Learn how Sterling Jones scaled JOJO’s Chocolate from a kitchen table to national retail. We dive into the ecommerce shipping secrets, CPG logistics, and the "Missionary Mindset" required to build a national brand.

In this conversation, Sterling Jones pulls back the curtain on the grit, personal sacrifices, and strategic resets that define his founder story.

He discusses the "humbling" transition from an investment banking track to a 120-degree Arizona garage—a period where he learned that building a business requires more than just a great recipe; it requires the documented discipline of business leadership to lead through the tactical dust.

We also dive deep into the "Legacy" philosophy: why Sterling walked away from a "guaranteed" finance career to build a brand inspired by his mother Jojo’s battle with breast cancer.

This radical approach to mission-driven leadership and supply chain management is the core of their national success.

Inside the Episode:

0:00 — The realization: "She started this company for me"

04:12 — Giving up the "Blueprint": Why I left Investment Banking

12:30 — The 120-Degree Hustle: Shipping chocolate in Arizona summers

22:45 — Scaling Down to Scale Up: Shrinking from 20 employees to 5

35:10 — The "Missionary" Mindset vs. The Mercenary

48:15 — The Ego Check: Letting the best idea win

55:20 — Sourcing and Logistics: From the kitchen to Germany

1:05:45 — Building a $1B Moat with "Sweet Triumphant Snacking"

1:15:30 — Why family is the ultimate mission

ABOUT KNOW YOUR SHIP:Know Your Ship features conversations with the builders, founders, and leaders who turned "nothing" into "something." Hosted by eHub, the leading platform for ecommerce shipping and logistics.

CONNECT WITH US:Optimize your shipping: https://www.ehub.comMore episodes: https://linktr.ee/knowyourship

CONNECT WITH STERLING & JOJO’S:JOJO’s Chocolate: https://jojoschocolate.com/Sterling’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlingmjones/

How Shawn Nelson scaled Lovesac to a billion-dollar Nasdaq company. Learn the "MBA in a box" lessons from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the "Design for Life" strategy used to build a massive competitive moat.In this conversation, Shawn Nelson pulls back the curtain on the grit, failures, and "Shawn-isms" that define his 27-year journey in the trenches of American entrepreneurship. He discusses the "humiliating" Chapter 11 bankruptcy that followed his $1 million win on national television—a period he calls his "MBA in a box," where he learned more about contracts and survival than any business school could teach.We also dive deep into the "Design for Life" philosophy: why Lovesac wants customers to "buy less stuff" by creating modular products built to last a lifetime. This radical approach to sustainability and e-commerce logistics is the core of their billion-dollar moat.Inside the Masterclass:0:00 — How to build a 100-year brand (The Disney/Nike vision)04:12 — The early days of Lovesac: A college side-hustle15:45 — Winning "The Rebel Billionaire" with Richard Branson29:10 — The "MBA in a Box": Surviving Chapter 11 Bankruptcy42:30 — Why we almost lost it all after a $1M win48:15 — The "Design for Life" strategy and building a moat58:20 — Scaling to Nasdaq: Hiring people to outclass you1:08:45 — Leadership vs. Management in a public company1:15:30 — Why family is the ultimate missionPowered by www.ehub.comYour partner in ecommerce shipping and logistics.Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourshipConnect with Shawn Nelson:📘 Read the Book: "Let Me Save You 25 Years" https://shawndnelson.com/book/ 🎧 Listen to the Podcast: "Let Me Save You 25 Years" https://shawndnelson.com/podcast/ 📱 Follow Shawn: https://www.instagram.com/shawnoflovesac/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndnelson/ 📱Follow Lovesac: https://www.instagram.com/lovesac/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/lovesac/ #Lovesac #ShawnNelson #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Scale #FounderStory #DesignForLife #EcommerceLogistics

What does it take to lead a nationwide organization when you started with nothing but your belongings in a garbage bag? Celeste Edmunds, CEO of The Christmas Box International, joins us on Know Your Ship to share a story of radical resilience.

Celeste opens up about the "Identity Shift" required to move from the foster care system to the boardroom. She discusses the grit it takes to knock on doors for $10 checks, the bravery to write her memoir, and the "Erase and Replace" philosophy that allowed her to outgrow her past and step into her full potential as a leader.

Inside the Episode:

The Business of Impact: How to manage $800k+ in annual in-kind donations.

Identity & Potential: Overcoming the "Garbage Bag Girl" label to lead with authority.

Collaboration as a Moat: Why alignment is the only way to survive a tough economy.

CEO Wellness: The "9-12-3" rule for staying balanced under pressure.

About Our Guest: Celeste Edmunds is the CEO of The Christmas Box International, an organization that has served over 170,000 children. She is the author of Garbage Bag Girl and the upcoming book The Boy Who Was Raised in a Sunflower Patch.

Her life’s work is dedicated to the philosophy that every child deserves a childhood.

Subscribe to Know Your Ship for more stories from the front lines of leadership and business.

Connect with Celeste Edmunds and The Christmas Box International :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmundsceleste/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celesteedmundsauthor/

Website: TheChristmasBox.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christmas-box-international/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristmasbox_intl/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristmasboxinternation8405

Connect with eHub: eHub is the premier business and logistics platform designed to help you scale your brand with integrity and efficiency.

Learn more: https://ehub.com/

#KnowYourShip #Resilience #FounderStory #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Mindset #eHub #SuccessMindset #GarbageBagGirl

Robert Molling, founder of 1% Fitness Kitchen, didn’t just turn his life around—he rebuilt it through a system of discipline and logistics. After 30 jail bookings and losing 22 friends to substance abuse, Robert hit an inflection point at age 28. What started as cooking meals in transitional housing evolved into a data-driven nutrition company that now ships nationwide.

In this episode of Know Your Ship, we discuss the "identity shift" required to go from incarceration to CEO. Robert breaks down the parallels between addiction recovery and scaling a business, why muscle retention is a better KPI than weight loss, and how he manages the high-complexity logistics of the meal prep industry.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Erase and Replace" method for changing your identity.

• How to systematize nutrition using measurable KPIs.

• The operational realities of scaling a physical product business.

• Why most meal prep brands fail and how 1% Fitness survived.

  
  

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Robert Molling & 1% Fitness Kitchen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1percentfitness/ 

Website: https://1percentfit.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1fitness297 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1-percent-fitness/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-molling-16573589/

Dr. Shannon O'Grady, CEO of Gnarly Nutrition, breaks down what's really in your supplements — and what most brands don't want you to know. From proprietary blends to NSF certification to the truth about carbs and artificial sweeteners, Shannon brings a PhD scientist's lens to an industry built on hype.

Shannon shares her journey from graduate research and postdoctoral work into the sports nutrition industry, where she helped transform Gnarly into a science-backed, third-party tested brand focused on transparency and athlete trust.

The conversation dives into proprietary blends, supplement marketing myths, NSF certification, and why dosage and data matter more than flashy labels.

Frank and Shannon also explore resilience — from harsh academic feedback to endurance racing to stepping into the CEO role.

Shannon reflects on surrounding herself with experts, learning in real time, and leading with intent rather than ego. Along the way, they tackle controversial topics in nutrition, including carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, diet culture, and what it really means to be an athlete.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us:linktr.ee/knowyourship

Connect with Shannon O’Grady:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-o-grady-ph-d-44a0bb1a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaogrady/ Connect with Gnarly Nutrition:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gnarlynutrition/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnarlynutrition/

X: https: //x.com/GnarlyNutrition

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gnarlynutrition

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gnarlynutrition2410

Leadership often develops long before titles or recognition follow. In this episode of Know Your Ship, host Frank Dolce speaks with Jim Herrmann about the quiet lessons, influential coaches, and defining moments that shaped his path from rural Wisconsin to Division I football and beyond.

Jim shares candid stories from his playing days and the leaders who left a lasting impression on him, including coaches who led with trust, discipline, and calm authority rather than volume. The conversation explores self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and how learning fundamentals — on the field and off — can change the trajectory of a career once someone realizes they belong.

Frank and Jim also discuss leadership beyond sports, including how those early lessons now influence Jim’s work in private equity, team building, and relationship-driven business. From recognizing potential to empowering others, Jim reflects on why sustainable success is built on consistency, character, and alignment over time.

This episode is for anyone interested in leadership, personal growth, and how the right people — at the right moments — can change everything.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us:linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Jim Herrmann:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-herrmann-8733a810/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermles92/ 

In this episode of Know Your Ship, host Frank Dolce is joined by Ricky “Smaqs” Zazueta for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about addiction, incarceration, identity, and what it truly takes to transform your life. Ricky shares his journey from gang life and substance abuse to sobriety, leadership, and service — offering hard-earned insight into personal responsibility, resilience, and growth.

Ricky opens up about the moment he realized his prison sentence wasn’t defined by his charge, but by addiction, and how a single decision to say no became the catalyst for lasting change. The conversation explores identity, accountability, and the discipline required to rebuild your mind, body, and purpose, even in the most restrictive environments.

Frank and Ricky also discuss leadership, community, and the responsibility that comes with personal transformation. From serving others through reentry work to mentoring those still navigating addiction and incarceration, Ricky reflects on why growth doesn’t stop at survival — and why true impact comes from lifting others as you rise.

This episode is for anyone seeking perspective on resilience, recovery, and what it means to become the highest version of yourself — no matter where you’re starting from.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Ricky Zazueta:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobiasottt37t3darr/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickyz03

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-zazueta-b46882187/ 

X: https://x.com/rickyz03 

Listen to Ricky’s podcast Caged No More: https://www.instagram.com/caged.no.more.pod/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cagednomorepodcast/playlists?app=desktop&view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=5 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caged-no-more-podcast/id1851293982 

In this special episode of Know Your Ship, we introduce a new segment: eHub Gives a Ship — a series highlighting individuals and organizations working to do good in the world and create meaningful community impact.

Host Frank Dolce, alongside co-host Preston Cochrane, sits down with Emily Bell McCormick, president and founder of The Policy Project for the inaugural episode. Together, they explore how policy, community collaboration, and nonpartisan leadership can drive lasting change at scale.

Emily shares her path from private industry to nonprofit leadership and explains why policy is a powerful tool for addressing complex social challenges. The conversation covers The Policy Project’s work across Utah and beyond, including expanding access to period products in schools, creating teen resource centers, addressing student hunger, preventing child sexual abuse, and improving outcomes for vulnerable youth.

Frank, Preston, and Emily also discuss nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and working across the political spectrum. Emily reflects on the importance of upstream solutions and what it takes to build impact that lasts.

This episode is for anyone interested in nonprofit work, policy-driven solutions, and organizations committed to doing good — today and for the long term.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Emily Bell McCormick:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilybellmccormick/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bell-mccormick-2345266a/ 

X: https://x.com/MccormickBell 

Connect with The Policy Project: 

Website: https://www.thepolicyproject.org/ 

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepolicyproject 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-policy-project/ 

In this episode of Know Your Ship, Frank sits down with Lora Palmer, founder of Bonobo Baby, for a thoughtful conversation about entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building a consumer brand shaped by real-life experience. Lora shares how personal challenges, including postpartum depression, medical trauma, and parenting a child with autism, influenced her path into business and inspired her to create a practical solution for parents.

Lora walks through how Bonobo Baby was built from the ground up and why validating ideas before investing time and capital was critical in the early stages. She explains how social media became a powerful tool for testing demand, connecting with customers, and growing a loyal community around the brand. She also reflects on the importance of showing up authentically as a founder and why progress often matters more than perfection.

Frank and Lora talk about what leadership and resilience look like in practice, especially when balancing creative ideas with the discipline to execute them. Lora shares how asking for help, working through setbacks, and drawing from personal experience have shaped the way she builds meaningful work for her customers.

The result is a warm and honest conversation about building something meaningful while navigating the complexities of real life. This episode is for founders, parents, and anyone interested in entrepreneurship, consumer brands, and creating businesses rooted in genuine experience.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Lora Palmer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-palmer-founder/

Connect with Bonobo Baby:

Website: https://bonobobaby.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.bonobo.baby/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBonoboBaby 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebonobobaby 

Leadership looks different when it’s shaped inside operations rather than from the sidelines.

In this episode of Know Your Ship, Frank sits down with Jim Cochrane, CEO of the Package Shippers Association and former USPS executive, for a candid conversation on leadership, learning the business, and developing people the right way.

Jim shares how experience across operations, logistics, and executive leadership shaped his approach to leading teams and organizations. He explains why understanding the core business matters at the CEO level, how asking questions instead of giving directives builds ownership, and why giving people real responsibility creates stronger teams and better outcomes.

Frank and Jim explore what it takes to lead complex organizations, the importance of operational credibility, and how curiosity and accountability influence decision-making at the executive level. Jim also offers perspective from his current role leading the Package Shippers Association, where collaboration across shippers, carriers, and industry partners is essential.

The result is a practical, grounded conversation about leadership that goes beyond theory. This episode is for leaders who want to stay close to the work, build trust with their teams, and lead with clarity.

Powered by www.ehub.com

Connect with us: linktr.ee/knowyourship 

Connect with Jim Cochrane & the Package Shippers Association

Jim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jicochrane/ 

PSA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parcel-shippers-association/ 

Website: https://packageshippers.org