In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Brittany Golden, Founder and CEO of IGL Nails, about her journey from side hustle to beauty industry disruptor. Brittany shares how she’s revolutionizing the press-on nail market with inclusive designs for all nail bed sizes, tackling challenges like sourcing manufacturers and scaling her brand. She also discusses empowering women through beauty, overcoming adversity, and her vision for IGL’s future. Tune in for entrepreneurial insights and inspiration!
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, Ciara Cristo chats with Tony Parker, four-time NBA Champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group, for a dynamic conversation on transitioning from sports to business. Tony shares his insights on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and mentorship. He discusses his ventures, including real estate, his basketball academy, and his investment group, Infinity Nine. Reflecting on his work with Alibaba’s Athlete365 program, he highlights equipping athletes with tools to succeed post-retirement. The discussion delves into balancing AI innovation with human creativity, navigating entrepreneurship’s challenges, and Parker’s vision for 2025. This episode showcases Tony’s passion for empowering others to pursue dreams with
In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, our new host, Ciara Cristo, chats with Natalie Jacob, founder of Etymology Jewelry, about her creative journey and commitment to sustainability. Natalie shares how her fine arts background inspired her to build a thriving jewelry business blending vintage charm and modern style. She discusses challenges and successes in navigating the jewelry industry, from sourcing sustainable materials to connecting with customers. Packed with entrepreneurial insights, this conversation will inspire listeners to embrace their creativity and pursue their passions.
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai is joined by the Founder and CEO of buffaBRAND Marketing, Corey Brown. Corey has had a slightly unconventional journey from building custom apparel websites to becoming a leading expert in Amazon consulting and Walmart account management. This path has revealed many insights around creating brand strategies, navigating the complexities of e-commerce, and adapting to rapid industry changes, many of which he shares with us on the show. Corey looks at the positives and pitfalls in navigating Amazon’s latest AI innovations, like the new Rufus tool, and discusses the potential risks of AI-driven review aggregation for sellers. Tune in for a whole host of actionable advice for sellers looking to scale their businesses in a competitive marketplace.
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, host Sharon Gai interviews Darrell Spencer, the founder and CEO of King's Crowning and Crowned Skin. Darrell discusses his journey from a corporate career to pioneering beauty and hair care products designed for Black men. He shares insights into omnichannel marketing, product development, and the importance of customer engagement. Darrell also touches on the challenges he faced breaking into the beauty industry, how he balances rational and emotional appeal in marketing and his vision for empowering men to embrace self-care.
In this episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast, Ron Williams, a former bodybuilding champion turned eCommerce brand owner, joins host Sharon Gai. Together they explore how a mindset shift transformed Ron’s life and business, helping him overcome personal and professional challenges. He discusses his journey into the fitness industry, creating innovative products like the Iron Chestmaster and Total Body Bar, and navigating the complexities of building a brand. Ron also highlights his use of Alibaba.com for sourcing and optimizing manufacturing processes, positioning the platform as a key player in his business growth strategy. Get a deep dive into personal development, business scaling, and the impact of eCommerce on brand success.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.