The Turning Pro Podcast

Ryan Lewendon, co-founder of Giannuzzi Lewendon LLP, is at the forefront of legal services for emerging consumer brands. Since establishing the firm with Nicholas Giannuzzi in 2011, he has played a pivotal role in guiding high-growth companies through complex legal landscapes. With a client list boasting household names like Vitaminwater and BodyArmor, Ryan's expertise has been instrumental in their rapid growth and successful exits. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating story behind the company’s ascent to prominence. Ryan discusses the firm’s entrepreneurial beginnings, the strategic moves that have cemented their reputation, and the dynamic relationships they've built with some of the most notable brands in the industry.

Jeff Truong, Founder and Managing Partner of Broadway Venture Partners, is at the forefront of early-stage venture capital, focusing on the future of commerce. His transition from seasoned venture capitalist to launching his own $30 million fund is empowering and educational. In this episode, we explore the fascinating story behind Broadway Venture Partners’ inception and growth. Jeff shares how he overcame fundraising challenges and built meaningful relationships with investors and entrepreneurs. Jeff's journey highlights the value of perseverance and visionary thinking in venture capital.

Michael True, co-founder and CEO of Prescient AI, is leading a transformative startup that is redefining data science and marketing analytics. His journey from a corporate tech role at IBM to heading a rapidly expanding company is both compelling and insightful, showcasing his relentless drive for innovation and success. In this episode, we look into the captivating story behind Prescient AI's inception and development. Michael shares how he navigated the numerous challenges of early-stage startups while balancing personal well-being with professional responsibilities.

Eli Taylor-Lemire is the co-founder and CPO of POSH, a software product for live experiences that has raised $31 million in funding to date. Eli's journey from college dropout to leading a successful company is both inspiring and insightful, showcasing his ventures in video production and coding, as well as his ability to navigate the challenges of scaling a startup during a pandemic. In this episode, we uncover the compelling story behind POSH's founding and growth, exploring how Eli navigated the challenges of early-stage startups. Join us for an in-depth conversation filled with practical advice and inspiring anecdotes from Eli's entrepreneurial journey.

Emmett Shine is an innovative entrepreneur and designer known for his unique approach to brand building and creative direction. As the co-founder of Gin Lane, Pattern Brands, and Little Plains, he has transformed the landscape of digital and physical products through his exceptional vision and dedication.

In this episode of Turning Pro, we explore Emmett's fascinating journey from the early days of Gin Lane to his latest ventures. Emmett shares insights on his creative process, the importance of surrounding yourself with talented individuals, and his relentless pursuit of excellence. We delve into how Emmett balances creativity with business acumen, his experiences working with high-profile clients, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Michael Brandt is the co-founder and CEO of Ketone-IQ, an innovative startup that transitioned from a niche biohacker concept to a renowned brand in the health and wellness sector after signing a $6 million contract with the US Department of Defense.

In this episode, we delve into Michael's remarkable journey from creating the world’s first ketone shot to partnering with the Tour de France-winning cycling team, Visma. We uncover how Ketone-IQ expanded its reach and how this CEO made the ultimate leap from tech to nutrition thanks to his passion for human performance and development.

Ryan Chen and Kent Yoshimura are the Co-Founders of NeuroGum, an LA-based wellness brand that sells clinically studied nootropics to help people feel more energized, focused, and calm.

In this episode, the NeuroGum team unpacks their own Turning Pro moments while scaling the health brand, how they’ve managed to overcome major obstacles and hurdles, and why more founders should remember to celebrate wins at every stage of their company’s growth journey.

Jacklyn Dallas is the Founder & CEO of NothingButTech, one of the fastest growing media companies in the world that focuses on consumer tech trends. As the platform’s audience has grown, Jacklyn has hosted 1-on-1 interviews with tech giants like Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

In this episode, we get an inside look at Jacklyn’s content workflow, how creators and founders can find their unique voices, and her personal tactics to blend creativity and entrepreneurship.

Peter Kang is the Co-Founder & CEO at Barrel, a creative and digital marketing agency in New York City that specializes in designing digital experiences for consumer brands. Before launching Barrel, Peter worked on Wall Street as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers.

In this episode, we discuss the highs and lows of agency life, the importance of team support when things aren’t going right, and Peter’s lessons learned from running Barrel for 18 years.

John Coyle is the Head of Professional Services at Triple Whale, a rapidly growing e-comm infra startup building the operating system for Shopify brands. Before joining Triple Whale, John was the CMO for Team Strategery and Ander, and the founder of Explosive Growth Marketing.

In this episode, we get an inside look at John’s relentless growth mindset, making the jump from a founder to an employee, and the ROI in authenticity and storytelling for content creation.