B2B Breakthrough Podcast

Every two weeks, the B2B Breakthrough Podcast brings you the knowledge, insights and strategies that you need to continue to grow your business. By learning from industry experts, successful e-commerce business owners, and the team at Alibaba.com, you’ll be well on your way to your next big business breakthrough. If you’re facing challenges on your path to success as a small business owner, we’re here to give you the tools you need to break through and reach the next level.

How Fred Espinal Turned $500 Into a Cigar Empire

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Sharon sits down with Fred Espinal, CEO of Espinal Puro LLC and Hanley Cigar Company. Fredelyn shares his inspiring journey from the Dominican Republic to building a successful cigar business despite having no prior experience. The conversation explores his passion for cigars, the cultural roots of his brand, and his innovative use of social media during COVID-19. Fredelyn’s insights on dedication, community, and cultural integrity offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. You won’t want to miss this engaging and thought-provoking conversation with an extraordinary entrepreneur – so tune in now!

09-24
30:20

Kickstarter Confidential: Insider Tips from the CEO - Live at CoCreate

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, joins host Sharon Gai. With a diverse background from event ticketing to digital influencing, Everette’s journey is a testament to innovation and entrepreneurship. In this podcast, he shares his evolution from launching Easy Events to leading Kickstarter, and provides insights into what it means to be a modern inventor. Everette discusses the powerful role of Kickstarter in bringing creative projects to life, the misconceptions about the platform, and the strategies for setting and achieving campaign goals. Sharon Gai and Everette also dive into the latest trends in crowdfunding, the growing popularity of physical products, and offer tips on maintaining momentum and fulfilling backer expectations. You won’t want to miss this engaging and thought-provoking conversation with an extraordinary entrepreneur – so tune in now!

09-12
27:46

Trailblazing Female Founders: Inventing OME Gear with Jules and Stace

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Jules Weldon and Stace Pierce, founders of O.M.E. Gear, join host Sharon Gai. Together, they delve into the inspiring journey from living the van life to creating a successful business that designs and manufactures versatile outdoor gear. They discuss their challenges and triumphs, including the evolution of their product ideas, the importance of perseverance, and their commitment to innovation. They further discuss the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship and their efforts to support other female inventors through their non-profit, BoldSKY Foundation.

08-28
28:13

Special Episode - Rah Mahtani on Wizards of Ecom: Navigating CoCreate 2024

Inside this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, we are sharing our Head of Marketing, Rah Mahtani's, interview on Carlos Alvarez's Wizards of ECOM podcast about the upcoming Alibaba Co-Create conference. They explore the conference’s unique value, catering to both established eCommerce sellers and newcomers, with a focus on actionable growth strategies. Rah highlights the VIP ticket's exclusive perks, such as hotel stays and networking opportunities. They also discuss panels dedicated to female entrepreneurs and a special pitch event offering grants. Rah and Carlos express their enthusiasm for the conference, encouraging listeners to take advantage of early bird pricing and special discounts. Don’t miss this inspirational conversation.

08-13
31:54

How Simona Transitioned from Tennis Pro to CEO

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Simona Moore, CEO of PB Pro. Simona's professional journey starts with being an accomplished tennis player and transitions to an experienced brand development and eCommerce expert. Join them as Simona shares her unique journey from professional tennis player to successful entrepreneur and how her passion for pickleball led her to create high-quality products for players. Discover how PB Pro is revolutionizing the sport, the company’s shift to direct-to-consumer sales, and their plans for future growth. Get inspired by Simona's advice for first-time entrepreneurs and her dedication to continuous learning and innovation. Simona also touches on the importance of using consumer feedback to drive innovation and overcoming the challenges of competing with big-box retail in a competitive category. Don’t miss this inspirational conversation.

07-30
38:23

From Side Hustles to Nine-Figures with Carlos Alvarez

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Carlos Alvarez, Founder and CMO of Wizards of Ecom, joins host Sharon Gai. With over 15 years of experience on Amazon, Carlos has grown his brands to nine figures in online revenue. In this podcast, he shares his journey from side hustles to eBay to breeding and selling live insects. Carlos also discusses the importance of building a supportive community and the need for a multichannel selling approach by exploring platforms beyond Amazon. Sharon Gai and Carlos explore the growing trend of live selling in the US and China, the impact of AI on eCommerce, and offer valuable advice for newcomers in the industry. Don't miss out on this insightful and inspiring conversation - tune in now!

07-16
36:39

How to Prioritize Progress Over Perfection: Insights from Carlyn Bushman

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast, Carlyn Bushman, Founder of CMB Brands, joins host Sharon Gai. Together, they delve into the world of trade shows and the opportunities they present for entrepreneurs. Discover the importance of planning, networking, and connecting with potential buyers. Gain valuable tips and advice for maximizing the benefits of attending trade shows and learn from the experiences of successful business owners. Get inspired to make the most of the current market conditions and build your dream business.

07-02
42:37

Crowdfunding Success Secrets: LaunchBoom's Strategies for Product Ideation and Marketing with Will Ford

Join host Sharon Gai in this energizing episode of the B2B Breakthrough podcast as she welcomes crowdfunding expert Will Ford, the President and Co-Founder of LaunchBoom. Together, they explore the world of crowdfunding and how it can revolutionize the way entrepreneurs validate and test new products with less risk. Will shares his expertise in crowdfunding, product ideation, marketing, and fulfillment, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for launching successful campaigns.

06-18
37:20

How to Simplify your Sourcing on Alibaba.com: Insights from Ciara Cristo

Get Ready to learn how to drive your business outcomes by leveraging Alibaba.com's services and tools. This special episode of B2B Breakthrough follows a Q&A format between your host, Sharon Gai, and Ciara Cristo from Alibaba.com. They discuss best practices for sourcing, finding the right supplier for your needs, and Alibaba’s Guaranteed, which protects your purchase for delivery and quality parameters.

06-06
43:45

How Meghan Found Success in Connectivity Through FounderMade

Get ready to be inspired by Meghan Asha’s journey from the connectivity space to the world of consumer packaged goods and becoming a founder and entrepreneur. Join your host, Sharon Gai, as she talks to Meghan about scaling CPG companies, the future of e-commerce, and the importance of vulnerability and intuition.

05-21
28:46

Unlocking the Secrets of Wholesale Apparel: Lessons from Superline Wholesale with Eric and Vivek

Get ready to be inspired by the pioneers behind Superline Wholesale. Join your host, Sharon Gai, as she talks to Vivek Ramchandani and Eric Lee. The duo shares their journey in the apparel wholesale industry and discusses brand building, the role of platforms like Alibaba, and the challenges faced by luxury streetwear brands.

05-08
32:48

How Samir Pursued Extreme Success in E-commerce

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Samir Balwani, the CEO of QRY, to discuss effective campaigns, the importance of resilience and problem-solving, and strategies for growing and scaling brands.

04-23
39:47

The Evolution and Impact of B2B Marketplaces with Mark Brohan

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Mark Brohan, Senior Vice President of B2B and Market Research at Digital Commerce 360, to discuss the rapid growth of B2B marketplaces. He explains how these marketplaces are meeting the needs of today's B2B buyers, and shares insights into the future of B2B marketplaces and the role of AI in enhancing the user experience.

04-10
31:33

EXCLUSIVE: Unlocking Alibaba.com's Secrets to Success with Yikun Shao

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Sharon Gai is joined by Yikun Shao, the Head of Supply Chain for B2B North America at Alibaba Group, to explore how Alibaba.com logistics offers cost-effective and efficient shipping solutions to over 220 countries and regions while maintaining top-notch service quality and leverages AI to enhance the operational efficiency and growth prospects of small businesses.

03-28
29:50

How to Master Cross-Border Trade: Insider Tips from Alibaba Group's Yikun Shao

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Sharon Gai is joined by Yikun Shao, the Head of Supply Chain for B2B North America at the Alibaba Group, to share the challenges business owners experience in cross-border trade, his role in connecting global business buyers and suppliers, and Alibaba.com's logistic services that can help support buyers in their purchasing journeys.

03-26
31:29

How Jules 'nailed' trendsetting in the beauty industry

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Sharon Gai is joined by Julianna Dahbura, the founder of Deco Beauty, to explore how to build a strong brand, the importance of networking, and why entrepreneurs should focus on long-term goals.

03-19
33:44

Side Hustle to Success: Scaling Your Business with Stephanie Cartin

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Stephanie Cartin, CEO of Entreprenista, to discuss why you should consider scaling your side hustle into a full-fledged business, how to build and maintain successful partnerships, and how to leverage social media for business growth.

03-05
40:42

Building the Future of Footwear with Matt Jones

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Matt Jones, Founder of Crease Beast, to explore how Matt revolutionized the sneaker protection game with his innovative foam-based crease protector. They discuss how Crease Beast revives 90s hip-hop and sneaker culture for today's enthusiasts, the importance of building strong relationships with your manufacturers, and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

02-27
34:35

Persistence, Innovation & the Power of Starting with Kia-Shun Voltz

In this episode of B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Kia-Shun Voltz, CEO and Founder of ShampooTime, to discuss why you should innovate out of necessity, how you can turn personal challenges into business opportunities, and how to successfully launch and grow a product that meets a widespread, unaddressed need.

02-14
35:51

Embracing Change: Lessons on Adaptability with Jason Feifer

In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and author of "Build for Tomorrow," to discuss why you should embrace change and seize new opportunities, how you can adapt and innovate in your business, and how to future-proof your career as an entrepreneur.

01-31
40:07

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