We wrap up this three-part series with a powerful discussion on luck, opportunity, resilience, and long-game business development. David shares the story behind how he landed at JALI, why timing matters, and how saying yes to the right opportunities can change the trajectory of your life.

We talk about product belief, handling rejection with a clear head, using customer feedback to improve, and why every deal still requires real effort—even when you have a marquee client like Cyberpunk 2077 on your résumé. David also shares one of my favorite stories: how JALI helped a small indie studio bring their narrative vision to life. It’s the perfect reminder of why this work matters.

This final episode ties together the mindset, grit, and curiosity needed to grow in BD and create a career you’re proud of.

Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠

Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠Websites:⁠ QS Consulting

⁠Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In part two of our conversation, David and I unpack why so many exceptional business development leaders start their careers outside of traditional sales roles. David explains how authenticity builds trust, why the “slick salesperson” model is outdated, and how relationship-first selling drives long-term success in the gaming and tech industries.

We explore how being yourself—not a template—creates genuine connection. David shares insights on conference behavior (including how to stop badge-scanning), the value of sincerity, and how small gestures like handwritten notes can create meaningful moments that set you apart. This episode is filled with real, field-tested advice for becoming the kind of BD professional people actually want to work with.

Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠

Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠Websites:⁠ QS Consulting

⁠Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In this first part of our three-episode series, David Bossin-Hardy shares the unexpected path that led him from restaurants and bartending to becoming Director of Sales and Partnerships at JALI Research, one of the most innovative facial-animation companies in the industry.

David breaks down how customer service, expectation management, and reading people in real time shaped his entire approach to business development. We talk about why the best BD professionals often come from nontraditional backgrounds, how to “own the table,” and how the skills he learned in hospitality directly translate to building trust, managing deals, and guiding clients through complex decisions.

If you’ve ever wondered how to take your everyday experiences and turn them into elite business development instincts, this episode sets the stage beautifully.

Where to Connect with David

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/
Website: https://jaliresearch.com/

Contact Info for Assad
LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn
Websites: QS Consulting
Music Credit
Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, recorded live at MIGS, Assad sits down with Rabia Dincer, Partnerships Manager at CrazyGames, to unpack what authentic business development looks like when you strip away the pitch deck polish. Rabia shares her unconventional journey into BD, the early challenges of being the only woman in a male-dominated company, and how learning to advocate for herself reshaped both her confidence and her approach to partnerships.

The conversation dives into Rabia’s operating philosophy: keep messages short, make them personal, avoid ego-driven outreach, and “sell the way you would want to be sold to.” She breaks down how listening, empathy, and curiosity consistently outperform clever scripts. Assad and Rabia also explore the emotional realities of BD — burnout, travel fatigue, and protecting your energy — along with practical insights on understanding your ICP, spotting real prospect needs, and crafting outreach that resonates.

If you work in partnerships, sales, or business development, this episode gives you a grounded, human look at how top performers build trust, stay curious, and create opportunities through genuine connection.

business development
partnerships
CrazyGames
sales outreach
empathy in sales
gaming industry BD
women in tech
MIGS
client relationships
curiosity-driven selling

Where to Connect with Rabia Dincer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdincer/
• Website: https://www.crazygames.com/

Contact Info for Assad

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assad-quraishi/
• Websites: QS Consulting & XP Gaming

Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Music Credit

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with Ethan Cossio — Level Designer, Biz Dev professional, and international bridge-builder between East Asian and Western markets. Ethan shares how a single trip to GDC set him on a path to connecting with creators, studios, and business leaders across China, Korea, and Japan.

This conversation dives into the real nuances of international BD: cultural expectations, etiquette differences, relationship-building in Asia, and how authenticity can make or break a deal. Ethan also explores the importance of networking aggressively before traveling, respecting cultural norms (like Japan’s business card etiquette), and understanding the long-game relationship mindset common in East Asia.

Whether you’re entering a new market, trying to collaborate with partners overseas, or simply want to learn how to navigate cross-cultural business with confidence, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight from someone living it.

Where to Connect with Ethan Cossio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancossio/
Website: https://alkemilabz.com/

Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi/
Websites:
QS Consulting: https://qsconsulting.info
Music CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

international business
cross-cultural BD
East Asia partnerships
Japan business etiquette
Korea business culture
China networking
global BD strategy
relationship building
business development podcast
Drinks and Deals

After 30 years in sales leadership, Joseph Fontana stepped away to recharge, rediscover himself, and redefine what success really means. In this candid conversation, Joe and Assad dive deep into the realities of modern sales — the grind, the burnout, and the transformation that happens when you finally stop playing a role and start selling as your authentic self.

From the aggressive 90s cold-call culture to today’s relationship-driven selling, Joe shares how sales has evolved into a mix of art and science, why every seller needs a mentor or coach, and how tools like AI or automation can never replace human connection. He also opens up about how over 1 billion in revenue and 155,000 hours of talk time taught him one lesson above all: tech should replace nothing but time.

If you’ve ever wrestled with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressure to always perform, this episode will remind you that great sellers aren’t machines — they’re humans who care, connect, and keep learning.

sales authenticity, burnout recovery, mentorship, sales leadership, B2B sales, human selling, sales coaching, automation in sales, work-life balance, sales mindsetWhere to Connect with Joseph Fontana

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-fontana75/

• Contact Info for Assad

  • LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn
• • Websites: QS Consulting

  Music Credit

  Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, host Assad Quraishi sits down with Dylan Lavis, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Paragon Interactive, to unpack how to make conferences actually pay off.

From his early days managing trade shows to leading BD at Forbes and now co-developing games at Paragon, Dylan shares real strategies for preparing, performing, and following up after events. You’ll learn how to plan your conference calendar like a pro, create memorable connections, and measure ROI in long B2B cycles — all without losing your sanity.

Expect a refreshingly human conversation about diligence, humility, and the power of strong personal foundations. Whether you’re attending GDC, MIGS, or your next local networking event, this episode will change how you think about conferences forever.

Conferences, Business Development, Networking, Sales Strategy, ROI, Paragon Interactive, Forbes, B2B Marketing, Game Industry, Leadership

Where to Connect with Dylan Lavis

LinkedIn: Dylan Lavis
Website: paragoninteractive.io

Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: Assad Quraishi
Websites: QS Consulting | XP Gaming

Music CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad Quraishi sits down with Calson Sheng, a serial entrepreneur and former Next 36 fellow, to talk about what every founder eventually learns the hard way: success isn’t just about ideas—it’s about partnerships.

Calson shares lessons from building startups across AI, SaaS, and Web3, and how his latest project aims to transform financial operations for nursing homes. The conversation dives into deal-making, audience scoping, and how understanding industry-specific workflows can make or break your go-to-market strategy.

He also discusses the art of outreach, the reality of cold calls, and why relationship building is the only true moat in today’s B2B world. Whether you’re launching your first product or refining your pitch, this episode offers clear, grounded advice on building something that lasts.

Key takeaways:

• Identify the right pain point for the right audience.

• Narrow your focus — “everyone” is not your customer.

• Understand industry workflows before writing a single line of code.

• Don’t skip relationship-building — it’s your most defensible advantage.

• Founders should validate problems before building solutions.

Entrepreneurship, startups, business development, B2B SaaS, partnerships, deal-making, audience targeting, cold calling, Next 36, relationship building

Where to Connect with Calson Sheng

• LinkedIn: Calson Sheng on LinkedIn

• • Website: Coming soon – follow Calson on LinkedIn for updates.

  Contact Info for Assad

• • LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn

  • Websites: QS Consulting

  Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay