In this engaging conversation, Marko Bon shares his journey from the early days of e-commerce as a brand-side creative leader through to his transition to a leadership role in the agency world.
He discusses the impact of fatherhood on his personal growth, the importance of information architecture in design, and the challenges of transitioning from brand side to agency life.  The discussion also delves into the role of data in design, the evolution of his roles at Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Theory and all the spaces in-between, and the complexities of navigating being looked at as more than a designer. 

We then move into the founding of Tomorrow, a Shopify Agency, now known as Domaine, taking Private Equity, merging with their number one competitor, and the challenges that come with leadership in a diverse and rapidly growing practice.   

Chapters

00:00 - Fatherhood Reflections: The Joys and Challenges

05:07 - Home Renovation: Crafting a Mid-Century Masterpiece

07:42 - Diving into Information Architecture: A Designer's Path

10:22 - The Role of Data in Design: A Turning Point

13:15 - Brand Side vs. Agency Side: Navigating the Landscape

18:50 - The Evolution of Retail: Challenges and Opportunities

25:01 - The Shift from Design to Leadership

27:35 - Finding Creative Outlets Beyond Design

28:59 - The Art of Storytelling in Presentations

31:10 - The Importance of Team Dynamics

34:11 - The Birth of the Tomorrow Agency

36:18 - From Product Concept to Agency Model

39:38 - Building a Successful Agency

41:36 - Leveraging Brand Experience in Agency Work

44:41 - Navigating the Private Equity Landscape

57:34 - Navigating Strategic Partnerships

01:00 - The Evolution of Leadership

01:03 - Cultivating Company Culture in a Remote World

01:04 - Transitioning from Expert to Manager

01:11 - Generational Perspectives in Leadership

Peace. -t

...

In this week’s episode of Tea with Rich, we are joined by Kim Georgeton, the CEO of Cloudality, where she shares her extensive career journey from her early days at Amazon to her leadership role at Cloudality. 

A few fun facts here on Kim, I think…

(a) Kim was Amazon employee number 270-something, ish. Shhhh. I’m writing from memory. The facts are within the cast.

(b) Kim was brought in to Amazon to pilot their first 150 SKU’s of gifting ideas, or non-books as I like to say. You know, to see if people would buy something other than reading materials. I think we all know how that turned out.

(c) Faced with a possible layoff of 30+ people that reported into her, in a prior leadership role, she successfully negotiated a role for herself AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, at a new company, despite having other offers that would of benefited her more personally.

As a new CEO, I’ve had a front row seat to her exceptional thought process and leadership style. She’s definitely one to watch. Her style is both direct and collaborative, backed by an Advisory Group that is a who’s who of professional services success.

Chapters

00:00 - Personal Reflections on Family and Mother’s Day

03:21 - Early Days of E-commerce and Amazon's Growth

04:51 - Transitioning to Trade Global and Digital Marketing

07:57 - Leadership Dynamics and Business Evolution

11:17 - Career Transitions and Team Loyalty

16:21 - Leadership and Team Protection

19:31 - Navigating CEO Challenges

28:51 - Mentorship and Personal Inspiration

32:56 - Who Inspires You

34:53 - Leadership Lessons and Realizations

39:26 - The Emotional Burden of Leadership

48:51 - Navigating Capital and Growth Strategies

58:59 - Starting an Advisory Board Early in the Process

Peace. -t

...

On this weeks episode of Tea with Rich we welcome Ethan Zohn to the Podcast. Ethan is the winner of Survivor Africa, founder of Grassroots Soccer, a 2-time Cancer survivor, and motivational speaker. 

We cover his personal and professional journey, including how we met, his role in public speaking, overcoming adversity, and key moments that forever changed his life. 

We of course share insights from Ethan's experience as a Survivor winner and repeat contestant, his work with Grassroots Soccer, the emotional aspects of public speaking, and the evolution of reality TV. 

The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and connection in both personal and professional contexts. Ethan discusses his journey leading up to and getting on Survivor, the importance of using fame for good, and the challenges faced during and after the show. 

We of course get personal, and share stories related to our travel adventures, the challenges of managing relationships and expectations, overcoming adversity and the lessons learned from difficult experiences. 

We end with a few questions from Ethan around how Rich and I handle the idea of competition and building long-lasting alliances. 

Chapters

00:00 - Introductions

03:00 - Friendship and Networking in the Industry

06:02 - Survivor Experience and Public Speaking

09:02 - Overcoming Adversity and Sharing Stories

11:58 - Emotional Aspects of Public Speaking

15:10 - The Evolution of Survivor

17:55 -  From Professional Soccer to Survivor Contestant

25:07 - The Tryout Process for Survivor

29:14 - Grassroots Soccer and Making a Difference

35:08 - Health Challenges and Survivor's Impact

39:14 - Future Reality Shows and Personal Reflections

48:56 - Life Milestones, Family Connections and Safari Goals

54:55 - Surprise Vacations and Planning

56:49 - Food Obsessions and Weight Management

01:01 - Overcoming Adversity and Life Lessons

01:04 - Charity Events and Personal Connections

01:13 - Competitive Spirit and Game Dynamics

01:14 - The Impact of Cancer Research

01:17 - Leadership Retreats and Team Building

01:20 - Business and Survivor: Relationships Matter

01:29 - Business and Survivor: Creating Alliances

Peace. -t

...

On this weeks drop of Tea with Rich we welcome Erik Huberman of Hawke Media to the Podcast, where we cover everything from personal updates to politics, origin stories, and the future of agencies. 

Erik and the Hawke team continue to execute on an impressive acquisition strategy, so we delve into the importance of maintaining a positive company culture, his vision for the future of the agency - emphasizing growth and innovation, and looking for and grooming future leaders.

On the personal side Erik touches on the influences from his family that shaped his personal and professional growth, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and the lessons learned along the way, and his own journey of entrepreneurship prior to Hawke.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introductions, the Fallout from the LA Fires, and Catching Up

03:13 - Health and Wellness Journey

06:04 - Leadership and Business Growth

09:01 - Navigating Political and Economic Challenges

11:53 - Acquisition Strategy and Integration

15:09 - Vision for the Future

27:48 - Navigating Business Decisions and Market Changes

31:44 - Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship

37:10 - Raising Kids with Intentionality

40:43 - Lessons from Parenting and Personal Growth

48:01 - Influences from Family and Personal Development

55:04 - Mentorship and Professional Growth

56:53 - Building Relationships and Early Success

58:46 - Starting Over: Lessons from the Past

01:00 - Navigating the AI Landscape

01:02 - The Future of Agencies and Innovation

01:05 - Intent and Excellence in Business

01:10 - The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

01:13 - Reflections on Selling a Business

You can find Erik on all the usual channels folks - LinkedIn, IG, the family of Hawke companies. He's one to watch.

Peace. -t

… 

This weeks episode of Tea with Rich features Brian Walker, whom shares his extensive career in the commerce tech space, discussing current ventures, including his podcast 'Cocktails and Commerce'. 

Our dialog delves into the evolution of the commerce industry, the MACH Alliance, and the future trends in commerce and technology, including order orchestration (possibly) about to take center stage, and the continued rise of (actual) composable. We also chatted up the importance of a proper strategy and strong leadership in navigating the current wave of “what’s next in commerce”. 

Toward the back-half of this episode we discuss the importance of integrating customer experience, the role of AI, and the challenges of building effective partnerships. We or course, also, get into a dialogue that touches on personal experiences, including balancing career and family life, and providing a holistic view of the commerce industry, maybe, today.

Chapters, ish...

00:00 - Introduction and Shooting the Sh!t

06:29 - Brian's Career Journey and Current Venture

16:30 - Reflections on the Commerce Industry

27:56 - Insights from Brian's Experiences

37:58 - The Impact of COVID on Digital Investments

45:28 - The Rise of Shopify and Market Dynamics

49:34 - Future Trends in Commerce Technology

59:26 - Debating Composability and Headless Commerce

01:01 - The Shiny New Toy Syndrome

01:04 - Navigating Composability in Commerce

01:07 - The Evolution of Commerce Technology

01:13 - The Integrated Commerce Experience

01:15 - Balancing Career, Fatherhood and Emotional Growth

01:25 - Lessons from our Grandparents

01:28 - Advice for Tech Leaders on Partnerships

01:40 - Building Successful Partnerships

Peace. -t

...

In this weeks episode of Tea with Rich, we chat it up with Emily Heintz, founder of Sechey, a pioneer in the non-alcoholic movement.

We discuss the evolution of the non-alcoholic beverage movement, our personal journeys with alcohol, and the importance of wellness.

Moving on from there, we explore the challenges and successes of running a business in this emerging market, I learn some new words, and their significance, like adaptogens, and the impact on personal relationships with alcohol on health and socialization.

This conversation highlights the importance of community, self-care, and the lessons learned in entrepreneurship.

Chapters

00:00 - Introductions

02:05 - Secheys Growth and the Non-Alcoholic Movement

04:26 - Understanding Functional Beverages

06:41 - Rich's Relationship with Alcohol in his 20's

09:54 - The Last Time Rich Drank

16:28 - Teas Relationship with Alcohol

24:07 - Looking for that Drinking Feel Without Drinking

26:56 - Emily's Journey and the Birth of Sechey

28:57 - The Impact of COVID on Alcohol Consumption

31:56 - Challenges in the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market

35:10 - The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beverages

40:24 - The Evolution of Retail and E-Commerce

41:30 - Emily Talks on How all Roads Lead to This Moment

45:53 - Wellness and Health Trends in Beverage Choices

49:54 - The Importance of Sleep and Its Connection to Alcohol

55:50 - Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey

01:00 - Emotional Rollercoaster of Business

01:03 - Emily Asks "What got you through the early days of grinding?"

01:15 - Reflections on Growth and Future Aspirations

Peace. -t

...

This weeks episode hits on part two of our dialog with Erik Dodier, where he continues to reflect on his first 90 days of retirement, and we get into some deep topics related to the intermingling of our personal and professional journeys.
This weeks conversations touch upon topics like: 

• The need for adaptability in business and personal life
• The significance of focusing on what you love to build a fulfilling life
• Reflecting on their journey of building a legacy through their work
• The importance of recognizing patterns in business and life to make informed decisions
• Rich shares his experience of feeling overwhelmed during his transition from leadership
• The value of mentorship and supporting younger leaders.
• The need to design your life around your passions and interests

We, of course, continue to shoot the sh!t a bit too, per usual.

Peace. -t

...

On this episode Erik Dodier updates us on life 90-days into his retirement from PixelMEDIA/RafterOne, and we explore Erik's transition from a structured work life to a more flexible yet structured personal schedule, where he continues to focus on health, wellness, personal growth and what's next. The trio discusses hobbies, family time, and travel adventures, while also reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that come with retirement. 

Erik emphasizes the importance of staying engaged and finding new ways to contribute to the community, including potential teaching opportunities and personal projects.

Peace. -t

In this episode we welcome Harvey to the pulpit, where we discuss the evolution of the e-commerce landscape, particularly focusing on some deep Demandware history and stories, and the emergence of (and move to support) Shopify in the Enterprise space.

With a combined 60+ years of eCommerce experience between the three of us, there's no shortage of stories.

We reflect on our experiences in the industry, the impact of the post-COVID slowdown on agencies, and the importance of customer-centricity and trust in leadership.

Harvey shares insights from his journey transitioning from brand-side roles to agency leadership, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in the agency-client relationship.

The conversation also touches on cultural shifts within organizations and the future of partnerships in the e-commerce space. In this conversation, we delve into various themes surrounding networking, business relationships, and personal growth. We reflect on our experiences in B2B and D2C commerce, the impact of loss on their lives, and the importance of community.

The discussion also touches on career journeys, unexpected paths, and future aspirations, culminating in a rich dialogue about lessons learned and the significance of relationships in both personal and professional contexts.

We'll skip the Chapter listing here as we whipsawed through dozens of topics and reflections on our paths.

About Harvey:

Find him on on LinkedIn folks. His history is to rich to summarize, and too amazing for me to simplify into a few choice sentences. He's a true OG in the total-commerce landscape.

Peace. -t

In this episode of Tea with Rich, we welcome Dylan Runne to share his journey from starting a Business Analyst (ish) at Sapient and Accenture to founding Fenom Digital and eventually selling it to WPP.

He discusses the challenges and successes he faced in the commerce industry, his transition into venture capital with Bambu Ventures, and his current role as CEO of Billfold.

Dylan also opens up about his personal passions, including powerboat racing and cooking, and emphasizes the importance of health and wellness in maintaining a successful career.

In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the profound impact of leadership presence on team dynamics, the importance of networking and relationship building in business (even at those late late events), and the critical role of mentorship in personal growth.

They share personal anecdotes about their experiences in leadership roles, the lessons learned from mistakes, and the significance of being aware and empathetic in professional settings.

The discussion emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with capable individuals and the necessity of being real and authentic in interactions, especially in the age of social media.

Chapters

00:00 - Introductions
02:35 -  The Decision to Start an Agency
08:45 - Landing That First Major Client
09:49 - The Birth of Fenom Digital
11:56 - Sometimes You Have to Live On-site
13:06 - When Global Agencies Doubled Down on Commerce
17:39 - New Beginnings in Venture Capital and Investing
21:02 - Being The New Guy In a New Venture
25:17 - Innovations in Customer Engagement with BambuMeta
30:50 - Staying in Shape with Personal Passions
36:56 - Knowing When to Slow Down and Reset
45:20 - Late Nights as Strategic Networking for High Performers
49:57 - Controlled Chaos at 200MPH
52:19 - Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Surround Yourself with Talent
54:36 - Advice for that Next Big Talent Looking for a Break
59:58 - Get Someone to Believe in You and Start Saying Yes
01:06 - Rich on the Reason He Started Teaching and Mentoring
01:11 - Paying it Forward and Always Being There for Others
01:13 - Closing Comments and Some Shooting the Sh!t

About Dylan Runne:

Dylan is the Founder and former CEO of Fenom Digital, an agency focused on creating and managing enterprise class Commerce sites on the Demandware platform, also formerly known as Salesforce Commerce Cloud. 

Fenom Digital was purchased by WPP in 2023, where Dylan eventually took over all North American Commerce operations for their VML group.

Dylan also founded Fenom Ventures, a privately held investment group, and is currently a general partner at BambuVentures, an investor and board member at BambuMeta, and the acting CEO at Billfold, a POS company based in Brooklyn, NY.

Prior to this he was just a regular dude with a dream to be an entrepreneur, with stints at MediaHive and Accenture as a Solution Strategist, and a BA at Sapient Razorfish. Ish.

You can find him on LinkedIn of course. For the full CV.

Peace. -t

...