Retail War Games

​​Retail is evolving fast, and the brands that win are the ones who know how to adapt. In this episode of Retail Collective, we sit down with Jamie, former Nike executive, CEO of Jaybird, and now founder of SMMT, to unpack what it takes to lead through change.

You'll hear:

• How Nike's rotational culture develops leaders who think across design, product, finance, and marketing

• What running Manchester United's retail taught Jamie about high-volume consumer experience and operational excellence

• How to reposition an upstart brand in a crowded category and engineer a turnaround (Jaybird)

• The new rules of DTC, brand building, and why niche brands with loyal communities often outperform mass-market plays

• SMMT's approach to innovation—combining thoughtful design, consumer utility, and long-term brand equity

This is a conversation about leadership, execution, and vision—practical insights any established brand can use to sharpen its retail strategy.

👉 For CEOs, CMOs, and retail leaders, this episode is about more than product—it's about building durable brands that can thrive in the next decade.

Most founders brag about their to-do list. Scott Holmes built Teton Sports on a to-don't list.

Instead of chasing trends, he listened—really listened—to what customers hated.

That's how he turned problems into patents and built one of the most trusted outdoor brands. In this episode, we get into why saying "no" can be the smartest move you make in business.

Watch Episode Here!

Mark Stokes spent nearly 15 years at Vivint before co-founding Cove, a DIY home security brand built to simplify, lower costs, and remove industry pain points.

In this episode, he shares how Cove's no-contract, affordable systems and innovative features—like live camera streaming to your keypad—are challenging long-standing industry models. We dive into marketing strategies that lean on content creators over door-to-door sales, lessons from expensive agency mistakes, the data-driven approach that fuels their growth, and why bootstrapping has given them a competitive edge.

If you're interested in brand strategy, e-commerce growth, or how to scale without losing control, this conversation delivers both inspiration and practical takeaways.

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What do you do when a customer asks for something you've never made?

For Tyler Hortin, it meant pivoting from emergency food manufacturing to creating his first solar generator.

That single leap sparked Lion Energy—now a nationwide leader in cobalt-free battery technology, powering everything from RVs to entire homes.

In this episode, Tyler shares how one customer request grew into a brand sold in Costco, Buc-ee's, and hundreds of dealers, proving that the right product, the right timing, and relentless execution can transform any business.

Garrett Blood went from building the first health-focused ice cream brand to helping businesses around the world grow. He founded Arctic Zero years before protein ice cream became a trend and scaled it into 18,000 grocery stores nationwide. After selling the company, Garrett launched Kajae, an agency that connects entrepreneurs with talented people across the globe.

In this conversation, Garrett shares what it takes to start something new, the lessons he's learned from working across nearly every category in retail and business, and why he's committed to bringing the human element back to the workplace in an AI-driven world. We also talk about his early use of influencer marketing before it even had a name, how to find the right people in the right rooms, and the future opportunities he's chasing next.

Most brands think rebranding means changing the packaging.

But when KT Tape scaled into tens of thousands of stores, the real shift wasn't what they looked like — it was how they educated their customer.

In this episode, Jessica Klodnicki breaks down:

• How KT Tape used simple, accessible video to drive usage

• The power of QR codes + tech to remove buyer friction

• What actually makes a rebrand successful

• How to know if your brand is ready to scale in retail

If you have an education-based product — or if you're trying to simplify your customer journey — this episode will spark some ideas.

🎧 Let's kick off Season 3.

Mentioned in this episode: www.volcanicretail.com KT Tape App (iOS/Android)

#RetailWarGames #VolcanicRetail #KTtape #RetailStrategy #Rebrand #CPGMarketing #ProductEducation #ConsumerExperience #QRcodes

Mike May (founder of Cotopaxi) and CJ Whittaker are building Pingora—join Anna and Kassi to talk about building a brand that actually stands for something.

This episode dives into why individuality matters, what accessible aspiration really looks like, and how Pingora is redefining what it means to lead in the outdoor space.

One of our favorite lines from CJ: "I don't care what you think I'll like—I want to know what you believe in."

A bold, honest conversation from two founders who know what it takes.

#RetailCollective #Pingora #Cotopaxi #BrandWithBelief

What if your brand didn't just support a cause — it was the cause?

In this episode, I sit down with Shawn, who helped lead survival production for MrBeast and is now the founder of the Barbarian Foundation — a CPG brand built inside a nonprofit.

Every dollar of profit goes straight to the Barbarian Foundation, supporting firefighters, veterans, and volunteers who step in when no one else does.

We talk about: – What Shawn learned behind the scenes at MrBeast and Prime – Building a brand with real mission and trust – The shift from content to cause – Why CPG can be more than a margin game

If you're building a brand or thinking about how to do it differently, this episode's for you.

Is your brand pouring money into trade shows with nothing to show for it?

In this episode of Retail War Games, we're talking about why so many emerging brands spend $15K–$20K (or more) on events that lead to zero ROI—and why Pinners Conference is the exception.

You'll hear why Pinners works, how brands are pulling in $25K–$30K in a single weekend, and how those sales can unlock real retail conversations. We're breaking down:

• The trade show gamble no one talks about
• What makes Pinners different How to turn consumer sales into retail momentum
• Why now is the time to prep if you're going this year

Whether you're just getting started or trying to break into national retail, this episode will help you rethink how and where you spend your time and money.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more real talk about what it actually takes to win at retail.

#RetailWarGames #PinnersConference #EmergingBrands #RetailStrategy #ConsumerFirst #BrandGrowth

CVS Can Make or Break Your Brand | What Every CPG Founder Needs to Know

CVS is one of the biggest retail chains in the U.S.—but getting on their shelves (and staying there) isn't as simple as sending samples and hoping for the best.

In this live studio session, Jeremy Brockbank shares what really happens behind the scenes with CVS buyers:

• How CVS evaluates brands (and why buyer dynamics matter more than you think)

• What payment terms you'll face — and why net 30 might not be the full story

• Why shelf space isn't free — and the hidden costs most brands overlook

If you're pitching national retailers, this is the blueprint. Watch before you make the pitch.Subscribe for more raw retail insights

🎧 Full episode now streaming

#RetailStrategy #CVS #CPGBrands #RetailCollective #RetailWarGames #VolcanicRetail #ConsumerGoods #CPGInsights