Jeremy, Dave opens up about how O2 started, what the research and development process was like, how they decided on which flavors to market, lessons learned from mistakes made along the way, and much more. Have pen and paper ready; you don't want to miss a minute of this fascinating episode! Do you ever find yourself wondering why there aren't more natural recovery drinks that feature a high dose of electrolytes without adding artificial sweeteners? It seems that most recovery drinks are full of sugars and unnatural colors that should give more consumers pause. Here to help bring a solution to the marketplace is Dave Colina and DrinkO2. DrinkO2 started from humble beginnings as Dave and his business partner were selling the product out of the trunk of Dave's Prius. Now the business is thriving thanks to their simple yet powerful message, natural recovery is possible! Did you know that oxygen plays a considerable part in your body's recovery process after a workout? Several medical studies have shown up to a 60% increase in the rate your liver processes toxins by consuming oxygenated liquids. Dave and his team at O2 created their product with this medical information in mind. The pure oxygen in O2 is measured at seven times higher than the typical levels found in tap water. Get more info about O2 and a great deal on their product by checking out the information located in the resources section at the end of this post! What causes entrepreneurs and innovators to step out into the unknown and start something new? Let's face it, these folks are a rare breed, and we need to hear more of their stories, so this risk-taking journey is encouraged for the next generation of business leaders. As Dave Colina rose through the ranks at Nationwide, he quickly discovered that he wanted to do something different and build a business of his own. While he was still young and free from any family obligations, Dave pulled the trigger and went for it. The journey was scary and not always smooth but looking back, Dave is more than satisfied with how the project has fared thus far. If you were to create a natural recovery drink, where would you start? Would you dive into the industry with guns blazing or would you take a more cautious and measured approach? Sitting with the idea for several years, Dave and his business partner went for a deep dive learning all the info they needed to make a startup based on a natural recovery drink succeed. Through the highs and lows, they were able to overcome some enormous challenges and now enjoy prominent placement in grocery store chains like Whole Foods and Krogers.

• DrinkO2
• www.drinko2.com/tryo2 enter the code: SAMPLE
• CrossFit
• High Hanging Fruit
• Mission in a Bottle
• Shoe Dog
• Beatbox Beverages on Inspired Insider
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Nate Lind is the founder of Adsum, the Legends mastermind group, and a multi-million dollar ecommerce company selling hair care products for women and men. He has had a fascinating journey going from canning pack house to his education at the art institute to a junior programmer to selling and buying 50 million dollars of real estate to consultant for fortune 500 banks to multimillion dollar ecommerce company to Adsum.

• [1:35] Jeremy introduces his guest, Nate Lind.
• [3:00] Nate talks about the lowest moment in his career.
• [8:30] A milestone that Nate is proud of.
• [11:00] How to connect with Nate and Adsum.

How do you come back from staring down the precipice of financial ruin? What does it look like to live with hope in the face of such despair? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and business leader Nate Lind. In his conversation with Jeremy, Nate opens up about one of the most challenging moments in his career, what it was like losing over two hundred pounds, why he loves his work with Adsum, and so much more! Don't miss a minute of this fascinating and moving episode featuring Nate's story! When was the last time you faced a significant challenge in your career? What did you do to keep sight of your goals when it seemed like all of your plans were dashed? Do you have someone you can turn to in these challenging times? For Nate Lind, that person was his wife. As he stared down what looked like financial ruin, Nate's wife was there helping him keep everything in its proper perspective. If you don't have someone like that in your life, what are you waiting for? Through good times and challenging times, you need someone in your corner who can help you focus on what matters. Have you found that one thing that lights you up more than anything else? What is that one thing for you? How did you discover it? Is it a part of your professional career? Nate Lind struggled for a long time before he was able to answer this question. Finally, connecting his skill and his passion, Nate created Adsum. In his work with Adsum, Nate can focus on helping other leaders succeed by connecting them to a community of peers. The truth is when you can tap into your passion and then unleash that power for good, you'll get a front row seat to some amazing developments. Find out more about Nate's work with Adsum by checking out their website!

• Adsum
• The Legends Mastermind
• Shoe Dog
• Never Split the Difference
• Christopher Voss Interview
• The 5 Love Languages
• Sellers Cruise
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Matthew Bertulli is the co-founder of Demac Media and Pela Case. Pela Case is the world's first compostable phone case. This helps cut down on the billion cases produced each year that will probably end up in the ocean. Demac Media is an award-winning ecommerce products and services company based out of Toronto, Ontario. They are one of the largest Magento Gold partners in Canada and one of the top Magento partners globally and a Shopify partner as well. Their 90 person staff provides ecommerce platform technology and managed services to retailers, manufacturers, and wholesale distributors selling direct to consumer or business to business.

• [1:16] Jeremy welcomes his guest, Matthew Bertulli.
• [3:20] Matthew talks about his family and their work in entrepreneurship.
• [5:45] What led Matthew to start his own business?
• [8:30] Early work in ecommerce.
• [10:30] How did Demac Media start?
• [16:20] Grabbing the dragon by the tail.
• [24:00] How Matthew started building up Pela.
• [28:00] Allocating resources and keeping two businesses separate.
• [33:30] Matthew's take on building a successful ecommerce brand.
• [39:30] Products that Pela is rolling out in the next 60 days and how they launch.
• [46:15] Using innovative and sustainable materials.
• [50:30] Matthew talks about the decision to bring on an outside CEO.
• [52:45] Dealing with challenges in the business.
• [55:30] Apps that Matthew and his team use.
• [1:03:30] Growing pains in the ecommerce industry.
• [1:07:50] Matthew talks about email notifications and conversion rates.
• [1:10:00] Why reviews are so important.
• [1:16:00] Matthew shares some bumps along the way and building a healthy culture.
• [1:20:30] A proud moment in business.

What does it look like to lead the way in eliminating waste from consumer products? Why would a business create a goal so large and seemingly impossible? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneur and innovator Matthew Bertulli. In his conversation with Jeremy, Matthew opens up about starting Demac Media, how he connected with the founder of Pela, why he is so passionate about eliminating waste, his successful career in the ecommerce industry, and so much more! Don't miss a minute of this engaging and informative episode featuring Matthew!

Can a business become profitable while focusing on eliminating waste from everyday items like cell phone cases? While it's a noble cause and worthwhile pursuit, how could it ever become a sustainable business model? Matthew Bertulli is convinced that people will connect with the vision and goal of eliminating waste using one of the most natural methods available, their buying habits. If they can convince people who are willing to spend money on a phone case to take the time to consider what impact that purchase will have on the planet, they are confident they can win a buyer. Make sure to check out the link to Pela's website to learn more!

When was the last time you purchased a product based on the advice of someone you know and trust? The buying habits of many people are primarily influenced by the opinions and input of their friends and family. As social media continues to expand its reach, people are turning to influencers and social media personalities when it comes to deciding which product they are going to purchase. Recognizing this trend, Matthew and his team at Pela went on the hunt for the right person and demographic to connect to their brand. Thankfully, they found a vegan influencer who got behind the product and ignited interest in Pela. What can you learn from Pela's story?

Let's face it, we all have to make strategic decisions when it comes to our time, resources, and energy. Leaders like Matthew Bertulli have to make those same decisions but on an amplified scale. After successfully running Demac Media, Matthew jumped at the opportunity to take a product like Pela Cases to the marketplace. Rather than folding Pela into Demac Media, Matthew made the strategic decision to keep the two organizations separate so they could plot their paths and profitability. While the decision wasn't an easy one to make, looking back, Matthew is satisfied that it was the right call, putting both businesses in the best position for long-term success.

Have you ever had a moment when you took the time to reflect on your career and realized that every step of the way prepared you for your current role? Matthew Bertulli had no idea when he was younger that he would end up leading two thriving businesses, but looking back some influences led him to where he is now. Growing up in an entrepreneurial environment enabled Matthew to consider starting a business as a viable career option. This upbringing also gave him a creative edge opening up opportunities that most people would have never found.

• www.pelacase.com
• www.demacmedia.com
• Matt's website
• Anything, Anywhere
• Matt on Twitter
• Magento
• Yvon Chouinard
• 1,000 True Fans
• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
• Blue Ocean Strategy
• Shopify Plus
• Yotpo
• Smile.io
• Grow
• Glue.io
• Chatkit
• Zen Desk
• Order Bot
• Klaviyo
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Rusty Jones and Tom Bushkie are the founders of Hello Water. Hellowater is fiber infused with zero grams of sugar and five grams fiber to help with a healthy lifestyle. Hellowater is also a fresh delivery system for fiber with exciting flavors such as Dance, which is their orange mango version. You can find Hellowater at Target, Jewel Osco, Woodmans, on Amazon and many more retailers across the country.

• [1:35] Jeremy introduces his guests, Rusty Jones and Tom Bushkie.
• [2:35] A look at the future of Hello Water and Hello Water Kids.
• [5:30] Why Hello Water is available on Amazon.
• [8:20] Tom talks about a low moment in business.
• [11:45] Rusty talks about a low moment in business.
• [14:00] How to connect with Hello Water.

What does it take to create a good tasting fiber drink that will help men, women, and children get their bodies on the right track? How do you market a beverage like that so people will want to try it? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you'll hear from entrepreneurs and innovators, Rusty Jones and Tom Bushkie. In their conversation with Jeremy, Rusty and Tom open up about the future of Hello Water, why they are so excited about their kid's beverage line, challenges they have faced along the way, and so much more. Don't miss a minute of this engaging and informative episode featuring Hello Water!

What comes to mind when you think of a fiber drink? Does it immediately come off as something that you are excited to drink? For most people, the honest answer to that question would be, no. Rusty Jones and Tom Bushkie are doing their best to change that answer to a resounding, yes! At Hello Water, they are convinced that their product offers the perfect solution with the added benefit of helping appetite control, healthy digestion, and lowering cholesterol with its 5g of soluble fiber in each bottle. They have come up with a fantastic product line at Hello Water, make sure to check them out!

How often do you look back at the disappointments and failures that you've experienced in your career? The truth is, most of us rarely take the time to look back and reflect on what we've endured. Hearing from Tom Bushkie, you get the sense that this business leader has been through that hard work of evaluating and reflecting on past challenges. After years of trying to make it work, Tom faced the low point of his career when he had to walk away from the business he had built with his heart and soul. Four years later, Tom is leading a thriving comeback story leading Hello Water with his co-founder, Rusty Jones by his side.

• Hello Water
• Tom Bushkie on LinkedIn
• Rusty Jones on LinkedIn
• Intro Music by Kidd Russell

Brand Driver helps ecommerce brands grow online sales and help you to protect your brand. I did a demo and loved how the dashboard is featured visibility so you can see all your reviews and questions that you may have scattered across amazon that need answering but they are on one screen. Go to www.Branddriver.com to find out more!

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Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers.

Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company's plate.

Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level.

Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few.

If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com.

Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.