Terry sits down with Garret Akerson, co-founder and former CEO of Kindred Bravely, to unpack how a single nursing-friendly product (2015) scaled to a PE-backed brand—and the hard lessons along the way. They cover today’s “cautiously optimistic” e-comm climate, cashflow-first operating, a no-resume group interview hiring model, and proving CTV with geo holdouts.

In this episode of the Beyond ROAS podcast, Terry Whalen and Joey Muller engage in a deep conversation with Sam Mendelson, exploring his extensive journey in e-commerce. Sam shares insights from his family's business, Sivana, and how he transitioned into launching new brands like Sozi and Tiny Rituals. The discussion covers the challenges of scaling businesses, the importance of community in e-commerce, and the role of AI in modern marketing strategies. They also delve into affiliate marketing, loyalty programs, and the innovative use of AI tools like Knobi in enhancing business operations. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving landscape of advertising, particularly on platforms like Meta, where creative targeting has become essential. They emphasize the importance of crafting ad copy that resonates with specific personas and the challenges brands face in scaling due to manufacturing constraints and market fit. The discussion also highlights the role of AI in analyzing customer perceptions and optimizing product offerings to enhance conversion rates.

In this episode of the Beyond ROAS podcast, Terry Whalen interviews Abhi Lokesh, founder and former CEO of Fracture, a unique photo decor brand. They discuss the journey of building Fracture from its inception, the challenges faced in funding and marketing, the importance of vertical integration, and the impact of advertising strategies. Abhi shares insights on customer acquisition versus brand building, the role of AI in business, and his aspirations for future roles in the industry.