Why do Comic-Con attendees provide better market research than focus groups, and how can trade shows become your product development laboratory?

Crowdfunding isn't just about money—it's about community validation and smart risk-taking. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Nathan Nalevanko (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-nalevanko-29014133), Senior Design and Tech Outreach Lead at Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/), about what makes for a successful campaign. Learn how to validate product-market fit through live community feedback, build lasting relationships with passionate backers, and navigate the challenges of bringing physical products to market. Whether you're testing your first idea or scaling your third product launch, Nathan breaks down the strategies that turn side hustles into million-dollar businesses.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Introduction: Crowdfunding as Community Validation and Smart Risk-Taking
• (02:17) Case Study: Christian Reed's $1.2M Recon Tools Success Story
• (08:06) Understanding the Passionate Backer Community and Customer Loyalty
• (15:59) Managing Product Evolution and Setting Expectations
• (21:10) Capital Requirements and Supply Chain Challenges
• (25:22) Post-Campaign Growth and Second Launch Success
• (28:01) Common Pitfalls and Product Development Requirements
• (33:06) Resources and Getting Started on Kickstarter

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling a Purpose-Driven Brand: Inside HoneyBug's Growth Journey
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scaling-a-purpose-driven-brand-inside-honeybugs-growth-journey)
• How Mid-Day Squares Disrupted Snacking Through Storytelling (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/not-final-audio-how-mid-day-squares-disrupted-snacking-through-storytelling)
• Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Future-proofing your Supply Chain with Kerim Kfuri
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/disrupt-or...

• (00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough: Crowdfunding
• (00:00:46) - Crowdfunding for Design: B2B Breakthrough
• (00:02:14) - Kickstarter Success Story: Recon Tools
• (00:05:03) - How to Marketing Your Kickstarter Campaign
• (00:07:33) - What Kind of Unifying Features Do You Find in the Backer
• (00:09:18) - What Would You Say About Long Term Customers on Kickstarter?
• (00:11:29) - The Role of Backers on Kickstarter
• (00:17:21) - Kickstarter Creators on the Supply Chain
• (00:20:55) - Crowdfunding 101: The Challenges Creators Face
• (00:23:58) - Kickstarter and Retail: Where Do Projects Live Post-Kickstarter
• (00:25:05) - What's Their Take on Round 2 of a Kickstarter Campaign?
• (00:27:27) - What are the Biggest Pitfalls on Kickstarter?
• (00:32:25) - Kickstarter: How to Start a Campaign on the Internet

Why do Comic-Con attendees provide better market research than focus groups, and how can trade shows become your product development laboratory?

Building a toy business that sparks imagination while navigating supply chain challenges requires persistence, creativity, and direct customer feedback. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Jeff Lawber (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflawber/), the creative force behind Marmals (https://www.marmals.com/), an adorable modular magnetic toy fostering imaginative play. Jeff shares his path from industrial designer to toy entrepreneur, revealing how he's built lasting relationships with over two dozen suppliers through Alibaba.com while maintaining his vision as a solopreneur. Learn how trade shows became his testing ground for innovation, why direct customer feedback drives product development, and how he weathered tariff challenges through creative problem-solving and domestic innovation.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Welcome and Marmal Origin Story
• (08:00) Solopreneur Challenges and Manufacturing Relationships
• (14:06) Trade Shows as Product Development Laboratory
• (20:22) Dual Market Demographics and Modular Design
• (22:09) Supply Chain Challenges and Tariff Navigation
• (26:42) Upcoming Product Launches and Comic-Con Circuit
• (30:35) Building Community and Future Vision

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling a Purpose-Driven Brand: Inside HoneyBug's Growth Journey
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scaling-a-purpose-driven-brand-inside-honeybugs-growth-journey)
• How Mid-Day Squares Disrupted Snacking Through Storytelling (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/not-final-audio-how-mid-day-squares-disrupted-snacking-through-storytelling)

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Future-proofing your Supply Chain with Kerim Kfuri
(https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/disrupt-or-be-disrupted-future-proofing-your-supply-chain)

• (00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough Podcast
• (00:00:40) - Meet the Toy Maker
• (00:01:14) - Marmal's Magnetic Art Toys: Where Everything Clicks
• (00:04:07) - The Making of 'Magnus'
• (00:05:25) - The Toy Maker's Collaboration With Suppliers
• (00:09:22) - Marmalades: Five Years in the Business
• (00:11:22) - Jeff Lauber on Will Meets Way
• (00:13:07) - Bob Ley on the Toy Trade Show
• (00:14:33) - Have You Received a Feedback Letter From a Customer?
• (00:15:43) - The Toy Line's Marketing
• (00:17:19) - What Do You Need To Know About Prototyping?
• (00:18:49) - How To Market Your Fidget Toy
• (00:20:30) - Challenging the Supply Chain
• (00:23:06) - What does balance look like for a solopreneur?
• (00:24:14) - The 3-D Animation of Kids
• (00:25:29) - Marvel's Chris Jones on Moving Forward
• (00:26:15) - Comic Cons: A Community
• (00:28:23) - Minimals: When Can we Expect to See Them?
• (00:29:02) - B2B Breakthrough: Comic Con 2017

Why are founders who avoid buzzwords and rhetorical questions 10x more likely to secure follow-up meetings with investors?

The difference isn't having the most innovative product or the slickest presentation—it's understanding the psychology behind investor decision-making and communicating with the confidence that comes from genuine preparation. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kat Weaver (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katweaver/), founder of Power to Pitch (https://powertopitch.com), about mastering the art of fundraising through clear communication and confident pitching. From winning 22 of 23 pitches to helping founders raise over $50 million in grants and venture capital, Kat shares the psychology behind successful funding conversations and reveals why less than 2% of venture capital goes to US businesses, with only 2.9% of that reaching female founders. Learn how to overcome imposter syndrome, avoid common pitch mistakes, and navigate the challenging landscape of fundraising while building authentic investor relationships that extend far beyond the initial meeting.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) From Accidental Entrepreneur to Pitch Coach
• (03:08) Gender Bias in Fundraising: Real Stories and Strategic Responses
• (08:49) The Preparation and Psychology Behind Successful Pitching
• (15:44) Hook Strategies: Avoiding Buzzwords and Rhetorical Questions
• (23:06) Pitching Without Visual Aids and Building Clear Narratives
• (28:30) Competition vs Investment Pitching: Tailoring Your Approach
• (33:26) Mastering the Close: Memorable Endings That Drive Action
• (38:13) Follow-Up Protocols and LinkedIn Networking for Long-Term Success

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling a Purpose-Driven Brand: Inside HoneyBug's Growth Journey
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scaling-a-purpose-driven-brand-inside-honeybugs-growth-journey)
• How Mid-Day Squares Disrupted Snacking Through Storytelling (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/not-final-audio-how-mid-day-squares-disrupted-snacking-through-storytelling)
• Finding OEM-Friendly Factories: Expert Tips from Serial Inventor Brian Fried
  

• (00:00:00) - How to Build a Business Breakthrough Podcast
• (00:00:33) - Power to Pitch With Kat Weaver
• (00:01:03) - Power to Pitch: How to Get Funded
• (00:02:56) - Have Female Founders Got What They Needed?
• (00:03:35) - The Bias Female Founders Experience While Trying To Get Funding
• (00:08:14) - How To Pitch Your Investor
• (00:11:15) - How to Pitch With Less Confidence
• (00:14:50) - How To Make A Fundment Pitch
• (00:18:56) - AI Sourcing: The Ultimate Search Engine
• (00:19:50) - How To Make an Investment Pitch
• (00:22:25) - How To Write a Good Pitch Deck
• (00:24:40) - The Next Meeting: An Investor Pitch vs. Competition Pitch
• (00:28:48) - How To Manage the End of Your Pitch
• (00:31:03) - Next Steps: Avoid Cliches and Over-Polished Language
• (00:33:38) - How To Write A Memorable Closing Pitch
• (00:37:05) - How to Prepare Your Pitch
• (00:38:42) - B2B Breakthrough: Accelerating Business Growth

Why does treating "every production as the first time" prevent the kind of complacency that turns mass production into mass disaster?

Turning disruption into opportunity requires more than just quick thinking—it demands the right mindset, strategic preparation, and a willingness to embrace chaos as fuel for innovation. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Kerim Kfuri (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerimkfuri/), President and CEO of The Atlas Network (https://theatlasnetwork.com) and global supply chain strategist, about mastering the art of leading through uncertainty. With decades of experience helping businesses navigate everything from tariff disruptions to pandemic-induced shortages, Kerim reveals his three-step methodology for controlling the controllable factors while building resilience against the unforeseeable. Learn how to transform your biggest challenges into competitive advantages through strategic supplier relationships, proactive risk assessment, and the power of adaptable thinking.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) The Right Mindset for Navigating Supply Chain Chaos
• (04:45) The Atlas Network Three-Step Methodology
• (12:02) Cultural Adaptability in Global Supplier Relationships
• (15:32) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement
• (19:32) Leading Through Chaos and Finding Opportunity
• (28:07) Strategic Approaches to Tariff Management
• (33:56) Future-Proofing Through Flexibility and Openness

Kerim Kfuri is President and CEO of The Atlas Network, a global supply chain management company with over 20 years of experience helping businesses navigate disruptions across industries. Leading a network of close to 2,000 suppliers worldwide, Kerim has developed proven methodologies focused on risk mitigation, transparency, and visibility that have guided countless organizations through major global challenges including the pandemic, tariff conflicts, and supply chain volatility. As a supply chain optimist and thought leader, he believes that chaos creates the greatest opportunities for businesses willing to adapt and innovate.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling a Purpose-Driven Brand: Inside HoneyBug's Growth Journey
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scaling-a-purpose-driven-brand-inside-honeybugs-growth-journey)
• Finding OEM-Friendly Factories: Expert Tips from Serial Inventor Brian Fried
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/ep...

• (00:00:00) - B2B Breakthrough Podcast
• (00:01:00) - How to navigate the disruption in the supply chain
• (00:02:32) - Will There Be Disruption in the Supply Chain?
• (00:04:17) - Disruption Proof: The Controllable vs. Unre
• (00:10:15) - The Secret to Finding the Right Supplier
• (00:15:32) - AI Sourcing: The Best Sourcing Engine
• (00:16:26) - How to Identify a Good Supplier
• (00:19:15) - Disruptions in the Global Supply Chain
• (00:20:52) - Trade tariffs, how to offset them?
• (00:22:58) - Five Rules for a Proactive Supply Chain
• (00:28:07) - Tariffs: How to Manage them?
• (00:36:11) - B2B Breakthrough: Talking Business With Karim

How did three people with no social media following turn handwritten notes and free samples into a multi-million dollar snacking empire?

Building a successful food brand in today's market requires more than just great products—it takes authentic storytelling, community building, and the courage to do things differently. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Jake Karls (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/), co-founder and “Chief Rainmaker” of Mid-Day Squares (https://www.middaysquares.com), about revolutionizing the snacking industry through documentary-style marketing and direct-to-consumer innovation. Learn how they built a loyal following by sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of entrepreneurship, scaled from handwritten notes to millions of customers, and created a brand that makes people feel like they're buying from friends.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) The Serendipity Philosophy and Building Through Relationships
• (03:50) From DTC Origins to Building Community Through Storytelling
• (09:00) Transitioning from Direct-to-Consumer to Retail Success
• (13:22) Why Traditional Food Marketing Fails and Fear Holds Brands Back
• (16:57) Visual Branding Strategy - Bringing Lifestyle to Grocery Stores
• (19:03) Manufacturing In-House - The Hard Choice That Creates Stories
• (28:30) The ROI of Showing Up and Trusting Your Gut Over External Noise

Jake Karls is the co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, a revolutionary snacking company that has disrupted the traditional food industry through authentic storytelling and community building. Known for his documentary-style approach to brand marketing, Jake has helped build Mid-Day Squares from three people with no social media following to a multi-million dollar business available across North America. With a background in event planning and brand building, Jake specializes in creating authentic connections between brands and consumers through vulnerability, transparency, and genuine human relationships that drive both loyalty and growth.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling a Purpose-Driven Brand: Inside HoneyBug's Growth Journey
  (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/scaling-a-purpose-driven-brand-inside-honeybugs-growth-journey)
• Finding OEM-Friendly Factories: Expert Tips from Serial Inventor Brian Fried
  

What if the secret to breakthrough supplier innovation isn't telling them what to make, but asking them to solve your problem instead?

Building a brand that parents trust and kids love requires more than just great products—it takes thoughtful design, strategic partnerships, and an unboxing experience that creates lasting memories. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Jen Kennedy, founder and visionary behind HoneyBug, and Rachel Webb, the company's brilliant chief operating officer. Together, they share how they revolutionized family gifting by creating clean, effective, and thoughtfully designed products that solve real parenting pain points. Learn how they built lasting supplier relationships through Alibaba.com, developed their signature unboxing experience, and scaled from garage operations to a trusted marketplace featuring 500+ brands.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) The Parking Lot Epiphany: How HoneyBug Was Born
• (07:01) Building a Scrappy, Authentic Team Culture
• (10:57) The Packaging Experience as Product Strategy
• (15:08) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement
• (16:37) Scaling Handcrafted Elements Through Smart Manufacturing
• (21:20) Vetting Suppliers and Building Trust-Based Relationships
• (30:28) Cash Flow Management: The Hidden Challenge of Rapid Growth
• (35:22) Looking Ahead: Celebrating Every Occasion

Jen Kennedy is the founder and visionary behind HoneyBug, a company revolutionizing family essentials and gifting with clean, effective, and thoughtfully designed products. Coming from a corporate background in the restaurant industry, Jen identified a gap in the market for curated, high-quality baby and toddler gifts that take the guesswork out of thoughtful giving. Under her leadership, HoneyBug has grown from a garage operation to a trusted marketplace featuring over 500 domestic and international brands.

Rachel Webb serves as HoneyBug's Chief Operating Officer and logistical force, bringing her expertise in scaling operations and building supplier relationships. With a background in working with large-scale food suppliers, Rachel applies her process-oriented approach to help HoneyBug maintain quality standards while managing rapid growth and complex vendor relationships.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Finding OEM-Friendly Factories: Expert Tips from Serial Inventor Brian Fried

Could catalog-based browsing transform how you discover new products for your business?

Sourcing globally isn't just about finding the lowest prices—it's about building resilient supply chains and smart business relationships. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Justin Liu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinliu/), U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com, about helping U.S. businesses navigate unpredictable times through diversified sourcing strategies. Learn how today's retailers and manufacturers can leverage both international suppliers and emerging U.S. brands to build stronger distribution networks. Whether you're a small business scaling up or a retailer diversifying your inventory, Justin offers practical insights on everything from catalog-based discovery to local stock opportunities.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Platform Strategy and Buyer Experience Focus
• (01:22) Justin Liu's Role as U.S. Country Manager
• (02:50) Challenges Facing Small Business Owners and Manufacturers
• (05:38) Understanding Buyer Demands and Pain Points
• (11:16) Retailer Needs vs Brand Builder Requirements
• (15:13) Supply Chain Diversification and Tariff Strategies
• (17:38) Local Stock Strategy and U.S. Brand Distribution
• (23:41) Sales Channels and Platform Improvements
• (29:10) Global Export Opportunities for U.S. Brands
• (32:57) Future Forecasting and Business Focus Strategies

Justin Liu is the U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com, where he leads initiatives to improve buyer experiences for American businesses while helping U.S.-based suppliers expand their global distribution networks. With over a decade of experience in B2B marketplace development, Justin focuses on connecting retailers, manufacturers, and brand owners with qualified suppliers worldwide while addressing the unique needs of American small businesses navigating supply chain challenges..

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• How to Simplify your Sourcing on Alibaba.com: Insights from Ciara Cristo (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-to-simplify-your-sourcing-on-alibabacom-insights-from-ciara-cristo)
• Kickstarter Confidential: Insider Tips from the CEO - Live at CoCreate (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/kickstarter-confidential-insider-tips-from-the-ceo-live-at-cocreate)
• Crowdfunding Success Secrets: LaunchBoom's Strategies for Product Ideation and Marketing with Will Ford (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/crowdfunding-success-secrets-launchbooms-strategies-for-product-ideati...

How can you tell if an overseas factory is legitimate without visiting in person?

Turning ideas into physical products isn't just about creativity—it's about strategic planning and finding the right manufacturing partners. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo talks with Brian Fried (@brianfriedinventor), serial inventor and Chief Inventor at Inventor Smart, about bridging the gap between great ideas and successful products. With 15 patents and 19 years coaching inventors, Brian reveals the common manufacturing misconceptions that keep great products from reaching the market and shares his proven system for vetting overseas factories without boarding a plane.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Welcome and Introduction to Brian Fried
• (03:45) Key Considerations When Vetting Manufacturers
• (08:12) Building Strong Supplier Relationships Across Distances
• (14:37) Scaling Production While Maintaining Quality
• (19:58) Leveraging Technology for Better Manufacturing Partnerships
• (24:43) Closing Thoughts and Resources

Brian Fried is a serial inventor with 15 patents, an author of three books on inventing, and has appeared on QVC for three years. He runs the National Inventor Club and has created an app specifically for the inventor community. Brian helps inventors navigate the journey from concept to market through his coaching services at Inventor Smart and was recently named an Alibaba.com Ambassador.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• How to Simplify your Sourcing on Alibaba.com: Insights from Ciara Cristo
• Kickstarter Confidential: Insider Tips from the CEO - Live at CoCreate
• Crowdfunding Success Secrets: LaunchBoom's Strategies for Product Ideation and Marketing with Will Ford

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary, CEO of Amazing.com; Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Media; Kia-Shun Voltz, Chief Executive Officer of ShampooTime; Matt Jones, Founder of The Crease Beast; and Julianna Dahbura, Founder of Deco Beauty.