Tom Gilmartin helps students and early-career creative marketing minds gain an almost unfair advantage—not just in landing the roles they dream about, but in proving they belong, creating real impact, and setting the foundation for a career that fuels the soul. After 20+ years hiring and leading hundreds of creative + marketing minds in agencies and Silicon Valley, he can tell you—there’s a bit of a cheat code. The people who break in and thrive in the Industry don’t just have talent; they know how to stand out, get noticed, and navigate the system. In this episode of Oversharing, Mikhail Alfon sits down with creative industry veteran Tom Gilmartin—former Facebook/Instagram Creative Director and longtime ad agency leader—for an inspiring conversation on creativity, leadership, and breaking into the advertising world.

Tom shares his journey from playing in garage bands and struggling with dyscalculia to leading iconic campaigns at agencies like Chiat\Day and at tech giants like Meta. They dive into career-defining moments, the importance of clarity and kindness in feedback, and how creatives today can thrive in a world powered by AI and fast content cycles. Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gilmartin-career-launch-coaching https://www.gilmartincoaching.com  https://tomgilmartin.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:03 The Journey into Advertising 10:39 Influences and Mentorship 16:57 The Evolution of Creative Processes 27:33 The Importance of Honest Feedback 29:56 Navigating Hard Conversations 33:18 Innovative Campaigns: Merging Art and Marketing 40:30 Empowering the Next Generation of Creatives 51:43 Building Personal Brands for Career Success

Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into the world of direct-to-consumer boxing brands with Christopher Espinosa, the founder of MK1 Boxing. Christopher shares his journey and provides valuable insights into various aspects of building a successful brand from the ground up. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or boxing enthusiast, this episode offers actionable advice and inspiration.

Topics Covered:

• Product Development: Christopher discusses the meticulous process of developing high-quality boxing products that meet the needs of consumers and stand out in a competitive market.
• Influencer Marketing: Learn how MK1 Boxing leverages the power of influencers to reach a broader audience and build credibility within the boxing community.
• Facebook and Google Advertising: Get insider tips on how to effectively use Facebook and Google ads to drive traffic and increase sales for your brand.
• Email Marketing: Discover strategies for building and nurturing an email list to keep your audience engaged and informed about new products and promotions.
• Brand Building: Christopher shares his experience in creating a strong brand identity and the importance of staying true to your brand values.

Discover MK1 Boxing: Explore MK1 Boxing's innovative products and learn more about their journey at MK1 Boxing's Official Website: https://www.mk1boxing.com/

Connect with Christopher Espinosa:

Email: [email protected] Instagram: MK1 Boxing Instagram: Wolf of Boxing

Connect with Mikhail:

Instagram: Mikhail Website: Blue Light Media

Tune in to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to build a thriving direct-to-consumer brand in the competitive boxing industry.

In this episode, Mikhail Alfon reconnects with Tyler Allgaier, the President and CEO of Pitted Companies. Tyler shares the journey of growing Pitted from a college project to a suite of companies including Pitted Labs, Pitted Logistics, and Pitted Ventures. The discussion delves into the challenges of business leadership, the impact of rapid growth on mental health, and strategies for managing personal well-being while scaling a company.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Introduction and Pitted Companies Overview
  • Tyler's journey from college to leading Pitted Companies
  • Expansion from Pitted Labs to Pitted Logistics and Pitted Ventures
• Growth and Leadership Evolution
  • Transition from hands-on work to managing leaders
  • Challenges of shifting to a leadership role and managing a larger team
• Building and Maintaining Company Culture
  • Importance of in-office work for camaraderie and culture
  • Focus on creating a supportive and engaging work environment
• Handling Rapid Growth and Employee Well-being
  • Managing the expansion from less than 10 to 45 employees in three years
  • Strategies for ensuring employee satisfaction and retention
• Mental Health and Personal Challenges
  • Tyler’s personal experiences with mental health as a founder
  • The importance of empathy and support within the company
  • Balancing personal life and professional responsibilities
• Decision-Making and Delegation
  • Delegating technical tasks and focusing on strategic decisions
  • Importance of making quick, independent decisions as a bootstrapped company
• Future Plans for Pitted Companies
  • Vision for continued growth and maintaining a people-focused culture
  • Tyler’s goals for Pitted and the ongoing commitment to employee well-being

Notable Quotes:

• "Leadership is about guiding your team through growth while ensuring everyone feels valued and supported."
• "Mental health should be a priority, not an afterthought, especially in a fast-growing company."
• "Stress doesn't come from hard work. Stress comes from avoiding what we know we need to face." - Jeff Bezos

Connect with Tyler: [email protected] / https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerallgaier Connect with Mikhail: instagram.com/miqk

In this episode, Ellen Tsai and Britley Willaims, co-founders of Fan into Flame, share their journey of aligning their faith and business. They discuss how a prophetic word in 2 Timothy 1:6 led them to lay down their separate businesses and join forces in a new venture. Ellen and Britley share practical strategies for prioritizing God, decreasing stress, and living a life of purpose. They also explore the importance of inner healing, self-care, and embodiment in overall well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of prioritizing God in daily life and business
• Practical strategies for decreasing stress and increasing focus
• The role of inner healing, self-care, and embodiment in overall well-being
• How to seek first the kingdom of God in daily work and decision-making
• Using business as a form of worship and service to others

Resources:

Fan into Flame website - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fan-into-flame/id1709047939 Ellen Tsai Website - https://www.ellenbtsai.com/  Britley Williams - https://divineyourlife.co/ 

In this deeply inspiring episode, we're joined by the incredibly multifaceted Bernice Chao, a creative powerhouse whose journey breaks the mold in more ways than one. Bernice shares her unique path from growing up in an Asian immigrant household to making her mark in the competitive world of advertising and beyond. 

Listeners will be captivated by Bernice's early realization of her passion for art, supported by her mother's unwavering belief in her talents, leading her to pursue a career that defies the typical expectations placed upon Asian American children. Her story is a testament to the power of nurturing one's passions and the courage to pursue an unconventional path.

Bernice also delves into the nuances of navigating the workplace as an Asian American, shedding light on the challenges of breaking through the "bamboo ceiling" and the importance of visibility and representation. She discusses the formation of Asians in Advertising, a community initiative aimed at amplifying Asian voices in the industry, and shares actionable advice on finding mentors, advocating for oneself, and the significance of creating a supportive community.

This episode is not just a story of personal success; it's a motivational guide that encourages listeners to embrace their identity, pursue their passions with tenacity, and the importance of carving out space for oneself in any field. Whether you're looking for inspiration, career advice, or just a compelling story, Bernice's journey from an immigrant child to a beacon of creativity and advocacy is sure to motivate and encourage listeners to break through their own ceilings.

Connect with Bernice: https://www.bernicechao.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernicechao/ https://www.instagram.com/hellobernice

Connect with Mikhail https://www.instagram.com/miqk https://www.mikhailalfon.com

Chris Caldwell: Eliminate Your Head Trash, Change Your Life

Will Robins: Thailand Tsunami Survivor Revolutionizes Coaching

Join in on this conversation with Bryan Black, the standout tattoo artist and Inkmaster alum, as he gets deep with Mikhail Alfon. In this episode, Bryan sheds the typical fluff and dives into the genuine experiences that forged his path from a laid-back surfer-skater kid in Southern California to a master in the inked world.

This isn't your typical motivational talk. Bryan gets real about the ups and downs of high school life, the relentless pursuit of his passions in surfing and skateboarding, and how these shaped his artistic vision and personal ethos. He shares unguarded moments from his journey, including his foray into tattoo artistry and his transformative stint on Inkmaster.

Beyond the ink, Bryan opens up about his personal battles and victories, discussing the gritty realities of sobriety, the complexities of spirituality, and the raw truth about personal growth. His candid reflections offer a no-nonsense perspective on staying true to oneself in a world that often pushes conformity.

For those who know Bryan from Inkmaster, or anyone intrigued by a straight-shooting narrative on life, art, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for an episode that cuts through the noise and delivers straight-up insights on living life on your own terms.

Connect with Bryan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/_bryan_black_

Connect with Mikhail on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miqk

Akvile DeFazio is a mother, wife, and the founder of Akvertise. 

Connect with Akvile on Twitter here.

Connect with Mikhail on Instagram here.

Jonathan Hanson is an entrepreneur, artist, and puglist.

Connect with Jonathan on Instagram here. Connect with Mikhail on Instagram here.